March 19, 2012 (New York, New York) – The SPARVlog was named a Neal Award winner on Friday by American Business Media (ABM) during the 58th Annual Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards ceremony in New York City. The SPARVlog, a bi-weekly video blog created and hosted by SPAR Point Group Executive Editor Sam Pfeifle, was saluted by a distinguished board of judges as Best Recurring Webcast. (See the latest SPARVlog here. See all of them collected here.)The judging panel, chaired by Paul Maidment of Bystander Media, selected 40 Neal Award winners out of 120 finalists from an original 725 entries.
Paying tribute to the Neal Award winners, ABM President & CEO Clark Pettit said, “We are so proud to honor these journalists and editors. Their deep expertise, ability to push progress across existing and new media channels, and successful track records of informing the industry on important issues place them at the forefront of their fields.” Often hailed for its preeminence as the “Pulitzer Prize of the business media,” ABM’s Neal Award is the b-to-b industry’s salute to individual editors. Winning entries were selected for exhibiting journalistic enterprise, service to the field and editorial craftsmanship.
“I’m honored to have been recognized for this award,” said Sam Pfeifle. “The intent of the video blog, as with all the content on SPAR Point Group, is to provide news, information, thoughts and analysis on the rapidly changing 3D marketplace so that people can make better decisions for their businesses.” Pfeifle alternates text-based and video blogs, the latter allowing for a dynamic and personal means of sharing critical industry news and informed opinion with the SPAR Point Group audience.
As part of the Neal Award entry, Pfeifle shared 3 video blogs to show the breadth of information he covers in the blog. "Using 3D Laser Scanning for Evil" explored the use of 3D data capture and imaging technology among the criminal element, from the relatively harmless (scanning and selling images of Stonehenge to unsuspecting tourists) to the nefarious (scanning and mass producing AR-15 rifles). The second, "Kinect Moves Forward at Siggraph," took a look at the promise of Microsoft Kinect’s real-time 3D modeling capabilities. The third, "LightSquared Fracas Explained in Five Minutes," explained the friction between the GPS community and LightSquared.
“To Sam’s many followers, this recognition will not come as a surprise,” said Denielle Christensen, Director of SPARPoingGroup.com. “He is admired throughout the 3D market for his ability to uncover the latest news, put it into context, and explain how it will impact the industry.”
Established in 1955, the Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Awards recognize and reward editorial excellence in business media. The awards are named after ABM’s first managing director who remained active in promoting the industry throughout his life.
About SPAR Point Group
SPAR Point Group investigates and reports on 3D scanning, imaging and position capture technologies used to improve the productivity, quality, safety and risk profile of engineering, fabrication, construction and manufacturing operations through SPARPointGroup.com, SPARView newsletter and annual conferences in the United States, Europe and Japan. SPAR Point Group is wholly-owned by Diversified Business Communications. For more information, visit www.SPARPointGroup.com
About Diversified Business Communications
Diversified Business Communications, based in Portland, Maine, USA, provides information and market access through face-to-face events, magazine publishing, and online resources on four continents. Diversified serves a number of industries including: technology, commercial marine, oil & gas, and business management. Diversified operates divisions in Australia, Hong Kong, India, the UK and Canada. For more information, visit www.divbusiness.com
About ABM
Founded in 1906, ABM is positioned at the center of the global b-to-b ecosystem. As the only industry association focused on the integrated b-to-b media model – which includes business information, digital media, events, marketing services and print – ABM delivers intelligence to industry professionals worldwide, including Madison Avenue, Wall Street and the Beltway. ABM’s 200-plus member companies reach an audience of more than 100 million professionals and represent nearly 4,000 print and online titles and over 1,000 trade shows, with more than $20 billion in annual revenues. For more information, visit www.AmericanBusinessMedia.com.