According to American Business Media's 2009 Media Financial Survey, B2B media company revenue declined 2.2% in 2008 versus 2007, but revenue growth in online, live events, and data products helped
offset declines in revenue for magazines. B2B media company profitability contribution (revenue less operating expenses) declined 7.8% in 2008 versus 2007.
US B2B Media Company Print Revenues (Millions and CAGR) |
| 2006 ($MM) | 2008 ($MM) | CAGR
(%) |
Magazine Advertising Revenues | | | |
Display | $902 | 821 | -4.6% |
Classified | 44 | 35 | -10.3 |
Magazine
Circulation Revenues | | | |
Subscription | 115 | 110 | -2.4 |
Single-copy | 9 | 7 | -8.7 |
Other Print Revenues | 169 | 171 | 0.5 |
Total Magazine Revenues | 1,239 | 1,144 | -3.9 |
Data Revenues | 33 | 42 | 12.3 |
Custom Publishing Revenues | 41 | 40 | -1.1 |
Grand Total Print Revenues | 1,313 | 1,226 | -3.4 |
Source: ABM 2009 Media Financial Survey, April 2009 (rounded) |
Of the six key B2B media company revenue categories (Magazines, Custom Publishing,
Data, Online, Tradeshows and Conferences), Online revenue showed the strongest growth, increasing 15.1% in 2008, and rising at a CAGR of 26.8% from 2006. Magazines were the weakest performers, showing
an 8.4% decrease in 2008, and a decline of 3.9% on a CAGR basis over the three?year period.
US B2B Segment Online Revenues |
| 2006 ($MM) | 2008 ($MM) | CAGR (%) |
Display & Search
advertising | $119 | $203 | 30.7% |
Data | 21 | 61 | 71.6 |
Lead generation | 16 | 27 | 30.4 |
E-Newsletter subscriptions | 4 | 14 | 82.4 |
Webinars | 3 | 10 | 92.6 |
List rentals | 6 | 7 | 14.4 |
Other | 57 | 39 | -17.0 |
Total | $224 | $360 | 26.8% |
Source: ABM 2009 Media Financial Survey, April 2009
(rounded) |
Online display and search advertising gained 12.4% in 2008 while magazine net ad revenue declined 10.2% in 2008 and fell at a CAGR of 4.9% over
the three?year period. Tradeshows grew 4.3% in 2008. Data and conferences also showed robust revenue growth, increasing 7.0% and 9.9%, respectively, in 2008, though custom publishing remained
relatively flat in 2008 and across the three?year period.
Except for magazines, all major B2B media company revenue categories increased on a contribution basis in 2008 and across the
three?year period of 2006 to 2008. Key magazine operating costs, including Ad Sales, Editorial and Production, have not declined in line with revenue, and therefore, have negatively affected magazine
contribution, which decreased 26.8% in 2008,
Online contribution showed the strongest growth in profitability, rising 11.6% in 2008. Online overtook magazines as the largest component of B2B
media company contribution in 2008, says the report. In addition, versus 2007:
- Data contribution grew 10.9% in 2008
- Tradeshow contribution increased 4.5% in 2008
- Conferences and custom publishing also showed contribution growth of 5.9% and 2.7%, respectively, in 2008
in Q4 2008 vs. Q4 2007, B2B media companies showed
relatively flat revenue, while advertising dollars continued shifting from print vehicles to online outlets. magazine net ad revenue declined 15.7% in Q4 2008, while online display and search
advertising revenue grew 28.3% quarter?over?quarter. Tradeshows were hurt by declines in exhibit space sales and attendee revenue.
Gary Fitzgerald, CEO of Meister Media Worldwide and chairman
of the ABM, said, "It's a time of great opportunity."
Read the ABM
report here