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.
The PPA announces the launch of its Action Net Zero Pathway which has been set up for the publishing industry to play a role in reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions and tackle the climate emergency.
SLAPPs are a scourge on journalism. This week a government taskforce had its inaugural meeting.
Mintec has announced the appointment of Emanuel Kuceradis as chief technology officer.
Redactive has been appointed by the Magistrates’ Association, the only membership body and independent voice for magistrates, to redesign its membership print publication Magistrate.
The new Bloomberg Terminal function aims to lower the barrier to entry for investors to use alternative data alongside traditional financial data.
The winners of the Future of Media Awards 2023 were announced at a ceremony at London’s Hilton Bankside hotel.
The AI Safety Summit will bring together key countries, technology organisations, academia and civil society.
Formerly known as PPA’s 30 under 30, these awards celebrate inspiring and upcoming talent in UK specialist interest media.
Beijing – China Construction Bank (“CCB”) and Bloomberg have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cement greater global collaboration between the two firms.
Air Business has appointed former Brill CEO Peter Coebergh as a consultant to support its ongoing drive for growth in the academic publishing sector.
A trial began last week at Southwark Crown Court of three men accused of running a major fraud operation over the course of more than a decade.
InMobi has announced the acquisition of Quantcast Choice to enhance frictionless consent management for publishers.
Rhotic Media has announced the appointment of Alice Greaves as its new editor for Financial Promoter.
Haymarket’s UK tech team has extended IT kit lifespan, introduced an e-waste bin and continues a donation scheme of old equipment, accelerating their commitment to Haymarket’s Impact Climate Action targets.
A successful career in journalism needs a start point, and that is why Richard Tait tells his students to focus on securing that all-important first job. Assuming they have the right skills and attitude, opportunities will flow from there.
