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Customer & Contract Publishing

Customer publishing is the part of the industry most readers never think of as publishing. Membership magazines, airline and supermarket titles and the content agencies behind them reach millions of people, often with circulations that consumer titles would envy.

The purpose is different too. A membership magazine is usually there to keep members renewing, and a brand title has to show a return for the client paying for it. That creates a running question about independence, and the strongest titles tend to have an editorial identity of their own rather than sounding like the organisation behind them.

If there’s something customers don’t need more of today, it’s content.

Jackie Scully Customer media

The agencies have changed shape around this. They produce fewer print editions and more digital content, and put far more effort into distribution and income generation, while publishers' own branded content studios compete for the same budgets. Print still matters, though. Members continue to rank the magazine among the benefits they value most.

Below you'll find some of our best feature articles on customer and contract publishing, from membership magazines and in-flight titles to content agencies and branded content studios, alongside our latest news and industry commentary.


Essential Resources

Customer media
Best Practice in Publishing

Customer media

We asked Jackie Scully, managing director at Think, what does best practice publishing look like in customer media? This is what she said…

People, passions and places
INTERVIEW

People, passions and places

The National Trust is a treasure trove of historic and beautiful places, and, unsurprisingly, it has a huge membership. One of the benefits of membership is its highly regarded magazine…

The River Group
PUBLISHER PROFILE

The River Group

Content marketing is all the rage, and companies like River, that have been doing it for over twenty years, are highly expert at it. River CEO Nicola Murphy tells Jo Bowman that while quality content is the bedrock of the company, it’s the marketing

Membership publishers wrestle with content conundrum
RESEARCH

Membership publishers wrestle with content conundrum

Content has become mission-critical for many membership organisations. But, Mike Sewell asks, should this valuable asset be regarded as an exclusive member benefit, or used as a marketing tool?

Join the club
FEATURE

Join the club

Lots of publishers are now offering club style membership schemes, looking to generate extra revenue and deeper engagement. Dickon Ross looks at the membership model.

Customer media
The Digital Transformation Journey

Customer media

Ann Hartland, group business and strategy director, Cedar Communications, tells Ciar Byrne about how the customer media sector is managing the digital transformation journey.

Opportunities & Threats: Customer Media
FEATURE

Opportunities & Threats: Customer Media

What does the future hold for customer media? CPL One’s Sarah Simpson, looks ahead.

AOP CRUNCH: Driving growth through branded content
REVIEW

AOP CRUNCH: Driving growth through branded content

Spring hasn’t sprung until CRUNCH takes place, writes Richard Reeves, MD of the Association of Online Publishers, which recently held its first CRUNCH event of the year. The mood was suitably optimistic for a change of season.


All Articles

V&A Magazine chooses Exact Editions
News

V&A Magazine chooses Exact Editions

V&A has launched a full digital archive dating back to 2003 which is available to all members.

21/10/2026

CPL One Group welcomes two new board members
News

CPL One Group welcomes two new board members

CPL One Group appoints Michael Doukanaris and Kathryn O’Reilly to senior roles.

23/09/2026

Customer media
Best Practice in Publishing

Customer media

We asked Jackie Scully, managing director at Think, what does best practice publishing look like in customer media? This is what she said…

By Jackie Scully  |  07/08/2026

CARE International UK appoints ESco for supporter fulfilment
News

CARE International UK appoints ESco for supporter fulfilment

The agreement has seen ESco manage the fulfilment of campaign materials for CARE's supporter initiatives.

06/08/2026

The Stationers’ Company announces new Master
News

The Stationers’ Company announces new Master

The Stationers’ Company has announced Ian Leggett as new Master.

09/07/2026

Joint call to government seeking exemption from new customs charge
News

Joint call to government seeking exemption from new customs charge

The PPA, Publishers Association, Booksellers Association and EPC have jointly called on the Government to seek an exemption for books, magazines and journals from the EU's new €3 customs charge on small parcels.

02/07/2026

Newsletter strategies – six top tips
COLUMN

Newsletter strategies – six top tips

Most publishers publish newsletters, but do they do them well? James Evelegh listens to some advice from newsletter experts.

By James Evelegh  |  02/07/2026

Micropress appoints Chris Ferrari-Wills
News

Micropress appoints Chris Ferrari-Wills

Chris Ferrari-Wills has joined Suffolk-based printer Micropress as national sales manager.

26/06/2026

PPA Awards 2026: winners revealed
News

PPA Awards 2026: winners revealed

The PPA Awards 2026 were held in London this week with individual, team and business award winners announced.

19/06/2026

TRKKN and adnomaly partner
News

TRKKN and adnomaly partner

TRKKN and adnomaly partner to automate campaign QA and stop costly media buying errors.

19/06/2026

Air Business Subscriptions announces leadership transition
News

Air Business Subscriptions announces leadership transition

Air Business Subscriptions has announced a key leadership transition supporting the company’s evolution and growth strategy.

19/06/2026

New bill targets anonymous bots that target UK websites
News

New bill targets anonymous bots that target UK websites

Damian Hinds MP introduces the Automated Online Software (Access and Transparency) Bill, a Private Member’s Bill backed by the News Media Association.

18/06/2026

Advertising Association debuts new international campaign
News

Advertising Association debuts new international campaign

UK Advertising unveils a new global identity for the sector at Outernet London.

17/06/2026

Flip-Pay launches reader contribution platform for publishers seeking alternatives to paywalls
News

Flip-Pay launches reader contribution platform for publishers seeking alternatives to paywalls

Flip-Pay says its new publisher-integrated technology drives reader donations, ‘Guardian-style’, while allowing open access to journalism.

17/06/2026

Gold Key Media announces promotions
News

Gold Key Media announces promotions

Gold Key Media has announced two significant promotions, and the retirement of Duncan MacGillivray.

16/06/2026

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