Coming Soon: New agency, new magazine

This year, Icon decided that the time had come to give our long-running member magazine a complete revamp to ensure that it remains dynamic, relevant, and engaging amidst fast-paced changes in the world outside.  

The emerging vision for the revamped magazine has been underpinned by member views from our readership survey this past June. Following this, a competitive process saw eight agencies bid to help us take the project forward. 

Now the winner can be announced!  

Icon has appointed CenturyOne, a well-regarded communications agency, to take on the task. The first issue of the new magazine is set to land on member doorstops this January.   

Bigger issues, less frequent  

After this, our member magazine will appear quarterly, rather than bi-monthly. It will be bigger, with a wider range of content and a greater visual emphasis than its predecessor. Our goal is to focus on the people behind conservation projects and research, to lead discussion across our sector, and to unravel what makes conservation professionals tick.  

Each quarterly issue will have a strong theme to focus discussion and provide synergy between what’s in the magazine with what’s on our website and on social media. Stay tuned to find out more about what the Editorial Team has in mind for the first edition of our new magazine – and to be inspired to contribute your ideas!   

A triumphant run  

As the first issue of the new magazine takes shape, we bid farewell to Icon News: the October issue (number 103) will be the last.   

The October issue marks another milestone: the retirement of our indefatigable longtime editor Lynette Gill, who retires after putting together every single issue of Icon News since its inception. Lynette said:

I’ve really enjoyed it, but the time seemed right to hand over the reins.

Lynette will definitely be a tough act for any editor to follow – but CenturyOne are up for the challenge. They will be taking on the Editorial function for the new magazine, with the aim of uncovering the stories that make conservation so compelling and dynamic.  

A new approach to content  

CenturyOne have already started putting together some annual plans for content, based on a new range of content strands alongside interviews and features. Of course, the next step will be to take this framework and fill it – so stay tuned for our forthcoming Call for Contributions coming soon!  

While the new magazine will indeed be quite different from the old, in CenturyOne we have the team behind us to ensure it delivers on the legacy of its predecessor.