ACE Press Award Winners 2009

For circulation excellence by a national newspaper

Gold: Financial Times

"The judges commented that the FT not only demonstrated core circulation
innovation but also, with very little budget, had managed to increase sales
despite an increase in cover price."

Silver: Daily Mail - Associated Newspapers

Bronze: The Sun - News International

: Jon Bunting (rhs) and Martin Ashford from the FT

For circulation excellence by a smaller magazine

Joint Gold:
MAC Format - Future Publishing
Retail Newsagent - Newtrade Publishing

"Both MAC Format and Retail Newsagent displayed exceptional understanding and skills in their respective markets. Both demonstrated excellent circulation allocation and supply chain understanding. The judges also applauded Mac Format for their innovative use of consumer insights."

Bronze: Goodie Bag Magazine - DC Thomson

: David McIntosh (middle) presents to Stuart Brown from Future Publishing Ltd and Kate Dickenson from Newtrade Publishing

For circulation excellence by a major magazine

Gold: Mens Health - Natmag Rodale

"The judges were impressed by the creative thinking of Mens Health. They also
recognised that for an established brand the positive results achieved in a
challenging market were remarkable."

Silver: Classic Rock - Future Publishing

Bronze: National Geographic - Seymour Distribution

: Christopher Collins and the team from Natmag Rodale

For the most effective promotional campaign by a national newspaper

Gold: Free Lightbulbs with the Sun Promotion – News International

"The Free lightbulbs with the Sun promotion was innovative, in-tune with current trends and thinking and showed clear consumer benefits. It also led to clear, measurable circulation increases."

Silver: Mega Display Promotion – Mail on Sunday – Associated Newspapers

Bronze: Guardian & Observer – See your City Differently – Guardian News & Media

: Presented by Steff Pfadenhauer (rhs) Alan Palfreyman and the team from News International

For the most effective promotional campaign by a smaller magazine

Gold: Gold Times Higher Education – TSL Education Ltd

"This category proved to be a real challenge. However a clear winner is TSL Education who cleverly used controlled circulation to generate sales."

Silver: Fight Sport Magazine – UK Distribution Services

Bronze: No award

: Mike Mirams (rhs) presents to Greg Frost from TSL Education

For the most effective promotional campaign by a major magazine

Joint Gold:
Cosmo Summer Campaign – National
Magazines and Glamour July 2008 – Condé Nast

"Only three points separated the top six entries in this category. The judges could not separate either the winners or the runners-up, all of whom showed intelligent understanding of their respective markets and audiences and clever use of resources."

Joint Silver:
Marie Claire Eco Chic Issue – Marketforce
Woman and Home Tesco Promotion – Marketforce

: Jane Dyson is in the centre, with the winners from National Magazines and Conde Nast Publications

The ACE Sustainability Award

Gold: Guardian News and Media

"There were 9 entries in total and the judges found the quality, attention to detail and understanding of the complex issues surrounding sustainability to be of an extremely high standard. Guardian News and Media recognised the impact that the newspaper can have in terms of editorial and staff, as well as operations. The judges felt they engaged with sustainability issues throughout their whole supply chain."

Joint Silver:
News International
Menzies Distribution

: Clive Milner (rhs) presents to Bob Steadman

For service and communication to retailers by a newspaper

Gold: Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday – Associated Newspapers

"In total thirty different Newspapers were nominated and 715 separate votes cast. The judges commented that the sheer volume of votes cast and the overall quality of comments and explanations given made the Daily Mail a clear winner."

Joint Silver:
The Sun – News International
The Daily Telegraph – Telegraph Media Group

: Sharon Douglas (rhs) presents to Tracy Hart

For service and communication to retailers by a magazine

Gold: Take a Break – H. Bauer Publishing

"In total there were 390 separate votes given for a total of 65 nominated magazines. A combination of number of votes cast and positive feedback from retailers made Take a Break the clear winner."

Silver: OK Magazine – Northern & Shell

Bronze: Radio Times – BBC Magazines

: Nick Shanagher (rhs) presents to Simon Priston and his team

For service and communication to retailers by a wholesaler

Gold: Menzies Distribution

"The combination of overall positive feedback from retailers combined with the number of votes cast put Menzies ahead of the field."

Joint Silver:
Dawson News
Smiths News

Special commendation:
EM News

: John Lennon (rhs) presents to David McIntosh of Menzies Distribution

Launch of the Year

Gold: Gogo’s Crazy Bones – Magazine Marketing Co.

"Gogo’s Crazy Bones – the RSV figures were truly outstanding, making them the clear winners. The judges went on to applaud all those that had successfully launched in such a challenging market."

Silver: Match of the Day – BBC Magazines

Bronze: Match Attax – Topps Europe

: Kevin Phelan presents to Ben Harper

For achievement by an individual or team that has shown outstanding circulation innovation and ingenuity during 2008

Joint Gold:
The Newspaper Packing Line – Dawson News
Future Trade Marketing Team – Future Publishing

"This category covers a multitude of services and illustrates the breadth of skills and abilities required in our industry. The judges were particularly impressed by the quality and content of the winning entries."

Bronze: Seeing local activity differently – Guardian News & Media

: The winners who are...among others Frank Straetmans and Mark Hope of Dawson News and the crew from Future Team

The ACE Outstanding Achievement Award

Mel Lewis – Puzzler Media

From Shona's speech at the Awards ceremony:

"This is the first time, certainly since I joined the ACE Governing Committee, where the winner of this Award was unanimously agreed and this reflects the high esteem in which he is held.

The winner of the ACE Outstanding Achievement Award is Mel Lewis.

Mel began his career in the industry in 1962 with WH Smiths and then went to work with Richard Desmond, Keesing and BEAP which is now Puzzler Media.

All in all Mel has been instrumental in steering PML into becoming one of the UK's real publishing success stories over the last few years.

Mel is an ardent Chelsea fan, a Welsh rugby fanatic and according to the info I have been given, a happy, albeit struggling golfer! He is happily married with two grown up children.

He is also a thoroughly good guy and a very worthy winner of the ACE Outstanding Achievement Award for 2009."