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.
Students from the University of Central Lancashire will see their magazine concept come to life in print after winning the top award category at this year’s Magazine Academy competition, organised by the Periodicals Training Council (PTC).
Rebranded Direct Marketing News has changed its tabloid fortnightly print format with web destination to a standard size monthly plus a debut iPad edition concurrent with the launch.
Magazines, including, BBC Olive, Golf World, The Lady, T3, The Oldie, Intelligent Finance and Sunday Times Travel, had an exclusive placement opportunity when the Queen inaugurated Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth ship in Southampton on Monday 11th October 2
United Business Media has announced that it has agreed to acquire a 65% stake in Rotaforte International Trade Fairs & Media, the owner of Turkey’s largest jewellery exhibitions, from its private owner on behalf of UBM Asia.
Royal Mail has welcomed the Government’s plans for rapid deregulation of the competitive postal services market and its intention to resolve the £10.3bn historic pension deficit.
Your Home Christmas Special, a oneshot from Hubert Burda Media, goes on sale 21 October, priced £2.99.
Sight & Sound, the British Film Institute's monthly magazine, has appointed Alliance Media to handle its subscription management and fulfilment.
Future, the special-interest media group, has revealed its latest launch - Tap! The iPhone and iPad Magazine, available simultaneously across multiple platforms in print, digital and online versions, alongside a paid-for iPhone app.
The PPA's Independent Publisher Conference and Awards takes place on Tuesday 7 December at Vinopolis. The PPA has just announced the shortlist for the awards.
Following a strategic review of its Irish distribution arrangements, Marketforce – one of the UK’s leading magazine distributors – has awarded EM News the exclusive distribution rights for its portfolio. The new arrangements commence 01 January, 2011
As part of the review of IPC Media’s niche and specialist titles, the company has announced the sale of Caravan to Warners Group Publications plc.
The fantastic all-new Classic FM magazine is the culmination of five months’ work for the editorial and publishing teams who left no stone unturned as they looked to improve upon the UK’s most popular classical music magazine, says the publishers.
Future, the special-interest media group, has announced that it has appointed Mark Whiteling as a non-executive Director with effect from 8th October 2010.
BMJ Group has awarded Polestar Chantry with a new 3-year contract for the print, binding and mailing of their portfolio of weekly flagship titles; BMJ and BMANews.
As part of the review of IPC Media’s niche and specialist titles, the company has announced the sale of Model Collector and Stamp Magazine to MyHobbyStore.
