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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

PPA Customer Direct Awards 2015 – the winners
News

PPA Customer Direct Awards 2015 – the winners

The PPA has announced the winners of the PPA Customer Direct Awards 2015, which highlights the best direct and digital marketing in UK magazine media.

19/11/2015

BSME Awards – winners announced
News

BSME Awards – winners announced

The 2015 British Society of Magazine Editors Awards were held at The Brewery in London on Monday, 16 November.

18/11/2015

Digital Magazine Awards 2015 - Winners Announced
News

Digital Magazine Awards 2015 - Winners Announced

The international Digital Magazine Awards, in association with Edition Digital, announced the winners of the 2015 competition at a showcase event held at Proud Camden in London on Wednesday, 11th November.

13/11/2015

Circdata launches redesigned and fully responsive website
News

Circdata launches redesigned and fully responsive website

Circdata has launched a new fully responsive website to better showcase its solutions for event organisers, publishers and data owners.

13/11/2015

Archant Dialogue launches Rangemaster Home
News

Archant Dialogue launches Rangemaster Home

Content agency Archant Dialogue has created a new lifestyle magazine and microsite for the Rangemaster brand, featuring bespoke content to reflect its customers’ lifestyles and interests, deepening engagement with the brand and supporting sales.

09/11/2015

Haymarket wins CIPS contract
News

Haymarket wins CIPS contract

The Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) has contracted Haymarket Media Group as its supplier of media and events globally.

03/11/2015

High Life hits 500
News

High Life hits 500

British Airways in-flight magazine High Life, one of the UK’s longest running customer magazines, celebrates its 500th edition next month.

02/11/2015

Redactive creates series of best practice films for REED
News

Redactive creates series of best practice films for REED

Redactive has worked with Reed Procurement & Supply Chain to produce a series of short films giving career advice and promoting best practice in the procurement industry.

28/10/2015

Haymarket Network launches Make Solar Sense magazine
News

Haymarket Network launches Make Solar Sense magazine

Make Solar Sense magazine is a new collaboration between Haymarket Network and Haymarket Business Media's Energy and Environment division.

15/10/2015

Haymarket Network launches magazine for Utility Warehouse
News

Haymarket Network launches magazine for Utility Warehouse

Haymarket Network has launched Together magazine for Utility Warehouse and its 45,000 strong ‘Purple Army’.

14/10/2015

CMA International Content Marketing Awards - shortlist announced
News

CMA International Content Marketing Awards - shortlist announced

The Content Marketing Association (CMA), the industry body for the content marketing industry, has revealed its shortlist for the International Content Marketing Awards.

13/10/2015

Sainsbury’s magazine launches Bake
News

Sainsbury’s magazine launches Bake

Sainsbury’s magazine has launched a brand-new spin-off magazine, called Bake, published by Seven.

09/10/2015

Content Marketing Association reveals speaker line-up for summit
News

Content Marketing Association reveals speaker line-up for summit

The Content Marketing Association (CMA), the industry body for the content marketing industry, has announced first details of its speakers for the sixth annual International Content Marketing Summit, which will be held at Kings Place in London on Dec

06/10/2015

BSME Awards – the shortlist
News

BSME Awards – the shortlist

The British Society of Magazine Editors has published the shortlist for its 2015 awards.

21/09/2015

UBM calls time on P&ME
News

UBM calls time on P&ME

UBM has taken the decision to close P&ME and to focus its marketing efforts on the Technology for Marketing event.

17/09/2015

814 articles