Specialist Media Show * Exhibition * Workshops * Conference * Intelligence * Networking * 24 May 2012 ThinkTank Birmingham

The Recycler is a pretty typical independent b2b publisher, with one print title, a trade show and set of conferences, for the toner and inkjet remanufacturing industry.  Like many small media owners, it was feeling the pressure on ad revenues yet didn't want to cut back on editorial quality.   

Their innovative approach to creating their own publishing management system to streamline their back office processes has won them a place on the shortlist for the 2013 Media Pioneer Awards.

Publisher Stefanie Unland started to look at the back office activity of how they managed subscribers, flat-planning and advertising.  There were twenty separate sets of contacts across editorial, subscribers and ad clients, all on different spreadsheets. What she was after was a way to unify the data and use it across the whole business.

Integrating data across sales, subscriptions and automating flatplans and invoicing

The Recycler couldn't find a third party system they could afford, so worked with a data integration company to build a tailored system built on Jonyx.   This has a CRM system for the sales team that automatically updates the flat-plan when an ad is sold, and sends out an invoice.

Subs renewals campaigns are triggered automatically, with the system even sending out the emails.  Subscribers pay online and their data is updated automatically. Subs are a mix of paid for and controlled circulation, and subscribers can update their details online.  

Editors use the central database for contacts for stories, and they can update the flatplan as features are completed.  Across the business they can turn data into useful information to help run the publication.

Operational savings and an increase in subs volumes

Bringing the sets of contacts together has turned the data into information that they can monetise and automating simple tasks such as ad invoicing, flat-planning and subscriptions management has made it possible to run the business with one fewer full time and one fewer part-time person.  As well as this operational saving, the Recycler has seen an increase in subscription volumes since they offered the online service.

It has taken Stefanie two years to tune the system to meet the needs of the Recycler.  The publishing system is now available to other small publishers, from the Jonyx solutions website.  It's made up of a jigsaw of different pieces, so publishers can use as much or as little as they wish and integrate elements that they already have. More information  here: http://www.jonyx-solutions.com/

Stefanie is passionate about the needs of independent publishers and is happy to help new users get used to the system and adapt it to suit their own markets and teams.

The Recycler is the first business to be shortlisted for the 2013 Media Pioneer Awards, which recognise innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in niche publishing.  If you'd like to nominate your specialist media business, contact carolyn@thespecialistmediashow.com for more details

Contacts. http ://www.therecycler.com/