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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

IPA to launch new media carbon calculator
News

IPA to launch new media carbon calculator

The IPA has announced it is to launch new media carbon calculator with Ad Net Zero’s GMSF Standard built-in.

29/09/2025

NUJ demands an end to the freelance rip off
News

NUJ demands an end to the freelance rip off

The National Union of Journalists has launched a new campaign and urges engagement from freelances.

19/09/2025

PPA launches new Emissions Calculator
News

PPA launches new Emissions Calculator

The PPA has launched a new Emissions Calculator to help sector track and reduce carbon impact.

15/09/2025

EKCS and Xpance launch new ad solution
News

EKCS and Xpance launch new ad solution

EKCS and Xpance have announced they are to offer publishers a fully AI-integrated ad production solution.

15/09/2025

The PPA warns the ICO
News

The PPA warns the ICO

The PPA has warned the ICO that its adtech plans risk undermining the publishing industry.

11/09/2025

Globe & Laurel Magazine chooses Jellyfish
News

Globe & Laurel Magazine chooses Jellyfish

Globe & Laurel Magazine has launched a new app and web access with Jellyfish and Pocketmags.

05/09/2025

PPA Next Gen Awards 2025: winners announced
News

PPA Next Gen Awards 2025: winners announced

The PPA has revealed the winners of its Next Gen Awards 2025, an initiative that champions some of the brightest and most promising new talent across the UK editorial brands and publishing organisations.

04/09/2025

Fotoware launches Flow
News

Fotoware launches Flow

Fotoware has announced the launch of Flow, an automation tool designed to manage high-volume workflows at scale.

29/08/2025

How publishers and Air Business are evolving beyond the page
Supplier Catch-up – Air Business

How publishers and Air Business are evolving beyond the page

Facing challenges to their traditional business model, publishers have focused on finding new ways to monetise their brands. And, as Air Business’ Adam Sherman tells James Evelegh, Air Business has focused on developing services to help them do that.

By James Evelegh  |  22/08/2025

Paper choices: how to choose the right paper
A Celebration of Print

Paper choices: how to choose the right paper

Publishers wishing to reduce the cost of their printed publication or improve its sustainability credentials have a number of options, says Julian Townsend, publishing paper sales director at Denmaur.

By Julian Townsend  |  22/08/2025

New product development: how print can be at the forefront of your NPD strategies
A Celebration of Print

New product development: how print can be at the forefront of your NPD strategies

If you want results; if you want to build something commercially successful, remarkable, and long-lasting, you need to think creatively, says Chris Ferrari-Wills, national sales manager at The Manson Group.

By Chris Ferrari-Wills  |  22/08/2025

Digital editions: how your print PDFs can be used to create compelling digital editions
A Celebration of Print

Digital editions: how your print PDFs can be used to create compelling digital editions

A well-structured PDF can serve as an ideal foundation for a compelling digital edition, says Jason Mengers, managing director at Touch Tree Technology.

By Jason Mengers  |  22/08/2025

Page layout & design: how to design beautiful and engaging pages
A Celebration of Print

Page layout & design: how to design beautiful and engaging pages

The purpose of design is to engage readers and ensure they continue reading, says Michael Chinnery, founder of CPUK Print Publishing.

By Michael Chinnery  |  22/08/2025

Specialist distribution: how to achieve success in non-newsstand outlets
A Celebration of Print

Specialist distribution: how to achieve success in non-newsstand outlets

There is a world of potential readers beyond the newsstand and with the right plan and distribution partner, they are reachable, says Chris Horn, managing director of Gold Key Media.

By Chris Horn  |  22/08/2025

Wrapping: how to choose the right wrapping option for your sustainability and marketing objectives
A Celebration of Print

Wrapping: how to choose the right wrapping option for your sustainability and marketing objectives

As publishers adapt to evolving audience expectations and environmental responsibilities, paper wrapping has become the gold standard, says Stuart Searle, managing director of First Mailing.

By Stuart Searle  |  22/08/2025

814 articles