2026 Media Kit
TRADE MEDIA MADE MODERN AND FRESH
Fresh off IBIE in a year of multiple bakery shows, it’s more important than ever to reset your overall marketing strategies for 2026.
It’s no secret that the cost of sales calls, conferences and tradeshows has skyrocketed in the past years. As you consider your upcoming marketing plans, carefully evaluate cost vs. value. The number one rule of trade marketing is “be where your customers are,” and with this in mind, trade media is the most effective and affordable approach.
2026 is a year without bakery-specific tradeshows, so now is the time to amplify your company and products using trade media. When evaluating marketing options, Avant Food Media is the right choice.
• We focus exclusively on baking, including every sector from retail to commercial.
• Our platforms have been recognized by thirdparty organizations, and we have earned awards of excellence for our magazines, digital and multimedia platforms.
• The unmatched look and feel of our products drive engagement, and therefore, advertising value.
• We prioritize quality over quantity with our audience through a vetted subscriber list that reaches qualified decision makers.
• With a focused footprint, we deliver manageable content for higher engagement.
• The result? Your company stands taller in our media … without overspending.
INFLUENCE IN MEDIA WITH 90+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Paul Lattan
PUBLISHER
816. 585. 5030
paul@avantfoodmedia.com
Steve Berne
DIRECTOR OF SALES
816. 605. 5037
steve@avantfoodmedia.com
Erin Zielsdorf
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE
937. 418. 5557
erin@avantfoodmedia.com
Joanie Spencer
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
913. 777. 8874
joanie@avantfoodmedia.com
Mari Rydings
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
mari@avantfoodmedia.com
Jordan Winter
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
jordan@avantfoodmedia.com
Olivia Siddall MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR
olivia@avantfoodmedia.com
Annie Hollon
DIGITAL EDITOR
annie@avantfoodmedia.com
Maddie Lambert
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
maddie@avantfoodmedia.com
Lily Cota
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
lily@avantfoodmedia.com
MARKET SNAPSHOT
The Market
US CENSUS OF MANUFACTURING (LATEST DATA, 2022 - RELEASED 2025)
Number of firms:
Number of bakeries:
5-Year CAGR ALL PRODUCT TYPES
Total Bakeries
BY PRODUCT TYPE
OTHER SNACK: 11%
COOKIE | CRACKER: 10%
TORTILLA: 10%
FROZEN CAKES, PIES, OTHER PASTRIES: 5%
SOURCE: US Census of Manufacturing
AUDIENCE | REACH CURATED FOR DECISION MAKERS
Audience Breakdown 5,600
9,700 subscribers
THOUGHT FOR FOOD
Featured Company In Every Issue In Every Issue In Every Issue In Every Issue
Exec Profile In Every Issue In Every Issue In Every Issue In Every Issue
Critical Issues UltraProcessed Foods Personalized/ Digital Marketing Tactics
Food Safety/ Traceability Channel Fragmentation
Emerging Brand In Every Issue In Every Issue In Every Issue In Every Issue
Product Development Natural Sweeteners Ingredient Markets
Sensory Evaluation Alternative Ingredients/ Grains
Category Outlook - Bread | Bun | R oll - Cake - Crackers - Pie - Tortilla | F latbread - Donuts - Bagels - Cookies
Baker Insight - Bread | Bun | R oll - Cake - Crackers - Pie - Tortilla | F latbread - Donuts - Bagels - Cookies
Business Intel Cybersecurity Demand Forecasting Margin Erosion Energy Consumption
Last Word In Every Issue In Every Issue In Every Issue In Every Issue
2026 EDITORIAL TOPICS EXPLAINED
Critical Issues
ULTRA-PROCESSED FOODS
A dive into how we got here … the current status of the UPF definition and its origins. Outlines consumer behavior and reasons behind what they believe regarding UPFs, along with counterpoints from industry experts.
PERSONALIZED/DIGITAL MARKETING
A look at new personalized marketing tactics in the digital era. How are brands using tools like retargeting to connect with their consumers and turn brand recognition into sales?
FOOD SAFETY AND TRACEABILITY
An overview of the latest developments for food safety regulations and traceability needs (consumer and regulatory).
CHANNEL FRAGMENTATION
Consumers are diversifying their shopping mix vs. making one-stop grocery store trips. They are hitting club stores, c-stores and online outlets to discover variety and value. Which consumer groups are most likely to shop at multiple stores ... and why? How is ongoing channel fragmentation affecting the baking industry in terms of product discovery and purchases?
Product Development
NATURAL SWEETENERS
A look at the latest consumer/product trends and formula troubleshooting for natural sugar replacement.
INGREDIENT MARKETS
Exploration into some of the more volatile ingredients such as cocoa and eggs, including procurement strategies and replacement solutions when price increases or shortages occur.
SENSORY EVALUATION
Sensory evaluation practices are becoming more prevalent in bakery product development. The use of sight, touch, smell, taste and sound are all key factors in creating the right texture, flavor and appearance of a finished product. How are baking companies using this technique, and what are the resources available?
ALTERNATIVE INGREDIENTS/GRAINS
A look into the latest non-traditional ingredients and grains that are trending in baked goods formulas. Why are some more popular than others? What are the troubleshooting tips with using alternatives in terms of processability and product quality?
SIFTING THROUGH THE NOISE DIGITAL OFFERINGS
Commercialbaking.com
Strategically matching the title of our brand, commercialbaking.com is the hub for our digital content. The site’s simple, clean design offers visitors an easyto-navigate format that delivers up-to-date news and featured content specific to commercial baking. Never more than a click or two away, readers now have access to a more concentrated site that sifts through the noise of crowded websites. Advertising opportunities include banner ads, interstitials and native units. Positions are sold by the month, and the limited inventory is offered on a first-come basis.
Digital Edition
Commercial Baking is so much more than just a sleek print magazine. It’s delivered through a next-generation digital platform called ISSUU, which offers a fully interactive reader experience. The pages come alive with exclusive bonus content including live links, videos and more. We encourage advertisers to use these features at no extra charge. Commercial Baking is constructed as a digital magazine that is also printed, rather than a printed magazine that happens to offer a digital version.
Newsletters
With a thoughtful mix of weekly and monthly newsletters, all branded as Commercial Baking , we have carefully crafted our send strategy to limit deployments and develop a concentrated following. The result is more engaged readership and happy advertisers. The average open rate of our newsletters is 38% , which is well above industry norms.
We offer blockbusters and medium rectangles for each title sold by the month. Inventory is limited and offered on a first-come basis.
WEEKLY (52 x )
Delivering the week’s top stories in one concise newsletter.
MONTHLY (12 x )
Taking a deeper dive into the month’s most compelling news.
PRODUCTS (12 x )
A monthly collection of the most exciting baked goods launches.
SOLUTIONS (12 x )
Showcasing the top innovations for commercial baking each month.
CHANNEL (12 x )
Offering a one-stop pathway to our latest multimedia offerings each month.
DIGITAL ALERT (6 x )
The digital edition alert is an exclusive sponsorship.
SIFTING THROUGH THE NOISE DIGITAL OFFERINGS
Custom Digital Offerings
TECHTALKS
Our editors visit key suppliers via Zoom to discuss their latest innovations currently available to commercial bakers in an 8- to 10-minute recorded video. This concept has been incredibly successful for advertisers as a versatile marketing tool that can be used in many ways and with essentially no shelf life.
EMAIL CAMPAIGNS
Commercial Baking offers a limited number of Email Marketing Campaigns (EMCs) and Automated Marketing Campaigns (AMCs) exclusively for advertisers that are also supporting our content. EMCs are single-send email campaigns; AMCs are campaigns that after the initial send, follow up with those that opened, but didn’t act on, the first deployment. EMCs and AMCs offer an efficient way to make a targeted splash and generate specific awareness and leads with our concentrated audience of decision makers and influencers.
Sponsorable Content
PODCAST
Our award-winning podcast series, Troubleshooting Innovation, looks at the challenges and opportunities that come with bakery innovation. This is a targeted podcast series that focuses on areas for efficient growth in commercial baking. Every season features five conversations with one expert. This is hands down the best podcast in the business, delivering insightful, bingeworthy conversations. Full seasons can be sponsored for high-impact connections with listeners.
QUICKTAKES
These short video interviews and audiograms from bakers and industry influencers offer a take on a specific trend, innovation or tip. This sponsorable content is pushed out using all of our relevant media channels.
‘CATCHING UP’ SERIES
During in-person industry events, Commercial Baking e ditors catch up with bakers about what they’re looking for at the show. The “Catching Up with Commercial Baking ” series can be sponsored by tradeshow exhibitors and take place onsite at the event in a live or pre- recorded format.
BOOTH TRAILERS
A Commercial Baking original for major industry tradeshows! Booth Trailers offer a modern way to promote new technologies directly to attendees leading up to a tradeshow. Produced, edited and promoted by Commercial Baking , these brief videos can be used in a variety of ways to attract prospective booth visitors. In addition to providing an overview of your booth and products, your key staff can offer a personal invitation to visit your company on the show floor.
INNOVATION MINUTES
Produced and promoted by Commercial Baking , these 60-second videos highlight innovations from tradeshow exhibitors and are captured on the show floor at your booth. This is a great way to follow up any tradeshow and keep the energy flowing well beyond when the show ends.
CUSTOM DIGITAL OFFERINGS A DEEPER DIVE
TechTalks
(FULL ANALYTICS AND LEAD GEN INCLUDED)
• Dedicated Email Campaign (EMC)
• Commercial Baking homepage for a month
• Commercial Baking Channel for a year
• Posted to Commercial Baking YouTube channel
• Social media promotion on Commercial Baking channels
• social media campaign
PAID
• Inclusion in a Commercial Baking Channel newsletter
• Inclusion in Commercial Baking magazine with QR code
• Share kits provided for client amplification
Email Campaigns
(FULL ANALYTICS AND LEAD GEN INCLUDED)
• Email Marketing Campaign (EMC)
• Automated Marketing Campaign (AMC)
Booth Trailers
(FULL ANALYTICS INCLUDED)
• Aggregated email campaign
• Commercial Baking homepage for a month
• Commercial Baking Channel for a year
• Posted to Commercial Baking YouTube channel
• Social media promotion on Commercial Baking channels
• Inclusion in a Commercial Baking Channel newsletter
• Inclusion in Commercial Baking magazine with link/QR code
• Share kits provided for client amplification
Innovation Minutes
(FULL ANALYTICS INCLUDED)
• Aggregated email campaign
• Commercial Baking homepage for a month
• Commercial Baking Channel for a year
• Posted to Commercial Baking YouTube channel
• Social media promotion on Commercial Baking channels
• Inclusion in a Commercial Baking Channel newsletter
• Inclusion in Commercial Baking magazine with QR code
• Share kits provided for client amplification
With our rightsized media approach, you can stand tall.
With our concise and consolidated footprint, it doesn’t take an extensive advertising budget to stand out in our media. Don’t be a blade of grass in a field … be among the tallest trees in the forest. Align your brand with Commercial Baking and market your company above all others.
PERFORMING WITHOUT OVERSPENDING 2026 RATES
Newsletters
