The Royal Kennel Club (RKC) has appointed Edition Media Ltd to produce its new member publication. It is introducing a new publishing model which is sustainable for the longer term and delivers greater value for its members.
The change follows a review of the publishing operation which revealed it had become unsustainable in its current form. Following a competitive tender process, Edition Media Ltd has been appointed to deliver the new publication, which will bring together the Kennel Gazette, Journal and Field Trials Newsletter into one publication, creating a more modern, accessible and sustainable offering for members and the wider dog community. This is as a result of feedback in various forms from our membership.
The new Gazette will represent the full breadth of the RKC community, with greater coverage of field trials, working activities, YRKC, agility and other dog activities, breeding, health and welfare, while showing remains prominent. Members and the wider RKC community will help shape the Gazette through their stories and content.
Bringing the three publications together will reduce duplication, create a more sustainable model, grow readership and ultimately generate revenue rather than operate solely as a cost to the organisation.
Edition Media Ltd have strong publishing experience, an understanding of its community and the ability to support the publication's long-term growth and sustainability. This new structure also provides appropriate governance and oversight, ensuring the publication remains aligned with the RKC’s objectives, reduces costs and ensures the expertise and flexibility to future proof its existence.
Edition Media Ltd brings more than 25 years’ experience in passion-led publishing and currently produces Edition Dog, which has more than 30,000 subscribers. Its team has strong roots in the dog showing community, alongside extensive experience in creating publications for engaged, specialist audiences.
Jannine Edgar, Chief Executive, Royal Kennel Club, said: “We are changing our approach to the publication to ensure its long-term sustainability and to make sure it continues to deliver for our members.
“The Kennel Gazette has a proud history, but we need to make sure our publications continue to evolve alongside our members and the wider dog community. Bringing the Gazette, Journal and Field Trials Newsletter together gives us a stronger, more sustainable publication with a clear purpose for the future.
“We also want the publication to properly reflect the breadth of our community. Showing remains an important part of what we do, but our members are involved in a huge range of activities and disciplines, and we want to give all these communities a platform.
“Edition Media Ltd brings the publishing expertise and understanding of the dog community that we were looking for. We’re looking forward to working with them to deliver a publication that is engaging, relevant and sustainable for our members for years to come.”
Jennifer Dow, Managing Director, Edition Media Ltd, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been entrusted with the Royal Kennel Club’s new member publication. The Kennel Gazette has a long and important history, and as people who are passionate about dog showing, we know how much it means to so many within the community.
“We’re really excited about what comes next and look forward to working closely with the Royal Kennel Club, its members and the wider community to build on that heritage and take the new publication forward.”
The first edition of the new publication is expected to launch in January 2027, with further details to be announced in due course.