About Us

What is The Content Council?

Formerly the Custom Content Council, The Content Council has evolved since its inception as The Custom Publishing Council in 1999 when it started as a division of the Magazine Publishing Association (MPA).  A group of leading custom publishers, who were already members of the MPA, approached the MPA with the idea of creating their own division for the purpose of organizing meetings and events, conducting research and educating the wider marketing industry about custom publishing.  The partnership lasted two years with the founding members of the CPC voting to become independent in late 2001.  By 2009, the industry was changing rapidly with brands and agencies offering far more than just a print marketing solution to their consumers. In order to keep up with the current trends, the CPC changed its name to the Custom Content Council.
 
The organization held its first conference in New Orleans in 2008; it was such a success that it was made an annual event held in locations such as Miami, Charleston, Nashville, Washington DC, Chicago and Naples.
 
The first Pearl Awards were held in 2004 in Chicago to celebrate the best in custom publishing. They have since been universally recognized as the industry standard bearer for content marketing awards and are held in New York City every year in November.
 
Now in its 3rd iteration, The Content Council is the premier non-profit organization representing content marketers globally. As the definitive resource for content marketing insights and thought leadership, we are focused on promoting the growth and vitality of this dynamic marketing discipline. We are also an excellent resource for connecting brand marketers with the best content agency to meet their specific needs.  Through creativity and strategy, our members build content programs that deliver results.   

Mission Statement

To make content marketing services providers more effective, productive and successful by providing thought leadership, research, networking and learning.

The Content Council Definition of Content Marketing

Content marketing is the discipline of creating content, on behalf of a brand, designed with the specific strategy of influencing consumer behavior in order to drive quantifiable profitable results.