The company’s publishing ventures are set to grow this month with the addition of two new publications; the first edition of TOYOTA ZONE under the RamsayMedia banner and CAR’s first-ever book are both due to roll off the presses within weeks.
TOYOTA ZONE, the second title in the Custom Publishing stable, will see 31 500 copies of the bimonthly magazine mailed to Toyota consumers and dealerships at the end of May.
The 96-page lifestyle publication will have the look and feel of a consumer magazine, its content pillars focusing on launches, news, eco issues, sport and travel, with additional sections taking account of lifestyle, gear and people. Competitions will be a key element, adding value to readers and serving as an important tool to grow subscriptions, according to the publisher, Neal Farrell.
The magazine will appeal to people who are loyal to the Toyota brand, are passionate about their cars and look for good value, while at the same time having enough broad interest to attract outside readers, he said. Features will encompass both urban interests – shopping, entertainment, eating out – and the country – game parks, 4x4 routes, places to stay, and more.
“The business model is to increase subscriber retentions and acquisitions through a solid editorial package that will at the same time allow Toyota to build stronger consumer relationships and greater product knowledge,” he explained.
In line with RamsayMedia’s philosophy of offering clients a multi-platform marketing solution, TOYOTA ZONE readers will also be reached through a number of digital touch points, including a digimag and email webletter.
All new Toyota buyers will receive a free copy of TOYOTA ZONE and will be encouraged to subscribe. The magazine has a cover price of R19,95, with an annual subscription costing R90.
A new team is responsible for the latest addition to the stable. Apart from Neal as publisher and Robyn Daly as managing editor, a Johannesburg-based editor, Stuart Williams, has been contracted from the June/July issue, while Christelle Botha, formerly a designer on Top Billing magazine, joined the team at the beginning of May. New ad sales execs Colin Garden and Anton Willemse will look after the ad revenue for the brand.
CAR’s first foray into book publishing, Cranked Up – Confessions of a Petrolhead, is a humorous compilation of the driving adventures of deputy editor Hannes Oosthuizen combined with road test information on the nearly 3 000 vehicles CAR has tested since 1957.
The 288-page, A5 book relates Hannes’ encounters with motoring personalities and his experiences behind the wheel of some of the most glamorous vehicles in the world, from Batman’s Lamborghini Murciélago to Fernando Alonso’s Renault F1 and the Koenigsegg CCX owned by controversial SA strip-club owner Lolly Jackson – all told in Hannes’ inimitable tongue-in-cheek style.
About half the book is comprised of the magazine’s road-test database, gathered over more than 50 years, making it a comprehensive and entertaining resource for motoring enthusiasts.
Taking advantage of CAR’s strong social media presence, Cranked Up already has a following on Facebook and will be promoted on Twitter. Several launch activities are in the pipeline, including a book signing at the CAR-hosted virtual Le Mans in June and a competition and review on 5fm by DJ Sasha Martinego.
The book will sell for R149,95. Copies can be bought online at www.magsathome.co.za
comments (3) 
read more
Share
