Jones (pictured) was presented with the accolade on November 11 at a ceremony held at The Roof Gardens in Kensington, London, which was attended by senior figures from across the magazine industry.
Eric Verdon-Roe, PPA consultant, said: “PPA is proud to recognise Keith Jones as the winner of this year’s Marcus Morris Award. This prestigious award is a fitting reflection of his long and illustrious career in publishing, and he deservedly joins an elite group of winners who represent the pinnacle of the industry’s talent.”
Jones began his career in publishing when he joined IPC as a graduate in 1977. He rose through the company’s ranks to take on mainstream marketing and publishing roles for titles including Country Life, New Scientist, Melody Maker and Woman’s Own.
Among Jones’ many achievements at IPC was the successful re-launch of Chat, for which he was named PPA Publisher of the Year in 1992, and the ground-breaking launch of Loaded while managing director of the publisher’s Specialist Group.
In 1995, Jones was appointed chief executive officer of Reed Business Publishing and the following year oversaw the integration of several existing businesses to form Reed Business Information (RBI) UK. Jones subsequently drove RBI UK’s online publishing activities, launching brands such as Totaljobs.com and XpertHR.
Since December 2008, he has held the position of chief executive officer of RBI worldwide - a $1bn turnover business.
Jones has been heavily involved in PPA activities since 1995, serving as chair of the Business Media and Postal Strategy committees as well as holding the position of PPA chairman from 2002 to 2004. He was instrumental in guiding the industry through size-based pricing and the threat of zonal pricing.
About the Marcus Morris Award
The PPA says: “The Marcus Morris Award is the highest accolade in magazine publishing in the UK and was established by PPA and endowed by the National Magazine Company in 1990. The award recognises and commemorates the exceptional career and outstanding contribution to the UK magazine industry of the Reverend Marcus Morris OBE. The recipient of the Marcus Morris Award receives a silver trophy together with a citation and an honorarium of £1,000.”
About PPA
The PPA says: “PPA protects and promotes the interests of publishers and providers of consumer, customer and business media in the UK. PPA has almost 300 publishing companies in its membership, which collectively publish more than 2,500 consumer, customer and business magazines, as well as directories, websites and events.”
