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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

Opportunities & Threats: Customer Media
FEATURE

Opportunities & Threats: Customer Media

We now live in a super VUC-AI world, says Dialogue’s Zoë Francis-Cox, which presents both a threat and an opportunity.

By Zoë Francis-Cox  |  28/02/2025

Cooking up the right tech stack
FEATURE

Cooking up the right tech stack

Creating a tech stack that’s right for your company is not that dissimilar to creating a fine dining experience, says Full Fat Things’ Vicky Macey.

By Vicky Macey  |  28/02/2025

Acorn Web partners with Komori
News

Acorn Web partners with Komori

Acorn Web has announced it has partnered with Komori to achieve 30% productivity boost.

27/02/2025

Publishers Association releases statement
News

Publishers Association releases statement

The Publishers Association has released a statement on the copyright and AI consultation.

25/02/2025

AA names new president
News

AA names new president

Allwyn UK CEO, Andria Vidler, becomes Advertising Association president.

25/02/2025

Cath Waller appointed chair of PPA Magnetic
News

Cath Waller appointed chair of PPA Magnetic

Immediate’s Cath Waller has been appointed as first chair of PPA Magnetic.

20/02/2025

Micropress orders new press
News

Micropress orders new press

Micropress has ordered a DRUPA 2024 Speedmaster XL 106-8P with Plate to Unit from Heidelberg.

17/02/2025

InterMedia partners with TouchTree Technology
News

InterMedia partners with TouchTree Technology

InterMedia has announced it has partnered with TouchTree Technology to deliver better digital magazine strategies for print publishers.

06/02/2025

WoodWing launches Integrations Marketplace
News

WoodWing launches Integrations Marketplace

WoodWing has announced the launch of its new Integrations Marketplace to enhance content and information management.

03/02/2025

Utiq announces two hires
News

Utiq announces two hires

Pagel Colin and Thomas Bailly join the business as it continues to expand availability of its Authentic Audiences.

17/01/2025

IPA releases latest Bellwether Report
News

IPA releases latest Bellwether Report

Q4 2024 IPA Bellwether Report shows UK companies revised marketing budgets up marginally as caution remains.

17/01/2025

Deloitte and AOP release latest DPRI
News

Deloitte and AOP release latest DPRI

AOP and Deloitte surveyed UK digital publishers to provide an overview of revenue levels across multiple channels and platforms.

16/01/2025

IAB UK expands scope of Gold Standard
News

IAB UK expands scope of Gold Standard

IAB UK has expanded the scope of the rebooted Gold Standard to include retail media & CTV standards for first time.

16/01/2025

Coalition issues warning
News

Coalition issues warning

AI Opportunities Action Plan: Creative Rights in AI Coalition warns against mirroring EU approach and rejects suggestion of ‘uncertainty’ in UK law.

16/01/2025

PPA Next Gen Board appoints Lisa Smosarski
News

PPA Next Gen Board appoints Lisa Smosarski

Lisa Smosarski has been announced as the new chair of the PPA Next Gen Board.

14/01/2025

814 articles