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.
In our latest Top Tips webinar, held on Tuesday, Carolyn Morgan discussed examples of digital publishing and the ideas that might inspire other publishers. Here, Carolyn provides further information in response to some of the questions raised by publ
The Internet Advertising Bureau UK is promoting a new portfolio of online ad formats as part of the industry-wide drive to improve people’s online experience and reduce ad blocking.
The PPA has announced the shortlists for its 2016 Digital Awards.
YUDU has announced the launch of a new feature: PhoneView, to help publishers better engage with audiences on smartphones devices, particularly in the magazine space.
Jim Algar, formerly of Polestar, has been appointed the new Production Director at Ancient House, the Ipswich based magazine printers.
Hearst Magazines UK has appointed Emma Ventura as Editor of Jamie magazine, the monthly food, travel and lifestyle title from Jamie Oliver.
Condé Nast has collaborated with Swarovski to produce a bi-annual glossy print magazine, Salt.
The Content Marketing Association (CMA), the industry body for the content marketing industry, has announced three new members – Havas Media Group, Sky Media and King Content.
Gavin Miller, Managing Director of Archant Dialogue, the content agency is to step down in January 2017, the Archant Group has announced.
Hearst Magazines UK has been awarded the content publishing account for Jamie Oliver’s monthly food, travel and lifestyle title, Jamie magazine, winner of the award for International Consumer Media Brand of the Year at the 2015 PPAs.
Slimming World magazine has appointed Sara Ward as its new editor.
Haymarket Network has produced the Official Matchday Programme for Euro 2016, currently underway in France.
The British Society of Magazine Editors’ Rising Stars Awards were announced last night at 1901 Restaurant at Andaz Liverpool Street.
The UK’s Joint Industry Committee for Web Standards (JICWEBS) – the independent body that defines best practice and standards for online ad trading – has announced the next stage in the move to address online viewability.
Lack of IT resource is a frequent gripe of the small and medium size publisher. They produce great content for a loyal audience but below-par digital publishing platforms, often developed in-house, are inhibiting growth. But as Abacus e-Media’s Ian E
