Custom pubs take a big bite

According to research conducted for the industry lobby the Custom Publishing Council and Publications Management magazine, the average company spending on custom publications is now more than US$715,000 annually and more than 1 out of 5 dollars spent on marketing and communications goes on custom publications. The figures are based on 2003 data.

• Larger companies (>$1 billion in revenues) spend an average of US$1.1 million annually on their custom publications; smaller companies about half that.

The Custom Publishing Council represents leading custom publishers in North America, including Canada's largest such firm, Redwood Custom Communcations which publishes magazines on behalf of Kraft Foods (What's Cooking/Food & Family) and the Canadian Autombile Association (Leisureways). Publications Management is a trade magazine serving the custom publishing industry.