Road & Travel Magazine
Road & Travel Magazine (RTM) is an on-line publication focusing on automotive, travel and personal safety needs for upscale consumers with a slant towards women.
History
Road & Travel Magazine was founded in 1989 by Courtney Caldwell[1] as the first print magazine to specialize in automotive, travel personal safety content aimed at women consumers[2]. RTM targets women between 25 and 59. Converting from print, RTM launched in an online format in 2000 and is currently the largest online resource to specialize in the women’s auto and travel markets.
Editorial Direction
Caldwell's editorial vision for RTM was an automotive magazine for the average consumer, one that was not geared toward car enthusiasts, therefore making it the rare lifestyle magazine that targets everyday "in-market" consumers -- those looking for information on purchasing autos, trip planning, and safety on the road.
Awards
International Car of the Year Awards
In 1997, Road & Travel Magazine launched its annual International Car of the Year Awards (ICOTY) honoring ten new vehicles in ten categories for the upcoming new model year. ICOTY awards became the first awards to honor new vehicles from a theme that reflected lifestyle and life state; focusing on the emotionally compelling experience consumers have during car buying and ownership. The categories that make up the ICOTY awards are:
- International Car of the Year
- International Truck of the Year
- SUV of the Year - Most Resourceful
- Sedan of the Year - Most Dependable
- Luxury Car of the Year - Most Respected
- Pick Up Truck of the Year - Most Athletic
- Crossover of the Year - Most Versatile
- Sports Car of the Year - Most Sex Appeal
- Minivan of the Year - Most Compatible
- Entry-Level Car of the Year - Most Spirited
Qualifications include vehicles manufactured by American, British, German, Japanese, Korean and Swedish automakers but are sold in America. In order to achieve a balanced perspective on voting that reflects all consumers, not just one gender, RTM engages a diverse group of 12 men and women renowned automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada in the voting process. This jury of respected writers represents such publications as the Robb Report, Edmunds.com, Winding Road, MSN Autos[3], AutoWeek[4], NY Times, and Autoline Detroit[5]. J.D. Power and Associates tabulates votes to ensure credibility and validity. The annual event takes place in Detroit at the onset of press week for the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The event is televised by the local CBS affiliate, WWJ-TV and is presented as a TV special on opening weekend of the NAIAS to consumers.
Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2004, Road & Travel Magazine introduced an award to honor automotive journalists who have achieved a lifetime of contributions to the automotive industry. The award was designed to acknowledge the talents of those journalists whose lifetime of contributions have helped enrich the world of automobiles. Past recipients include: Denise McCluggage[6] , Jerry Flint, David E. Davis, Jr. and Jim Dunne.