MAGAZINE ABCs: Customer magazines hailed as the 'most robust of marketing tools'

LONDON - Customer magazines command seven of the top 10 positions in today's ABC figures for the second half of 2009 and now represent a third of all magazines in the top 100.

Tesco magazine: took fourth place behind Sky's trio of titles
Tesco magazine: took fourth place behind Sky's trio of titles

Sky Magazine, the title distributed to all subscribers of the satellite broadcaster, continues to lead the pack, with an average distribution of 7,423,570, down 1.6% on the first half of 2009, but up 2.8% year on year.

Tesco magazine has resumed being the fourth biggest circulating magazine with 2,055,391, behind Sky's two other magazines – Sky Sports (4,127,025) and Sky Movies (3,387,788).

Daniel Davey, Tesco director of account management at Cedar Communications, pointed to improved distribution processes that have helped boost circulation figures.

He said: "With greater in store adherence reducing waste and increasing the magazine’s prominence on the shop floor, more of our customers are able to enjoy Tesco Magazine."

Separately, Davey also noted how the magazine had successfully changed its emphasis in response to the changing economic climate. As shoppers have become increasingly time-poor and frugal, the title has taken up a more practical approach to feeding a family on a budget.

Also among the most widely distributed magazines in the country are equivalent titles for Asda (1,859,697) and Sainsbury's (1,499,244).

Julia Hutchison, chief operating officer of the customer magazine association APA, said: "Customer publishing has once again shown itself to be the most robust of marketing tools and, indeed, magazine genre."

She added: "These latest results are a true representation of the buoyancy of this medium. Brands are continuing to invest in editorialised branded content, as it delivers valuable engagement, which, in turn, bolsters loyalty and boosts sales."

 

Top ten customer publishing magazines
 TitleJul-Dec 09Prd/prd changeYr/yr change
1Sky Magazine  7,423,570-1.6%2.8%
2Sky Sports Magazine  4,127,025-1.7%-3.3%
3Sky Movies Magazine  3,387,788-3.4%-3.5%
4Tesco Magazine  2,055,3912.9%1.9%
5Asda Magazine  1,859,697-26.3%-36.4%
6The National Trust Magazine  1,801,654N/A2.8%
7Sainsbury's Fresh Ideas  1,499,2440.0%0.4%
8Morrisons Magazine  974,4314.3%N/A
9Sense Magazine  845,7952.9%11.6%
10Birds  622,322-0.5%-0.9%
Topics

Market Reports

Get unprecedented new-business intelligence with access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s new Market Reports.

Find out more

Enjoying ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s content?

 Get unlimited access to ±±¾©Èü³µpk10’s premium content for your whole company with a corporate licence.

Upgrade access

Looking for a new job?

Get the latest creative jobs in advertising, media, marketing and digital delivered directly to your inbox each day.

Create an alert now

Partner content