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.
Publishers don’t get their fair share of ad revenue. What can be done about it? Lauren Dick, co-chair of the AOP Commercial Group, answers our questions about the key issues and challenges facing publishers’ commercial teams.
Baroness Stowell, Chair of the Lords Communications & Digital Committee, has welcomed a commitment by the CMA to take more action on digital competition issues.
YM Group, a major magazine printer based in Yorkshire, this week went into administration.
Adnami, an ad-tech company this week announced its new partnership with AutoScout24, a large pan-European online car market.
Cavai, a leading conversational advertising cloud, has appointed Kate Lyons as VP, US East Coast.
The PPA on Friday revealed some of the confirmed speakers for this year’s PPA Festival.
Expansion comes as research shows that 75% of UK consumers are more comfortable seeing online ads that align with a digital environment over ads based on browsing history.
Micropress is making a large investment in new equipment, to the tune of around £3.75 million.
Cavai, a conversational advertising cloud, has appointed Jonathan Pacey as Commercial Director, APAC.
The CMA is taking a closer look at Google and Meta’s conduct over concerns that they hampered competition in markets for online display advertising services.
The landscape is changing rapidly for printers and their publishing clients. We grab five minutes with Pensord’s Heather Jackson to assess the state of play.
Ian McAuliffe, CEO of Think Publishing, assesses the outlook for customer media.
The Professional Publishers Association has announced the appointment of Nina Wright, Harmsworth Media CEO as its new Chair.
The winners for the BSME Awards 2021 were announced on Monday night at a virtual awards ceremony.
The PPA has announced that Magnetic, the marketing arm of the magazine media industry will be incorporated into the organisation as a key strategic pillar.
