This comes as the organisation continues to broaden its membership policy, previously opening its doors to media agencies in late 2013 when it welcomed its first media agency member, MediaCom. The CMA’s move to open up membership to media owners reflects the explosion in interest in content marketing across the UK and international media and marketing landscape, says the CMA.
IPC is one of the UK’s leading consumer magazine publishers with a portfolio of more than 60 brands, creating content for multiple platforms across print, online, mobile, tablets and events. In 2013, IPC launched a new service to clients, IPC Content, which opened up the company’s publishing and editorial expertise to produce engaging and high quality content for clients to use exclusively on their own channels. The service provides content that can be branded with any of IPC’s titles, or unbranded, and has been used by clients including John Lewis, B&Q, eBay, L’Oréal Professionnel and River Island.
Formed in 1993, the CMA has been at the front of the content marketing revolution, driving the industry forward as it has evolved to become the £4bn industry it is today. The CMA’s members produce effective content across all disciplines including print, video, mobile and online for over 1,000 leading brands and organisations in the UK and internationally.
Matt Downs, Creative Media director, IPC, says: “For 150 years, IPC has been engaging and inspiring consumers with high quality content that feeds their passions and drives their opinions. Through IPC Content, we’re making our trusted brands and extensive creative talent available to clients who want their own channels to have this same high-calibre, trusted and engaging content. We’re delighted to be joining the CMA, and, as the first major consumer publisher on board, it shows our commitment to this increasingly important part of the marketing mix.”
Clare Hill, Managing Director, Content Marketing Association, said: “IPC Media are experts in producing content built on amazing relationships and inspiring conversations with millions of consumers, so we are thrilled to welcome them as our first major media owner member. Media owners from all disciplines including TV, magazines, radio and digital are launching content marketing services for customers and we welcome all those who seek to demonstrate excellence in content marketing and learn from peers across the UK and international content marketing industry.”
