Both PMP and IVE subsidiary Franklin Web took home major prizes at this year’s Australasian Catalogue Association (ACA) Annual Awards in Melbourne, with PMP and advertising agency Clemenger BBDO securing the top accolade of Judge’s Award for printing Myer catalogue Christmas #2 Augmented Reality.

In the major awards, Catalogue Retailer of the Year – Up to 1.5M (David Jones), Catalogue Retailer of the Year – Up to 3.5M (Myer) and Catalogue Retailer of the Year – Over 3.5M (ALDI) were all printed by PMP.

PMP also received a number of other accolades, including Best Emerging Designer for Britt Loyd of Priceline Studio and PMP Digital.

Franklin Web was crowned winner of new category Customer Insights for printing Kmart’s Inspired Living.

Kellie Northwood, CEO, ACA says, “We have seen many more commercial printers entering for their retail work and pushing the print boundaries further to connect with audiences and build brand equity. It is a true collaboration between agencies, retailers and printers to produce the best possible campaigns for their customers.”

The ACA also launched its consolidation with fellow paper bodies Two Sides Australia (TSA) and the Australasian Paper Industries Association (APIA) on the night, with the trio forming a new organisation, the Real Media Collective. The ACA awards will continue under the new organisation next year.

Northwood says, “We are joining with our Member Partners TSA and APIA to promote print as real media. Real media as it represents print, a media channel that is real in its physical form and real in that it delivers real results. We enter the next year embracing the 2019 Real Media Awards and we look forward to seeing attendance and entry numbers continue to grow.”

[Related: Industry associations consolidate]

Around 600 guests attended the event in its 27th year running aiming to recognise print as a marketing platform in Australia and NZ. Printers, distributors, retailers, creatives and agencies turned out for the 41 category ceremony, with comedian Dave O’Neil as MC.

Other printers that received recognition on the evening were Complete Colour Solutions for Beacon Lighting Designers Lighting & Fan Collection, Lindsay Yates Group for Freehold Capital’s On Bourke, Rooster for APT’s Small Ships Antarctica, Arctic & Northern Europe, and Gunn and Taylor for Claire Skinner’s Transcendence in the Excellence in Craft category Best in Class.

Adrian O’Connor, CEO, Print & Distribution, PMP, says, “Every year the ACA Awards go from strength to strength in celebrating the diversity and ever growing nature of catalogue and letterbox marketing. It is a privilege to work with so many PMP clients who value this marketing channel and its critical impact generating sales for their businesses.

Northwood adds, “Tonight is an important night for our industry as we celebrate our united front heading into the year ahead as the Real Media Collective allowing us to put our best foot forward for the industry.

“As the Real Media Collective we will be working with our member partners to deliver lecture series, events and more to promote the collaborative effort of the retailers, agencies, printers and distributors when working within a powerful, strong and sustainable industry. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Real Media Awards next year.”

O’Connor of PMP says, “I am proud to be part of an amazing industry producing catalogues we know Australians and New Zealanders love. I am also excited to see the association expand and am looking forward to the Real Media Awards next year.”

Natalie Taylor, national sales director, Franklin WEB (an IVE business) says, “This year’s event focus on the broader print industry shows how much the Association and industry has grown with our customers. From the planning phase to delivery, printers are part of the entire journey. Franklin WEB is a member of the Real Media Collective and are thrilled with the announcement of the Real Media Awards.”

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