KEY POINTS:
ACP Magazines has pulled out of the Magazine Publishers Association awards, raising questions about this year's winners.
Chief executive Paul Dykzeul confirmed yesterday no titles from the ACP stable - which includes Metro, North & South and Woman's Day - would take part in the Magazine of the Year Awards.
The final day for entries is April 2, but the biggest consumer magazine publisher - with around 40 per cent of the market - is not interested.
Dykzeul dismissed the awards as "a back slapping exercise for the industry".
"I don't have any interest in these awards and I don't care what the industry thinks. I'm interested in what the reader thinks. If you have a magazine in the number one position in terms of sales or readers, why would you worry about what an industry group says?"
Dykzeul supported ACP staff entering the Qantas Awards - he said they were important. Awards are used by magazines as part of their marketing.
Last year ACP titles won three of the Magazine of the Year categories with the supreme award going to Herald publisher APN News & Media's Woman's Weekly.
Association executive director John McClintock said Dykzeul had indicated he was not enthusiastic about the awards. But he did not know there had been a group-wide decision not to enter. He said that entrants and awards included business-to-business titles as well.
Magazine circulation and readership results for last year will be released next week.
