B2B publishing has quietly become one of the healthier parts of the industry. The trade press that once lived on display and recruitment advertising now earns more of its money from subscriptions, data, events and membership, and private equity has noticed.
The shift meant giving up some old habits. Controlled circulation made sense in print, but open websites gave away what the magazine kept for qualified readers, and the publishers doing best have taken back control of their audiences through registration and paywalls. The Lawyer moved from an advertising-led business to one where paid content brings in over 40 per cent of revenue.
Don’t delude yourself because the barriers to entry in publishing are now non-existent.
Amanda Barnes B2B media
Specialist knowledge is the defence. AI makes generic information close to worthless, so the value lies in proprietary data, tools readers rely on in their daily work and journalism only a specialist could produce, as Computer Weekly's Post Office investigation showed. Print hasn't vanished either. Some publishers now sell it alongside digital at the same price and let readers choose.
Below you'll find some of our best feature articles on B2B and trade media, from subscriptions and data products to events, print, consolidation and specialist journalism, alongside our latest news and industry commentary.
We asked Amanda Barnes, chief executive of Faversham House, what does best practice publishing look like in B2B media? This is what she said…
Rory Brown has enjoyed great success in business media. Having last year sold AgriBriefing and now following new paths in the B2B space, he takes some time out to tell us what he has learned on his journey so far…
Print is certainly not dead, says Chairman Mark Allen. However, you need to offer readers choice and be neutral and agnostic about the outcome.
The Lawyer has been on quite a journey, successfully transitioning from a controlled circulation ad-driven model to a high value enterprise subs one. Andy Baker talks Meg Carter through the key stages and what they’ve learnt along the way.
In the first of our new ‘Digital Horizons’ series, Tom Lake, director of product and technology at Infopro Digital, looks at the tech opportunities and challenges facing his company and the wider B2B sector.
The future of B2B lies in serving your sector in three connected ways: information, intelligence and events.
John Barnes, chief digital officer, William Reed Business Media, tells Ciar Byrne about how the B2B media sector is managing the digital transformation journey.
Computer Weekly deserves much credit for its role in investigating the Horizon IT scandal. Dickon Ross looks at what lessons other B2B journalists can take from their work.
The general expectation is that the buying and selling of media brands is going to increase significantly in 2025. A number of companies have been quietly building up their war-chests during a wobbly 2024, reports Jim Bilton.
If you’re thinking of setting up a membership scheme, be prepared to play the long game because success doesn’t come overnight.
Facing global economic meltdown and the inevitable impact that will have on their clients’ budgets, what does an advertising director do? Panic? In IPC’s case, he restructures his commercial teams, beefs up his creative services department and gets a
If you think you can get more out of your sales team, it’s very likely you can. Kate Mayfield shows how to take a poor performing sales team and turn it into a slick operation.
At Immediate Media, writes Jess Burney, portfolio marketing is one of the key pillars behind their successful subscriptions marketing approach that has seen them grow their subscriber base to well over one million paid subscribers.
Sarah Miller, Editor of Condé Nast Traveller, has announced the appointment of Fiona Lintott as Fashion & Beauty Director of the magazine.
Art in America, a monthly US title, goes on sale for the first time on the UK newsstand on 1 February, priced £6.50.
Leading multi-platform media group Bauer Media has joined forces with award-winning production company Twofour to create an innovative new 7 x 60 minute TV programme for ITV, to be broadcast on ITV2 later this year.
New freemium magazine Scout London launches in March 2012 as the definitive guide to the upcoming week’s most entertaining events across the capital.
Company magazine, the magazine for young women published by Hearst Magazines UK, has undergone a striking, ‘street-wise’ new re-design.
IPC Media has achieved certification to the Carbon Trust Standard for cutting its absolute carbon footprint by nearly seven percent.
August Media has acquired the UK business of ID Media, previously part of a German-based group.
Special interest media group Future Publishing has announced the appointment of Richard Keith to the role of Publisher within its new Entertainment portfolio. Richard replaces James Binns, heading up Edge International, PC Gamer, Official Xbox and Xb
Future, the special-interest media group, has announced the appointment of Jane Crowther as Editor of Total Film – the publisher’s flagship movie brand.
Leading multi-platform media group, Bauer Media, has announced two new senior appointments within its commercial and publishing operations across the Bauer Magazines portfolio.
Two magazines produced monthly in Surrey and Hampshire have been acquired by Tindle Newspapers Ltd as part of their drive to increase the number of local community publications within the Group.
Chris Maguire has been appointed editor of North West Business Insider.
