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.
Imagine Publishing has announced the appointment of Ryan King as new Editor of Play, the independent PlayStation magazine. Arriving from rival Future, King’s first issue is the landmark 200th issue.
Multi-platform music media brand, NME, has announced Shockwaves as headline sponsor of the NME Awards for the seventh consecutive year.
Christmas is coming early to young people in a Johannesburg township, who get 26 brand new bikes and accessories from Informa Plc and Halfords to help them learn new skills to set them up in later life.
UPM-Kymmene Corporation has entered into an agreement to acquire Myllykoski Corporation and Rhein Papier GmbH. The approximate enterprise value of the businesses acquired is EUR 900 million.
Nicholas Coleridge, Managing Director of Condé Nast, has announced Kate Reardon as the new Editor of Tatler. Kate will take up her role in January.
Lucie Cave is to step up as Acting Editor of celebrity weekly heat from January 2011.
As it did last year, The Printing Charity has made a one-off, cold weather payment of £50 to the almost 300 people it supports with regular financial assistance.
The next in the “It’s…” series of magazines, from Signature Publishing, goes on sale on 28th December.
Groundbreaking research from the PPA has reinforced the importance of Christmas in driving magazine subscriptions.
Haymarket Brand Media has appointed Noelle McElhatton as editor of Marketing. She takes over from Gareth Jones, who leaves this month to join the digital agency Lbi.
IPC Inspire has unveiled MAGs: the first findings from a major new study into the attitudes and behaviours of the UK’s pre-responsibility young men.
Future of Publishing is a new content hub from PPA Marketing that brings together 20 key figures from magazine publishing to explore how the sector is changing. Barry McIlheney, Chief Executive of the PPA, explains more about the project.
Wired magazine’s January 2011 issue, available on newsstand now, has an eye-catching metallic cover, made possible through the use of Mirri silver material.
Build Up DB5, a new weekly partwork from GE Fabbri, goes on sale 5 January.
The National Magazine Company, Hearst Corporation's principal business in the UK, is delighted to announce the appointment of Aida Muirhead as Research and Insight Director.
