UCD Smurfit School launches Business Journalist Awards 2024, Sponsored by Bank of Ireland
By Beth Gormley, Communications & PR Manager, UCD College of Business
Photo l-r: Damien Garvey, Head of Group External Communications and Public Affairs, Bank of Ireland; Professor Federica Pazzaglia, Director of UCD Smurfit School and Associate Dean of UCD College of Business; Nóirín O'Sullivan (Chairperson), Former United Nations Assistant Secretary General for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security and former Garda Commissioner; Donal O'Donovan, Group Business Editor, Irish Independent and Sunday Independent at Mediahuis Ireland and President of the Business Journalists Association of Ireland; Professor Anthony Brabazon, Dean of UCD College of Business
Wednesday, 21 August 2024: In its 17th year, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School will celebrate the critical role that business journalists play in helping society understand complex business issues with the Business Journalist Awards which open for submissions today.
This year welcomes a new Chairperson of the Judging Panel in Nóirín O'Sullivan. Among her many accomplishments, Nóirín was the former Garda Commissioner and United Nations Assistant Secretary General for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security.
The Awards are sponsored by Bank of Ireland and run in association with the Business Journalist Association of Ireland to celebrate excellence in Irish business journalism across print, audio, online and broadcast media.
Original thinking and cutting-edge research from UCD Smurfit School’s faculty directly addresses important business issues that intersect with today's news agenda. In an era of global upheaval, the demand for truth in journalism has never been more critical. These Awards recognise the importance of integrity and factual reporting in shaping informed business leaders.
Entries to the awards can be submitted by nominees themselves, editors or peers via www.smurfitschool.ie/bja by Wednesday, 4 September 2024.
The winning entry of each category will be honoured at an awards ceremony in December and receive a €1,000 prize. There are seven categories in this year’s awards:
Business News Story of the Year
Business Podcast / Audio Story of the Year
Business Feature of the Year
Business Analyst of the Year
Business Interview of the Year
Women in Business Journalism Award
Upcoming Journalist of the Year
In addition to these entry-based categories, the judging panel may also award an Outstanding Achievement Award.
Speaking at the launch, Damien Garvey, Head of Group External Communications and Public Affairs, Bank of Ireland said: “We are proud to sponsor the UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards. Journalism is a core component in any healthy business community, economy, or society, and that should be recognised. Through these awards, we look forward to highlighting excellence in business journalism and to honouring some exceptional contributions.”
Professor Federica Pazzaglia, Director of UCD Smurfit School and Associate Dean of UCD College of Business said: “We are delighted to once again celebrate the vital role that business journalism plays in our society. As Ireland’s premier business school, we are committed to co-creating a vibrant environment with our business students, academics and corporate stakeholders that is conducive to the creation and exchange of new knowledge and ideas with a positive impact on business and society.The Business Journalist Awards amplify our commitment by recognising the importance of business journalism in independently reporting and interpreting the evolving global business landscape and highlighting the societal impact of business decisions.”
Each entry is examined by an independent panel of judges, composed of leaders from academia, journalism and business. The 2024 judging panel includes:
Nóirín O'Sullivan (Chairperson), Former United Nations Assistant Secretary General for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security and former Garda Commissioner;
Carin Bryans, NED and former J.P. Morgan Country Head;
Michael Cullen, Independent NED Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland Ltd.;
Professor Patrick Gibbons, Jefferson Smurfit Professor of Strategic Management, UCD College of Business;
Tony Golden, Board Advisor, Albany Beck and Former Chairman Citibank Ire;
Niamh Hennessy, Columnist, former business journalist and PR consultant;
Patrick Hollingsworth, Senior Pharmacist, Executive MBA (EMBA) alumnus 2022;
Assistant Professor Rebecca Maughan, Head of Accountancy Subject Area, UCD College of Business;
Dearbhail McDonald, Award-winning journalist, author and television documentary maker;
Professor Cal Muckley, Professor in Operational Risk in Banking & Finance Subject Area, UCD College of Business;
Dr Emmet Oliver, Former Business Editor, UCD Quinn School Lecturer and Broadcaster;
Professor Federica Pazzaglia, Director of UCD Smurfit School, Head of Management Subject Area, UCD College of Business;
Anton Savage, Radio and Television Presenter and Founding Director of the Communications Clinic.
Winners from 2023 included: Business News Story of the Year – Fionnan Sheahan & Melanie Finn, The Irish Independent; Audio Story of the Year – Mark Tighe, Ellen Coyne, Garrett Mulhall, Tabitha Monahan and John Smith, The Sunday Independent; Business Feature of the Year – Brian Carey, The Sunday Times Ireland; Business Analyst of the Year - Niall Sargent, Noteworthy (currently with The Currency); Business Interview of the Year – Linda Daly, The Sunday Times Ireland; Women in Business Journalism Award – Amy Molloy, Mediahuis Ireland; and Upcoming Journalist of the Year – Donal McNamee, The Business Post.