It’s always interesting to see which stories garner the most interest. As someone who monitors these numbers regularly (and sometimes obsessively), I still get surprised every year.
There are factors out of our control, for example if a story gets picked up and shared with a new audience, or something is being looked for in search engines.
Fun nerdy digital editor fact: This is why your marketing teams discuss search engine optimization so much.
As a quick end-of-the-year read, here are the ten most-read Tampa Bay Business and Wealth stories, online, in 2024.
10. The founders of BKS Partners are empowering the next generation to take hold
This cover story lands on the list in the No. 10 spot. There was much to remember about this unique TBBW cover story. From getting lost in the woods to interviewing at a ranch, with turkeys and deer wandering outside our windows, to the symbolic meaning of three founders interviewing three founders, it was a fun TBBW memory for the scrapbooks.
9. Tampa’s Scott and Kathy Fink donate $5 million to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital
St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital Foundation announced that Scott and Kathy Fink donated $5 million to support children’s health care in West Central Florida.
8. President of Jesuit High School announces resignation
After a 16-year tenure as president of Jesuit High School, Father Richard C. Hermes, S.J., announced his resignation.
7. TBBW announces 2024 Women Who Win Award finalists
No surprise here. TBBW’s Women Who Win Awards is consistently one of the “hottest” TBBW “products.” One nominee once returned her packet and exclaimed, “I can’t believe I was nominated for the Grammy’s of Tampa Bay!” We enjoy repeating that.
Fun fact: We seriously considered, as a team, if we could produce another large-scale awards program. At the time, we had just added an administrative assistant to the team and we were like, “can we?” As the story goes…we thought for a second and, collectively, said, “Why not? We will figure it out!”
Nominate for the 2025 Women Who Win Awards here. You can change a life with only a moment of effort and no obligation.
6. How Amanda Tress started a movement and created a FASTer way to the millionaire club
It’s always rewarding to see our cover stories make the most-read list, this one, from 2023, carried over into 2024. There’s a viral component to Amanda Tress’ story. As her company continues to grow, we expect to see a consistent interest in her and her business.
5. Exclusive: Shilen Patel discusses his acquisition of West Bromwich Albion Football Club
Our first tip that Shilen Patel was eyeing the purchase of the West Bromwich Albion Football Club came by way of a “contact us” inquiry. After confirming, off record, with Patel, we patiently waited to tell the story, at the right time. As the deal was working, we remained in contact with Patel. Reporting too early could sacrifice the deal and, if it failed to close, there wouldn’t be anything to report on. True to his word, he called us first, resulting in this exclusive interview with Patel, on a global story. Relationships matter!
4. Helene Updates: Mandatory Evacuation Orders Begin in Tampa Bay
Every year Tampa Bay residents are well aware that hurricane season is coming and, every year, we think we’re prepared. But 2024 packed a back-to-back punch that took the region by surprise and left devastation for so many.
TBBW isn’t always jumping in to report on every current event, as we try to stay hyper-focused on our niche subjects of business and lifestyle, but with so many sources sharing updates, and so many things to know, we felt an obligation to share our intel and experience with our readers, hoping it could help someone.
3. Shilen Patel’s vision of community building is the foundation of his business and his life
As a result of the buzz surrounding Patel’s acquisition of the West Bromwich Albion Football Club, there was a surge in views of his 2022 cover story with TBBW.
2. Construction begins at Double Branch development in Pasco County
Pasco County is enjoying a development boom. Development of the first phase of Double Branch, a 965-acre mixed-use project in Pasco County, will eventually include up to 4.5 million square feet of industrial space.
- Peak Surf Park secures land in Pasco County, eyes 2027 opening
The renderings are beautiful, Floridians appreciate our “fun in the sun” culture and this project brings the cool factor. It lands as the most-viewed story in 2024.