Media Planner 2026

Mission

MSM is a forward-thinking media company and the leading authority in the self-storage industry. Since 1979, we have provided the most comprehensive data, analysis, and expert insights, becoming the single-source solution to empower self-storage professionals.

Our mission is to deliver factual, timely, unbiased content to help self-storage owners, operators, investors, and developers make informed decisions about their businesses. We also regularly introduce self-storage professionals to suppliers and vendors in the industry, highlighting products and services that fuel the industry.

Initially founded by Hardy Good, and originally known as Mini-Storage Messenger, MSM’s products today include the annual Self-Storage Almanac, RV and Boat Storage Development Handbook, Self-Storage Canada, the Development Handbook, and our flagship publication, Messenger magazine. The company also names the highly anticipated Top Operators as well as “Facility of the Year” and “Manager of the Year” winners.

Supported by a team with a combined 120-plus years of experience in the self-storage industry, MSM is committed to providing high-quality content that adds value to its readers. Now under new ownership, MSM has modernized its print and digital publications with new features to upgrade the experience for readers and advertisers while continuing to deliver exclusive breaking news.

Messenger Magazine

Published since 1979, Messenger has become the most respected international business magazine of the self-storage industry. It delivers timely, relevant, informative content that enables owner-operators to improve their businesses. Through its September 2023 redesign, Messenger now offers subscribers a cutting-edge reading experience!

Available in print and a scrolling digital format, the modernized magazine covers a wide variety of self-storage-related topics that are separated into four industry-focused sections: operations, data, development, and investment. Each issue of Messenger offers approximately 100 pages of high-quality content and features regular columns that our readers enjoy, such as “Storage Stats,” “Who’s Who in Self-Storage,” “Chief Executive Opinion,” “Groundbreaking Development,” and “The Last Word.”

A one-year subscription to Messenger consists of 12 issues, delivered monthly, including annual editions of the industry’s highly anticipated Top Operators, Manager of the Year, and Facility of the Year volumes, plus a 13^th bonus edition of the Buyer’s Guide.

Print Subscriptions
$99.95 per year
Digital Subscriptions
$51.95 per year
Combo Subscription
$124.95 per year
Single Copy Price
$7.95
Print for Canada and Mexico
$129.95
All other countries
$199.95
Circulation
20,000 Paid Circulation

Digital Preview edition sent to 28,000 per month
Frequency
Twelve issues per year plus a bonus 13^th issue of the Buyer’s Guide
Target Audience
Self-storage owners, operators, and other professionals interested in developing, operating, or investing in self-storage facilities
Bonus Circulation
Distributed at industry association meetings and trade shows and through advertiser merchandising and samples to industry newcomers

Messenger

(Print + Responsive digital editions)

Buyer’s Guide

Often referred to as the Yellow Pages of the industry, the annual MSM Buyer’s Guide has proven to be an essential tool for any self-storage business.
Digital Only
$14.95
Print Only
$29.95
Print + Digital
$39.95
Frequency
Annual
Publication
Summer 2026
Target Audience
U.S. self-storage facility managers, owners, managing partners, investors, developers, and property management executives
Bonus Distribution
Digital edition sent to 28,000+

Self-Storage Canada Magazine

Self-Storage Canada is the only publication dedicated to the growing Canadian self-storage market and the official publication of the Canadian Self Storage Association. Available in both a print and groundbreaking digital edition, Self-Storage Canada delivers the most relevant content to the people behind the country’s approximately 3,000 facilities. Newly redesigned in 2024, Self-Storage Canada offers unparalleled marketing opportunities through enhanced advertisements and expanded editorial. Your ads receive double exposure from CSSA’s vendor and facility members as well as additional paid subscribers. Don’t miss your chance to position your company as a top-level vendor!

For advertising inquiries click here.

Digital Only:
$21.95
Print (Shipped to U.S.):
$21.95
Print (Shipped to Canada):
$29.95
Print (Shipped to Mexico):
$64.95
Print (International Shipping):
$89.95
Circulation:
3,500 Projected Print & Digital
Frequency:
Spring, Summer, Winter
Bonus Distribution:
at Trade Shows
Target Audience:
The official publication of the Canadian Self Storage Association (CSSA) and the only publication focusing on the growing Canadian self-storage market
Bonus Circulation:
Distributed at industry association meetings and trade shows and through advertiser merchandising and samples to industry newcomers

Editorial Calendar

Spring 2026

Facility of the Year
Space Deadline: January 16, 2026
Materials Due: January 21, 2026
Summer

CSSA Manager of the Year
Space Deadline: May 30, 2026
Materials Due: June 4, 2026
Winter

Canadian Top Operators
Space Deadline: September 26, 2026
Materials Due: October 1, 2026

Self-Storage Canada

(Print and responsive digital editions)

Premium Positions

1x

3x

Inside Front Cover

$1300

$1195

Page One

$1300

$1195

Inside Back Cover

$1300

$1195

Back Cover

$1500

$1300

Standard Positions

1x

3x

2-Page Spread

$1900

$1600

Full Page

$1100

$900

Half Page Horizontal

$900

$802

2/3 Page Vertical

$1000

$840

1/3 Page

$605

$571

All Full Page Ads Include VERTIQUL Enhancement

2026 Self-Storage Almanac

First published in 1992, the annual Self-Storage Almanac is known throughout the industry as the leading self-storage source for data, trends, and in-depth analysis.

With information gathered from Noah Starr and his team at TractIQ, our data provider, the Almanac is continually referenced, cited, and relied on for its current and comprehensive statistics that self-storage owners, operators, investors, developers, and appraisers across the country utilize to make better informed business decisions.

For advertising inquiries click here.

spreads from The Self-Storage Almanac 2025

Digital Only: $174.95
Print Only: $199.95
Print + Digital: $254.95
Frequency: Annual
Publication: February 2026
Target Audience:
U.S. self-storage facility managers, owners, managing partners, investors, developers, and property management executives

PLEASE NOTE: The digital edition of the Almanac is readable online only. It cannot be printed or downloaded as a PDF.

Specialty Publications 2026

The RV and Boat Development Handbook is by far the largest publication dedicated to this real estate sector, reflecting the optimism and uptick in the RV and boat market. In this publication you will find a wealth of information about developing RV and boat storage, from due diligence, construction options, and architectural design to marketing, amenities, and ensuring your investment. This is the most current information and data available, gathered from experts in the industry who have extensive experience developing these specialty storage facilities. The RV and Boat Storage Development Handbook is designed to be your guide, providing invaluable insights and strategies for a successful and profitable business model.

For advertising inquiries click here.

Digital Only: $74.95
Print Only: $74.95
Print + Digital: $119.95
Frequency: Biannual
Publication: Spring 2026
Target Audience:
U.S. self-storage facility managers, owners, managing partners, investors, developers, and property management executives

The 2026 Emergency<br />
Preparedness Handbook cover

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, more than 40 percent of businesses that experience a disaster never reopen. The Emergency Preparedness Handbook aims to keep self-storage facilities from becoming a part of that alarming statistic by presenting detailed information about what to do before, during, and after an emergency—from natural disasters to manmade mishaps. This new manual is sure to become a valuable reference book for owners, operators, and managers who need to create, implement, or even revise an on-site emergency plan for their self-storage facilities.

For advertising inquiries click here.

Digital Only: To be determined
Print Only: To be determined
Print + Digital: To be determined
Frequency: Biannual
Publication: Fall 2026
Target Audience: U.S. self-storage facility managers, owners, operators, managing partners, and property management executives

Editorial Calendar

Messenger

January

Sales & Acquisitions Playbook

Exclusive Editorial:

Proﬁles of Self-Storage Brokers
Space Deadline: December 5, 2026
Materials Due: December 10, 2026
February

Linking Up: Consolidating Operations
Space Deadline: January 2, 2026
Materials Due: January 7, 2026
March

Embracing New Technology
Space Deadline: February 7, 2026
Materials Due: February 11, 2026
April

The Self-Storage Legal Landscape
Space Deadline: March 6, 2026
Materials Due: March 16, 2026
May

Management Software & Maintenance
Space Deadline: April 3, 2026
Materials Due: April 8, 2026
June

Innovative Construction & Development
Space Deadline: May 1, 2026
Materials Due: May 6, 2026
July

Preparing for Unexpected Issues

Exclusive Editorial:

Going Green
Space Deadline: June 5, 2026
Materials Due: June 15, 2026
August

Marketing in the Digital World
Space Deadline: July 2, 2026
(day before 4th weekend)
Materials Due: July 8, 2026
September

Deciphering Data & Demographics
Space Deadline: July 31, 2026
(show issue)
Materials Due: August 5, 2026
October

Choosing Your Management Style

Exclusive Editorial:

2026 Manager of the Year Winners
Space Deadline: September 16, 2026
(late because of Vegas)
Materials Due: September 21, 2026
November

2026 Top Operators’ Issue
Space Deadline: October 2, 2026
Materials Due: October 7, 2026
December

2026 Facility of the Year Winners
Space Deadline: November 6, 2026
Materials Due: November 11, 2026

Self-Storage Canada

Editorial Calendar

Spring 2026

Facility of the Year
Space Deadline: January 16, 2026
Materials Due: January 21, 2026
Summer

CSSA Manager of the Year
Space Deadline: May 30, 2026
Materials Due: June 4, 2026
Winter

Canadian Top Operators
Space Deadline: September 26, 2026
Materials Due: October 1, 2026

Specialty Publications

January

2026 Self-Storage Almanac

Space Deadline: December 8, 2026
Materials Due: December 15, 2026
August

Self-Storage Buyer’s Guide

Space Deadline: June 27, 2026
Materials Due: July 3, 2026
May

2026 RV & Development Handbook

Space Deadline: April 21, 2026
Materials Due: April 25, 2026
Fall

Emergency Preparedness

Space Deadline: September 24, 2026
Materials Due: September 28, 2026

Print Specifications

Advertising print sizes are the same for all publications.

Submit all digital ads via email to carlos@modernstoragemedia.com.

Preferred print formats are press-ready PDFs or 300 DPI JPGs.

All images must be no less than 300 DPI at 100% final size.

Enhanced advertisements require packaged files, or native files including all layers and embedded fonts, images and elements. Contact your sales representative for specific instructions and acceptable file types.

Ads that do not meet the required specifications will be returned for re-submission. If required, and if possible, graphic design to alter supplied materials to meet the specifications is available for $100 per instance.

MSM offers ad creation, production, ad reprints and bulk subscriptions for its publications. Contact your sales representative for details.

Spotlight Landing Page

Spotlight Full Impact Advertising Landing Page

Implemented as a high-value digital brochure (marketing microsite) landing page for the advertiser, this page is optimized for SEO and lead generation or traffic handoff to the advertiser website. Because the page lives on the publisher branded digital site, the high engagement value of this domain and content becomes a valuable backlink to the advertiser’s domain and search elevation. Spotlights also provide advertisers an additional conversion button to double click-through results on all ads appearing in the issue.

To see a live example click here.

1

Features company benefits, profile, people, brands, products, and videos in a custom designed landing page from assets handoff.

2

In addition to the normal “learn more” button on display ads in the digital issue (or even enhanced ads with more prominent call to action), spotlight advertisers will have an additional user engagement button “View our Spotlight” as a call to action for readers.

3

The Spotlight Landing Page provides new targeted search traffic and SEO value, communicates relevant marketing value for qualified clickthrough, doubles engagement, and adds tracking and analytics to confirm value to advertisers.

Industry Spotlight Annual Packages

Launch with legitimacy using the power of print, the sizzle of social, while leveraging all that digital can do to reach your audience … where they are, in the way they want to be found.

Extremely Limited Inventory – Only 12 Positions Available – 1 Per Month!

Package Includes:

DIGITAL:

Annual “Spotlight” Full Impact Advertising Landing Page.
Online “Spotlight Site” Dynamically crafted to feature your unique product or service.

Live for 12 months, featuring video, animation, dynamic linking, specialty statistics available.
($5,000 value)
Four (4) social media post designs and shoutouts
(via Linked-In)
($500 value)
Complete Digital Reprint Package from Messenger Magazine
Including both print resolution and e-mailable PDFs plus sharable assets, as well as inclusion in online archive on Modernstoragemedia.com.
($495 value)
Sponsorship Position of Digital MSM Messenger Magazine
Every issue of Messenger is announced to the industry via 28,000 email subscribers, participants in this package will have their message showcased coinciding with the month of their inclusion in print.
($1,000 value)
Modernstoragemedia.com
Website page dedicated specifically for Industry Spotlight Leaders.
First Right of Inclusion
on special offers and newsletters.

PRINT:

2-Page Print Spread in Messenger Magazine
Both Print and Enhanced Digital Subscription editions.
($7,000 value)
Main call out on the bottom of the departments CONTENTS page
in the featured issue with QR code to Modernstoragemedia.com.
Inclusion in the next 11 issues’ CONTENTS pages
with shared link to the MSM website dedicated to Spotlight leaders.

Total value over $13,995, Your Cost = $7,500 (Just $625/Mo)

Online Marketing Opportunities

MSM online marketing offers a mix of broad and targeted advertising opportunities depending on where your ad is placed. Advertisements can do any of the following:

Link to your website (you provide the tracking code to us and obtain your own data)
Link to your MSM Premium Buyer’s Guide Page (we can provide view/click data)
Link to an MSM landing page or other site page (we can provide view/click data)

MSM Vendor Vanguard, Monster Ad, Featured Video

Online Marketing Opportunities

MSM online marketing offers a mix of broad and targeted advertising opportunities depending on where your ad is placed. Advertisements can do any of the following:

Link to your website (you provide the tracking code to us and obtain your own data)
Link to your MSM Premium Buyer’s Guide Page (we can provide view/click data)
Link to an MSM landing page or other site page (we can provide view/click data)

Pop-Up Ad

The pop-up is the first ad to show up on the MSM homepage after someone has been on the page for five seconds (it can be Xed out of). Limited to one position weekly. This can be static or a GIF.
(760w x 490h)

Slide-In Ad

Slide-In ads can be designated to slide in from top, bottom, left, or right. These can slide in on any page within the MSM site (for example, homepage for most exposure, topic page for most targeted).
(530w x 280h)

Banner Ad

Rotates with other advertisers (five max) on the homepage just below NEWS and EXCLUSIVES.
(1300w x 170h)

Monster Ad

Image displayed next to the MSM EXCLUSIVES section of the home page. This can be static or a GIF.
(300w x 600h)

Sidebar Ad

A static sidebar ad on the homepage positioned alongside MSM EXCLUSIVES..
(370w x 320h)

Vendor Vanguard

Large placement that can include various elements (images, video, links, etc). This space is your playground.

Monster Ad

Image displayed next to the MSM EXCLUSIVES section of the home page. This can be static or a GIF.
(300w x 600h)

Featured Video

A homepage video that can play within the MSM site but link to your YouTube/Vimeo so you gain views/likes, or you provide an MP4 for us to embed.
(Will display at 380w x 380h)

Targeted Online Ads

Advertise on pages that are more suited to your specific audience for less money and more impact. You can place a pop-up ad or sidebar ad on any story falling under one of these topics. Your ad will run for either 30 days, or until at least 10 stories with that topic tag have been published.

We can also place ads on our popular, regularly updated pages:

Sales & Acquisitions: Perfect for brokers and sellers
New Development & Openings: Ideal for architects and construction companies
New Hires & Promotions: An opportunity for companies that are hiring to get the word out.

Footer Ad

Rotates with other advertisers (five max) across all pages of the MSM site.
(1200w x 90h)

Email Database Marketing Opportunities

laptop and phone on Modern Storage Media sites

Banner Ad

Rotates with other advertisers (five max) on the homepage just below NEWS and EXCLUSIVES.
(1300w x 170h)

Inline Ad

Placement within the news or exclusive stories of our popular newsletters.
WEEKLY (450w x 300h)
WEEKEND (150w x240h)

Digital Enhancements

Ad Enhancement Opportunities

“Enhanced” ad options explained

The unique VERTIQUL platform expands the capabilities of the printed page, which is limited to a static environment. By taking the elements of a print ad and allowing them to move dynamically, the user experience is greatly enhanced across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices.

Along with standard print design elements, here are just a few examples of “enhancements” that can be implemented. Please work directly with your sales rep to see if there is something else that uniquely fits your brand.

Embedded video & audio
Animation
Photo carousels
Paralax scrolling
Multi-edge motion
Unique specialty actions

To see a live example click here.

What is “Enhanced” Advertising?

Sample Enhanced Video Content

Advertisements in Modern Storage Media publications

Corporate Profiles + Vendor Spotlights

Corporate Profiles
$1,700

This one-page article is a profile about your company that includes photos, logo, contact information, and a company description. It appears in both the print and the digital versions of Messenger, with the digital article including a link to your website. The package includes 500 reprints for marketing purposes.

Vendor Spotlights
$2,300

Do you want exclusive exposure for your business? You need a Vendor Spotlight! Our writers will interview you to create this two-page spread about your company, which includes photos and contact information. Vendor Spotlights appear in both the print and digital versions of Messenger. The digital article includes a link to your website. This exclusive marketing package also includes 1,000 reprints for marketing purposes.

Vendor Spotlights are also available in Self-Storage Canada.

Email Database Marketing Opportunities

MSM Weekly
Top Open Rate: 48%

The Messenger Weekly e-newsletter is delivered to more than 12,000 subscribers. There are a variety of advertising options:

Masthead banner: Your ad, directly beneath the masthead
Full-size ad: Placed beneath the three featured stories, but above the “Sales & Acquisitions” and “New Development” buttons which are always scrolled to.
Button ads: Linked logos at the bottom of the email.

MSM Weekend
Top Open Rate: 49%

The Messenger Weekend is delivered to 12,000 subscribers every Saturday morning, providing a roundup of all the week’s biggest headlines. There are a variety of advertising options:

Masthead banner: Your ad, directly beneath the masthead
Full-size ad: Placed beneath the headline stories, but above the “Sales & Acquisitions” and “New Development” buttons which are always scrolled to.
In-line ads: Small ads placed within the headline stories.

MSM Vendor Insights
$1,600/run
Top Open Rate: 45%

The Messenger Weekend is delivered to 12,000 subscribers every Saturday morning, providing a roundup of all the week’s biggest headlines. There are a variety of advertising options:

Package includes email to 24,000 subscribers with your company’s content, banner ads, and links. It can also link to a blog which lives on a dedicated MSM page indefinitely (it’s also temporarily highlighted on the homepage, approx. one to two months). Within a month of the send, you receive a detailed performance report and an Excel spreadsheet with the emails of contacts who opened your email and who clicked a link.

Legal Minute With Scott Zucker
Top Open Rate: 56%

This monthly email with a new legal topic each month has some of the highest open rates in the industry! There are a variety of advertising options:

Masthead banner: Your ad, directly beneath the masthead
In-line ad: placed within the article itself
Button ads: Linked logos at the bottom of the email.

Whitepapers

Whitepapers

MSM will send out an email blast to our contacts with an article or ebook (PDF), written by you. The white paper will be housed and gated on the MSM website indefinitely to collect leads and pass them on to you. You can link to the whitepaper on your site, social platforms, etc.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
A marketing email to our database of 28,000 self-storage professionals

Social media promo posts on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X
MSM Weekly & Weekend Newsletter ad promoting the whitepaper

Webinars

PTI Security Systems Webinar presented by MSM

Webinars

Promote your next event with MSM. We use the Zoom Work platform integrated with Hubspot to capture video and contact information.

WHAT’S INCLUDED:
A marketing email to our database of 28,000 self-storage professionals

Pre- and post-marketing emails to our database
Social media webinar promo posts
MSM Weekly & Weekend Newsletter ad promoting the webinar
Banner ad in rotation on MSM homepage and run-of-site on footer

video screenshot of Installation Requirements

Reprints + Custom Publishing

Physical Reprints

Did you write an article for one of our publications? Have you read editorial content that you’d like to utilize for your own marketing or educational purposes? You can purchase high-quality reprints for distribution. Reprints can be customized to include the issue cover and company ads if desired.

Digital Reprints – $495

For a digital reproduction of a story in the issue, our Digital Reprint package includes:

An email link to a non-listed page on our website that has a preview of the PDF (as it looks in the magazine) and is readable on the page and sharable to lists or sites of your choosing.
A link to the story in the digital magazine on VERTIQUL.
Three (3) downloadable PDFs:
1. A medium-res PDF with the issue cover modified to include a burst with a callout to the story by page number.
  The article pages will be single file, graying out the ads.
2. A web-res PDF that can be emailed.
  The article has the layout in spread format with the ads grayed out.
3. A high-resolution PDF with bleeds in single-page format that can be professionally reproduced.
  The article pages will be single file, graying out the ads.