Tile & Stone Journal (TSJ) has been honoured with the International Journalist Award at the ASCER Journalist Awards, recognising excellence in media coverage of Spanish ceramic tiles.
The award is presented annually by ASCER, the Spanish Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association, alongside the Tile of Spain Architecture Awards, which celebrate outstanding architectural projects using ceramic floor and wall tiles manufactured in Spain. The ceremony took place last month and brought together leading figures from across the international ceramics and architecture communities.
The recognition marks a significant achievement for Tile & Stone Journal, acknowledging the publication’s continued commitment to reporting on quality, design and innovation within the tile and stone sector. The award highlights TSJ’s role in promoting Spanish ceramics and supporting the wider industry through informed journalism and editorial coverage.
Acting editor Harriet Whitaker said the accolade was a proud moment for the publication and also a reflection of the work carried out by her predecessor, Lauren McCarthy.
Both editors expressed their appreciation to Tile of Spain and ASCER for recognising the magazine’s work on an international stage. They emphasised that the award reflects the dedication of the publication to championing excellence across the tile and stone industry.
Johnny Miller, CEO of Kick-Start Publishing, also welcomed the recognition. He said: ‘This award is fantastic recognition for the editorial team at Tile & Stone Journal. TSJ has long been one of the leading voices in the sector, and it’s great to see its commitment to quality journalism and industry insight acknowledged on an international stage. As a company we’re incredibly proud of the work the team continues to produce and the role the magazine plays in supporting the tile and stone industry.’
The ASCER Journalist Awards are organised by ASCER and form part of the wider Tile of Spain Awards programme, an internationally recognised initiative celebrating excellence in the use of Spanish ceramic tiles. Established to promote innovation and creativity in architecture and design, the awards highlight projects that make outstanding use of ceramic floor and wall tiles manufactured in Spain. Over the years they have become an important platform for showcasing the versatility, durability and design potential of Spanish ceramics within the global built environment.
The core Tile of Spain Awards focus primarily on architecture and interior design, recognising projects that demonstrate exceptional technical skill, aesthetic impact and innovative use of ceramic materials. Entries are judged by a panel of leading architects, designers and industry experts, and the main categories typically carry prizes of €15,000, with an additional award recognising emerging talent through a master’s thesis category for architecture students. The awards attract entries from around the world and have gained a strong reputation within the international architecture and design community.
Alongside these categories, ASCER also presents media awards to recognise journalists and publications that have helped raise awareness of Spanish ceramic tiles through their reporting. The International Journalist Award honours media outlets outside Spain that have demonstrated outstanding coverage of Spanish ceramics, architecture and design. The awards ceremony is typically held during the annual industry gathering at Cevisama in Valencia, one of the world’s leading tile trade fairs, bringing together manufacturers, architects, designers and journalists from across the global ceramics sector.
The announcement also coincides with the start of a new chapter for TSJ. Readers of the latest issue will notice a refreshed visual identity, including a new logo, refined page layouts and improvements to overall print quality.
The redesign forms part of a wider evolution at Kick-Start Publishing, which continues to develop under new management. The refresh was seen as an opportunity to ensure the magazine’s design reflects the same standards of quality and authority that have long defined its editorial content.
With the award recognition and a renewed look, TSJ is entering the next phase of its development with renewed confidence. The team says it remains committed to supporting the tile and stone sector by highlighting innovation, celebrating design excellence and providing authoritative industry insight for readers across the UK and beyond.
