The awards, which celebrate the dynamic contribution and entrepreneurial spirit of independent publishers throughout the UK, took place immediately following a half-day conference dedicated to the issues faced by independent companies in magazine and business media.
The awards saw The Chelsea Magazine Company named PPA Independent Publishing Company of the Year, with the judges praising their impressive growth in digital, circulation, revenues, and profit.
Consumer Media Brand of the Year went to Women’s Running while the Business Media Brand of the Year went to The Drum, which also picked up the award for Event of the Year for The Drum Live.
Louise Kittle from DJ Murphy’s Horse & Rider magazine was named Editor of the Year, and the award for Rising Star of the Year went to Holly Tarrant from Signature Publishing. Other winners included: Cogora, Dezeen, LSC Publishing, Rock Sound, Think Publishing, and White Light Media.
More than 400 industry professionals attended the awards, and their donations helped raise more than £1,200 for MagAid, the industry charity which promotes literacy through magazines.
Barry McIlheney, CEO of the PPA, said: “This year’s PPA Independent Publisher Awards were the biggest and most competitive in the event’s history. In many categories it was difficult to highlight a winning entry from such a strong field, and that is a reflection of the vibrant mood and creative spirit of this vital part of our membership. Thanks to everyone who took part in the event, and congratulations to the finalists and all of our winners.”
Winners of the PPA Connect Awards 2015:
RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
Holly Tarrant, Publishing Executive, Signature Publishing
WRITER OF THE YEAR
Guy Whitmore, British Farmer & Grower
DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Karen Boller, Signature Publishing
CREATIVE INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
Film Is GREAT BRITAIN, Morris Visitor Publications
DIGITAL INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
BlockDox
BEST USE OF VIDEO
Dezeen
LAUNCH / RELAUNCH OF THE YEAR
Kin, LSC Publishing
Highly Commended: Zen Colouring, GMC Publications
EVENT OF THE YEAR
The Drum Live
Highly Commended: Manufacturing & Engineering North East, Findlay Media
TEAM OF THE YEAR
InvestmentEurope, Open Door Media Publishing
INDEPENDENT PUBLISHING COMPANY OF THE YEAR
The Chelsea Magazine Company
FRONT COVER OF THE YEAR – BUSINESS
ERT, Taylist Media
FRONT COVER OF THE YEAR – CONSUMER
Hot Rum Cow, White Light Media
BUSINESS MEDIA BRAND OF THE YEAR
The Drum
Highly Commended: InvestmentEurope, Open Door Media Publishing
CONSUMER MEDIA BRAND OF THE YEAR
Women's Running, Wild Bunch Media
EDITOR OF THE YEAR
Louise Kittle, Horse and Rider
Highly Commended: Simon Lyle, Hot Rum Cow, White Light Media
MEMBERSHIP MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR
BEER, Think Publishing
CUSTOMER MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR
Slimming World Magazine, Slimming World
BUSINESS MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR
Pulse, Cogora Group
CONSUMER MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR
Rock Sound
