We’re resharing this June 1 post in light of SPJ’s awards ceremony last night, which took place at Converge Media in Seattle.
The Society of Professional Journalists’ Western Washington division today announced the winners of the 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards — and Premier Media Group received 15, many of them for first place.
PMG is the parent company of West Sound, 425, South Sound, 425 Business, South Sound Business, Northwest Travel & Life, and Southwest Travel & Life.
“We are extremely proud of the amazing accomplishments of our staff and contributors and it’s nice to see them rewarded for the hard work they put into making these magazines be the best they can be,” said 425 Business and South Sound Business’ editor in chief, Jeff Burlingame.
The Society of Professional Journalists’ annual Northwest Chapter’s Excellence in Journalism Awards honors the best journalism produced by reporters, editors, photographers, designers, producers, and news organizations across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Entries are judged by independent journalists outside the region. Awards are given across multiple divisions, based on format and size.
Judging was done by the San Diego Press Club.
“Placing in the general excellence categories says a lot about not just one individual but about the entire team that brings you these magazines each month. It does take a village, and we have a great one,” added West Sound, 425, and South Sound’s editor in chief, Lisa Patterson.
Read on for the full list of winners, all of which were named in the “Magazines” section.
South Sound
Environment & Natural Disasters, First Place: “Just a Pile of Rocks?” by Joanna Kresge
Environment & Natural Disasters, Second Place: “Tacoma’s Remakery Makes the Old New Again” by Hailee Wickersham
425
Editorial & Commentary, Second Place: “Movie Love” by Blake Peterson
Feature, Soft News, Third Place: “‘It’s Really Important to Us to Bring That Female Perspective’: Inside Emergence Films’ Mission to Support Women Filmmakers” by Blake Peterson
General Excellence, Second Place
Review, First Place: “Seattle Couldn’t Quit Haim” by Blake Peterson
South Sound Business
Arts & Culture Reporting, First Place: “Heart of the Deernicorn’s Practical Magic” by Blake Peterson
Business & Economics Reporting, First Place: “Local Space Sector Has the Ingredients for Growth” by John Stearns
General Excellence, Third Place
Government & Politics Reporting, First Place: “JBLM is More Than Just a Fighting Force” by John Stearns
Magazine Print Page Design, Second Place: Alex Schloer
Technology — Business & Economics, First Place: “How These Local Women Tattoo Artists Are Leaving a Mark” by Destiny Valencia
Technology — Business & Economics, Second Place: “Selling Spooky” by Joanna Kresge, Hailee Wickersham, Blake Peterson, and Destiny Valencia
Premier Media Group
Photo Story or Portfolio, First Place: Tierney Patterson
Photo Story or Portfolio, Second Place: Rodrigo DeMedeiros