Marketing Week

Marketing Week is a United Kingdom publication and digital media brand focused on the marketing profession. Its coverage spans brand strategy, advertising, customer insight, media, marketing effectiveness, leadership, technology and the commercial pressures facing marketing departments. The brand is based in London and has historically served marketers, advertising professionals, media executives and related agency and research communities. The publication was launched in March 1978 by Graham Sherren, Michael Chamberlain and Anthony Nares. It began as a controlled-circulation weekly magazine, with its first issue cover-dated 10 March 1978 and priced at 40 pence. Chamberlain, formerly associated with the advertising journal Campaign, became the founding editor and publisher, while Nares served as managing director through the early corporate development of the business. The launch took place in a competitive specialist-publishing environment; Haymarket introduced MarketFact around the same period, but Marketing Week established its own position in the marketing trade press. The original publisher was Marketing Week Communications Ltd. The company later launched Creative Review and became part of the wider Centaur Communications structure. In 1982, Centaur was reorganised as a buy-in vehicle associated with Sherren and Jocelyn Stevens. Nares became managing director of the resulting organisation and remained in that role until his death in 1996. Michael Chamberlain left Centaur in 1988 to pursue consultancy work. During the 1990s, the magazine developed into a substantial editorial and commercial operation. Its print editions benefited from strong classified advertising, and some spring and autumn issues exceeded 130 pages. The publication also maintained a sizeable newsroom, reflecting the importance of specialist trade magazines before digital publishing became dominant. Marketing Week was subsequently owned by Centaur Media plc, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. The brand gradually shifted from print-led publishing to a digital model. The magazine recorded an ABC primary circulation of 36,619 in 2009, while the website was reported as attracting approximately 395,000 monthly unique users at a later point. In March 2017, the print publication moved from weekly to monthly frequency. Print publication ended in October 2020, with print subscribers moved to online subscriptions. This marked the completion of a transition from a conventional trade magazine to a digital editorial and subscription service. Marketing Week has had a notably small number of editors over its long history. Michael Chamberlain was followed by Stephen Foster, Howard Sharman, Stuart Smith, Mark Choueke, Ruth Mortimer and Russell Parsons. Its contributor and columnist network has included Mark Ritson, Thomas Barta, Helen Edwards, Tom Fishburne, Tanya Joseph and Helen Tupper. The editorial proposition combines reported industry news with analysis, opinion, research-led material and practical guidance for marketing decision-makers. The brand has also been connected with events. It has participated in the Festival of Marketing, an annual London marketing event, and in 2019 Marketing Week Live and The Insight Show were incorporated into that festival. In January 2019, Centaur Media announced that Marketing Week had become part of Xeim, its rebranded marketing-focused division. In July of the same year, the publication announced an online subscription service offering subscriber-only material on strategic and leadership challenges in marketing. In September 2025, Haymarket Media Group acquired Marketing Week, the Festival of Marketing and Creative Review from Centaur Media for £3.9 million in cash. The transaction placed Marketing Week within Haymarket's specialist media portfolio. The brand's present identity is therefore rooted in a long-established trade-publication franchise, but its operating emphasis is digital journalism, paid content,…

Marketing Week was established in March 1978 by Graham Sherren, Michael Chamberlain and Anthony Nares. Nares had created Marketing Week Communications Ltd shortly before launch, while Chamberlain brought experience from the advertising trade press and became the first editor and publisher. The first issue was dated 10 March 1978 and was distributed as a controlled-circulation weekly magazine to marketers, advertising professionals and selected media personnel. The early business expanded beyond the flagship title. Marketing Week Communications later launched Creative Review, and the publishing operation was subsequently absorbed into Centaur Communications. In 1982, Centaur became associated with a buy-in led by Graham Sherren and Jocelyn Stevens. Anthony Nares served as managing director of the new organisation until his death in 1996. Michael Chamberlain left Centaur in 1988 and later worked in consultancy. Marketing Week's print business grew significantly during the 1980s and 1990s. Under editor Stuart Smith, who served from 1988 to 2008, the publication developed a large editorial operation and benefited from classified advertising. Some seasonal issues exceeded 130 pages, and the newsroom grew to more than 20 journalists. The magazine was owned by Centaur Media plc, which later became a London-listed specialist media company. Like many professional publications, Marketing Week progressively moved toward digital distribution. Its reported ABC primary circulation was 36,619 in 2009. The website became increasingly important, with reported monthly unique-user traffic of about 395,000. In March 2017, the magazine changed from weekly to monthly publication, reflecting the reduced centrality of print and the growing role of online journalism. Print production ended in October 2020. Subscribers to the physical magazine were transferred to online subscriptions, completing the brand's change from a print-first trade journal to a digital publication. Its editorial output continued to focus on marketing news, brand and communications strategy, customer insight, marketing effectiveness, leadership and commentary. The title has had seven editors across its history: Michael Chamberlain, Stephen Foster, Howard Sharman, Stuart Smith, Mark Choueke, Ruth Mortimer and Russell Parsons. Its contributor base has included prominent marketing commentators and practitioners such as Mark Ritson, Thomas Barta, Helen Edwards, Tom Fishburne, Tanya Joseph and Helen Tupper. Marketing Week also developed an events role through its association with the Festival of Marketing in London. In 2019, Marketing Week Live and The Insight Show were incorporated into the festival. That year Centaur placed Marketing Week within Xeim, its marketing division, and the publication launched a paid online subscription service offering exclusive strategic and leadership content. In September 2025, Haymarket Media Group acquired Marketing Week, the Festival of Marketing and Creative Review from Centaur Media. The acquisition moved the title into Haymarket's ownership and linked it with a broader specialist-media portfolio. Marketing Week is therefore an active professional media brand whose historical print identity has been replaced by a digital, subscription and events-led model.

1. 2025Haymarket acquires Marketing Week

   Haymarket Media Group acquired Marketing Week and related event and publishing brands from Centaur Media.

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2. 2020Print edition discontinued

   The physical magazine ended and print subscribers were moved to online subscriptions.

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3. 2019Marketing Week joins Xeim

   Centaur Media placed the title within Xeim, its marketing-focused division.

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4. 2017Print frequency changes from weekly to monthly

   The magazine adopted a monthly print schedule as digital publishing became increasingly central.

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5. 2009Print circulation benchmark recorded

   The magazine's ABC primary circulation was reported as 36,619.

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6. 1982Marketing Week enters the Centaur structure

   Marketing Week Communications became part of the wider Centaur Communications organisation.

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7. 1978Marketing Week launches

   The first issue of the weekly marketing trade magazine was cover-dated 10 March 1978.

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A specialist professional media brand for marketers and senior marketing decision-makers, combining trade journalism, analysis, opinion, research-based insight, paid digital content and industry events.

• Marketing Week websiteDigital trade publication

  The brand's principal publishing platform, carrying reporting, analysis, opinion and specialist coverage for marketing professionals. Its subject areas include brand building, advertising, media, customer insight, marketing effectiveness, leadership and marketing technology. The website became increasingly important as the print edition was reduced and ultimately discontinued.

• Marketing Week digital subscriptionsPaid digital content2019

  An online subscription service announced in 2019. The offering was designed to provide subscriber-only material focused on major strategic and leadership challenges in marketing. It became particularly important after physical publication ended in 2020.

• Festival of MarketingProfessional event

  An annual London marketing event associated with the Marketing Week brand. It extends the publication's role from journalism into conferences, professional learning, networking and industry discussion. Marketing Week Live and The Insight Show were incorporated into the festival in 2019.

• Print magazineTrade magazine1978

  The original weekly print product launched in 1978. It later moved to a monthly schedule in 2017 and was discontinued in October 2020, with subscribers transferred to the online service.

• 2025Sale to Haymarket Media GroupM&A

  Centaur Media sold several specialist publishing and events assets as part of a portfolio transaction.

  What changed. Haymarket Media Group acquired Marketing Week, the Festival of Marketing and Creative Review.

  Aftermath. Marketing Week moved from Centaur Media ownership into Haymarket's specialist media portfolio.

  Cash acquisition price. £3.9 million (September 2025)

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• 2020Discontinuation of the print magazineGeneration change

  The title had already reduced its print frequency and increased its emphasis on digital publishing.

  What changed. The printed magazine was discontinued and print subscribers were moved to online subscriptions.

  Aftermath. Marketing Week became a primarily digital editorial and subscription brand.

  Source
• 2019Launch of paid online subscription serviceStrategy

  Marketing Week sought to develop a digital revenue model and deepen its relationship with professional readers.

  What changed. The brand introduced an online subscription service offering exclusive strategic and leadership content.

  Aftermath. The subscription model supported the brand's transition away from print publishing.

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• 2017Shift from weekly to monthly print publicationGeneration change

  The publication was adapting its print model as its website and digital audience became more important.

  What changed. Marketing Week changed the magazine's frequency from weekly to monthly.

  Aftermath. The change preceded the complete discontinuation of the print edition in 2020.

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• 2025Haymarket Media Group acquires Marketing Week and related brands

  Haymarket Media Group acquired Marketing Week, the Festival of Marketing and Creative Review from Centaur Media in a cash transaction reported at £3.9 million.

  M&A
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• 2019Marketing Week becomes part of Centaur's Xeim division

  Centaur Media announced that Marketing Week had joined Xeim, its rebranded marketing-focused division.

  Other
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• 2019Marketing Week launches online subscription service

  The publication announced a digital subscription offering with exclusive material addressing strategic and leadership issues in marketing.

  Product launch
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• 2019Marketing Week Live and The Insight Show incorporated into Festival of Marketing

  The two events were announced as incorporated into the annual Festival of Marketing.

  Other
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1. Marketing Week