In the News
Kenilworth CEO Reveals Secret to Success
The 2011 RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards recognize women entrepreneurs from across Canada who make impressive contributions to the local, Canadian or global economy. Nominees share a strong entrepreneurial vision and a relentless passion in pursing their dreams. The award series recognizes business women from three major regions across Canada; east, central and west. Recently, Ellen Kral, Group Publisher and CEO of Kenilworth Publishing Inc. & Kenilworth Media Inc., was named the central finalist for the PROFIT Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship.
Kral sat down with awards organizers to discusses how she turned a fledgling publishing company into a multi-million dollar enterprise and what it takes to succeed as a woman entrepreneur in Canada.
Kenilworth CEO featured on Popular Business Program
What's the difference between a good magazine and an exceptional one? Ask Ellen Kral, CEO of Kenilworth Media. As one of Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs 2010 by PROFIT magazine, she offers insight into the realm of successful trade and association publishing. Profiling several of Kenilworth's publications, Ellen Kral discusses the delicate balance between content and advertising, how the U.S. market has impacted Kenilworth Media and why quality is so important to her. She also reveals the challenges facing publishers and how she's overcome them, and talks about Kenilworth's competitive strategy and plans for growth.
Kenilworth CEO Profiled in Executive Magazine
"Attention to detail is the difference between a good magazine and an exceptional one."
ELLEN KRAL, CEO
As the CEO of Kenilworth Media, sometimes I feel like the conductor of an orchestra. I have to make sure the strings and the trumpets and the drums all play when they should, as they should. My orchestra is made up of 44 employees, and we all work towards the same goals: making the next Issue better than the last, and surpassing the expectations of our readers and advertisers. Every issue of each one of our eight publications is a new symphony; they are each their own, and our clients are just as diverse as the five industries we serve.
Kenilworth CEO Garners Top Woman Entrepreneur Ranking
Ellen Kral, publisher and chief executive officer (CEO) of Kenilworth Media Inc., Richmond Hill, Ont., has been named one of Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs 2010 by PROFIT magazine.
"It is a great honour to be chosen one of Canada's Top Women Entrepreneurs," Kral said. "This annual ranking is a who's who of female entrepreneurs in this country and I am very excited and proud to be included among their ranks."
The PROFIT W100 celebrates the achievements of female entrepreneurs and their important contributions to the Canadian economy. Entrants are ranked by a combination of the size, growth rate, and profitability of their business.
Previous honorees include Arlene Dickinson of Venture Communications and CBC's Dragons' Den, Cora Tsouflidou of Cora's Breakfast, and Becky McKinnon of Timothy's Coffees of the World.
Running a successful business is not foreign to Kral, who had her own catering business in her native Germany. Since moving to Canada more than 20 years ago, Kral has held key sales and marketing positions at leading Canadian firms. She joined Kenilworth in 1989 as an account manager, steadily working her way up through the ranks to sales manager and eventually, publisher, where she managed the company's day-to-day operations. Later when company founders decided it was time for a change in Kenilworth's direction, they turned to one of their key employees and Kral bought the company.
Kral attributes her success to the fact she never stops learning. "I never miss an opportunity to meet someone, whether in a group or one on one, in hopes of obtaining that one kernel of advice that will help grow the company," she says.
Today, Kenilworth has grown to become a full-service media firm whose magazines represent a diverse cross-section of some of North America's leading sectors, including franchising, jewellery, signage, and backyard leisure living. In addition to its own market-leading publications, the company also manages client-owned magazines in Canada and the United States, developing communication strategies on a contractual basis.
For more information, media may contact:
Ellen Kral
CEO
Kenilworth Media, Inc.
15
Wertheim Court, Suite 710
Richmond Hill, ON L4B 3H7
Tel: (905) 771-7333, ext. 214
Fax: (905) 771-7336
E-mail: ellenkral@kenilworth.com
Single Awards Competition Announced for Pool and Spa/Hot Tub Industry
The Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada (PHTC) and Kenilworth Media, Inc., publisher of Pool & Spa Marketing and Pools, Spas & Patios magazines, are pleased to announce they have teamed up to provide the Canadian pool and spa/hot tub industry with a single national awards competition recognizing industry excellence.
“The Canadian Design & Construction Awards have long recognized the best our industry has to offer and we are very excited to partner with Pool & Spa Marketing and Pools, Spas & Patios in continuing to celebrate the work of Canadian pool/spa professionals,” said PHTC executive director Robert Wood.
“We are pleased to be part of such a fantastic event and I am confident that by combining our efforts with the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada, we will create a prestigious competition that will be synonymous with quality, creativity and professionalism,” said Kenilworth group publisher Ellen Kral.
The awards competition will be open to all members of the Pool & Hot Tub Council of Canada. Gold, silver and bronze winners will be presented in over 30 different categories. The awards will be handed out at an evening gala on December 9, 2009 at the end of the first day of the Canadian Pool & Spa Conference & Expo in Toronto.
Full contest details and entry forms will soon be available on the PHTC website at www.poolcouncil.ca.
For more information, contact:
Robert Wood
Executive Director
Pool and Hot Tub Council of Canada
10-242 Applewood Cres.
Vaughan ON L4K 4E5
Tel: (905) 761-7920
E-mail: rwood@poolcouncil.ca
Kenilworth Media Acquires Hubbard Marketing & Publishing Ltd
Kenilworth Media, Inc. of Richmond Hill, Ont., has acquired Hubbard Marketing & Publishing Ltd., of Toronto, Ont. The deal includes Hubbard’s three magazines, Pool & Spa Marketing; Piscines & Spas; Pools, Spas & Patios and the prestigious Art of Water event.
Pool & Spa Marketing is published six times a year, plus an annual Reference and Directory. It is dedicated to providing North American swimming pool and spa/hot tub professionals with the latest news, products, services and techniques and is recognized as the authoritative voice of the pool and spa/hot tub industry, advocating best practices and encouraging excellence.
The French-language Piscines & Spas provides Quebec retailers, dealers, installers and service companies with the latest product information and market projections. The magazine is also the official publication of ‘Salon Splash,’ Quebec’s annual fall pool/spa trade show and conference.
Pools, Spas & Patios is the only Canadian consumer magazine targeted to the backyard leisure/recreational water market. The magazine encourages readers to relax, retreat and rejuvenate through the creation of a backyard oasis that not only reflects their own personal style, but embraces the age-old adage that water is soothing to the soul.
The annual Art of Water event showcases Canada’s top backyard artists who have successfully married water and landscaping to create unique backyard dreamscapes that reflect the harmony and individuality synonymous with leisure living.
In announcing the acquisition, Kenilworth publisher Ellen Kral said, "We are pleased to welcome the Hubbard magazines into the Kenilworth fold. This is a perfect fit for us, reflecting the diversity of our product portfolio."
"We are very excited to be part of the Kenilworth group of publications," said Richard Hubbard, president of Hubbard Marketing and Publishing Ltd. "The combination of the two companies will be a boon to both advertisers and readers, positioning the magazines for continued growth and expansion in the pool and spa market."
Kenilworth First Canadian Publisher to Use Next Generation Internet Technology
With the launch of its "1-Minute Franchise Finder," Kenilworth Media Inc., of Richmond Hill, Ont., becomes one of the first publishers in Canada to bring Next Generation Rich Internet technology to the forefront of magazine Web design. A patent is pending.
"This is the world’s first, all-inclusive database of franchises available for sale (and re-sale)," explains Kenilworth president Ellen Kral. "The 1-Minute Franchise Finder allow users to search from a wide variety of data fields and ‘drill down’ for specific information at high speed.
The use of next generation search functions makes the design and functionality of the site fast, intuitive and easy to navigate."
Kral adds the functionality associated with the technology behind the 1-Minute Franchise Finder can help publishers strengthen the relationship between a magazine and its website—offering readers improved interactivity between the two mediums—and opening the door for alternative revenue streams.
Kral suggests publishers can leverage the versatility of the technology to not only sell banner ads, but other services like preferred listings, pay-per-lead options, end-user fees and subscriptions.
About the 1-Minute Franchise Finder
The 1-Minute Franchise Finder (www.1minutefranchisefinder.com) is part of the Canadian Business Franchise group of publications, which includes a bi-monthly magazine, an annual Directory, and a franchising Handbook. Kenilworth publishes eight different magazines in both the consumer and trade markets in Canada and the U.S., serving sectors such as jewellery, government, sciences, turf, signage, and construction.
Kenilworth Purchases Franchise Publications
Kenilworth Media, Inc. of Richmond Hill, Ont., is pleased to announce it has reached a deal with CGB Publishing Ltd. of Winnipeg, Man, to purchase Canadian Business Franchise magazine. The deal also includes the Canadian Business Franchise Directory and the Canadian Business Franchise Handbook. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
“We are very excited about the purchase of these leading franchise publications,” said Kenilworth president Ellen Kral. “Kenilworth has a proven track record of producing quality magazines in a number of key markets and I am confident our expertise in sales, design and editorial will enable us to build upon the favourable position already enjoyed by these publications in the franchise marketplace.”
“What’s more, the entrepreneurial spirit of the franchise industry mirrors our corporate culture, and our own experiences working within several different industries gives us a strong foothold into the many diverse markets served by franchises.”
Kenilworth publishes 10 different magazines in both the consumer and trade markets in Canada and the U.S., including government, construction, signage, jewellery, chemical, turf and pet care.
Kenilworth Launches Jewellery Magazine
Diamonds may well be a girl’s best friend, but it’s a dream few will ever realize without the guidance and support of jewellery retailers. And retailers need to know the latest products, designs and trends if they are to put that sparkle in their clients’ eyes. Enter Jewellery Business, Canada’s newest voice of the Canadian jewellery retailer.
Published six times a year, Jewellery Business is the latest publication from Kenilworth Media Inc. of Richmond Hill, Ontario. While the primary focus of the magazine is to provide in-depth commentary and critical analysis on issues affecting the Canadian retail jeweller, Jewellery Business goes even further by taking readers on a behind-the-scenes look at the processes that drive the industry.
"We have assembled a team of leading jewellery experts whose breadth of experience will ensure our editorial is not only timely, trusted and topical, but truly speaks to the specific needs of this diverse industry," said Kenilworth president Ellen Kral.
The first issue of Jewellery Business debuted at Jewellery World Expo in August 2005, in Toronto.
Kenilworth Inks Deal to Publish U.S. Magazine
Kenilworth Media Inc., Richmond Hill, Ont., is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with the American Chemistry Council (ACC) to publish the organization’s new magazine, American Chemistry.
American Chemistry is the U.S. industry’s celebratory voice, advocating a better understanding of the benefits of the business of chemistry, detailing its positive impact on the world. While addressing some of the current challenges facing the business of chemistry today, American Chemistry seeks to highlight its essential nature and benefits to everyday life.
Published six times a year, American Chemistry boasts a circulation in excess of 14,000 key industry personnel, regulatory officials and consultants who make and influence the decisions and policies that govern the business of chemistry in the United States.
"I am thrilled with the ACC’s decision to select Kenilworth as its partner in this exciting new project," said company president Ellen Kral. "American Chemistry is unlike any other publication the U.S. market today, and represents our third U.S. publishing venture."
American Chemistry will make its debut in Las Vegas in early May at the ACC’s Responsible Care® Conference. [Note: Responsible Care is the U.S. chemical industry’s award-winning performance improvement initiative. The ACC launched the U.S. Responsible Care initiative over 16 years ago to ensure the industry makes health, safety, security and the environment a top priority. Participation in the Responsible Care initiative is mandatory for members of the Council.]
Kenilworth publishes number of different magazines in both the consumer and trade markets in Canada and the U.S., including retail, jewellery, government, sciences, construction, signage and turf care.