Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
News

The Big Issue's Covid-19 reaction is up for a prestigious global media award

We will go head-to-head with news giants CNN and The Telegraph for the INMA Global Media Awards after we were recognised for pivoting to subscriber model to support our vendors while they are off the streets

Contactless

The Big Issue has been named as one of world’s most inspiring examples of media responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, by the INMA Global Media Awards.

For their annual awards, INMA (International News Media Association) rewards the best ideas to energise news brands, create new products, engage audiences, grow revenue, develop customer insights, and instill innovation.

The Big Issue was among 12 publications shortlisted in a last-minute additional category rewarding outstanding initiatives in response to the Covid-19 crisis. Also recognised in the category were CNN and The Telegraph.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is the ‘trust moment’ for news media brands, and the entries submitted for this bonus INMA category redefine what ‘inspiration’ and ‘hope’ mean,” said Earl J. Wilkinson, executive director and CEO of INMA. “Feedback from the judges has been that this was one of the toughest assignments ever and that every entry truly is a winner.”

Following the coronavirus lockdown, The Big Issue could no longer be sold on the UK’s streets, meaning vendors saw their income slashed overnight as did the not-for-profit behind the magazine.

Since then, The Big Issue has had to rapidly pivot to selling through other platforms – including subscriptions, digital sales and through supermarkets and newsagents – whilst still finding ways to support the magazine’s regular vendors.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

In just under seven weeks, The Big issue sold more than 8,000 subscriptions, sold another 8,000 copies of the magazine in retailers, and saw 3,000 downloads of the new Big Issue app.

The magazine also saw support from celebrity devotees, media outlets and online fans.

The Big Issue has also managed to support over 2,000 vendors through supermarket vouchers, topping up electric and gas keys, ongoing social and emotional support and helping them access all of the support services available to them at this time.

And the work is not yet done — The Big Issue will continue to be there for vendors throughout this pandemic, thanks to the support of loyal readers.

The overall winners of the INMA Global Media Awards will be announced Tuesday, June 2, in an international broadcast by INMA.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

READER-SUPPORTED SINCE 1991

Reader-supported journalism that doesn’t just report problems, it helps solve them.

Recommended for you

View all
Here's what would happen if the UK abolished landlords overnight
Renters angry at no-fault evictions, Renters Reform Bill delay and a lack of rent controls
Landlords

Here's what would happen if the UK abolished landlords overnight

What does Keir Starmer's personality type tell us about him?
Prime minister Keir Starmer on the phone
Psychology

What does Keir Starmer's personality type tell us about him?

Disabled man may be forced to close his business after DWP slashed his Access to Work support
Access to work

Disabled man may be forced to close his business after DWP slashed his Access to Work support

The DWP is implicated in the deaths of hundreds of disabled people. Here's how to overhaul it
New work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden in the House of Commons
Benefits

The DWP is implicated in the deaths of hundreds of disabled people. Here's how to overhaul it