Thrive wins silver for best young audience initiative at Wan-Ifra awards
The award was introduced this year as part of a category revamp aimed at better reflecting the shifts in today’s media landscape.
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[SINGAPORE] Thrive, the young audience initiative by The Business Times, won the silver award for Best Young Audience Initiative at the World Association of News Publishers (Wan-Ifra) Asian Media Awards 2025 on Wednesday (Nov 5).
The award, presented at Conrad Singapore Orchard, was introduced this year as part of a category revamp that the association said better reflects the shifts in today’s media landscape.
This was thrive’s third international accolade since it launched in late 2022 to build a community for young adults to have honest conversations on career, money and life that is both informative and engaging.
Last year, it won silver for Best Newsletter at the Digital Media Awards and received an honourable mention for Best Initiative to Bolster Next-Generation Readership (National Brands) at the Global Media Awards.
“Thrive started as a bold experiment to make business news feel accessible, relevant and human for a new generation,” said BT editor Chen Huifen.
“It’s gratifying to see thrive recognised again as it affirms not just the need for such journalism, but also the importance of sustaining a dedicated space that helps young adults make sense of a rapidly-changing world.”
Thrive publishes a newsletter every Friday featuring a deep dive into topics that are top of mind for fresh graduates and young professionals, alongside curated news articles.
Recent stories include an explainer on booming gold prices, a discussion on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workplace, and an opinion piece on whether young adults owe their parents a monthly allowance.
Beyond its award-winning newsletter, thrive also produces content on Instagram and TikTok – from candid street interviews to in-depth explainers and profile interviews that spotlight the perspectives and pursuits of young Singaporeans.
“Thrive’s repeat win signals that there is a strong appetite for engaging content that speaks to the real challenges young adults face,” said BT young audience editor Vivien Shiao, who oversees the title.
“It shows why media organisations must keep investing in platforms like thrive to reach the next generation, meeting them where they are without losing credibility.”
SPH Media, which owns BT, took home three gold and seven silver awards, including wins by its news publications The Straits Times and Berita Harian, as well as its content marketing arm Content Lab.
This year’s Wan-Ifra Asian Media Awards drew 228 entries from media organisations across 17 countries.
Awards by SPH Media
Gold
- Best Advertising Initiative – Building Singapore by Content Lab
- Best Technology News Story – Punggol Digital District: Singapore’s blueprint for future smart districts by The Straits Times
- Best Lifestyle Photography – Blooming sea jellies by The Straits Times
Silver
- Best Young Audience Initiative – thrive by The Business Times
- Best Revenue Diversification Project – From showroom to sales: The Car Expo 2025 by SPH Media
- Best Advertising Initiative – Singapore Dreamin’ by Content Lab
- Best Health News Story – Medical Mysteries by The Straits Times
- Best Climate Infographics – Awakening Asia’s Sleeping Giant, Lake Toba: How climate change is affecting volcanoes by Berita Harian
- Best Lifestyle Photograph – Marvellous morsels: Food like you’ve never seen it before by The Straits Times
- Best in Climate Photography – Harvest Moon thrills S’pore skygazers by The Straits Times
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