Hotel & Restaurant magazine, established 79 years ago, is one of the oldest and best known business brands in Southern Africa. With this proud heritage, the publication has consistently delivered relevant and useful information to readers across both print and digital platforms.
The recent establishment of a joint venture between RamsayMedia (now owned by Caxton) and Wag the Dog Publishing, a niche business-to-business magazine and online publisher, heralds an exciting era for Hotel & Restaurant, beginning with a revitalisation of the printed magazine followed by digital extensions. The creation of a fresh and modern design, review of content, total overhaul of the current reader and user database, and opportunities for expansion into Africa and further brand extensions will be explored during the next five months.
The magazine and online brand has enjoyed a stable and experienced sales team, with Karen Prumm based in Cape Town and Lesley Elliott in Johannesburg. Together with editor Susan Reynard, who has been appointed to the position after more than a decade working with outgoing editor, Andrew Moth, who has retired, the team is excited by the new focus that Wag the Dog will bring to a credible and well-known product.
“This is an exciting phase in a brand that has served the needs of its readers and advertisers for nearly eight decades, and continues to find new and forward-thinking ways to deliver business information to its core market,” Reynard says.
Wag the Dog founder, Sandra Gordon, has over 35 years’ experience in business-to-business publishing. She has launched 27 print and online publications during her career and is excited to be bringing her expertise to the joint venture and to be working with a seasoned and enthusiastic team.
The new-look magazine will be launched in March 2015 at Hostex.
