Alliance awards SBJ top honors for ZIP code feature

A special Springfield Business Journal feature last year that examined the demographics of Springfield residential ZIP codes scored the publication a gold award for best feature layout last weekend at the annual Alliance of Area Business Publications conference.

SBJ Reporter Jeremy Elwood and Editorial Designer Aaron Scott were the main players behind the May 14, 2007, feature, called "Cracking the Codes," which gave insight into the people and economies of each ZIP code.

The gold - or first place - award is given based on visual and informative elements of a feature package.

"There are exactly two paragraphs of narrative to introduce this package, yet overall it has more information than 50 inches of text," AABP judges said of SBJ's entry. "It's clever, reader-friendly and easy to navigate. Readers can quickly gauge the value of their homes, their neighbors and other neighborhoods in their community. The color-coded graphics help readers zero in on any area of town. The consistency in color and design, the multiple points of entry and the packed but easy-to-read graphics make this entry a winner."

SBJ is a member of AABP. The annual summer conference was held June 19-21 in Charleston, S.C.