Scotland’s number one student title Source has had its phenomenal year recognised with a spot on the shortlist at the Scottish Magazine Awards.
Run by PPA Scotland (Professional Publishers Association), the awards celebrate the very best of magazine publishing the country has to offer.
Source has made it down to the final few for the category of Consumer Magazine of the Year – and it’s not hard to see why. The last twelve months have been the most exciting yet for the magazine, which launched in 2008.
This year, we’ve continued to capture the imagination of Scotland’s next generation of job seekers with features on careers in the music business, digital design and the energy sector. We’ve spoken to Karren Brady, young Scots jewellery designer Mhairi Mackenzie and the minds behind Morphsuits to inspire young entrepreneurs. We even sent assistant editor Lindsay Cochrane off to Edinburgh Zoo for a day to find out what being a zookeeper is really like!
As well as offering careers advice, Source has become known for its celebrity interviews. This year, we’ve spoken with more big name celebs than ever before, such as Emeli Sandé, JLS, Nick Grimshaw, Nicola Roberts and Fearne Cotton. Also this year, Radio 1 DJ Ally McCrae joined the Source team, highlighting the best in Scottish bands and artists in his new column. Ally’s chatty writing style and on-the-button music knowledge has made him the perfect fit for Source. He says: “It’s awesome to be able to spread some new musical vibes in a magazine which reaches such a diverse audience. Big congratulations to the whole team on the award nomination!”
What makes Source so special goes beyond the pages of the magazine. In April, we hosted the first ever Source Session, with pop act Cover Drive performing an exclusive acoustic set at Source HQ. Twenty fans were invited in to the gig, while video students from Cardonald College filmed the event for the Source site, Motherwell College student Monica Day played photographer and Caledonian University’s Laura Donaldson interviewed the band – it was the ultimate work experience event!
This wasn’t a one-off. Students are always involved with the production of the magazine. Our fantastic team of student reporters have interviewed celebs backstage at gigs, written opinion pieces, shared their exam survival tips and more. And it pays off. Recent intern Rachael Fulton bagged a full-time job in STV Local just weeks after completing her placement with Source.
Earlier this year, we also ran a brilliant competition for students in the spring to guest edit Source for one issue. The winner, Stirling University’s Catriona McGale, fought off stiff competition from dozens of entries and made it through a gruelling interview process that would make Alan Sugar proud, before coming into the office to edit articles and contribute ideas and stories for the summer issue of Source.
Publisher Denise Connelly, who has also had her hard work recognised with a spot on the Publishing Star shortlist, said: “I am so proud of all the staff and students who work on Source – we’ve had a superb year, and it’s a real boost to have the panel notice what we’re doing.
“The magazine isn’t just about entertaining people, it’s about giving them a foot up in the world of work. We’re honoured that the judging panel have recognised the important role which Source plays for Scotland’s young people.”
The Scottish Magazine Award winners will be announced at a glittering gala dinner at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu hotel on 25 October.
