1. QUESTION 3-WHAT KIND OF MEDIA INSTITUTION
MIGHT DISTRIBUTE YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT AND WHY?
2. STAGES OF PRODUCTION
The first thing you need to do when starting off the production stage is creating the idea and pitching it.
The initial concept of the magazine must be thought of, for instance the specific theme of it and this can be
done by creating a flat plan it shows the first ideas of your magazine layout. This is the stage where ides
begin to emerge and the start of future ideas are planned out. The editorial and graphic concepts begin to
be gathered. The articles are in the first edition of being created and constructed. The illustrations and
photographs are collected and a decision is made on what is used to compliment and go with each story.
The cover story might also have been selected at this time. The graphic designers start to construct the
layout of each page in the magazine. This also includes the layout of the editorial content and the graphics
and any additional advertising. The page orders will begin to be formatted, however the final decisions will
probably not be made until after the proofing and the final design has been made. Any advertisements
which will be featured in the magazines will already have been paid for including there location in the
magazine as these are normally placed first and then any editorial contents or graphics after. The first proof
is sent to the printer, which is then printed s n initial copy of the magazine to be returned to the magazine
editors and checked over. Then there is a final proofing where the magazine staff proof read the initial copy
of the magazine finding any errors such as colour or layout which make the magazine difficult to
understand, or search for any room of improvement. Once any necessary changes have been made, the
final proof is sent to he printer for printing. After all of the pages have been checked, the printer begins the
final printing of the magazine. After the magazines have bee printed they are sent out to retailers and put
onto newsstands to be sold.
3. ROLE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR
Distributors play a vital role in keeping the lines between manufacturers and users operating smoothly. They can expedite response times,
enhance a company's reach and even create value-added packages.
Distributors have long been relied on to serve as a bridge between manufacturers and customers. In today's increasingly globalized marketplace,
this link becomes even more important. Today, wholesale distributors make up an estimated 5.75 percent of the gross domestic product in the
United States and Canada, and employ 3.3 million workers.
One of the most resounding arguments for a solid distributor network is the speed with which manufacturers can respond to customer demands.
It is crucial today to be able to respond to customers quickly and in real time. Because they are more localized and nimble, distributors can
typically offer a faster response. "To truly be customer-driven, manufacturers need to adjust their businesses to meet the needs of the customer,
which in today's marketplace means local service, local inventory and technical sales people," says Skip Giessing, a division vice president for DXP
Enterprises, an industrial distributor.
A network of distributors often has greater ability to offer face-to-face service. "Good, solid geographic and account coverage is crucial to
success no matter what the economic conditions," Marty Gass, regional manager for Eagle Burgmann, says. With distributors in key geographic
areas, manufacturers can service customers on a level that would be difficult or even impossible for a main-office sales force.
There is also networking potential. Because they often represent several companies, distributors can have access to new accounts for the
manufacturer's sales force.
Distributors also have the benefit of reducing inventory and service burdens for both the manufacturer and the user. This is especially crucial
now, when many users have been forced to cut back on in-house inventories and service staff. "Distributors, now more than ever before, are
service providers," says Giessing. "They do not just provide products. They provide aftermarket services, cost reduction and process optimization
strategies, as well as inventory management. Distributors create value by providing total solutions for their customers."
4. WHAT COMPANY WOULD DISTRIBUTE YOUR PRODUCT?
The magazine distribution company I would chose would be ’Front line’ this is because it distributes
similar products like, top of the pops and girl talk. Even though these magazines are similar in the sense
they are both pop magazines for girls the age range for the others is more younger girls around 8
upwards, my magazine is directed at young teenagers around 13-15 so I think there if definitely a gap in
the market for my magazine. This is because there is a lot of magazines for children and adults but not
many for people in between. But I think for children who have read magazines like top of the pops and
girl talk for years and know they like it will be very trusting to buy a magazine from the same company
when they grow out of them and want to read something that will now appeal to them as they have
grown older. So I think that front line would be interested in having something like my magazine to
appeal to a wider audience and so they have something for everyone.
5. DO THEY KNOW THE TARGET AUDIENCE WELL?
I chose front line because it distributes some of the most popular and successful pop magazines on the
market, and because of this you can already tell that they know their target audience. Whilst designing
and creating my magazine I was constantly referring back to real media products like top of the pops as
that is the type of magazine I want to produce. Because this magazine has a good reputation it would
mean that my magazine would probably sell well because its trusted by people. This is more important
than people would think as usually people will buy into brands they know and love and these type of
magazines are hugely popular which will therefore mean that their dedicated customers might be more
likely to give my magazine a read due to the connection it has.
