Unravel, a new product by the Herald-Tribune for young professionals in Southwest Florida, officially launched at the end of January.
I currently serve as the deputy editor of the site and, along with a team in the newsroom, spent the last year developing a business plan from what began as a off-hand idea.
Unravel is truly a mobile-first product.
It’s been a wild ride and I couldn’t be more proud of the result.
The Riveter Magazine included The Cost of Life on a list of the top long-form journalism by women in 2014.
I’m honored to be in such great company.
Check out the list here.
The Cost of Life was a finalist for the 2014 EPPY for the “Best Innovation Project for a Website” category among several other national and international contestants. This new category recognizes creative thinkers and their quest to drive progress forward with innovation and originality. Judges will focus on projects that were successful communicating information, using new ideas and technology – and quality of execution. Projects could include videos, motion graphics, use of social media, augmented reality – anything that promotes the advancement of online.
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune was nominated for the Associated Press Media Editors‘ 2014 Innovator of the Year.
I lead the effort and helped produced a video to convince APME voters why the Herald-Tribune deserved the award.
Check out the (shortened) trailer here:
And here’s the full five-minute pitch:
And my favorite, the Dick Vitale teaser:
By Justine Griffin for the Herald-Tribune
Jackie Zumba strolled down the center aisle of the Mall at University Town Center one night, taking a break from the ongoing work and construction in her new boutique.
Zumba, a 27-year-old retail entrepreneur in Sarasota, marveled at the expansive — and expensive — storefronts of the many national and international retailers that will open alongside her store next week.
“I look at all these beautiful stores and think, ‘Wow, I’m in the big leagues, now,’ ” she said. “Even though it’s been really stressful, this is such a great opportunity for me.”
Zumba owns Jackie Z Style & Co., the only locally owned boutique opening inside the new mall.
The store also will be the only store that’s not a department store to sell multiple brands.
Making the move from Main Street in downtown Sarasota to the $315 million mall has been anything but easy.
Read more here.