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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

IAB UK releases new study
News

IAB UK releases new study

IAB UK has released a new study produced by Public First, called The Digital Dividend, revealing the value of digital advertising to UK economy and consumers.

27/09/2023

Angel Business Communications launches AI Transform
News

Angel Business Communications launches AI Transform

Angel Business Communications has announced the launch of AI Transform: Empowering SMEs through AI technology.

25/09/2023

Bishops Printers makes multi-million-pound investment
News

Bishops Printers makes multi-million-pound investment

After confirming a £2.1 million spend at the start of the year, Managing Director Gareth Roberts has announced an additional multi-million-pound investment.

19/09/2023

New research shows UK public’s advertising experience integral to trust
News

New research shows UK public’s advertising experience integral to trust

Research shows the creative quality of advertising remains a top trust driver, while ad bombardment is most damaging, according to Credos report.

18/09/2023

UK government sets out AI Safety Summit ambitions
News

UK government sets out AI Safety Summit ambitions

The AI Safety Summit will bring together key countries, technology organisations, academia and civil society.

06/09/2023

Wonderly welcomes the Marine Conservation Society
News

Wonderly welcomes the Marine Conservation Society

Haymarket’s in-house agency has welcomed its latest client, launching Your Ocean magazine.

29/08/2023

Air Business appoints Peter Coebergh
News

Air Business appoints Peter Coebergh

Air Business has appointed former Brill CEO Peter Coebergh as a consultant to support its ongoing drive for growth in the academic publishing sector.

25/08/2023

Royal Mail defrauded out of £70m, court hears
News

Royal Mail defrauded out of £70m, court hears

A trial began last week at Southwark Crown Court of three men accused of running a major fraud operation over the course of more than a decade.

21/08/2023

InMobi acquires Quantcast Choice
News

InMobi acquires Quantcast Choice

InMobi has announced the acquisition of Quantcast Choice to enhance frictionless consent management for publishers.

17/08/2023

AI can paint, but is it art?
Dickon Ross’s publishing world

AI can paint, but is it art?

In his June column, Dickon Ross looked at the ability – or inability – of artificial intelligence to write an engaging column. Now, he puts AI’s artistic skills to the test.

By Dickon Ross  |  07/08/2023

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…

By Meg Carter  |  07/08/2023

Digital editions: 5 minutes with… Blake Pollard
Q&A

Digital editions: 5 minutes with… Blake Pollard

What is the optimum balance between print and digital editions is a question that keeps many publishers awake at night. We grab five minutes with eMagazines’ Blake Pollard to talk about the key considerations for publishers.

By Blake Pollard  |  03/08/2023

Multilocal launches low carbon marketplace globally
News

Multilocal launches low carbon marketplace globally

Multilocal, a buy-side specialist, continues to expand its range of programmatic solutions as it focuses on the industry’s sustainability challenge.

21/07/2023

IPA releases latest Bellwether Report
News

IPA releases latest Bellwether Report

Record sales promotions investment drives UK marketing budget growth.

21/07/2023

Media Voices reveals winners
News

Media Voices reveals winners

Media Voices have revealed the winners of the inaugural Publisher Newsletter Awards, following a ceremony which took place on Monday 17th July at Colours Hoxton in London.

18/07/2023

814 articles