CandysMedia Team Shines: Three National Awards at NAREE’s Landmark 50th Convention
It is with immense pride and profound excitement that we announce a significant achievement for the CandysMedia family of websites. As Executive Editor, I can personally attest to the dedication and unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence that defines our team across daltxrealestate.com, SecondShelters.com, and MidlandDirt.com. This past week, our collective efforts were splendidly recognized at the prestigious National Association of Real Estate Editors (NAREE) 50th Annual Journalism Awards in vibrant New Orleans, where our talented team secured an impressive three national distinctions.
The 50th anniversary convention marked a landmark occasion for NAREE, drawing its highest attendance in years and creating an electric atmosphere of camaraderie and intellectual exchange among the nation’s top real estate journalists. Hosted at the iconic Harrah’s Hotel and Casino, the venue offered a lively backdrop, though our true focus remained on the anticipation of the awards ceremony. We are thrilled to confirm that our faith in our team’s exceptional work was not only well-placed but richly rewarded, underscoring our prominent position in the dynamic field of real estate media.
A Legacy of Excellence: CandysMedia’s Award-Winning Performance in Real Estate Journalism
Our flagship platform, daltxrealestate.com, proudly clinched the highly coveted silver award for “Best Blog.” This significant recognition further solidifies our standing as a leading voice in online real estate journalism, marking the third time we’ve been honored in this fiercely competitive category, having previously earned both gold and silver distinctions. This consistent recognition speaks volumes about our unwavering commitment to delivering insightful, engaging, and timely content to our readers, from the nuances of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area’s luxury market to broader industry trends.
Beyond this collective triumph, our celebrated columnist, Jon Anderson, also garnered significant individual accolades for his masterful storytelling and keen insights into the multifaceted world of real estate. Jon was awarded a silver in the coveted “Best International Real Estate Story” category, showcasing his ability to transport readers to global markets, and a bronze in the esteemed “Best Column” category, recognizing his unique perspective and engaging narrative style. These achievements are particularly noteworthy as they contribute to a remarkable milestone: five national awards for our five-year-old real estate weblog network. This impressive tally underscores the consistent quality, innovation, and profound impact of our journalistic endeavors across various real estate niches.
The National Association of Real Estate Editors stands as a venerable institution and a beacon of journalistic integrity and professionalism within the industry. Founded in 1929, this independent organization is dedicated to supporting active media members who meticulously cover the diverse and ever-evolving facets of real estate. Its prestigious membership comprises distinguished reporters, writers, columnists, bloggers, editors, and producers from leading digital, print, and broadcast news outlets across the nation. Their comprehensive coverage spans residential and commercial real estate, cutting-edge luxury and green building initiatives, intricate mortgage and financing landscapes, sound investment strategies, and the evolving trends in home and design, catering to both the general public and specialized trade press.
The integrity and prestige of the NAREE awards are upheld by a rigorous and impartial judging process. This year, a distinguished panel of expert judges from the esteemed E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University meticulously reviewed hundreds of entries from across the country. Chaired by Professor Emeritus Patrick S. Washburn, a veteran news reporter and editor, the panel’s selections underscore the highest standards of journalistic excellence and unbiased evaluation. To be recognized among such a vast and competitive field is truly an honor, affirming the exceptional caliber and impact of our team’s work in real estate journalism.
Sharing the Spotlight with Industry Giants: A Testament to Our Quality
To receive these accolades in the esteemed company of such journalistic powerhouses was truly an inspiring and validating experience. The NAREE awards ceremony saw top journalists from world-renowned publications like The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal recognized for their outstanding contributions to real estate reporting. We were also delighted to share the stage and celebrate alongside respected Dallas real estate journalists, including Steve Brown of The Dallas Morning News and Candace Carlisle of the Dallas Business Journal, who notably won a gold award for her compelling report on the historic Haggard Farm. The evening’s highest honor, the coveted Platinum Award, was deservedly presented to real estate journalism powerhouse Josh Salman, whose superior collection of groundbreaking stories covering Florida real estate and government corruption exemplified the very best of in-depth investigative journalism.
This year marks a particularly special milestone for the entire CandysMedia team, as it is the first time we have simultaneously brought home multiple awards from the highly competitive NAREE convention. This extraordinary achievement is a profound testament to the collective talent, unwavering dedication, and collaborative spirit that defines our organization. We are incredibly proud of every member of our team for their relentless pursuit of truth, their insightful analysis of complex market trends, and their compelling narratives that both engage and inform our diverse readership. This triumph only fuels our ambition and dedication, and we eagerly anticipate what new heights we will reach in the coming year, continuing our mission to deliver unparalleled real estate content.
A Closer Look at the Award-Winning Entries: Insights from the Judges
The judges’ comments provide invaluable insight into the exceptional quality and unique appeal of our award-winning submissions. These critiques highlight the depth, creativity, and profound impact of the journalism produced by CandysMedia, reflecting our commitment to engaging and informative content.
Best Column: Unconventional Perspectives on Home and Society
Bronze Winner: Jon Anderson, daltxrealestate.com / SecondShelters.com
Judge’s Comment on Bronze Winner: “The columnist took readers on a great ride, pondering such things as how the evolution of women’s roles in society have evolved and what that has to do with interior design. Women are no longer relegated to some dark, backroom kitchen. Yet home exteriors cling to the past with styles that are copies of bygone eras. This was a thoughtful retrospective on design with belly laughs.”
Jon Anderson’s bronze-winning column captivated the judges with its thought-provoking and witty exploration of how profound societal shifts, particularly the evolving roles of women, inextricably intertwine with interior design and architectural trends. The esteemed panel’s commentary praised Jon’s remarkable ability to take readers on an intellectual “great ride,” seamlessly blending historical context with insightful contemporary observations. By highlighting the often-overlooked disconnect between modern living spaces and the persistent, sometimes outdated, aesthetics of home exteriors, Jon challenged conventional thinking and offered a fresh, often humorous, perspective on how our homes either reflect—or conspicuously fail to reflect—our modern lives. His unique blend of sharp analytical prowess and engaging wit resonated deeply with the judging panel, unequivocally proving that real estate journalism can be both profoundly enlightening and genuinely entertaining.
Best International Real Estate Story: Discovering Marrakech’s Allure and Practicalities
Silver Winner: Jon Anderson, SecondShelters.com
Judge’s Comment on Silver Winner: “This was a breezy look at buying a second or third home in Marrakech, Morocco, which is affordable and has something in real estate for everyone. Beyond a catchy headline (‘Flock to the Casbah’), the story offered a highly interesting look at the nuts and bolts of finding a livable space in an exotic destination. It did a great job of dissecting the market.”
In the fiercely competitive “Best International Real Estate Story” category, Jon Anderson’s silver-winning piece on the captivating city of Marrakech, Morocco, stood out brilliantly for its compelling narrative and invaluable practical utility. The judges lauded the article as a “breezy look” that masterfully made the exotic destination of Marrakech feel both accessible and irresistibly alluring for potential second or third home buyers. Beyond the clever and inviting headline, “Flock to the Casbah,” Jon meticulously broke down the complexities of the Marrakech real estate market. He provided readers with essential “nuts and bolts” information, offering invaluable insights into affordability, diverse property options, and the unique aspects of investing in an international locale. This exemplary piece beautifully encapsulates SecondShelters.com’s commitment to delivering both inspiring visions and actionable advice for those dreaming of global property ownership and investment.
Best Blog: An Inside Look at Dallas’s Most Exclusive Property
Silver Winner: Candace Evans, daltxrealestate.com / SecondShelters.com
Judge’s Comment on Silver Winner: “How decadent, how dreamy—can this be real? The blogger got great access to the most expensive home in Dallas—$100 million—and with the use of a trove of information and numerous lavish photographs on which readers could feast their eyes, this blog was lively and fun.”
Candace Evans’s silver-winning entry for “Best Blog” for daltxrealestate.com captivated the judges with its exclusive access and breathtakingly captivating presentation. The judges’ enthusiastic comments – “How decadent, how dreamy—can this be real?” – perfectly encapsulate the unparalleled allure of the featured content: an in-depth and privileged exploration of Dallas’s most expensive home, valued at a staggering $100 million. Candace’s remarkable ability to secure unparalleled access to such a prestigious property, coupled with a “trove of information and numerous lavish photographs,” transformed the blog post into an incredibly immersive and visually stunning experience. Readers were invited to “feast their eyes” on the opulent details and architectural marvels, making the content not just profoundly informative but also delightfully “lively and fun.” This prestigious award unequivocally highlights daltxrealestate.com’s exceptional ability to bring the world of luxury real estate to life with unparalleled journalistic flair, engaging storytelling, and compelling visual appeal.
Looking Ahead: Sustained Excellence in Real Estate Journalism
The impressive array of awards earned by the CandysMedia team at the NAREE 50th Annual Journalism Awards is a powerful affirmation of our unwavering commitment to producing high-quality, impactful real estate journalism. These accolades serve as a profound inspiration, fueling our ambition to continue pushing the boundaries of innovative storytelling, incisive market analysis, and captivating visual content creation across all our dynamic platforms. We are immensely grateful to NAREE for providing such a vital and respected platform for recognizing journalistic excellence and to the distinguished judges for their thoughtful, rigorous, and fair evaluations.
As we celebrate these significant achievements, we reaffirm our dedication to serving our readership with the most accurate, engaging, and relevant real estate news, trends, and insights. The future of real estate journalism is undoubtedly dynamic and exciting, and the CandysMedia network is meticulously poised to remain at the forefront, continually striving for innovation and upholding the highest standards of our craft. We eagerly look forward to another year of compelling stories, insightful analyses, and, hopefully, more opportunities to celebrate the exceptional talent within our team and the broader real estate journalism community, further cementing our reputation as a leader in the field.