Meister Media Named Finalist in Five Categories for Azbee Awards for Editorial Excellence
WILLOUGHBY, OH, UNITED STATES, March 13, 2025 / EINPresswire.com / -- Meister Media Worldwide (MMW), the leading agriculture media and events company, has been named a regional finalist in five categories for the Azbee Awards of Excellence for editorial content. The American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) announced the finalists on March 11, which included MMW brands American Vegetable Grower, CropLife Media Group, and Greenhouse Grower recognized for content innovation, state of the industry coverage, special issue coverage, podcast feature and single topic coverage.
The regional awards, featuring publications from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia, are highly competitive and recognize excellence in reporting, editing, and design across business-to-business, trade, association and professional publications.
Honoring a wide range of media, including magazines, newspapers, e-newsletters, websites and social media, MMW's 2025 regional finalist entries include:
• 'Mark Smith's Tenacity is Transforming Yuma'
American Vegetable Grower
Carol Miller, Editor; Susan Duffy, Graphic Designer
Category: All Content > Innovation Article > Heartland
• 2024 State of the Vegetable Industry: I Am an American Vegetable Grower
American Vegetable Grower
Carol Miller, Editor; Dianne Munson, Senior Editor; Susan Duffy, Graphic Designer
Category: Print > State of the Industry > Heartland
• The ABCs of ESA: The agriculture industry faces profound changes under the Environmental Protection Agency's workplan to comply with the Endangered Species Act
CropLife Media Group
Carol Miller, Editor; Dianne Munson, Senior Editor; Susan Duffy, Graphic Designer
Category: Print > Special Issue or Supplement > Heartland
• 'Greenhouse Grower to Grower Podcast: Get to Know Lauren Kirchner of Spring Creek Growers'
Greenhouse Grower
Brian D. Sparks, Editor; Tyler Hatch, Senior Graphic Designer
Category: Online > Podcast > Heartland
• A Balancing Act: Dynamic Market Conditions Are Forcing Many Top 100 Growers to Walk a Tightrope Greenhouse Grower
Brian D. Sparks, Editor; Tyler Hatch, Senior Graphic Designer
Category: Print > Single Topic Coverage > Heartland
Regional winners will be announced during a formal presentation in mid-April.
The Azbee Awards is a national competition open to all U.S.-based B2B publications, with top entries earning national recognition across 64 categories. Awards are presented in five divisions: overall excellence, all content, print, design, and online.
ASBPE is the professional association for full-time and freelance editors, writers, art directors, and designers employed in the business, trade, and specialty press.
More information on MMW and its brands including American Vegetable Grower, CropLife Media Group and Greenhouse Grower are available on meistermedia.com.
About Meister Media Worldwide
Meister Media Worldwide is a leading global agriculture media and events company, committed to cultivating a sustainable world through nearly 100 years of expertise. The company and its brands advance agricultural markets by providing print and digital media, events, data intelligence products, and custom business solutions. Meister Media Worldwide is based in Willoughby, OH, U.S., with locations in Beijing, China, and Mumbai, India. Learn more at meistermedia.com.
Meredith Painter
X
YouTube
Legal Disclaimer:
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time Business News
an hour ago
- Time Business News
How Modern Businesses Are Streamlining Operations
The current business environment sees companies struggling to keep pace with their competitors while improving internal processes to improve the bottom line. Hence, every business leader is trying to look for methods by which their operations can be simplified, with lower overheads, and increasing efficiency. Among the methods adopted by most modern businesses in attaining those set goals are the adoption of new technologies and outsourcing even some tasks. The article is going to discuss how American firms are taking advantage of effectual automation, outsourcing, and adaptation of technology into their operations to perfection. Automation has become one of the most powerful tools available to businesses looking to streamline operations. The rise of technology has made it possible for companies to automate a wide range of processes, from simple administrative tasks to more complex functions. Automation enhances efficiency by eliminating repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-value activities while reducing errors and operational costs. One of the most striking advantages of automation is that it conserves the time and energy spent on the repetitive tasks with which every process seems to fill itself: payroll processing, data entry, customer service responses, and inventory management done without tiring oneself, thereby freeing the workers so they can focus entirely on that which holds more value from a business point of view. For example, payroll systems automate salary calculations, hours worked, and income tax report processing, thereby ensuring that data are not entered manually. According to PWc, business process automation is among the best investments towards rapid improvement in efficiency and productivity in any department: sales, service, marketing and commerce, IT, human resources, finance, and so on. By instituting automation, human resource expenses go down with monotonous and repetitive tasks they spend on what are typically better services to customers, lower error rates, improved compliance, and less stressful conditions for teams. This automation reduces human error, increases efficiency, and allows businesses to expand operations without vastly increasing headcount, which all lead to improved workflows and lower costs throughout the organization. AI and analytics enable businesses to make rapid decisions based on data, manage their operations effectively, anticipate demand accurately, and create better consumer experiences. Automation integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) does more than simple tasks; it also equips businesses with on-demand data-driven decision-making capabilities. AI can check and analyze data in real time, and so it exposes trends and insights that the ordinary human mind would never decipher. Thus, business optimization, demand prediction, better customer experiences, and waste reduction are solutions that would be relieved. As an example, AI systems can be designed to predict the sales failure of certain products and adjust production schedules or inventory levels accordingly. They can also beautify marketing efforts by identifying customer behaviors and tuning in campaigns based on preferences. As businesses grow, so does the complexity of their legal needs. Traditionally, companies managed legal tasks in-house, often requiring a dedicated team of lawyers and legal experts. However, maintaining an in-house legal team can be expensive and time-consuming. Legal process outsourcing services have emerged as an effective solution to streamline legal operations while cutting costs. Legal process outsourcing refers to the delegation of responsibilities or specific functions usually performed by in-house legal teams to external firms, such as contract management, document review, compliance, intellectual property management, and litigation support, which can be provided by the LPO. By outsourcing these functions, businesses can then manage to avail themselves of legal consultancy at a price lower than that which they would have incurred by actually keeping an in-house legal team. The benefits of LPO are numerous. It is expected that the global outsourced legal process market will touch USD 374.45 billion by 2033 against the earlier projected value of USD 31.67 billion in 2024, with a steady CAGR of 31.6% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by the increasing adoption of LPO services by businesses seeking to reduce legal costs and improve efficiency. LPO allows organizations to access high-quality legal services at a fraction of the cost of hiring a full-time lawyer. Firms in countries with inexpensive operational costs offer services where businesses can save as much as 40-50% on legal expenses. Such a cost reduction is beneficial, particularly for SMEs, which may not have the means to keep a big legal team. Alongside savings, outsourcing legal processes helps the speed and efficiency of an organization with respect to legal processes. Highly specialized legal outsourcing firms have the requisite know-how and tools to handle intricate legal tasks quickly and accurately. This way, the companies meet deadlines and comply with regulations, thereby being relieved of the burden of running a legal department. Cloud computing has transformed the field of business. The cloud enables businesses to store and run software for data management in a remote setting, eliminating the need for costly physical servers and IT infrastructure. With cloud-based services, organizations can adopt a flexible, scalable solution to enhance business operations, teamwork, and data accessibility. An environment of significant advantage for cloud computing is the aspect of scalability. No longer does the business invest heavily in hardware or software, because payment for cloud services is based on usage. That way, a business can scale its operation up or down whenever required. This flexibility provides a company with the ability to adapt to an ever-changing market environment, customer demands, and ever-growing businesses. Around half of tech companies invest in cloud computing technology innovations to enhance their scalability and ensure they can evolve with the market. For example, a startup can build up cloud storage starting from a small plan and enlarging its capacity as its data needs grow. In the same way, companies can scale their customer support operations using cloud-based customer relationship management (CRM) tools, enabling customer service teams to collaborate and respond to customer queries efficiently. Cloud computing fosters collaboration, especially in today's remote work environment. Cloud tools like Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Slack enable employees to access documents, share files, and converse in real-time from wherever they're located, adding immense value in these times when a lot of organizations are adopting a remote and hybrid work model. Data is one example of the greatest treasure of an organization. Today's businesses utilize data analysis to scope their operations, the preferences of their customers, and some trends in the marketplace. These analytical tools allow businesses to arrive at informed decisions that enhance operational efficiency, cut costs, and elevate the customer experience. In such times, when supply chains stand to be greatly disrupted, data analytics serve as an important tool for fine-tuning. Whereas, analyzing historical data and present-day trends helps businesses track inventory levels, gain better insights into demand, and manage suppliers more effectively. This minimizes stockouts, prevents overstocking, and allows companies to improve their supply chains. An example would be predictive analytics that helps businesses forecast demand spikes and subsequently decrease production schedules or inventory levels accordingly. This helps minimize risks associated with the extremes of either understocking or overstocking and lost revenue on one side and increased operational costs on the other. Another domain is customer information, which is a very important area where companies can leverage data analytics to achieve operational efficiency. In examining customer behaviors, preferences, and feedback, companies can customize their products, services, and marketing campaigns to meet customer interests and needs. This will not only enhance customer satisfaction but will also instill loyalty and retention among customers. The shift toward remote work has significantly impacted how businesses operate. While the transition to remote work was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has proven to be a long-term trend that continues to shape the future of work. Businesses that embrace remote work can streamline operations, reduce overhead costs, and improve employee productivity. Remote work eliminates the need for large office spaces, which can be a significant overhead cost for businesses. Companies can reduce expenses related to office rent, utilities, and office supplies by allowing employees to work from home or other remote locations. This is particularly beneficial for small businesses and startups looking to minimize expenses as they grow. Remote work has also been shown to increase employee productivity. Many surveys found that remote workers cited a better work-life balance as the primary benefit of remote work. Additionally, remote workers report fewer distractions, less stress, and a greater sense of autonomy. Businesses that support remote work can attract top talent from anywhere in the world, which is particularly valuable in industries where skilled workers are in high demand. Offering remote work options can also improve employee satisfaction and reduce turnover, further contributing to operational efficiency. According to a Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, remote work has resulted in a productivity boost for many employees, with some sectors seeing an increase in output due to fewer workplace distractions and better work-life balance. For example, data from the BLS shows that workers in remote settings have been able to dedicate more time to core tasks, leading to higher overall productivity across industries. Modern Marketplace is in constant paradigm shifts and changes to cater to the demands of the changing environment. All these can be achieved through automation, cloud computing, data analytics, legal process outsourcing solutions services, and remote work, through which businesses cut operational costs and increase productivity without sacrificing the quality of the work. The developing state of technology seems to make everything possible for a business that wants to adopt innovativeness to do so without defaulting in successfully keeping pace with the competition and advancement in the future world. Initial investments in these strategies are required, but the benefits are much greater in the long run. Improved decision-making and increased efficiency, along with reduced overheads, make it easier for any company set up for success. TIME BUSINESS NEWS


Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
US Electronic Components Still Turning Up in Russian Fighter Jets: Report
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Electronic components manufactured by U.S. companies are still turning up in Russian fighter jets via intermediary trade routes that experts say evade sanctions, a report has found. According to the report, components used to make Russian weaponry and used in attacks against Ukraine originate from American companies, despite efforts by lawmakers to close this loophole. The report was compiled by the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) and media outlet Hunterbrook and shared exclusively with Newsweek. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the part of the companies that manufacture parts that end up in Russian fighter jets. A Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet of the Russian Aerospace Forces is pictured in the course of Russia's war with Ukraine, at an unknown location in 2022. A Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jet of the Russian Aerospace Forces is pictured in the course of Russia's war with Ukraine, at an unknown location in 2022. Newsweek contacted all companies mentioned in this article as well as the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security for comment. After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the U.S. and other Western countries imposed a range of economic and trade sanctions to squeeze Moscow's economy. Companies around the world also left the country to voice their moral opposition to the invasion and to exert economic pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin's regime. But curtailing the flow of goods in an age of globalization has proved tricky, and Moscow has since managed to bolster its war chest by acquiring Western microchips, semiconductors and other materials that can be used to manufacture weapons via third-party countries to evade U.S. sanctions and export controls. Russia imported $20.3 billion in components associated with military equipment from March 2022 to December 2022, according to an analysis by the KSE Institute—a think tank at the Kyiv School of Economics—obtained by Newsweek. More than 60 percent of the components came from U.S. companies, the report found. A 15-month probe by the U.S. Senate's Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, led by Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, found that 40 percent of 2,500 components analyzed in Russian weapons found on the Ukrainian battlefield were made by four U.S. companies: Analog Devices (ADI), Texas Instruments, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Intel. The investigation, which wrapped up in December 2024, criticized these companies and the Department of Commerce, which administers export restrictions, for a lack of enforcement action. The new report analyzed 10 Russian attacks from May 2023 to May 2024 that used SU-34 and SU-35 jets. This included one attack on May 25, 2024, in a Kharkiv hypermarket that killed 19 civilians including six women and two children and injured 54 civilians, and another in October 2023 that killed a 63-year-old man and damaged 14 buildings in Kherson Oblast. In total, the attacks analyzed led to 26 civilian deaths and 109 injuries. In the SU-34 jets, NAKO found 227 components from 59 companies including Analog Device, Murata, Texas Instruments and Intel. Of these, 68 percent (154) came from the U.S. In the SU-35 jets, NAKO found 891 components from 138 companies, with 62.3 percent (555) coming from the U.S. The companies included Analog Devices, Texas Instruments, Murata, OnSemi, Intel and Vicor. To verify the information, NAKO analyzed remnants of downed jets and found the components used in markets. They also used confidential sources. "This is shameful," said Michael McFaul, who served as U.S. ambassador to Russia from 2012 to 2014. "American companies cannot be helping Russian companies build weapons that kill innocent Ukrainians," he told Newsweek, urging the Trump administration to impose sanctions to reduce the transfer of these technologies. Anastasiya Donets, head of the Ukraine Legal Team at IPHR, said in a statement: "Western governments and tech manufacturers must confront the reality: current sanctions and export controls have failed to contain Russia's aggression. Governments must implement harsher sanctions against Russia, and manufacturers must introduce higher due diligence and supply chain control standards to prevent their products' diversion into Russia's weapons. Otherwise, declarations of continued support for Ukraine and condemnation of Russia's atrocities will remain just that, declarations. Falling short of timely and adequate action, they will only encourage protracted violence and atrocities worldwide. Moral imperative considerations aside, stopping Russia's war machine is cheaper than deploying boots on the ground next time Russia invades a neighbouring country. Overwhelming Western intelligence shows it will happen within 5 to 10 years. The time to act is now." Mark Temnycky, nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council think tank's Eurasia Center, told Newsweek that trading with third-party actors had cleared a path for Russia. "The European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other Western actors maintain normal trade relations with most neutral countries across the globe," he said. "This has created an opening for Russia as some countries in South America, Africa, and Asia serve as third-party intermediaries, re-exporting Western goods and services to Russia. Many restricted goods, including dual-use items, components and technology for weapons, and other forms of equipment, are being sent to Russia from these countries, providing Russia with the material and equipment it needs to continue its invasion of Ukraine. This is why Western components are still appearing in Russian weapons and equipment," Temnycky added. "To stop this from happening, Western countries should impose sanctions on businesses that serve as third parties for Russia. Punishing these organizations will put additional pressure on their decision to aid Russia, and this will help bring a quicker end to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine," he concluded. The government is moving to curtail the indirect supply chains that help build Russia's armory. In 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security published a list of 50 items including electrical parts that Russia uses to make weapons to warn industry leaders. The presence of U.S. components in Russian weaponry is not the only way the U.S. has inadvertently supported Putin's war effort. In January, Newsweek revealed that American firms in Russia paid the country $1.2 billion in profit taxes in 2023. Russia's fossil fuel exports also generated $253.8 billion in revenue in the third year of its war in Ukraine, with some income flowing indirectly from Western countries. The U.S. also imported $192 million in oil products from a refinery owned in part by a Russian company sanctioned by the U.S. Amid this technological backdrop, the war prevails. U.S. President Donald Trump—who before assuming office claimed he could halt the war quickly—and Putin spoke on the phone Thursday as efforts to end the war continue. But Trump said he was "very disappointed" by the Putin call and that he did not think the Russian leader wanted to end the war. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Trump are due to speak on Friday. The Pentagon has also announced that it is temporarily halting shipments of certain weapons to Ukraine, while Russia has intensified its military offensive, making significant territorial gains. The war is the largest and deadliest in Europe since World War II.


Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Haas F1 Team Receives Purchase Offers: 'Really pushing'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu has opened up on the numerous offers people made in the last 18 months to purchase the American outfit, with some even "pushing" to seal a deal, as Haas enters its tenth year in Formula One. He also highlighted the role of team owner Gene Haas and his dedication to keeping the team on the F1 grid. Komatsu has been a part of Haas since its F1 journey began in 2016, standing by through its highs and lows. The team witnessed huge challenges in the Covid-19-affected year of 2020, with struggles continuing through to the 2023 season when Haas finished last in the Constructors' Championship. Then-team principal Guenther Steiner was ousted ahead of the 2024 season, the year in which Haas witnessed significant progress under Komatsu. The managerial changes and failures from 2023 prompted several parties to approach Gene with offers to buy the team. However, Komatsu emphasized that Gene is passionate about F1 and has no interest in selling the team. Haas F1 Team's British driver Oliver Bearman takes part in the first practice session ahead of the Formula One British Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England, on July 4,... Haas F1 Team's British driver Oliver Bearman takes part in the first practice session ahead of the Formula One British Grand Prix at the Silverstone motor racing circuit in Silverstone, central England, on July 4, 2025. More BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images Opening up on his upcoming run with Gene at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in a Haas VF-23 F1 car to celebrate the team's tenth anniversary, Komatsu said ahead of the British GP: "This year when he [Gene] came to Miami, I could see that he actually enjoyed just being there. "He always asks lots of technical questions because he's interested, but that hasn't changed. On top of that, he was just enjoying the occasion. "I thought, wow, I'm going to ask him if he wants to drive in Goodwood. He didn't know much about Goodwood, but now he's driving, he read about it, and he's really excited for him to again experience things like that." Addressing the pushy offers that came Gene's way to acquire Haas, Komatsu added: "Honestly, he's seen lots of changes. He's so engaged now. He understands the details as well. What's the best way to put it? He's always been very passionate about the sport and the result. He always wants us to improve, which is what we need from the owner. He was always behind us. "I don't know everything, but in the last 18 months he's had numerous offers to buy the team. He's not interested. He really enjoys being the owner of the F1 team. Currently one out of 10, from next year one out of 11. That's such a privileged position to be in. "He came in at a time when F1 wasn't like this. He stuck with us during such a difficult period of COVID. Now he's enjoying it. "Honestly, Gene's so committed. He's coming here [to Silverstone], obviously. He's arriving Friday or tomorrow and then staying for Goodwood. He's enjoying it. That's the main thing. "We are grateful that we have such a passionate owner, so committed. He's not interested in selling at all. I can tell you recently I had some people really pushing to buy it, [Gene's] not interested. He got even annoyed that these guys are asking so many times."