Sphera’s Spark magazine was named the Best Digital Publication in Ragan’s PR Daily Awards competition. Spark was named a finalist for the award in February and was named the winner in the category on March 5, 2020.
This is the second award Spark has received in less than a year. In July 2019, Spark was named the Best New Print Publication by the Content Marketing Institute.
“As part of the company’s commitment to sustainability, the publication will be digital-only with its third issue,” the judges wrote. “The print version won an award from the Content Marketing Institute, but the digital version catches attention for its striking original artwork, big pull quotes, mobile utility and outstanding writing.”
Spark launched its new digital-only platform on issuu in December 2019 while maintaining a significant presence on Sphera.com as well.
“When we conceptualized Spark in 2018, we quickly realized that we had something special,” said James Tehrani, Spark’s editor-in-chief. “We wanted to create a publication that would cover risk and safety issues wherever they may be and do it in an entertaining and informative way that’s visually compelling. What we didn’t expect was the instant recognition we received by winning two major awards so quickly. It’s exciting, humbling and a testament to the great work this team does to produce Spark.”
The fall/winter 2019 edition of Spark features articles on Integrated Risk Management 4.0 (IRM 4.), an interview with celebrity chef Robert Irvine, a safety-related review of the HBO miniseries “Chernobyl” and much more.
The PR Daily Awards, Ragan explains, are designed to celebrate the teams, organizations and agencies that have redefined the field with their groundbreaking work. “As a winner in the program, Sphera’s Spark joins an elite group of past winners, including Microsoft, Aflac, T-Mobile, Fender Musical Instruments, Hilton, Chili’s Grill & Bar, IBM and Esurance.”
In the Digital Publication category, there were also two companies that received honorable mentions: Aflac, for its 2018 Corporate Sustainability Report “Purpose … With Feathers” and KWI Communications for its Scandinavian Way, Imagem Corporativa.
Sphera’s work “was exceptional and displayed their innovative strategies for achieving success,” said Brendan Gannon, marketing manager for Ragan’s awards program, in a written statement.
