March 29, 2019 — ACES: The Society for Editing recognized the winners of the 2018 National Headline Contest at the awards banquet during ACES’ 23rd annual conference in Providence, Rhode Island. The organization’s premier contest aims to reward exceptional headline writing in all types of media, from newspapers to social networks.
View the Headline winner presentation.
Individual winners in professional categories won between $75 and $300, and individual winners in student categories won between $50 and $125. The winners each submitted multiple headlines. The complete list of winners and a sampling of headlines are below.
2018 HEADLINE CONTEST WINNERS
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Industry or Public Relations
- 1st: Martin Henderson, The Joint Chiropractic, SAMPLE HEADLINE : “Rib Joints: Where Chiropractic is the Secret Sauce”
- 2nd: Marc Karlinsky, Chicago Daily Law Bulletin, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Left-turn law is pretty straightforward”
- 3rd: Marvin Brown, Plastics Machinery Magazine, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “All Wound Up: Big & small, coilers/winders expand capabilities”
- 3rd: George Fortier, The Fred Blog, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Money makes the world go round...and goes round the world: The impact of migration and remittances”
National News Organization
- 1st: Bruce Guthrie, The Washington Post, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Is streetlight plan too bright an idea? Takoma Park wants to use LED bulbs, but some residents don’t like them”
- 2nd: Wayne Lockwood, The Washington Post, SAMPE HEADLINE: “A tipping point for the dining industry”
- 3rd: Kevin Leung, Los Angeles Times, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “DMV is a wait on Brown’s shoulders”
Regional/Local News Organization
- 1st: Cory Gilinsky, World-Herald, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Raw talent on display:
- Chef David Utterback brings a unique twist to sushi at Yoshitomo”
- 2nd: Thomas Floyd, The Washington Post Express, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “‘Queer Eye’ doesn’t see red or blue: Star Jonathan Van Ness hopes the show can heal political wounds”
- 3rd: Zack Aldrich, Central Main News, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Poet laureate / Portland seeks new applicants / Haiku optional”
- Honorable mention: Rich Mills, World-Herald, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Inactive members swell ranks of couch potato club”
Student Publication
- 1st: Thomas Moran, The Baylor Lariat, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Oh, Hill No: ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ is insanely scary, moderately spooky”
- 2nd: Savanna Smith, The University Daily Kansan, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Newest stab at ‘Halloween’ franchise film takes feminist charge”
- 3rd: Megan Lewton, Ferris State Torch, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “iThink I’ll Pass”
STAFF AWARDS
Industry or Public Relations
- 1st: Law360, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “27 Years And A Hashtag Later, Hearings Bear Eerie Parallels”
- Honorable mention: SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Instant Repay: The Price of Immediate Gratification”
National News Organization
- 1st: NPR, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “‘Peppermint’: A Revenge Thriller That’s Neither Cool Nor Refreshing”
- 2nd: The New York Times, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “A California Woman Was Reported Missing. You’ll Find Her Mondays on ABC.”
- 3rd: Los Angeles Times, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Pop songs with a good algorithm”
- Honorable mention: Los Angeles Times, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “It’s not tyranny we desire, just ‘Hamilton’ seats”
Regional/Local News Organization
- 1st: Omaha World-Herald, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Whale does killer impression of human speech”
- No other places were awarded
Student Publication
- 1st: The Baylor Lariat, SAMPLE HEADLINE: “Fans can’t stay silent about Krasinki’s ‘A Quiet Place’"
- No other places were awarded
Photo by Chris Leggat on Unsplash
