Fairfax Media NZ scoops highest number of first place wins

25 May, 2016

Fairfax Media NZ scoops highest number of first place wins at INMA Awards

Fairfax Media NZ has placed first in three categories at the 2016 International News Media Association (INMA) Awards in London last night, taking more first place wins than any other company. Its winning titles were for: Best Use of Video, Best Use of Consumer Research and Best New Corporate Innovation Initiative.

In addition, judges selected Fairfax Media’s editorial transformation project entry as the Best in Asia/Pacific award-winner.

Fairfax Media NZ Managing Director, Simon Tong, says being recognised to this degree is a remarkable feat for a New Zealand-based operation competing on the global stage.

“The INMA Global Media Awards represent the very best of news media companies’ work to grow audience, revenue and brand. To see our name among some amazing international brands like The Wall Street Journal, London’s Evening Standard and The Economist makes me immensely proud of our success on the world stage.”

Simon continues: “There’s a common theme across our wins - it’s about new ways of thinking to bring superior journalism to our audiences. For the judges to single out our editorial transformation project “News Rewired” as the best from the Asia/Pacific entries is a real honour. These accolades reaffirm our world-class approach - something that wouldn’t be possible without the talented people we have at Fairfax Media.”

Fairfax Media NZ’s editorial transformational project, News Rewired, also placed first in the category: Best New Corporate Innovation Initiative. The challenging undertaking saw the reorganisation of newsrooms to deliver the highest quality content - in all it forms - to audiences. With a new ‘modern newsroom’ in place, there was a 300% increase in the number of digital stories almost overnight. Stuff became New Zealand’s #1 website - not just in news, but the number one domestic site of any kind.

The Waikato Times and Stuff.co.nz won Best Use of Video for their “All In” campaign. Ben Strang and team took a cinematic approach to tell the inspiring story of a high school girls’ rugby team, highlighting women’s sport. Optimised for a social audience, footage was shared around the world and resulted in a surge of interest from girls across New Zealand wanting to be involved in the sport.

The Best Use of Consumer Research award was won for a project that aimed to create world class community newspapers. Insights from the comprehensive research were used to redesign and reinvigorate Fairfax Media’s stable of community newspapers, resulting in positive feedback from readers at unprecedented levels.

Fairfax Media NZ also placed second in the Best Use of Data Analytics category for “Touchpoint NPS Research” and third in Best Idea to Grow Advertising Sales or Retain Advertising Clients for “Melbourne Cup Incentive Programme.”

Simon adds: “Congratulations to our team on their success at the INMA Awards. They should be incredibly proud of their achievements.”

ENDS

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