Official magazine, the plumbing and mechanical industry trade periodical and membership publication of the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO), is the recipient of two 2008 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. The honors are the product of the 20th annual competition sponsored by Communications Concepts, Inc., and the editors of “Writing That Works: The Business Communications Report.”
Co-editors Jeff Ortiz and Geoff Bilau received an Award of Excellence in the category of “Magazines and Journals — Print Over 32 Pages” for the January/February 2008 issue of Official and former editor Jane Lee received one in the category of “Science and Environmental Writing” for her March/April 2007 article titled “The Green Building Revolution: A Primer for Plumbing and Mechanical Officials.”
The awards mark the third consecutive year APEX has bestowed the honor upon Official. In 2006, the magazine won for “Most Improved Magazines and Journals” and last year contributing writer and former editor Colleen Salomon won for “Technical Writing.”
“We are so very proud of this award and all of the hard work put into developing Official,” said Gaby Davis, IAPMO senior director of Worldwide Operations. “Both Messrs. Ortiz and Bilau work tirelessly to develop an outstanding magazine for our members and the industry. They are a joy to work with and we are very pleased that they have been recognized for their talents. There is no other magazine quite like Official.”
APEX Awards are based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content and the ability to achieve overall communications excellence, according to “Writing That Works” Editor and Publisher John De Lellis, a member
of the panel of judges.
Awards were given in 110 communications categories, in 11 main categories including: newsletters; magazines and journals; magapapers and newspapers; annual reports; brochures, manuals and reports; video and electronic publications; Web and intranet sites; campaigns, programs and plans; writing; design and illustration; and special publications. There were at total of 4,479 entries.
Official is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The first issue of the magazine, then known as Western Plumbing Official, was published in April 1958.
“We are tremendously honored to be recognized in this fashion because it provides third-party verification that we are accomplishing our communication goals on behalf of our association members and our industry,” Bilau said. “It inspires us to keep working diligently to ensure Official remains the premier industry publication it has now become.”
Last modified: July 11, 2008