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.
APC Overnight has launched what it claims is a cost-effective magazine delivery service which offers a new option for printers, publishers and mail-order firms to distribute their publications.
Air Business, a distribution management company for the publishing industry based in St Albans, has acquired Jordan and Co International, a mail and fulfilment service provider, based near Oxford.
The Economist Group has taken the decision to close its CFO business in Europe. As a result, the recently published May edition of CFO Europe is the final one.
Bauer Media has appointed Colin Kennedy to the role of Editor of FHM, the men's lifestyle brand.
The new renewable energy power plant at UPM’s Caledonian paper mill in Scotland has started-up successfully one month ahead of schedule.
Pro2col has announced their appointment as EU resellers for Files2Links, an integrated hardware and software solution for sending, receiving, and securely sharing large files.
F1 Colour have recruited Paul Brazil, formerly of Wyndeham Masterpiece, as Business Development Manager.
Abacus e-Media has been awarded a contract to redesign the web site for Research, a leading magazine and source of online information for the global market research business.
Now, the celebrity news and fashion weekly, has unveiled what it claims is a hot new make-over, with a sophisticated redesign and extensive new content.
IPC Southbank has secured a six-figure creative campaign promoting Kenco coffee, which will run in the summer issues of glossies Marie Claire, Essentials, woman&home and Ideal Home.
Celebrity stylist Nicky Hambleton-Jones is to join Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness Magazine as a regular columnist from the July issue.
B2B publisher MPP has announced that it has moved into a new phase following further investment.
HELLO! Magazine have announced that from 1st June they are moving their publication day to a Monday. The publishers say that this is a radical change which is set to completely rock the weekly magazine market.
As part of their strategy to increase customer focus, DHL Global Mail has appointed Ian Phillips to the position of Market Development Manager. His primary role will be to assist publishers in optimising their production and distribution chains.
Aroon Purie, founding chairman and editor-in-chief of India Today Group, has been elected chairman of the International Federation of the Periodical Press (FIPP).
