The five-year contract kicks off in July 2011 with a redesigned magazine and the launch of a new website and webletter. The 64-page magazine will have an initial print-run of 10 000, increasing annually.
RMI CEO Jeff Osborne said the organisation was very pleased to be working with a company with such a history in the print and digital media arena.
"For the first time, we are entering into a profit-sharing agreement, which will strengthen and benefit the RMI, while the publishing house's connection with consumers will help us increase our brand awareness and educate people on best practices," he said.
According to Neal Farrell, publisher of RamsayMedia's Custom Publishing division, the new design envisaged will give it a more consistent brand identity, with easily identifiable pillars - news, labour, eco, people, products and technology. Several new editorial elements are to be introduced, such as a tech column by Car's technical editor, Jake Venter, a focus on careers in the automotive industry, green pages and columns inviting reader interaction.
Equally appealing to RMI is the roll-out of a digital strategy will allow it to engage with the industry more frequently, generate advertising revenue and enable its members to share opinion, building member interaction and educating consumers in the process.
"Automobil is one of the leading business-to-business automotive brands in SA and our role is to ensure that it continues to lead from the front, not only in providing readers with an informative, entertaining read, but also in ensuring that we touch members and consumers in a place and time that suits them best," said Farrell.
"With this in mind, we will extend Automobil beyond print and across the event, web, email and mobile platforms, offering readers more choice and advertisers fresh opportunities to market their products and services."
