Medina, Ohio-based Breakwall Publishing has announced that its two publications, Seaside Retailer and Souvenirs, Gifts & Novelties, have each been recognized by the American Society of Business Publication Editors with 2025 Azbee Awards of Excellence. ASBPE is the professional association for full-time and freelance editors, writers, art directors and designers employed in business, trade and specialty press.
Winners of the Azbee awards represent the best of B2B publishing. This year, the organization received more than 800 entries, which were judged by 83 experienced B2B editors, freelancers, designers and journalism professors.
Seaside Retailer received a regional bronze award in the Group or Company Profile category for its July/August 2024 cover profile, “From Bali to Cali,” written by Contributing Editor Kristen Hampshire. The profile shared the story of how Eileen Burke and Shannon Burke, a mother-daughter team, launched Coco Rose retail business and Bali Queen wholesale business to bring Bali vibes to the San Diego area.
SGN received a regional bronze award in the Group or Company Profile category for its November/December 2024 cover profile, “Dispensing Good Memories,” written by Contributing Editor Kristen Hampshire. The profile featured the story behind the PEZ Visitor Center gift shop in Orange, Connecticut, and included insights from Museum Director Shawn Peterson.
Additionally, SGN also received a regional bronze award in the How-To Article category for its September/October 2024 feature article, “Blow Plush Displays Out of the Water,” written by Associate Editor Megan Smalley. The article shared best practices for setting up aquarium plush displays and included insights from Jessi Louw and Bev Singer of Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach, Florida; Jasmine Ramirez of the Seattle Aquarium Gift Shop; and Kathy Lee of Marine Mammal Care Center in Los Angeles.
“Providing relevant and highly engaging editorial content for retailers is of the utmost importance to our publications,” says Kristin Ely, executive editor, Breakwall Publishing. “Receiving these awards is a testament to our dedication to the industry and quality reporting we strive for each and every day.”
Karen Carr, publisher of Breakwall Publishing, says, “Being recognized with Azbee awards sets us apart as an industry publication and reflects our strong commitment to the gift and souvenir industry. I am proud of the outstanding contributions of our editorial team.”
SGN and Seaside Retailer are published bimonthly by Breakwall Publishing. For more information, visit www.breakwallpublishing.com.
