SARASOTA, FL (August 27, 2007) – Sarasota Magazine and Biz941, published by the Gulfshore Media Division of CurtCo Media, competed against more than 950 entries to receive 13 awards, including  8 Charlies (first-place awards) at the annual Florida Magazine Association convention held last weekend at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

The Florida Magazine Association (FMA) is the largest state magazine association in the nation, representing close to 240 magazines.  Each year the FMA, with its distinguished judges, recognize outstanding magazines in various categories.

“To quote Aristotle, we are what we repeatedly do,” said Jeff Lawenda, Executive Publisher of Sarasota Magazine and Biz941.  “What continues to be most gratifying is the amount of awards we win and the amount of years we have won them.”

In the category of general excellence, Sarasota Magazine won a first-place Charlie for Best Visitor Magazine for its December On The Beach Visitors’Annual. The magazine also won a Bronze award for Best Special Issue for its April Food & Wine annual.

Sarasota Magazine also won a number of awards for writing excellence. For the second year in a row, Sarasota took home the Charlie for Best In-Depth Reporting for “Between the Sea and a Hard Place,” about the excessive use of seawalls along Sarasota’s shores, by Ted Williams. Charlies were also awarded for Best Editorial / Commentary / Opinion for architecture critic Richard Storm’s essay about saving Riverview High School, Best Department for Su Byron’s 10 Best series and for Best Feature Headlines.

In the category of Design Excellence, the magazine won a Charlie for Best Illustration for “The Birds Came Down” by Paddy Molloy and Best Feature Design for “Lost World” by art director Jeanette Bakowski. The cover of the March issue, by Mary McCulley, was awarded a Bronze for Best Cover. And Phillippe Diederich’s photo of a homeless man won the Silver Award for Best Black-and White Photograph in the state.

Only in its fourth year, Biz941 (formerly Sarasota/Manatee Business Magazine), edited by Susan Burns, took home the Charlie for Best Column in a trade or technical magazine for “Outside In” by Johannes Werner. Werner’s piece about uninsured workers in Sarasota and Manatee took the Bronze for Best Public Service in the state. And Biz941 also won a Silver for Best Feature Headlines.

“We’re so proud of our talented staff and contributors,” said editorial director Pam Daniel. “As the city magazine of such a creative, world-class city, we’re privileged to work with extraordinary artists, writers and magazine professionals—and to reach an audience that expects and appreciates excellence.”

The company’s Naples-based Gulfshore Life won 5 awards at the convention, including 2 Charlies.

Sarasota Magazine & Biz941

For over 29 years Sarasota Magazine has shared an intimate bond with readers, advertisers, organizations and the community as a whole. 

As the only publication in Sarasota to qualify for membership in the prestigious City and Regional Magazine Association, Sarasota Magazine is required to have an independent circulation audit as well as self imposed rigid guidelines dictating extremely high standards regarding editorial, advertising and distribution. 

Sarasota Magazine’s Biz941 is the business magazine of Sarasota and Manatee counties.  Reaching influential businesspeople, Biz941 chronicles the dramatic evolution occurring in the region, provides business leaders with tools to successfully navigate this evolution, and airs the issues that affect its readers.

Sarasota Magazine also publishes the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Relocation Guide and Desk Reference, St. Armands Magazine, Homebuyer for Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties, the Ringling Museum Quarterly and program books for the Florida West Coast Symphony, Van Wezel and the Asolo Repertory Theatre.

Heavily engaged in every facet of the market - including support for numerous non-profit organizations, Sarasota Magazine and her family of publications have deep roots in the community.

CurtCo Media

For two decades, CurtCo Media has operated more than 45 launched or acquired vertical magazines.  Today, CurtCo serves the ultra luxury markets with a powerful network of leading lifestyle publications.  These include the world’s most acclaimed journal of connoisseurship, Robb Report, as well as Worth, ShowBoats International, Arts & Antiques, The Robb Report Collection, Robb Report Home Entertainment, Robb Report Motorcycling, Robb Report Luxury Home, Robb Report Vacation Homes, Robb Report Russia, CurtCo’s Digital TV & Sound, San Diego Magazine, Gulfshore Life, Sarasota Magazine, and a family of regional titles serving some of Florida’s most exclusive markets.  For more information on CurtCo Media, go to www.curtco.com.

For More Information Contact:
Shelley Whiteside, Marketing Manager
CurtCo Media, Gulfshore Division
Tel: (941) 487-1110
Email: shelleyw@sarasotamagazine.com