Sunshine State Award 2016

Rowland Publishing Inc. has learned that its regional business magazine, “850-The Business Magazine of Northwest Florida,” earned first-place honors as Florida’s best trade/special interest magazine in the 2016 Sunshine State Awards. The statewide contest is conducted by the Society of Professional Journalists, Florida Pro Chapter. The award was made based on two issues of “850” published during the contest period: Coming Attractions (Feb/March 2015), which included a cover feature on efforts to get more state support for film projects, and New Jobs Report (April/May 2015), with its lead story on economic development efforts in Northwest Florida. The award in particular recognizes the work of editor Linda Kleindienst and designer Jennifer Ekrut. Kleindienst wrote both cover features. This was the fifth consecutive year in which “850” has won an SPJ Sunshine State Award. The magazine took first place in the best trade/special interest category in 2012, 2013 and 2015 and second place in 2014.