New Media further entrenched its position as one of South Africa's leading corporate contract publishers at Thursday's SA Publication Forum (SAPF) Ceremony with four category wins and 11 certificates of commendation.
The publishing house secured the sought after trophies for Best External magazine (Mercedes); Best Electronic publication (BMW Motorrad site); Best One-off publication (VISI Colour).
Launched in June 2003 Mercedes is produced for DaimlerChrysler. Bridget McCarney, managing director for New Media said; "Our brief was to produce a magazine in line with the Mercedes magazine produced in Germany, whilst adapting a South African flavour and reinforcing the pride associated with driving this premium brand. The fact that the magazine is produced locally with local content means that DaimlerChrysler can effectively communicate with the South African market, which wants information on the various technological advancements available here and abroad, coupled with interesting lifestyle features."
New Media's digital division, New Media Digital, secured the category Best Electronic Publication, for the BMW Motorrad South Africa site.
According to Rene Forbes, general manager of New Media Digital, the community which the weekly electronic newsletter attracts, is the second biggest BMW Motorrad Community in the world after BMW Motorrad USA.
New Media Digital manages the community on a day-to-day basis, uploading new content, facilitating conversations between community members, synchronizing events and marketing campaigns and allowing community members to trade their BMW bikes and merchandise. Furthermore, the success of the community has also spawned a print newsletter, called BMW Motorrad Freedom that is distributed through the BMW Motorrad dealer network.
With a Mondi and Sappi Pica Award already under its belt, VISI Colour (now Plascon Colour) added to its list of accolades by winning the category for Best One-off Publication. The four-year old title, produced by an awarding-winning editorial team comprising editor Sumien Brink and décor editor Tina-Marie Malherbe, has an annual publication print run of 11 500. "Plascon Colour is a consumer publication designed to enhance the relationship Plascon has with its customers and add value by providing them with inspirational ideas around colour and its use within design and décor," adds McCarney.
"We are also extremely proud of our commendations for Business Life and foresight magazines, published on behalf of Nedcor and Alexander Forbes respectively. Teamwork is the key to New Media's success and design, editorial, production and sales functions meld seamlessly, with a dollop of passion from everyone involved."
The SA Publication Forum hosts an annual corporate publication competition for the National Press Club. Some 100 companies were in competition for the 2004 awards. New Media's stable comprises consumer magazines such as Wegreek and VISI, consumer guides including Eat In and Drive Out and over 18 titles in its customer division from Ackermans to Multichoice, Nedcor and Woolworths TASTE magazine.
