Momentum Media – which includes publishing arm Sterling Publishing – ranked 33rd, registering a three–year average growth rate of 73 per cent.
The 2013 result was a significant increase from 2012’s 49th position and 2011’s 59th ranking, highlighting the continued strong growth of the business.
The benchmark report, which ranks Australia’s fastest growing businesses on sustainable revenue growth, reaffirms Sterling Publishing’s position as one Australia’s most successful media businesses.
Sterling Publishing focuses on vertical markets, including mortgage and finance broking, mortgage lending, property investment and real estate, plus the financial planning, institutional investment, funds management and SMSF sectors.
While strong organic growth and expansion of titles The Adviser, Smart Property Investment and Real Estate Business supported the strong result, the October 2012 acquisition of Morningstar’s Australian media business – including titles InvestorDaily, ifa and InvestorWeekly, helped Sterling Publishing cement its position in the ranking.
According to Alex Whitlock, group publisher of Sterling Publishing, the third consecutive BRW Fast 100 ranking reflects the quality of its products, the value for advertisers and stakeholders, and the level of engagement with readers.
“We’ve established strong brands and distribution channels across these key vertical markets and are now starting to realise the value of the interconnected distribution between them,” he said.
“Our capabilities extend beyond traditional print publishing and we’ve worked hard to capitalise on new digital platforms that support advertisers, sponsors and other stakeholders to connect with these vertical, integrated markets.”
According to Mr Whitlock, the ranking is testament to not only the realisation of a focused business development plan, but also the talent of a team of professionals across Sterling Publishing’s sales, design, editorial, events and digital functions.
By drawing on the experience of producing existing titles, including The Adviser – recipient of five Publishers Australia Excellence Awards in 2012 – Mr Whitlock said the company has transformed the products acquired from Morningstar and significantly elevated their standing and their financial performance.
“Over the course of 2013 we’ve extended the ifa brand considerably, including the relaunch of the magazine, the creation of a new website, and the development of a raft of digital products,” he said.
The relaunch of the market-leading product for the financial services sector, InvestorDaily, has also supported strong, sustainable revenue growth and enhanced the production of related events, such as the Platforms, Wraps & Masterfunds Conference, SMSF Trustee Day and SMSF Strategy Day.
For further information on Sterling Publishing and any of its products, visit www.sterlingpublishing.com.au
