‘Dish’ named 2006 NZ Magazine of the Year

Friday, April 07, 2006

A year of innovation and dynamic growth in the magazine industry has been recognised at the ‘Magazine of the Year Awards 2006’ tonight, with two specialist titles scooping top honours.

Gourmet food title ‘Dish’, by Jones Publishing, took the Supreme Winner award as Magazine of the Year 2006. ‘Dish’ was launched in early 2004, and was highly commended in the ‘Home and Food’ category last year. Judges described ‘Dish’ as a “brilliant collaborative effort” which achieved all-round excellence.

‘Boating New Zealand’ editor, Rebecca Hayter, was named 2006 Editor of the Year for her “wonderful ability to make boating interesting to a broad audience” whilst sharing her audience’s passion for the subject.

In the current affairs/news category, ‘NZ Listener’ took awards for best magazine, editor, and columnist. Mass Market winners were ‘The Australian Women’s Weekly,’ (New Zealand edition) for best magazine and cover, and ‘NZ Woman’s Weekly’ for best editor and best columnist. Business title ‘Unlimited’ took multiple awards for its design, editorial leadership, journalism and layout. Other highly awarded titles included ‘Little Treasures’, ‘Your Home and Garden’ and ‘Cuisine.’

The Magazine of the Year Awards are held annually by the Magazine Publishers Association, and sponsored by NZ Post and PMP NZ Ltd. They recognise excellence in all aspects of NZ magazine publishing, including cover, layout, design, journalism and relevance to target audience. This year there were a record 332 award entries – 38% more than in 2005 – and 118 award groups.

“The magazine industry is going through a renaissance, and is incredibly vibrant and competitive. Much-loved NZ titles have been refreshed and re-launched. New specialist titles are being introduced into magazine categories, and are still standing out and succeeding. The enthusiasm and creativity of the industry is on a high, which was very evident in the awards” says Heith Mackay-Cruise, Chairman, Magazine Publishers Association.

“We are now seeing all-round excellence, where superb editorial skills are complemented by incredibly creative design and layout and very high production values. The results are, without question, world class’, Mr Mackay-Cruise says.

Magazine retail sales figures this week show New Zealanders spent 6% more on magazines at retail stores in 2005, pushing magazine retail sales value to $263.5 million.

“These results are in a highly competitive media market. Today’s awards show why: we’re delivering real local choice in titles, great journalism, high quality, humour and a quirkiness that’s pure kiwi. It’s working with readers. And it’s delivering a targeted audience to advertisers,” says Mr Mackay-Cruise.

Details of Award Winners and judge’s comments.

‘Dish’, NZ Magazine of the Year

John Baker, Publisher ‘Dish’ Magazine, Jones Publishing Mob: 021 280 8150

Julian Andrews, Publisher ‘Dish’ Magazine, Jones Publishing Mob: 021 545 224

‘Boating New Zealand’ Magazine Editor of the Year

Rebecca Hayter Mob: 0274 782 478

About the Magazine Publishers Association NZ Inc: The MPA is New Zealand’s national organization for magazine publishing. Its purpose is to foster and maintain high standards in magazine publishing, and to be the primary source of information and expertise on the magazine publishing industry for members, advertisers and the community. The MPA assists the magazine publishing sector by representing and being an advocate for the industry, promoting professional standards and providing its members with a range of membership services. The annual New Zealand Magazine Awards is one way in which the MPA promotes New Zealand magazine publisher’s excellence.

Embargoed until 10pm, Friday, April 07, 2006

2006 Magazine of the Year

Supreme Winner: ‘Dish’ Publisher: Jones Publishing

Judge’s comments: “Achieved this accolade as a result of all-round excellence. Brilliant collaborative effort.”

Category winners

Mass Market: ‘The Australian Women’s Weekly’ (NZ edition) Publisher: ACP Media “Treats audience with respect. Excellent value.”

Lifestyle: ‘NZ Life & Leisure’ Publisher: RM Williams Publishing “Great content, design and value. An invigorating first year.”

Current Affairs/News: ‘NZ Listener’ Publisher: New Zealand Magazines “Delivers news and current affairs consistently well”

Trade/Professional: ‘Architecture’ Publisher: AGM Publishing “Beautiful package – authoritative voice in challenging professional environment.”

Contract: ‘Little Treasures’ Publisher: ACP Media “Extremely well-focused on audience. A voice of reason in a tough area.”

Business: ‘Unlimited’ Publisher: IDG Communications “Intelligent writing – great content. Stands above the others.”

Special Interest: ‘Boating New Zealand’ Publisher: Fairfax Magazines “Does great justice to the subject – has appeal beyond the immediate target audience.”

Home & Food: ‘Dish’ Publisher: Jones Publishing “Deserving of the Supreme Award.”

2006 Editor of the Year

Supreme Winner: Rebecca Hayter, ‘Boating New Zealand’ Publisher: Fairfax Magazines

“Shares her audience’s passion for the subject but has a wonderful ability to make boating interesting to a broad audience. Draws into the title a wide range of stories from practical to inspirational – a talented editor.”

Category winners

Mass Market: Nicky Pellegrino, ‘NZ Woman’s Weekly’ Publisher: New Zealand Magazines “Retains loyal audience whilst wooing new readers. Excellent editorial skills in an intensely competitive arena.”

Lifestyle: Brock Oliver, ‘Real Groove’ Publisher: Real Groovy Promotions ‘Intelligent, appealing writing for a demanding and trend-conscious audience. Stands up to any international competition.”

Current Affairs/News: Pamela Stirling, ‘NZ Listener’ Publisher: New Zealand Magazines “Injected life and stamped her mark on a classic title.”

Business: Fiona Rotherham, ‘Unlimited’ Publisher: IDG Communications “Consistent – strong – very true to mission.”

Contract: Rosemary Barraclough, ‘Little Treasures’ Publisher: ACP Media “A voice of balanced reasoning with her audience.”

Special Interest: Rebecca Hayter, ‘Boating New Zealand’ Publisher: Fairfax Magazines “Deserving of top award for collective editorial skills.”

Home & Food: Brenda Ward, ‘Your Home and Garden’ Publisher: ACP Media “Does an excellent job of assisting the reader – useful, intelligent advice – great consistency.”

Best use of photography

Tuscany Food Spread, ‘Cuisine Magazine’ “Superb example of photography, lighting, design and typography all coming together in an elegant and compelling way.”

2006 Columnist of the Year

Mass Market: Sarah-Kate Lynch, ‘NZ Woman’s Weekly’ Publisher: New Zealand Magazines “The Queen of comedic, domestic writing”

Current Affairs/News: Diana Wichtel, ‘NZ Listener’ Publisher: New Zealand Magazines “Authoritative, witty, entertaining. Draws the reader in.”

Home & Food: Bob Campbell, ‘Your Home & Garden’ Publisher: ACP Media “Confident, practical, enthusiastic. Understands the reader.”

Business: Russell Brown, ‘Unlimited’ Publisher: IDG Communications “Consistent – extremely well-informed columnist.”

Contract: Susanna Stuart, ‘Next’ Publisher: ACP Media. “Presents a refreshing perspective on financial issues.”

Circulation/Promotion of the Year

Xmas Campaign Publisher: ACP Media “A brilliantly executed campaign returning results well above expectations. Superb entry in all aspects.”

2006 Journalist of the Year

Mass Market: Sarah Henry, ‘Woman’s Day’ Publisher: ACP Media “Dogged in getting people to share and become integrated with story. Gains the confidence of her subjects in often sensitive areas.”

Current Affairs/News: Robyn Langwell, ‘North & South’ Publisher: ACP Media “Versatile, passionate, combines heart and intellect.”

Lifestyle: Amanda Cropp, ‘Next’ Publisher: ACP Media “One of the country’s strongest freelancers. Excellent audience relationship.”

Business: Rebecca Macfie, ‘Unlimited’ Publisher: IDG Communications “Outstanding ability to write compelling stories that synthesise issues.”

Contract: Margot Butcher, ‘Air New Zealand Magazine’ Publisher: ACP Media “Exceptionally good story teller – well-balanced material.”

Home & Food: Ray McVinnie, ‘Cuisine’ Publisher: Fairfax Magazines “Shares his passion for food in an inspiring but down to earth way.”

Launch/relaunch of the Year

Healthy Food Guide Publisher: Healthy Food Media “Clearly demonstrated a strong position in a competitive market in first nine months of publishing. Excellent submission.”

2006 Cover of the Year

Mass Market: ‘The Australian Women’s Weekly’ Publisher: ACP Media “Bringing a cleaner style that moves the magazine ahead without alienating the existing readership.”

Current Affairs/News: ‘Time Inc’ Publisher: Time New Zealand “Within category, the most impactful, apt use of cover imagery to communicate a lead story.”

Trade/Professional: ‘NZ Architecture’ Publisher: AGM Publishing “Great image and sympathetic use of type to create a striking cover.”

Lifestyle: ‘NZ Fashion Quarterly’ Publisher: ACP Media “Strong classic cover design, great shot selection and excellent use of type.”

Contract: ‘Little Treasures’ Publisher: ACP Media “Good use of imagery and covertones create an effective cover sympathetic to the target market.”
Business: ‘Unlimited’ Publisher: IDG Communications “A business magazine that uses imagination to communicate.”

Special Interest: ‘NZ Rugby’ Publisher: Image Centre Publishing “Strong, simple, brave, cheeky. Talks to its market.”

Home & Food: ‘Dish’ Publisher: Jones Publishing “Great masthead, great image. The intriguing cover shot draws you in.”

2006 Website of the Year

Cuisine www.cuisine.co.nz “Excellent content, great interactivity. Provides a massive resource.”

Sales Person/Team of the Year

New Zealand Magazines Sales Team ‘New Zealand Woman’s Weekly/New Zealand Listener/Creme’ “The Publisher’s dream results. Bottom line contributions over and above budget results. It was an outstanding result.”

2006 Designer of the Year

Home & Food: William Chen, ‘Cuisine’ Publisher: Fairfax Magazines “Still the best in its class. Cuisine has a great flow and readability.”

Mass Market: Monique Edward and Mirella Monteiro, ‘Woman’s Day’ Publisher: ACP Media “Good creativity within the constraints of a strong grid. Both designers contribute strongly.”

Current Affairs/News: Jed Tallo, ‘Metro’ Publisher: ACP Media “Truly distinctive and crafted design sets Metro apart.”

Lifestyle: Yolanta Woldendorp, ‘NZ Life & Leisure’ Publisher: RM Williams Publishing “Clean design. Highly versatile and functional. Refreshing look.”

Contract: Susanne Baldwin, ‘Air New Zealand Magazine’ Publisher ACP Media “Classic and consistent design.”

Business: Ben Sinclair, ‘Unlimited’ Publisher: IDG Communications “Unlimited pushes the boundaries in the business category while remaining relevant to core readership.”

Highly Commended Awards

Designer

Special Interest: Mary Davy, ‘Top Gear’ Publisher: Jones Publishing

Magazine

Trade/Professional: ‘Build’ Publisher: BRANZ

Trade Professional: ‘Grocers’ Review’ Publisher: GR Publishing

Business: ‘Telecommunications Review’ Publisher: Freeman Media

Special Interest: ‘NZ Wilderness’ Publisher: Lifestyle Publishing

Sales Person/Team

Significant Achievement: Caroline Daniel, ‘Urbis’ Publisher: AGM Publishing

Launch/Relaunch

Highly Commended: ‘Taste’ Publisher: ACP Media

ENDS

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