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.
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.
We asked Jackie Scully, managing director at Think, what does best practice publishing look like in customer media? This is what she said…
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…
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
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?
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.
Ann Hartland, group business and strategy director, Cedar Communications, tells Ciar Byrne about how the customer media sector is managing the digital transformation journey.
What does the future hold for customer media? CPL One’s Sarah Simpson, looks ahead.
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.
We now live in a super VUC-AI world, says Dialogue’s Zoë Francis-Cox, which presents both a threat and an opportunity.
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.
Acorn Web has announced it has partnered with Komori to achieve 30% productivity boost.
The Publishers Association has released a statement on the copyright and AI consultation.
Allwyn UK CEO, Andria Vidler, becomes Advertising Association president.
Immediate’s Cath Waller has been appointed as first chair of PPA Magnetic.
Micropress has ordered a DRUPA 2024 Speedmaster XL 106-8P with Plate to Unit from Heidelberg.
InterMedia has announced it has partnered with TouchTree Technology to deliver better digital magazine strategies for print publishers.
WoodWing has announced the launch of its new Integrations Marketplace to enhance content and information management.
Pagel Colin and Thomas Bailly join the business as it continues to expand availability of its Authentic Audiences.
Q4 2024 IPA Bellwether Report shows UK companies revised marketing budgets up marginally as caution remains.
AOP and Deloitte surveyed UK digital publishers to provide an overview of revenue levels across multiple channels and platforms.
IAB UK has expanded the scope of the rebooted Gold Standard to include retail media & CTV standards for first time.
AI Opportunities Action Plan: Creative Rights in AI Coalition warns against mirroring EU approach and rejects suggestion of ‘uncertainty’ in UK law.
Lisa Smosarski has been announced as the new chair of the PPA Next Gen Board.