In a year that was once again disrupted by the pandemic, the strength and innovative skill of the magazine industry shone through as winners in the 2021 Webstar Magazine Media Awards were announced.
Delayed twice due to Covid-19, the 2021 Awards – organised by the Magazine Publishers Association – were hosted by the industry’s own Sido Kitchin via live stream on Thursday, February 24.
Taking home top honours and the title of Supreme Magazine of the Year was Homestyle (The Pluto Group Ltd), which also won Webstar Best Magazine in the Home, food & lifestyle (including mass market) category. The other Best Magazine titles went to EG (Engineering New Zealand) in the Trade category and NZ Geographic (Kowhai Media) in the Consumer special interest, current affairs & business category.
“2021 was a great watershed for magazines, with locally owned titles rising from the ashes, displaying agility and responsiveness,” comments new MPA Executive Director, Johanna Cotter.
Supreme Editor of the Year went to one such ‘rising from the ashes’ titles, The Listener and its Editor Pamela Stirling. The People’s Choice Magazine of the Year was awarded to Dish (ICG Media).
“There is no better reward for hard work than knowing what you’re creating is resonating with the reader – as evidenced by winning this award for the second year in a row, we’re stoked!” comments Dish Editor, Sarah Tuck.
Newcomer, Woman magazine, was another big winner picking up four awards on the night including: Stacey Morrison getting the nod for Best Columnist, Sophie Neville who won Best Journalist, as well as awards for Best Launch and Best Marketing Campaign.
“There’s a lot of tough competition out there and these Awards are a recognition that this magazine has found its right place in the market delivering intelligent views, addressing issues that affect women and celebrating the unique and wonderful ways we live in Aotearoa,” says Woman Editor Susanna Andrew.
The complete list of winners can be found, here.
“Thank you to everyone who made the Awards possible: to our entrants; our wonderful sponsors, especially Webstar; and the whole events team who, in just a couple of weeks, had to pivot from preparing a live event to pulling off the virtual event we enjoyed this evening,” adds Cotter.
