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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

The New York Times chooses Roularta Printing
News

The New York Times chooses Roularta Printing

The New York Times has chosen Roularta Printing to print its monthly lifestyle supplement, T Magazine - International Edition.

23/02/2024

Air Business appoints Tony Farrow
News

Air Business appoints Tony Farrow

Air Business has announced the expansion of its global event logistics team with a key appointment.

20/02/2024

Pack Post director sentenced to four years
News

Pack Post director sentenced to four years

A director of mailing company Pack Post International, who defrauded Royal Mail out of over £70million by falsely declaring mail weights, classes and destinations, has been jailed.

19/02/2024

Pixometry unveils SaaS solution
News

Pixometry unveils SaaS solution

Pixometry has revealed its next-generation image optimisation Software as a Service solution.

14/02/2024

Haymarket reports financial results
News

Haymarket reports financial results

Haymarket Group has reported £14.8 million in annual profits and says the company maintains strong earnings, increasing investment and accelerating growth.

13/02/2024

knk Software appoints Michael Fox
News

knk Software appoints Michael Fox

knk Software has announced the appointment of Michael Fox as vice president of operations.

13/02/2024

PPA comments on response to AI Whitepaper
News

PPA comments on response to AI Whitepaper

The Government has published its response to the AI White Paper, setting out its next steps for its ‘pro-innovation’ regulatory approach to AI.

08/02/2024

Adtech trends: 5 minutes with… Julia Linehan
Q&A

Adtech trends: 5 minutes with… Julia Linehan

With the demise of the cookie, the rise of attention, and increasing focus on sustainability, the world of digital advertising is changing fast. The Digital Voice’s Julia Linehan tells us how publishers can make the most of this transitional period.

By Julia Linehan  |  08/02/2024

AOP releases survey results
News

AOP releases survey results

The Association of Online Publishers survey reveals publishers optimistic for year ahead, with focus on product innovation.

07/02/2024

BSME announces new chair
News

BSME announces new chair

The British Society of Magazine Editors has announced the appointment of Gideon Spanier, UK editor-in-chief at Campaign, as its 2024 chair, succeeding Deborah Joseph, European editorial director at GLAMOUR UK.

07/02/2024

Fotoware undergoes rebrand initiative
News

Fotoware undergoes rebrand initiative

The Fotoware Group has announced a rebrand initiative to reflect its commitment to the evolving DAM landscape and the launch of a new website to improve user experience.

01/02/2024

Utiq appoints Catherine Murray
News

Utiq appoints Catherine Murray

Utiq has announced the appointment of Catherine Murray as head of partner services to spearhead publisher and advertiser relations in the UK.

30/01/2024

PPA responds to Ofcom review
News

PPA responds to Ofcom review

The PPA is calling on the government to ensure that Royal Mail deliveries are maintained.

25/01/2024

GumGum expands presence in Northern Europe
News

GumGum expands presence in Northern Europe

GumGum has announced it is expanding its presence in Northern Europe with the appointment of new Managing Director Frank Sueltmann.

24/01/2024

Picnic launches inventory intelligence tool
News

Picnic launches inventory intelligence tool

Picnic says its new inventory quality assessment tool, PIQ, delivers 88% boost in media attention allowing advertisers to prioritise effective ad placements.

23/01/2024

814 articles