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.
Let’s not get carried away - it would be hyperbolic to say that consumer magazine industry news in the US has taken an unequivocal turn for the positive during this first quarter. Still, says Karlene Lukovitz, given the last two years’ trends, the te
The latest ABCs reveal that more than a million people pick up a freebie magazine every week. Peter Genower investigates the freebie phenomenon.
It’s all about managing expectations! Expect freefall and be pleasantly surprised by a slight dip. Because, in the midst of a recession and with new media continuing to dominate headlines, a very small fall in total sales is testament to the continui
Great magazine design requires more than just visual flare; a deep rooted understanding of words and the requirements of readers are critical. Meg Carter talks to Radio Times’ Shem Law about his approach to design.
Polestar has extended its relationship with The National Magazine Company after being awarded production of the publisher's annual direct mail campaign for the first time.
Cute ‘n’ Cuddly, a new 6 weekly children’s magazine from Prestige Publishing, is to launch in May.
Future, the special-interest media group, has confirmed it is planning a range of cross platform activity to boost its “iconic” multi-format games brand, GamesMaster.
On Saturday, March 13 2010, Telegraph Media Group (TMG) is launching a new look for the bi-annual Telegraph fashion magazine.
Bauer Media has appointed Ella Dolphin as Publisher of Grazia.
On 3 March Bauer Media will launch its first new motorcycle magazine since RiDE, in 1995. Practical Sportsbikes is a hands-on quarterly title from the makers of Classic Bike, focussing on the increasingly popular mid-70s to mid-90s sports bike market
Future’s TRAX event has scooped the award for ‘Event of the Year’ at the National Outdoor Events Association’s (NOEA) annual convention and awards dinner.
Future, the special interest media group has announced the launch of two new shows to its successful Auto Events Series, with the addition of Total Vauxhall Live and Japfest 2: The Evolution.
Liverpool's star defender Jamie Carragher takes charge of LFC Weekly as Guest Editor this week!
United Business Media Limited has announced that it has acquired E Commerce Expo Ltd (ECE) on behalf of its UBM Live division for an initial cash consideration of £0.6 million and a deferred amount dependent upon future financial performance.
UBM has announced that it has acquired 70% of Sign China, the fastest growing Chinese sign exhibition, on behalf of its UBM Asia business for a cash consideration of $10.7m, with a further performance-related consideration of up to $3.9m.
