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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

Air Business announces two appointments
News

Air Business announces two appointments

Air Business expands its global e-Commerce and publishing services with two key appointments.

10/07/2024

Deloitte and AOP release latest DPRI
News

Deloitte and AOP release latest DPRI

AOP and Deloitte data reveals reduction in display advertising revenue for publishers in Q1 2024, as subscriptions continue to rise.

10/07/2024

AA responds to appointments
News

AA responds to appointments

The Advertising Association has responded to the Business and Culture Secretary appointments.

08/07/2024

BABA chooses Exact Editions
News

BABA chooses Exact Editions

The British Artist Blacksmith Association has launched a complete digital archive for members and libraries delivered in partnership with Exact Editions.

05/07/2024

Print magic: 5 minutes with… Matt Carry
Q&A

Print magic: 5 minutes with… Matt Carry

Every piece of print is an opportunity to wow your reader, says Acorn Web Offset’s Matt Carry. We grab five minutes with him to revisit some of the exciting options available to publishers to engage their audiences through print.

By Matt Carry  |  04/07/2024

WoodWing launches in-app Photo Editor
News

WoodWing launches in-app Photo Editor

WoodWing has announced the launch of an in-app Photo Editor within WoodWing Assets Cloud.

30/06/2024

Adept Data Services acquires Avio
News

Adept Data Services acquires Avio

Adept Data Services has announced the acquisition of Avio Subscription Management Software, formerly known as Achieve.

24/06/2024

Using AI for journalism
AI SPECIAL

Using AI for journalism

AI tools are already making journalists’ lives easier. Sara Forni, AI product manager at Atex, looks at how journalists are currently using AI and what lies ahead.

By Sara Forni  |  19/06/2024

Using AI for content discoverability
AI SPECIAL

Using AI for content discoverability

AI tools are already helping publishers improve the discoverability of their content. Brian Alford, founder and CEO of Bright Sites, looks at what’s possible now and what’s coming down the line.

By Brian Alford  |  19/06/2024

Using AI for image creation & editing
AI SPECIAL

Using AI for image creation & editing

Much of publishers’ initial interest in AI was text-based, but AI’s potential to make a huge impact on image creation and editing soon became apparent. Derek Milne, commercial pixometrist at Pixometry, looks at what’s possible.

By Derek Milne  |  19/06/2024

Planning for a post-cookie future
INTERVIEW

Planning for a post-cookie future

Google might have further delayed its plans for phasing out third-party cookies, but large publishers have continued their intense planning so that they’ll be ready when the day finally comes. Future’s Zack Sullivan tells us about their preparations.

By Ciar Byrne  |  19/06/2024

Engaging evolving audiences in a new era of entertainment journalism
Supplier Profile – PA Media

Engaging evolving audiences in a new era of entertainment journalism

Entertainment and Lifestyle, despite the obvious cross-over, are often treated separately. PA Media has brought them together under Kerri-Ann Roper, who explains the thinking behind this and other recent enhancements to PA Media’s offering.

By James Evelegh  |  19/06/2024

5 top tips for more efficient ad management
Supplier Top Tips – Publishing Software Company

5 top tips for more efficient ad management

Ad sales is one of publishers’ most important revenue streams, so the efficiency with which it is managed can have a material impact on profitability, PSC’s Laurence Cope tells James Evelegh.

By James Evelegh  |  19/06/2024

Publisher Podcast Awards 2024 – winners announced
News

Publisher Podcast Awards 2024 – winners announced

Media Voices has revealed the winners of 2024’s Publisher Podcast Awards, following a ceremony which took place on Wednesday 12th June at Salsa Temple in London.

17/06/2024

PPA reacts to Labour manifesto
News

PPA reacts to Labour manifesto

The PPA has released its reaction to the Labour manifesto.

14/06/2024

814 articles