NEW ORLEANS — On May 16, Acadiana Profile and Louisiana Life magazines won 19 awards at the 42nd annual International Regional Magazine Association awards presentation in Ottawa, Canada. The top prize for Magazine of the Year went to Acadiana Profile. Louisiana Life was a finalist in the same category. Both are produced by Renaissance Publishing, the parent company of Biz New Orleans magazine and BizNewOrleans.com.
IRMA members include state, province and regional publications from across the United States, Bermuda and Canada. The awards were granted for work published in 2021 and judged by an independent panel of industry experts. Acadiana Profile and Louisiana Life Executive Editor Errol Laborde accepted the awards on behalf of the magazines during the annual event.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from the International and Regional Magazine Association for Acadiana Profile and Louisiana Life,” said Melanie Warner Spencer, managing editor of both publications. “In an industry where it can sometimes seem as though we are creating in a vacuum — especially during the height of the pandemic — it is exciting and validating when our work is recognized by our peers. In our pages, we strive to celebrate the rich, colorful culture and significant history of the Acadiana region and of Louisiana. We are fortunate to live in a place with far-reaching history, abundant creative energy and an endless wealth of stories to tell.”
Both magazines also took home the top prize in the design category. Acadiana Profile won gold and Louisiana Life took the bronze trophy for Overall Art Direction by longtime art director Sarah George.
For the Magazine of the Year win, one of the judges described Acadiana Profile as “a beautiful publication that leverages great photography and a smart use of white space to entice readers and direct them on the page. [It has a] strong and varied editorial lineup that highlights the editors’ understanding of the audience.”
As a finalist for Magazine of the Year, Louisiana Life didn’t escape notice by the judges. “Every page resonates with a sense of place, and the images are stunning, the design modern, refreshing. Also, some interesting editorial surprises that fueled my curiosity,” noted one judge. While another said, “All stories line up with the mission of highlighting the best of Louisiana’s culture. It is obvious that editorial and design work well together as the stories are well crafted!”
Acadiana Profile, which places the food of the region at the heart of much of its coverage, earned silver for its “Best of Dining” story in the Food Feature category and an Award of Merit in the General Feature category.
Louisiana Life also took home a gold for Cover, silver in the Nature and Environment Feature categories, and a photography award of merit for its feature focusing on alligator hunting in south Louisiana. “Gator Hunt” explores the sport and business sides of this often-intergenerational pastime.
Renaissance Publishing also publishes New Orleans Magazine, New Orleans Bride, New Orleans Homes and St. Charles Avenue, as well as multiple custom publishing for various businesses and entities around greater New Orleans.
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