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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

Archant Dialogue to publish HOG magazine for US market
News

Archant Dialogue to publish HOG magazine for US market

Content agency Archant Dialogue has won the contract to publish HOG magazine, the official magazine of The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.) for the US market.

18/03/2016

National Trust Magazine advertising sales moves to Redactive
News

National Trust Magazine advertising sales moves to Redactive

The National Trust has handed its advertising sales business to Redactive Media Group after a competitive pitch.

08/03/2016

IAB UK reveals latest ad blocking behaviour
News

IAB UK reveals latest ad blocking behaviour

The latest release of the Internet Advertising Bureau UK’s Ad Blocking Report, conducted online by YouGov, reveals that 22% of British adults online are currently using ad blocking software – a rise from 18% in October.

02/03/2016

Good Spa Guide appoints Archant Dialogue
News

Good Spa Guide appoints Archant Dialogue

The Good Spa Guide (www.goodspaguide.co.uk) has awarded its advertising and sponsorship contract to Archant Dialogue, following a competitive pitch.

25/02/2016

Adobe launches Adobe Experience Manager Mobile
News

Adobe launches Adobe Experience Manager Mobile

At the GSM Mobile World Congress today, Adobe announces the launch of Adobe Experience Manager Mobile which will simplify the process of building and managing visually appealing enterprise applications that are as easy to use as consumer apps, says t

22/02/2016

PPA New Talent Awards – the shortlist
News

PPA New Talent Awards – the shortlist

The PPA has announced the shortlist for the 2016 New Talent Awards.

10/02/2016

Nemorin Creative Film & Video opens for business
News

Nemorin Creative Film & Video opens for business

Pete Fergusson, former head of commercial video at The Telegraph, has announced the official launch of branded video specialists Nemorin Creative.

10/02/2016

Where next for digital publishing?
FEATURE

Where next for digital publishing?

Esther Kezia Harding's article in the Publishing Partners Guide 2016

By Esther Kezia Harding  |  04/02/2016

Opportunities & Threats: Customer Publishing
FEATURE

Opportunities & Threats: Customer Publishing

Nicola Murphy's article in the Publishing Partners Guide 2016

By Nicola Murphy  |  04/02/2016

Why Paper Matters!
FEATURE

Why Paper Matters!

Julian Townsend's article in the Publishing Partners Guide 2016

By Julian Townsend  |  04/02/2016

It’s all about the Customer Experience!
FEATURE

It’s all about the Customer Experience!

Board executives across all sectors have realised that "getting closer to the customer" is crucial to growth. Both business buyers and consumers have more choices than ever before, more ways to buy and a voice to give and get recommendations, and tal

By Bea Montoya  |  03/02/2016

Why digital magazines must embrace a borderless future
FEATURE

Why digital magazines must embrace a borderless future

Digital magazines have travelled a long way in the last few years – from print-replica page-turners to interactive, rich, visual resources. However, some publishers have struggled to translate these improvements into significant new revenue streams.

By Carolyn Morgan  |  03/02/2016

Factory Media and BlueGlass join CMA
News

Factory Media and BlueGlass join CMA

The Content Marketing Association (CMA), the industry body for the content marketing industry, has announced two new members – Factory Media and BlueGlass.

02/02/2016

Headley chooses Superia for efficiency savings
News

Headley chooses Superia for efficiency savings

Headley, the digital, sheet-fed and web printer, has announced its newest investment in Fuijifilm’s Superia Pre-Media solution; addressing automation needs and increasing pre-media efficiencies.

28/01/2016

Immediate wins English Heritage Contract
News

Immediate wins English Heritage Contract

Immediate Media Co, the special interest content and platform company, has won a three year contract to provide membership communications for English Heritage, who are responsible for the care of over 400 of England’s important buildings.

25/01/2016

814 articles