Synergy has picked up a prestigious prize at the 2023 Association Excellence Awards, held in London.
The Association Excellence Awards (AEA), an annual event first launched in 2015, aims to recognise the vital work of associations, trade bodies, and professional institutions on behalf of their members.
During the awards ceremony, held at the De Vere Connaught Rooms venue on Friday, 3 November, Synergy and its publisher Wonderly took home the ‘Best Association Newsletter or Magazine (circulation over 25,000)’ prize, with judges praising the switch from print to digital publication, and Synergy’s approach to membership communication.
Synergy, SoR’s essential monthly publication featuring news, opinion, and features, recently moved to a new, digital-only format, and continues to champion the voice of society members.
Richard Evans, SoR CEO, said: “Synergy has always been identified with all that is good in radiography. The publication over the years has developed with the profession and it is brilliant that the latest evolution into digital format has been recognised in the Association Excellence Awards.
“The society is proud that our publication is a winner and thankful to everyone that has worked hard to make this happen. The SoR Digital Team, all of the contributors, and the Wonderly editorial and publishing people work together really well to bring SoR members the best communications in an exciting and accessible format - a winning combination!”
The judging panel recognised Synergy for its commitment to sustainability, in line with the society’ priorities, and for the look and content of the magazine.
Judges said: “This is a really strong entry. They have transformed their approach to membership communication and created something really visually impressive and engaging.”
“Moving from print to digital in line with the society's commitment to sustainability, SoR's new magazine doesn't just look amazing, it puts practitioners and their impact at the heart of it all. Bravo!”
Colin Cooper, editorial director at Synergy’s publisher Haymarket Media Group/Wonderly, said: “It was a huge leap to go from a printed magazine to this very new digital format, and involved thinking in a totally different way about the content - with a much stronger focus on specially commissioned photography and video.
"We were determined to avoid a replication of the website, and instead create something that would stand alone as an engaging, interactive experience for the members of the Society and College of Radiographers. And we really have to thank the leadership of the society for being so brave and forward-thinking in their willingness to develop new ways of communicating with their membership.
"The society's goal with Synergy has always been to showcase the amazing people that make up the radiography profession, and we aim to feature as many of the members as possible in every edition. We also want to raise the profile and status of the profession within the public at large, and it's great to see that we are already starting to achieve that goal with the new digital Synergy magazine."
(Picture courtesty of Association Excellence Awards)