• by Erik Sass  @eriksass1, April 10, 2009

Custom publishing has fared well in recent years, according to a survey conducted by Roper Public Affairs and Media for the Custom Publishing Council. The CPC survey of 1,000 American adults from February 18-March 3 of this year found that 93% of respondents were familiar with at least one custom publication, while 68% said custom publications that include information about products help them make better purchasing decisions -- a six-point increase since 2005. Sixty-three percent said they bought something mentioned or advertised in a custom publication.

Print is still the preferred medium, at least in the world of custom publishing. Overall, 59% of consumers said they look at least occasionally at print custom publications they receive, compared to 36% who look at least occasionally at electronic custom publications. When custom publications are related to their work, 56% of respondents said they would prefer print to electronic versions, compared to 37% preferring the latter.

Among the survey's other findings: 78% of respondents said that custom publications show that companies are interested in building good relationships with consumers, and 74% said they would rather get information about a company from a custom publication than from advertising -- provided that the articles are substantive and interesting. The study also found custom publications can increase consumer satisfaction with goods they already own. For example, car owners who received custom publications from their car companies reported higher satisfaction with their cars than those who don't.

Second Try's a Charm: ForbesWoman Debuts

Forbes magazine is launching a new niche publication targeting female readers, titled ForbesWoman, which will be distributed with the May 11 issue of the flagship magazine. ForbesWoman is actually the second such niche publication from Forbes; the first attempt, ForbesLife Executive Woman, was nixed not long after it debuted a year and a half ago. The new magazine is heavier on biographical profiles and essays, although it does include two sections from the old version, features called "My Best Mistake" and "Net Worth."

Rodale Survey Finds Consumers Will Spend For Well-Being

You may have heard the economy is having a touch of trouble, but readers of Rodale's health and fitness publications are undeterred, saying they plan to spend just as much on products they consider important for their personal well-being. Among the results of Rodale's online survey of 4,000 readers this January, first reported by Mediaweek: 85% said they plan to spend at least as much on drugs and medications over the next half year as previously, with 72% saying the same for beauty products. Sixty-eight percent said they will spend at least as much as before on health clubs and gyms. However, only 55% said they will spend as much on home entertainment, suggesting the primacy of health and well-being over recreation and leisure.

Scholastic Parent & Child Gets Ad on Cover

Departing from guidelines established by the American Society of Magazine Editors, Scholastic Parent & Child is putting an ad on the cover of its April issue, according to The New York Times. Scholastic Parent & Child's cover ad placement is the latest -- and boldest -- in a trend that has seen other titles flirt with advertising on their covers: among the big names integrating ad content with their covers are Esquire and a number of Time Inc. titles, including Entertainment Weekly, Time, People, and ESPN the Magazine.