Want to write for us? That’ll be $15,000 per article, please
Times are tough in the world of publishing. Including at one of the world’s best known advertising magazines, Campaign.
Having recently closed the 44-year-old Asia Pacific print edition of the title, the UK edition is attempting to develop a new revenue stream.
Back in the day, magazines used to pay journalists to write articles.
Then they started asking people to write them for free.
Now, Haymarket Media Group’s Campaign mag is going one step further – inviting those who want to write a 600-word opinion piece to pay $15,000 for the privilege.
That’s correct. Want to be a thought leader on content marketing? You can pay to write for the magazine.
An email from the publication’s head of agency has gone out to agencies around the world asking them to contribute to its report on content marketing, or “the Art of Storytelling”, as Campaign puts it.
For £8,035 plus tax – or $17,000 in Singaporean currency – the writer gets to present him or herself as a thought leader. Plus Campaign will buy them dinner and take their photo.
As Dr Mumbo’s tipster succinctly puts it: “Amazing!!”
The email:
For $15,000 you can post an article on Linkedin and get 100,000 to read your article and become a thought leader on Linkedin.
ReplyBefore I comment, who do I invoice?
ReplyPaid content? I don’t have an issue with that. How much does Mumbrella charge for the paid content we see on this page, a few stories down? As long as publishers are transparent and paid contributors are clearly marked, I can’t see the issue.
Obviously questions will persist about the balance between paid advertorials – where each “contributor” is basically promoting their company/product or service – and quality, objective insightful editorial. This is a balance Campaign AP in print struggled with ever since ad revenue fell of a cliff, and most likely played a big part in the decision to finally wind down the mag.
I will be interested to see how Campaign manages this balance with its digital-only model. This is a company that has never really got its head around digital. Its website still appears to be trying to sell Campaign magazine subscriptions 🙂
ReplyI’m sorry mUmbrella, but this article genuinely irritates me. Campaign was drumming up interest in branded stories, something which every single media publication is doing.
And, might I add, I’m not sure why they shouldn’t – Campaign’s brand is well-known, and anyone who wants to exposure to Campaign’s audience but can’t through the editorial would do well to consider this. Their phrasing does them no favours, but the intent is clear to anyone.
And, well, you guys do this too, right? That SpotX piece you just ran was not free. Remember that quote about glass houses? Seems appropriate here. Please stop.
ReplyIs this not what used to be called ‘advertising’?
ReplyHave your say