11 September 2024:Last night, IN Noosa Magazine marked its 10th anniversary in style, bringing together members of the community for a vibrant celebration at the Sunshine Beach Surf Club.
Whilst print circulation in Australia has dropped by more than 60 per cent since 2013, IN Noosa magazine has more than tripled (from 56 to 180) its page numbers since first launching in 2014. At a time when more than 100 local and regional newspapers have either closed or shifted to digital-only formats, IN Noosa Magazine has stood strong, crediting its community as the key to its success.
“At a time when print publications are shrinking or disappearing altogether, the team at IN Noosa Magazine has continued to flourish thanks to its authentic voice and mission to be more than a magazine. The aim was to always create a community where local businesses, arts, culture, food and environmental organisations are supported to grow,” said Deb Caruso, IN Noosa Magazine Founder.
“We have always stayed true to our mission of connecting community through storytelling, whether that be in print, online or through events,” she told the audience last night.
The business has its own podcast, ‘”Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa”, with more than 200 interviews and 40,000 downloads, plus a weekly e-newsletter with engagement figures exceeding industry standards; strong following on social media and regular sold-out events. It has also supported numerous local charities and sponsors two students through Altitude Scholarships.
Co-publisher Paul Bird said the Intention has always been to not only reflect all the elements of Noosa but make its own contribution to the ongoing fabric of what Noosa is.
“From the start, we have been committed to being a sustainable business here for the long-term and to firmly establish our place in the market as a voice for the region and to be a focal point for businesses to reach the right people in the right environment,” he said.
To this end, the business runs regular board meetings and strategic planning sessions to ensure rigour and process around key decisions. In 2019, the Board agreed to launch a Sunshine Coast magazine and to enter the Creative Industries category of the Sunshine Coast Business Awards, which it won in 2019 and 2021.
During the pandemic in 2020 when most print publications were forced to down tools, Deb and her team spotted an urgent need to support the local business community who were cut off from international and interstate travellers. The magazine launched a special publication, ‘The IN Noosa Guide’, which was produced in just three weeks to provide locals and those who could travel to Noosa, with the perfect starting point to discover and explore the region.
“The IN Noosa Guide is a great example of where the magazine seeks to inform, indulge and inspire readers to love all things local. It was produced off the back of success having done similar guides for Peregian Beach Business Association (Village Vibes) and Noosa Junction (Destination Junction),” said Deb.
The success of IN Noosa Magazine led to the business becoming a publishing house with its parent company, IN Publishing also launching Hello Sunshine Magazine in December 2020 to celebrate the Savvy, Surprising and Spirited people and businesses of the Sunshine Coast.
At the same time, they released ‘VanillaFood; The Cookbook’, a 260-page cookbook for local chef Nilla Tomkins, and they are currently putting the finishing touches on another cookbook for a local restaurant with more in the works.
This edition marks the three-billionth pages being printed of more than 557,000 magazines, all on certified eco-stock with the editions consistently running at 180 pages.
When asked what the future had in store for the publication, Deb confirmed the focus would firmly stay on storytelling, community engagement and supporting local businesses.
“Ten years in business for any small business is an achievement and for my team, who live and breathe to tell stories in an increasingly challenging media environment, it’s a journey definitely worth celebrating. This is a chance for us to thank the Noosa community and our clients, many of whom have been with us from the start, for their ongoing support. Cheers to the next part of the journey,” addedDeb.
Ends.
For more information, images and a VNR please contact Heather or Jen at The Comms. People:
Jennifer Swaine | 0438952830 | jen@commspeople.au
Heather Mollins | 0412421411 | heather@commspeople.au