Journalists honoured at UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards

Date: 17 Nov 2008

Dublin, Monday, 17^th November 2008: Business journalists from print, broadcast and online media were honoured today at the Business Journalist Awards sponsored by UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. The awards, which are now in their second year, reward excellence in Irish business journalism across eight categories. Over 100 entries were received for the awards this year. The Dean of UCD Business Schools, Professor Tom Begley and Chair of the judging panel, Lochlann Quinn, formerly of Glen Dimplex and AIB, presented each winner with their award and a cheque for €1,500 at a ceremony today.

The category winners and finalists were:

Business News

Winner: Kathleen Barrington, Sunday Business Post

Finalists: Arthur Beesley, The Irish Times, Simon Carswell, The Irish Times, Eamon Quinn, Sunday Tribune

Business Comment

Winner: Brian Carey, The Sunday Times

Finalists: Emmet Oliver, Sunday Tribune, Eddie Lennon, Sunday Tribune

Business Feature

Winner : Fearghal O’Connor, Business and Finance

Finalists: Arthur Beesley, The Irish Times, Tom Lyons, The Sunday Times

Northern Ireland Business Journalist

Winner: Gary McDonald, Irish News

Finalist: Jamie Delargy, Irish News

Business Broadcast

Winner: David Murphy, RTE

Finalists: Emma McNamara, RTE, Jamie Delargy, UTV

Specialist Business Reporting

Winner: Nick Webb, Sunday Independent

Finalists: Gabrielle Monaghan, The Sunday Times, Grainne Rothery, Marketing Age, Emmet Ryan, ENN

Business Interview

Winner: Mark Paul, The Sunday Times

Finalists: Ciaran Hancock, The Irish Times, Brian Carey, The Sunday Times

Young Journalist of the Year

Winner: Ian Kehoe, Sunday Business Post

Finalists: Niamh Hennessy, Irish Examiner, Ken Griffin, Sunday Tribune

Commenting on the entries, Lochlann Quinn, Chair of the awards judging panel said:

“The judges were impressed with both the volume and the standard of entries. Business journalists have a unique ability to influence business at many levels. Whether it is a positive review of an organisation’s new service 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.”

Also speaking at the awards, Professor Tom Begley, Dean UCD Business Schools said, “UCD Smurfit School believes that business journalism has an important role to play in corporate Ireland and these awards are about recognising that role. I would like to congratulate all of those who have been shortlisted and awarded today. The School looks forward to supporting these awards in the years to come and hopes you and your colleagues will continue to enter.”

The prestigious panel of judges is made up of key industry figures from the world of business and journalism including: Chris Giles, Economics Editor with The Financial Times; 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; 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.

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Journalists honoured at UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards

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