WA Business News
WA Business News came to life as a fortnightly newspaper in 1993, offering the state’s business people their first taste of an independently owned news format exclusively about them and for them.
Established by Harry Kleyn, the founding partner of the Community Newspaper Group, and his business partners Vanguard Press, WA Business News found a healthy niche as a free circulation newspaper almost exclusively circulated in the Perth CBD.
In 2000, Harry sought new investors to help propel the newspaper to another level and soon teamed up with new partners, represented on the operational side of the business by executive director Elton Swarts.
This event was a catalyst to major change at the newspaper. Within months the company relocated to premises in Beaufort Street, formed a team that began in-house digital design and layout of the newspaper, and launched in a weekly format.
The next stage of development was to address the newspaper’s editorial department, which needed to expand in line with the change to a weekly format and the higher demands for quality that came with that shift.
WA Business News recognised its success relies on editorial quality. In two years the editorial department grew from three journalists to seven, covering almost every aspect of industry in WA and offering a news focus unmatched by any other media.
In July 2003 the paper won a major award, beating a large international field to secure a bronze prize at the Alliance of Area Business Publication’s Annual Editorial Excellence Awards. Since the first award in 2003, WA Business News has successfully won another 2 editorial awards in 2005; Best Small Tabloid, Bronze and Best Scoop; Bronze. This focus on quality helped foster another offering to readers beyond the written word – Events.
Commencing in 2001 the WA Business News Events Department has grown into a significant part of the company. Signature events such as the 40under40 search for young business talent. They assist the editorial department seek out locally based success stories celebrating business achievements in our State.
Mindful that the importance of a subscription-based circulation model in assuring delivery direct to the office desk, WA Business News began converting its free circulation list to paid subscription in 2002. A high value subscription package was crafted to include the highly sought after Book of Lists.
The goal for WA Business News and its team in going forward is simple - our aim is to provide news that assists, motivates and inspires Western Australians to do more business.