While mass media and newspapers struggle to find new business models, independent and specialist media are quietly innovating and finding new ways to beat the UK recession and expand internationally.

The Media Pioneers awards have just been launched by the organisers of the Specialist Media Show, to recognise and celebrate entrepreneurial thinking among independent and specialist media owners. Here are the stories of the first five award winners: I hope they inspire you. Get the updates on the latest award winners on the Specialist Media Network on Linked-in; they’ll also be published here and on the Specialist Media Show website. At the show the finalists will be judged. (more…)