Canadian Business Press cuts membership deal with its American counterpart

The Canadian Business Press, representing about 42 publishing companies and about 170 trade magazines, has cut a deal with its American counterpart, American Business Media, to give members non-voting access to all the resources of the U.S. association. The arrangement became effective June 5.

ABM has about 300 members companies, representing about 5,000 print and online publications.

CBP members will get passwords at no cost and no increase in their membership fees (at least for now) and as a result, will have access to members-only products and services provided by the ABM, including "an extensive library of advertising and editorial research, white papers and webinars on industry issues."

CBP members will also be encouraged to serve on ABM committees and a new International Advisory Board, which will comprise several Canadian members and representatives from other countries. This initiative will provide all CBP Members with a "window on the world of business press publishing," says the CBP announcement.

It is also important to point out that the agreement in no way inhibits the ability of the Canadian Business Press to aggressively support the Canadian policy on Canadian ownership and content rules; and other matters related to international trade and the publishing sector, says the announcement.

(Interestingly, while this arrangement is clearly important to CBP, there is no mention of it on the ABM website.)