Stuff Group has been crowned Media Business of the Year at the 2024 Beacon Awards, earning recognition as New Zealand’s leading media organisation for its bold strategy and strong performance across financial results, industry reputation, and audience growth.
The Beacon Awards, hosted by the Communications Council, celebrate excellence in media thinking and execution in Aotearoa. The Business of the Year title honours sustained success across the media landscape.
Stuff was praised for its ambitious push into video content, rapidly growing audiences and revenue on the country’s most-visited news website, stuff.co.nz. Its award-winning entry, titled Lights, Camera, Traction, highlighted significant investment in technology, talent and training.
Comms Council judges said Stuff’s boldness and positivity stood out: “(Stuff made) moves that benefitted not just their own business but also the wider media ecosystem in Aotearoa. This business took risks . . . and in doing so demonstrated undeniable positivity and forward momentum.”
Stuff Owner and Publisher Sinead Boucher said the award reflects a year in which the company stayed true to its ‘Follow No One’ mantra, expanding into video, challenging major players like ThreeNews, and focusing on long-term growth.
“I am so proud of all of our teams as they have seized opportunities, created value for our partners and continued to grow the largest digital and print audiences in the country,” Boucher said. “Being acknowledged for both our strategy and delivery is a real testament to our people who are committed to driving Stuff forward.”
Commercial Director Jaana Collins said the recognition was especially meaningful amid major shifts in the media industry.
“Stuff is an organisation that makes strong strategic moves and is always looking to connect our partners with audiences in new and exciting ways,” she said. “Innovating together with our partners is a vital part of that strategy and critical to the next stage of Stuff’s evolution.”
Collins also acknowledged the support of advertisers and partners, along with the Communications Council and other finalists NZME, TVNZ, Sky and Are Media.
