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Business Journalist Awards 2008 launched

Date: 05 Sep 2008

l-r Fiona McHugh, Lochlann Quinn, Professor Tom Begley

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School invites applications from print, broadcast and online journalists across the land

Dublin, Thursday, 4^th September 2008:

UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School today launched the Business Journalist Awards 2008. The awards, which are now in their second year, reward excellence in Irish business journalism across print, broadcast and online media. Among the eight categories open for entry are Business News, Business Feature and Specialist Business Reporting. Business Interview and Northern Ireland Business Journalist are two new categories while the popular category; Young Journalist of the Year returns. Over 100 entries were received in 2007 with winners including Arthur Beesley of The Irish Times who won the Business Feature category. Journalists who cover business, economic and financial issues in the Republic and Northern Ireland can apply online at www.smurfitschool.ie/bja . The deadline for entries is 12 noon on Wednesday, October 1^st.

The prestigious panel of judges includes Chris Giles, Economics Editor with The Financial Times, Professor Tom Begley, Dean of UCD Business Schools and Chairman of the judging panel, business man, Lochlann Quinn, formerly of Glen Dimplex. The winner of each category will receive a specially commissioned trophy and €1,500 at an awards event in November.

Launching the awards, Lochlann Quinn, Chair of the judging panel said, “Business journalists have a unique ability to influence business at many levels. Whether it is a positive review of an organisations new service or direction or a shadow of doubt cast on management’s ability, their reporting can and does make a difference to the landscape of Irish business. These awards are about rewarding business journalists who have made significant contributions to the understanding of business, finance and the economy in Ireland.” 

Speaking at the launch, Professor Tom Begley, Dean of UCD Business Schools said “The ability to ask tough questions, provoke discussion and hold leaders accountable is fundamentally important to building excellence in business journalism.  We aim to honour business reporting that enhances the understanding of business in Ireland and drives the business community in meeting its corporate and social responsibilities.”

Key industry figures from the world of business and journalism complete the judging panel. These are; Jerome Kennedy, Director of Bank of Ireland and former Managing Partner in KPMG Ireland; Gina Quinn, Chief Executive of Dublin Chamber of Commerce and the current holder of the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School Alumnus of the Year Award; Professor Mary Lambkin, Professor of Marketing at UCD Business Schools and a Former Dean of UCD Smurfit School; Vincent Wall, Former Editor of Business and Finance and Director of Communications at Dublin Airport Authority, Fiona McHugh, Former Editor of the Sunday Times and founder of Fallon and Byrne; Ted Harding, barrister and co-presenter of the Sunday Business Show on Today FM and Aileen O’Toole, Co- founder of the Sunday Business Post and Managing Director of AMAS.