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.
Royal Mail achieved its 93.0% First Class quality target in the year to March 2011 when taking into account the extraordinary combination of the worst weather in living memory and the unprecedented closure of UK airspace because of volcanic ash.
Imagine Publishing has announced the appointment of James Willmott as Advertising Director of the company’s print and online operations.
Oakley Capital Private Equity L.P. has announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Time Out America LLC (“Time Out New York”).
Marie Claire, IPC Southbank’s flagship women’s glossy, is showcasing its content to hundreds of thousands of potential new readers with a limited edition 52-page magazine that will be bagged with The Times this Saturday.
Future Publishing’s SFX, the sci-fi and fantasy magazine, has partnered with Manga Entertainment to publish The Ultimate Guide to Anime, on sale now.
Future’s 2011 Adrian Flux Auto Series started with a bang at Europe’s biggest Japanese car show, Japfest.
Future, the special-interest media group, has unveiled its fifth annual T3 Gadget Awards, proclaiming it to be the UK’s biggest and most influential consumer technology awards.
Imagine Publishing has announced the launch of a brand new magazine, Photography for Beginners, due to hit the shelves on 30 June 2011.
Imagine Publishing has announced the appointment of James Hoare as new Editor of SciFiNow, the sci-fi film and TV magazine.
The Stationers’ Company has awarded its prestigious Silver Medal to Ian Locks, former CEO of the Professional Publishers Association.
BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, has announces that it has selected Exponent Private Equity as its preferred strategic partner for BBC Magazines.
Q celebrates its landmark 300th issue with an exclusive Adele cover shoot and interview, the world's “newest and biggest music superstar”.
The June issue of Guitar World, on sale 21 May, cover priced £5.25, is a dual cover special.
The June issue of Majesty magazine, from Rex Publishing, is a post-wedding special. It goes on sale 4th June, cover priced £3.10.
Best magazine has joined forces with Simplyhealth to launch the Best and Simplyhealth Community Awards - a nationwide search for the UK’s most deserving community initiatives.
