Packaging Digest
A business-to-business media brand covering packaging technology, operations, design, and management.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Packaging Digest is a business-to-business media brand serving professionals involved in packaging operations, engineering, design, development, and management. Founded in 1963 as a print magazine, it developed around the practical information needs of companies that package products in sectors including food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and other consumer and industrial markets. Its coverage addresses the full packaging value chain, including package design, materials, machinery, filling and processing operations, automation, sustainability, regulatory considerations, and manufacturing efficiency. The publication’s audience includes packaging executives, engineers, package developers, designers, plant and operations managers, marketers, and suppliers to the packaging industry. Rather than functioning as a general-interest newspaper, Packaging Digest operates as a specialist trade-media property: its editorial purpose is to explain technologies, identify market and operational trends, and provide applied information that can support packaging investment and development decisions. The brand has expanded beyond its original magazine format. Its current publishing activities include a digital website, email newsletters, downloadable e-books, webinars, and social-media distribution through platforms including LinkedIn, X, and Facebook. Editorial themes include sustainable packaging, automation, artificial intelligence, package development, production performance, and career development. This mix allows the brand to reach both technical and managerial readers and to connect editorial content with the broader professional community. Packaging Digest was historically associated with Reed Business Information before being sold to Canon Communications in 2010. Canon Communications was acquired later that year by UBM, and UBM was acquired by Informa in 2018. Through those ownership changes, the publication became part of Informa Markets — Engineering, the Informa group’s business-to-business portfolio serving engineering and industrial audiences. The publication remains active as a specialist packaging information service. Its historical print presence was substantial: a BPA-audited circulation figure reached 90,045 in June 2008. That figure belongs to the print-magazine period and should not be treated as a current audience or digital-traffic measure. Packaging Digest is recognized by third-party industry and media directories as a publication for packaging professionals. Lisa McTigue Pierce has been identified as its executive editor, overseeing editorial content and direction.
History
Packaging Digest began publication in 1963 as a print trade magazine focused on the practical and technical concerns of packaging professionals. Its subject matter developed around packaging operations and the industries that depend on them, including food, beverage, pharmaceutical, medical-device, consumer-product, and industrial manufacturing. The magazine’s role was to connect packaging decision-makers with information about materials, machinery, package development, production processes, and emerging technologies. As the packaging sector became more technically complex, the publication’s editorial remit broadened. Coverage came to include packaging design and development, automation, sustainability, manufacturing performance, and regulatory or operational issues. Its readership included executives, engineers, designers, developers, and plant or operations personnel. This positioned Packaging Digest as a specialist business publication rather than a consumer magazine or general newspaper. The print edition achieved a BPA-audited circulation of 90,045 by June 2008. That milestone reflected the publication’s established presence among packaging-industry readers during the period when trade magazines remained central sources of professional information. The circulation figure is historical and relates to the print edition; it does not represent a current combined print, web, newsletter, or social audience. Ownership changed in 2010 when Reed Business Information sold Packaging Digest to Canon Communications. Canon Communications was acquired by UBM later in the same year, placing the publication within a larger international business-media group. In 2018, Informa acquired UBM in a transaction valued at $5.3 billion. Packaging Digest consequently became part of Informa Markets — Engineering, within Informa’s portfolio of specialist B2B media and information businesses. The brand subsequently operated across multiple channels. Alongside its main website, Packaging Digest produces email newsletters, e-books, and webinars, and distributes content through professional social platforms such as LinkedIn, X, and Facebook. Its modern editorial agenda includes sustainability, automation, artificial intelligence, career development, and the continuing evolution of packaging materials and production systems. These channels extend the publication’s original trade-journal function into digital publishing and professional education. Packaging Digest continues to serve a packaging-specific audience while benefiting from the resources and market reach of Informa Markets — Engineering. Lisa McTigue Pierce has been identified as executive editor. Third-party industry directories have also listed Packaging Digest among notable magazines and information sources for packaging professionals.
- 2018
Packaging Digest becomes part of Informa
[1]Informa acquires UBM and places Packaging Digest within Informa Markets — Engineering.
- 2010
Ownership transfers to Canon Communications
[1]Reed Business Information sells Packaging Digest to Canon Communications.
- 2010
Canon Communications joins UBM
[1]UBM acquires Canon Communications, bringing Packaging Digest into the UBM group.
- 2008
Print circulation reaches 90,045
[1]The publication records a BPA-audited circulation of 90,045 by June 2008.
- 1963
Packaging Digest begins publication
[1]Packaging Digest launches as a print business publication serving the packaging industry.
Products and positioning
A specialist B2B information and media brand for packaging professionals, combining technical journalism, operational guidance, industry analysis, and professional education across packaging materials, equipment, design, manufacturing, and sustainability.
Trade magazine · 1963
Packaging Digest magazine
The original print publishing format of Packaging Digest, providing business and technical coverage for packaging executives, engineers, designers, developers, and operations professionals. Its editorial scope includes packaging materials, machinery, design, production, sustainability, and industry developments. The print edition was historically measured through BPA-audited circulation.
Digital publication
Packaging Digest website
The brand’s digital publishing platform delivers packaging news, technical articles, analysis, and practical information. Its subject areas include packaging operations, automation, artificial intelligence, sustainability, package development, and professional issues across industries such as food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices.
Professional information and education
Newsletters, e-books, and webinars
Packaging Digest extends its editorial and educational offering through email newsletters, downloadable e-books, and webinars. These formats provide packaging professionals with recurring updates, focused technical material, and online learning or discussion opportunities.
Brand decisions
2018
Transition into Informa Markets — EngineeringM&ABackground
UBM operated Packaging Digest before Informa’s acquisition of the group.
Action taken
Informa acquired UBM in a transaction valued at $5.3 billion.
Aftermath
Packaging Digest became part of Informa Markets — Engineering and continued as a specialist packaging media brand.
Transaction value. $5.3 billion (2018 acquisition)
2010
Sale from Reed Business Information to Canon CommunicationsM&ABackground
Packaging Digest was part of Reed Business Information’s trade-media portfolio before the ownership transaction.
Action taken
Reed Business Information sold the publication to Canon Communications.
Aftermath
The publication subsequently entered UBM’s portfolio when UBM acquired Canon Communications later in 2010.
2010
Integration into UBMM&ABackground
Canon Communications, the owner of Packaging Digest, became the subject of a corporate acquisition during 2010.
Action taken
UBM acquired Canon Communications.
Aftermath
Packaging Digest became part of UBM’s business-to-business media operations.
Recent events
- 2018
Informa acquires UBM[1]
M&A
Informa acquired UBM in a transaction valued at $5.3 billion, causing Packaging Digest to become part of Informa Markets — Engineering.
- 2010
Packaging Digest is sold by Reed Business Information to Canon Communications[1]
M&A
Packaging Digest changed ownership when Reed Business Information sold the publication to Canon Communications.
- 2010
Canon Communications is acquired by UBM[1]
M&A
Later in 2010, Canon Communications was acquired by UBM, bringing Packaging Digest into UBM’s business-to-business media portfolio.
- 2008
Packaging Digest reaches BPA-audited circulation of 90,045[1]
Other
The print publication reported a BPA-audited circulation of 90,045 by June 2008, illustrating the scale of its trade-magazine reach before its later ownership transitions and digital expansion.
Sources2 sources
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