HIP2B² magazine, published by New Media Publishing on behalf of BSquare Communications, has been awarded the coveted PICA Premier Customer Magazine of the Year Award and best education title, at the 38th annual awards ceremony held in Johannesburg.

Distributed free to schools across the spectrum, HIP2B² magazine appeals to a culturally diverse – yet intellectually similar cross-section of the South African youth market.

‘HIP2B² is fascinating, fun and compellingly clever – an antithesis to the general dumbing down of communication worldwide,’ says editor Nevelia Heilbron. ‘Our goal is to provide content that makes youths want to learn more and develop a curiosity about the world around them.’

“The omnipresence of science, math and technology in society, along with the need for entrepreneurship in our country makes this project significant,” says HIP2B² Communications Manager Kate Evans. “By positioning messages in an editorial context and by using appropriate language, a magazine becomes an ideal medium to communicate to our young audience, while establishing a sense of community.”

HIP2B² is the brainchild of Mark Shuttleworth and aims to make maths, science and technology ‘sexy’ for kids. The HIP2B² brand comprises a TV show, website and the magazine, which is distributed to 720 schools nationwide twice a term.