At the Publishers Australia Excellence Awards last Friday night, The Run Fit Group, publisher of RUNNER’S WORLD Australia and New Zealand, was awarded Small Publisher of the Year.
The Run Fit Group began publishing RUNNER’S WORLD in 1998 – a niche 100-page monthly title that informs, advises and motivates runners of all ages and abilities. In September 2012 RUNNER’S WORLD launched a bespoke digital app version of the print title on the Apple iTunes Newsstand.
With an expert, independent judging panel given the task of deciding winners from 28 categories, Publishers Australia Chairman Geoff Hird noted, “We received entries from 53 publishers, across five states, representing the full spectrum of Australia’s magazine media: custom, B2B, association, mass and niche consumer, both in print and digital.”
The Small Publisher of the Year Award recognises outstanding achievement across all areas of publishing. Judges commented; “RUNNER’S WORLD competes in a highly competitive market dominated by big businesses. The results achieved in content creation, distribution and overall sales are excellent. Good extension to iTunes/digital and social media. Good growth that meets the market and great editorial, engagement: they clearly understand their market.”
Editor/Associate Publisher Lisa Holmes who collected the award said, “It’s a great honour to receive accolades from within the industry and to be recognised as an integral player in the publishing sector.”
Also, receiving runner-up in the Consumer Magazine of the Year category, Holmes added; “This is a fabulous result for the entire team who work tirelessly to make RUNNER’S WORLD the great success story that it is. It really does feel like Oscars night!”