Latcham case study
Vetting opportunities
for digital publishing:
The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA)
Overview
The British Veterinary Nursing Association (BVNA) is the representative body for veterinary nurses. The BVNA promote the interests of veterinary nurses as a membership organisation, providing a voice and a community that supports all aspects of a veterinary nursing career.
The Veterinary Nursing Journal (VNJ)
All 6,500 BVNA members have access to the Veterinary Nursing Journal (VNJ)
– ‘a top quality, evidence-based journal that engages with members and supports and informs veterinary nurses throughout their career.’ Nikki Ruedisueli, VNJ Editor in Chief at BVNA
Produced bi-monthly in digital format (and printed by request), the 60-page professional member publication is a celebration of digital communication and information sharing technology that really came into its own during the Covid-19 pandemic, creating a more economical, efficient, flexible and sustainable way of working with anyone, anywhere in the world.
The Veterinary Nursing Journal is a success story founded on the distant collaborative partnership of Latcham and Salt Media in supporting BVNA with their self-publication initiative – ie: all teams work together remotely, the BVNA supplies most of the content and advertising, Salt Media brings it all together editorially and we at Latcham provide all essential services for the print and digital versions.
Our brief
As part of a strategy to reduce its carbon footprint, BVNA were evaluating a switch to a digital-only VNJ subscription with an optional print
subscription at extra cost.
Develop a bespoke interactive digital hosting platform to enhance the digital reading experience for BVNA members.
Optimise print and delivery through environmentally friendly practises.
Deliver efficiency of cost and otherwise through postal optimisation and digital archiving.
Our solution
Latcham Editions – digital platform development:
Using Latcham Editions uniquely powerful digital publication software, we were able to create a bespoke interactive hosting platform for the digital version of VNJ. The platform includes functionality for:
- Unique search features
- Digital subscription forms
- Live hyperlinks in articles
- Hosting for multimedia content, eg: podcasts and videos
- Powerful analytics: collect and collate page views, average view duration, click thrus
- Opportunity for paid advertising and revenue generation
Sustainable print, delivery and storage
Our role in the production and delivery of the print version of VNJ is crucial to the delivery of the BVNA’s anti-carbon footprint commitments. We utilise:
- Environmentally friendly digital printing technology
- FSC-certified paper
- Postal optimisation
- Digital archiving and retrieval
Benefits and outcomes
Our contribution to the delivery of the VJN experience has expanded its accessibility, promoted environmental sustainability, facilitated data-driven content enhancements, fostered positive third-party collaboration, and enabled a successful self-publishing venture for the BVNA.
Accessibility and inclusivity for a diverse readership
“We now have a more accessible publication for neurodivergent readers, with a broader range of news, articles and clinical content, innovative digital features, and a comprehensive accompanying editorial style guide. And the team continue to guide the journal’s ongoing development.”
The editor in chief of VNJ at BVNA, Nikki Ruedisueli
A great digital reader experience
Latcham Editions uniquely interactive digital publication promotes an engaging reader experience while expanding opportunities for enriching education and learning.
“We worked closely with BVNA to ensure that, should they decide to switch, the digital version offered members maximum value. This included the addition of bonus features, such as the ability to carry out keyword searches in individual issues and the online archive, live hyperlinks in articles so readers could easily access references and additional resources, and the capability to host additional multimedia content, such as podcasts and videos.” Garry Ford, specialist client director at Latcham
Positive collaboration
A cornerstone of our success lies in fostering positive collaboration with other suppliers. This has nurtured a strong team dynamic that has been instrumental in the ongoing development of VNJ.
“Good communication throughout has been key to creating a strong team spirit – and it helps that we all like and respect each other.”
The editor in chief of VNJ at BVNA, Nikki Ruedisueli
Environmental stewardship
Our use of eco-conscious print production methods and FSC-certified paper underscores BVNA’s dedication to responsible environmental practices, aligning with global sustainability initiatives.
Data driven insights
Editions facilitates data collection, enabling an understanding of member preferences via detailed analytics. BVNA use this information to fine tune and tailor their content creation to maximise relevance and impact for their membership.
“The digital platform the team at Latcham have developed allows BVNA members to interact with VNJ much more easily. The search facility and clickable links enriches their learning experience, and data collected by the platform enables us to identify which topics are most popular among members, which is particularly helpful in directing future content.”
The editor in chief of VNJ at BVNA, Nikki Ruedisueli
Successful business model
“The move to self-publishing VNJ was a huge decision for BVNA,” he says. “Almost two years on, it is working well because we have managed to create a trustworthy, supportive partnership, with people who understand our ethos and business model and are working with us. VNJ is on a journey – the team have already established it in the market, and we will continue to move the publication forward.” Huw Jones, CEO of BVNA
Summary
Our role in the production and delivery of the VNJ as part of a collaborative process is pivotal to a well-received, sustainable,
and tech-triumphant outcome with every publication.
We like to think it reflects how we work with our clients and how we approach every project – with a collaborative, solution-seeking mindset, fitting in as, where and when our involvement is needed for an outcome that works best for our clients.
We now have a more accessible publication for neurodivergent readers, with a broader range of news, articles and clinical content, innovative digital features, and a comprehensive accompanying editorial style guide. And the team continue to guide the journal’s ongoing development.
Nikki Ruedisueli, Editor in chief of VNJ at BVNA