Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia - Market Research Report (2013-2028)
Melbourne, Australia
Last Updated: May 2023
ANZSIC J5412Revenue
$722.6m
Past 5-Year Growth
Profit
$X.Xm
Employees
3,570
Businesses
695
Wages
$XXX.Xm
Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia industry analysis
The internet's increasing importance has been challenging for magazine and directory publishers. Revenue is expected to drop at an annualised 10.7% over the five years through 2022-23, to $722.6 million. This trend includes an 8.3% fall in 2022-23, as growth in online platforms, and the increasing popularity of smartphones and tablets have changed how consumers access content. Demand for telephone directories has plummeted as consumers have increasingly used search engines and online directories to find information. Competition from digital content providers, social media platforms and other online media has taken away advertising revenue from printed publications. The circulation numbers of Australia's most popular mastheads have fallen over the period, further encouraging downstream media buying agencies to purchase advertising space elsewhere.The COVID-19 pandemic has further decreased revenue over the period. Magazines heavily rely on advertising revenue, which sharp declines in business confidence following the COVID-19 pandemic and rampant inflation have severely undermined. This trend has reduced businesses' willingness to purchase advertising space in industry products. Moreover, prolonged city-wide lockdowns in Melbourne and Sydney over the two years through 2021-22 disrupted distribution, accelerating declining circulation numbers. Associated mounting cost pressures have reduced profitability.Revenue is projected to continue to fall, but as operators create innovative advertising opportunities through interactive digital content, the speed of decline is set to slow. As consumers continue to migrate to digital products, niche magazines that target specific demographics or interest groups will likely fare better than general interest publications. Magazines that make their products hard to replace with online alternatives by offering high-quality or more in-depth content are also more likely to retain readership over the period. However, revenue generated from directory publishing is projected to continue declining rapidly. Industry revenue is forecast to fall at an annualised 3.3% over the five years through 2027-28, to $609.5 million.
Trends and Insights
- Magazine and directory circulation numbers have plunged over the past decade. Consumers have increasingly turned to online publications and search engines.
- Revenue from directories has fallen sharply over the past five years. The ease of access to the internet has made searches via search engines and other online platforms much easier and simpler.
- New South Wales is home to the largest concentration of magazine and directory publishers. The state is home to large share of the population and many downstream businesses important to magazine publishers like entertainment providers and fashion houses.
- Market share concentration has declined over the past decade. The Yellow Pages and White Pages directories publisher's market share has plunged, with consumers instead using search engines and other online platforms to find contact details.
Industry Overview
Market size and recent performance (2013-2028)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 10.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $722.6m in 2023.
Trends and Insights
Magazine and directory publishers have struggled to adapt to a rapidly changing media landscape
- Magazine and directory publishing has significantly changed over the past decade, particularly in the magazine segment.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Profitability of magazine and directory publishing is set to decline further
- Forecast discretionary income growth will likely increase Australians' ability to purchase media products and services.
Biggest companies in the Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia
| Company | Market Share (%)
2023 | Revenue ($m)
2023 |
|---|---|---|
Thryv | 223.3 | |
Are Media | 215.3 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 2 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Home and garden magazines, Other magazines and periodicals and Women's magazines. Home and garden magazines is the largest segment of the Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia.
Trends and Insights
Directories are falling out of favour as online platforms become ubiquitous
- This segment includes telephone, business, street and event directories, and television guides.
- More insights available in the full report
Widen you competitive advantage with related industries
Competitors
- Newspaper Publishing in Australia
- Book Publishing in Australia
- Internet Publishing and Broadcasting in Australia
Complementors
- Printing in Australia
International industries
- Magazine & Periodical Publishing in the US
- Database & Directory Publishing in the US
- Magazine & Periodical Publishing in Canada
- Database & Directory Publishing in Canada
- Magazine and Book Publishing in New Zealand
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Industry players primarily publish magazines, directories, mailing lists and periodicals. Magazine and periodical publishers are included in the industry if they generate most of their revenue by selling printed publications and the advertising space within them. The industry excludes publishers that operate exclusively online, but includes online revenue from publishers that print physical publications.
What's included in this industry?
Home and garden magazinesWomen's magazinesDirectoriesSports magazinesAutomotive magazinesTechnology magazinesMusic magazinesCompanies
ThryvAre MediaPurchase this report to view all 2 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
CIRCULATIONCONSUMER MAGAZINESREADERSHIPMASTHEADIndustry Code
ANZSIC 5412 - Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Magazine and directory circulation numbers have plunged over the past decade. Consumers have increasingly turned to online publications and search engines.
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Employees, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Businesses, including historical (2013-2022) and forecast (2023-2028)
- Profit, including historical (2013-2023)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Revenue from directories has fallen sharply over the past five years. The ease of access to the internet has made searches via search engines and other online platforms much ...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2023
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2023
- Major market segmentation in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
New South Wales is home to the largest concentration of magazine and directory publishers. The state is home to large share of the population and many downstream businesses i...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2023
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2023
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2023
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2023
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Market share concentration has declined over the past decade. The Yellow Pages and White Pages directories publisher's market share has plunged, with consumers instead using ...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2018-2023
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
The large publishers have changed hands in recent years. Directory publisher, Sensis, was acquired by US-based Thryv in March 2021. Pacific Magazines was acquired by Bauer Me...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2019 through 2023
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2023
- Overview of Thryv's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
- Overview of Are Media's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2017 through 2023
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Thryv, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Are Media, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Magazine and directory publishers must adhere to the Privacy Act 1988. Publishers must receive express consent before publishing personal content.
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Profit margins have declined as a share of revenue over the past five years. Demand has fallen while the cost of paper and printing has continued to rise.
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2023
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Employee (2013-2028)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Employees per Establishment (2013-2028)
- Employees per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- Average Wage (2013-2028)
- Wages/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2013-2028)
- IVA/Revenue (2013-2028)
- Imports/Demand (2013-2028)
- Exports/Revenue (2013-2028)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2013-2028)
- IVA (2013-2028)
- Establishments (2013-2028)
- Enterprises (2013-2028)
- Employment (2013-2028)
- Exports (2013-2028)
- Imports (2013-2028)
- Wages (2013-2028)
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in Australia include:
- Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Australian Taxation Office
- Australian Securities & Investments Commission
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Magazine and Directory Publishing industry in Australia in 2024?
The market size of the Magazine and Directory Publishing industry in Australia is $722.6m in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia industry in 2023?
There are 695 businesses in the Magazine and Directory Publishing industry in Australia, which has declined at a CAGR of 4.9 % between 2018 and 2023.
Has the Magazine and Directory Publishing industry in Australia grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Magazine and Directory Publishing industry in Australia has been declining at a CAGR of 10.7 % between 2018 and 2023.
What is the forecast growth of the Magazine and Directory Publishing industry in Australia over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Magazine and Directory Publishing industry in Australia is expected to decline.
What are the biggest companies in the Magazine and Directory Publishing market in Australia?
The biggest companies operating in the Magazine and Directory Publishing market in Australia are Thryv and Are Media
What does the Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia include?
Home and garden magazines and Women's magazines are part of the Magazine and Directory Publishing industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Magazine and Directory Publishing in Australia?
The company holding the most market share in Australia is Thryv.
How competitive is the Magazine and Directory Publishing industry in Australia?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Magazine and Directory Publishing industry in Australia.
