The Bundaberg Region will soon be home to Crush Magazine, a new glossy lifestyle publication founded by long-term locals Larine Statham and Nikki Sorbello.
The free, biannual publication is gaining momentum on social media and gearing up for its official release in March next year.
Editor-in-chief Ms Statham said Crush Magazine would be unlike anything else available locally.
“Crush Magazine is much more than a free tourist guide,” she said.
“It’s been designed for optimistic, intelligent locals who lead busy lives and care about what’s happening around them.”
The first issue of the magazine will be 64 pages with 10,000 copies to be distributed between Childers and Agnes Water.
Ms Statham said Crush would showcase the region’s best offerings in food, fashion, lifestyle, health, industry and the arts.
“There will be regular sections that profile local people and important issues, with an emphasis on powerful imagery.”
Between them, Ms Statham and Ms Sorbello have more than 30 years’ experience in news media, community consultation, political communication, business public relations, marketing, advertising and social media.
“This magazine is the culmination of that industry experience and our love of the Bundaberg region,” Ms Statham said.
Crush Magazine part of a thriving region
Managing editor Ms Sorbello said Crush Magazine’s main objective was to help the region thrive.
“We want to boost morale, show people why they should shop local and encourage visitors to stay a little longer,” Ms Sorbello said.
“When the community is thriving so do local businesses – one can’t succeed without the other.
“Most major towns in regional Queensland – Noosa, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba – all have premium magazines that beautifully showcase the local lifestyle. Why not Bundaberg?”
She said the region deserved a magazine to call its own.
“We’ve always been a hub for innovation and enterprise.
“Our laid-back town is gaining a reputation for the finer things and we think that’s worth celebrating.
“Late last year we started developing the concept for Crush Magazine.
“We surveyed hundreds of locals, businesses and visitors to ascertain demand. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.”
Ms Statham said it was a misconception that print media was dying.
“Roy Morgan research shows that unlike newspapers, magazine readership is actually on the rise across Australia,” Ms Statham said.
“In today’s technology age of information overload, where news instantly becomes old, Crush Magazine will take a refreshing step in the other direction.
“Our survey research shows Crush readers want a tactile leisure experience with quality content that enables them to catch their breath, let their hair down and connect with their community.
“We are supported by a fantastic team of local freelance contributors, including photographers Paul Beutel and Tracy Olive, graphic designer Selina Ferrais and the digital gurus at Catalyst Directions.
“Our promotional packages have been designed to suit businesses of all sizes, with a strong emphasis on advertorial content.”
Anyone interested in being featured in Crush Magazine can email hello@crushmagazine.com.au
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