The Publishing Partners Guide 2025 was distributed recently with the Jan/Feb issue of InPublishing magazine. In addition to in-depth profiles of leading suppliers, the PPG also featured fourteen articles. Here is an insight from each.
- “Advertising blocklists are one of the biggest threats to news brands. Blocklisting and the continued paranoia around perceived brand safety issues continue to unwittingly defund trusted journalism.” (Newsworks’ Jo Allan)
- “AI can revolutionise newsrooms by automating repetitive tasks such as filtering, categorising, and drafting content. This efficiency allows journalists to concentrate on investigative reporting and creative storytelling.” (Atex’s Sara Forni - advertorial)
- For regional news media, the key is to remain “focused on local, rich content and reporting only what is important to the communities that we serve. Maintaining a high street presence is part of our plan to ensure this continues to be achieved.” (Tindle Newspapers’ Scott Wood)
- “Focus on the right metrics: SMBs can get spooked by low click-through rates. Instead, highlight what really matters: how many people saw their ad, how long they stayed engaged, and whether the campaign caught attention.” (Smartico’s Christian Scherbel – advertorial)
- “We’re left asking ourselves an existential question: in a world where audiences might access automations tailored to their every whim, what is the role of content creator and how do we best serve? The answer is reassuringly familiar: by giving audiences the relevant content they value created by people they trust.” (Immediate Media’s Hannah Williams)
- “Engage beyond the page: People are looking for more than just a magazine, they want to feel part of a community. Create touchpoints to help do just that! Webinars, live Q&A sessions, and / or exclusive events can help with that.” (Warners’ Natalie Smith – advertorial)
- Hybrid working “has its benefits for the business (eg. a need for less traditional office space) and the individuals, who have a better work:life balance. However, the challenges for our businesses are important, particularly when it comes to maintaining esprit de corps, integrating new employees, and on-the-job training.” (Hemming Group’s Nick Service)
- “Audience is still everything. Whether you’re selling to them – or selling access to them – if they’re not in love with the experience you provide, your tech isn’t working. Look to make your digital products faster, smoother and easier to navigate. Don’t make them work too hard to find what they came for – they will go elsewhere.” (Full Fat Things’ Vicky Macey – advertorial)
- “I see a rejuvenation for print as it becomes a significant trust mark for brands and their customers where the discipline and craft of print publishing is recognised more than ever; a medium which can’t publish at the blink of anyone’s eye but needs to be ideated, challenged and bettered before it reaches the hands of the reader.” (Dialogue’s Zoë Francis-Cox)
- “The common misconception that paper is responsible for mass deforestation remains, which means we’ve either been getting the wrong messages out or not completing the story at all. For me, I think it’s the latter.” (Denmaur’s Danny Doogan - advertorial)
- “As publishers adopt digital tools and data-driven strategies, safeguarding research quality and preventing manipulation or misinformation is paramount. Additionally, aligning with evolving global standards, such as prioritising equity, diversity, and inclusion, is essential for fostering an inclusive environment for authors and readers alike.” (BMJ Group’s Anca Babor)
- “When sourcing subscription management solutions, it’s important for publishers to understand the four phases of the subscription lifecycle: 1) Acquisition; 2) Billing and fulfilment; 3) Engagement and retention; 4) Renewal and expansion.” (AdvantageCS’s Dan Heffernan – advertorial)
- “Most businesses are drowning in a tsunami of data. Some of it essential; most of it is interesting, but not actionable; much of it utterly useless and confusing. Sorting out the metrics that fit the specific media brand is an ongoing challenge. The killer metric for me is Lifetime Value. Most people say they understand it and use it to run their business, but very few actually do.” (Wessenden’s Jim Bilton)
- “Over 60% of global web traffic now comes from mobile devices, with numbers expected to rise further. This trend demands digital content tailored for mobile screens – not just resized PDFs, but fully reimagined experiences.” (eMagazines’ Blake Pollard – advertorial)
All these articles can be read in full in the digital edition, where you will also find full details of many leading suppliers to the publishing industry. I hope you will find it a useful resource throughout the year…
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