Publishing News South Africa

RamsayMedia roll away with SA Publication Forum Awards

The 12th SA Publication Forum Awards, held to recognise and encourage excellence in internal and external corporate communications, has announced its 2012 winners. Publications are judged on the quality of their writing, communication, design and photography.
Colin Garden, national sales manager of RamsayMedia’s Custom Publishing division, displays the trophies and awards that came Toyota Zone’s way.
Colin Garden, national sales manager of RamsayMedia’s Custom Publishing division, displays the trophies and awards that came Toyota Zone’s way.

Toyota in the Zone

The RamsayMedia motoring and lifestyle contract title, Toyota Zone, received Best Corporate Publication and individual category awards. The magazine also won Best External Magazine (category A: bigger budgets); won Best Design category, was runner-up for Best Communication and received awards for excellence in design, writing and communication.

The media group's Custom Publishing division claimed top honours at the awards. Automobil, published on behalf of the Retail Motor Industry (RMI), was named finalist in the Best External Magazine category.

"Both brands have undergone extensive revamps since we took over their contracts. These awards confirm that the magazines have achieved that fine balance between meeting the marketing objectives of our corporate clients and at the same time providing readers with engaging content that they look forward to receiving," said Robyn Daly, group editor of RamsayMedia Custom and B2B Publishing.

Toyota Zone editor François Rabe said he was thrilled at the magazine's achievements, which confirmed that the content strategy for the brand was firmly on track. "It is clear that our primary content pillars of people, product, places and perspective provide the right mix and appeals to the magazine's intended audience.

Communication strategy

"The bi-monthly publication is mailed to 35 000 Toyota owners, dealers and staff. As Toyota South Africa's most important CRM tool, the magazine plays a big role in the motor manufacturer's communication strategy."

"We are proud of this achievement. Not only is it the first time that the magazine has been awarded the top accolade, but it did it in style - being recognised in all categories, ranging from design to writing and communication," said Ferdi de Vos, GM: internal communications and motorsport at Toyota South Africa Motors.

"Receiving this recognition is just reward for the hardworking team and indicative of the spirit of cooperation and trust that exists between corporate and publisher. Excellence in everything we do is a core value at the company and I would like to commend François and the whole publishing team on achieving excellence and a job well done."

Automobil also honoured

Automobil received awards for excellence in writing and communication and was a finalist in the Best External Magazine category.

"This recognition from our publishing industry peers is a fine reward for the hard work the entire team puts in - from our clients at the RMI, who trust our vision, to our design team, without whom our words would just be inkblots," commented editor Tim Brink.

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