The country’s youth have spoken: CAR is the Coolest Male Magazine in South Africa. The publication received the thumbs up from more than 5 800 urban youngsters aged 8 – 22 years in the Sunday Times Generation Next Survey Awards for the second successive year.

"The award is recognition that CAR is right on the money in delivering what South Africa’s young opinion-makers want,"commented publisher Neil Piper. "We realise the importance of staying trendy and relevant to our current and future consumers, establishing brand loyalty with this target audience from early on, and it is reassuring to know that we are doing this successfully.

"More than 30 per cent of our consumers – 371 000 readers – fall into the 15 - 24 age group. They are strong economic drivers and astute and informed brand judges. The fact that we have won this award three times in four years means that we are in touch with what they consider hip – no mean feat for a brand that is 53 years "young"."

He said the team’s ongoing content and design review process ensured the magazine stayed fresh and appealing, while regular reader focus groups gave consumers the opportunity to share their likes and dislikes – moves that contributed to CAR’s popularity.

"Whether the touch point is fax or twitter, CAR’s editorial team is constantly given feedback by readers. We will continue to evolve our editorial package according to their needs and desires," elaborated editor John Bentley.

The brand had increasingly expanded in to mobile and digital arenas, reaching these consumers "where they play", and aligned with other "cool" youth-focused brands like MXit and 5FM, Piper said.

The youth make up more than half of South Africa’s population and their spend is estimated to be R95,3 billion this year, according to HDI Youth Marketeers, who conducted the Generation Next Survey, polling respondents about their perceptions of brands and trends in 64 categories.

CAR’s Generation Next award comes hot on the heels of AdVantage magazine’s AdMag Award for Best Motoring Magazine in mid-May.

RamsayMedia claims a hat-trick at AdMag Awards

RamsayMedia titles have bagged one gold and two silver awards at this year’s AdMag Awards, given in recognition of outstanding and innovative consumer publishing.

CAR claimed top honours in the Motoring category while both Popular Mechanics and Compleat Golfer earned silver, in the Male Interest and Sport categories respectively. There was no gold awarded under Male Interest.

Commending the high standard of entries, the judges noted that the top magazines are using platforms other than print to talk to their consumers, thereby enhancing their publications.

Entries were judged on editorial strategy, content, innovation and excellence.

CAR's 1st book rolls off the presses

CAR magazine deputy editor Hannes Oosthuizen personifies the quintessential automotive enthusiast. His passionate affair with the automobile has not only shaped his life and career, but endowed him with a delightfully oblique perspective of the motoring world.

In his début book, CRANKED UP: Confessions of a Petrolhead, he takes readers on a remarkable journey across the globe as he gets behind the wheels of some of world’s most exciting machinery, including Batman’s Lamborghini Murciélago, Fernando Alonso’s Renault F1 racing car and the Koenigsegg CCX owned by the ever-controversial Lolly Jackson.

His no-holds-barred account of his passion for the automobile comprises humorous musings and frank insights into his life as a jet-setting motoring journalist, automotive aficionado and everyday motorist, Not only does it reflect his acquaintanceship with motor industry bosses, car designers, motor racing legends and other celebrities, but motoring enthusiasts can share in the thrill of driving a variety of rapid and otherwise extraordinary cars in a host of exotic locations.

Added to this witty and sometimes naughty collection of motoring tales is a bonus feature of the complete CAR magazine road test database – including nearly 3 000 vehicles tested between February 1957 and April 2010. It’s a must-read for automotive anoraks!

Enthusiasts can participate in launch-related activities by following Hannes on Twitter, visiting CAR magazine’s Facebook page or joining the FB group CRANKED UP: Confessions of a Petrolhead.

The book retails for R149.95 and will be available at selected CNA and Exclusive Books retail outlets from May 24, and can also be ordered online at www.magsathome.co.za.

PM scoops Pica win

Popular Mechanics has done it again! Photojournalist Sean Woods was named Best Profile Writer of the Year – his second major accolade this year – while the magazine was highly commended in the International General Interest category atthis year’s Pica Awards, which recognise editorial and publishing excellence.

CAR is hip and happenin’!

CAR, the oldest consumer magazine in RamsayMedia’s stable, has been acclaimed the “Coolest Magazine in South Africa” in the 2009 Sunday Times Generation Next survey, which polled readers aged 8-23.

Getaway wins conservation award

Getaway has scooped SANParks’ Kudu Award for its “balanced reporting on conservation-related matters and conducting its reporting in a socially responsible manner”. The award was in the Environmental Media Contribution to Conservation category. Lani Rheeder accepted the award from the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Buyelwa Sonjica.