Media institution who would distribute my product.

1. (3) What kind of media institution
might distribute your product and
why?

2.  Music magazines are distributed by companies such as IPC Media,
Thrust and Immediate Media Company. However, as my music
magazine is of the pop genre it’d most likely be published by IMC
(Immediate Media Company). This is because they publish magazines
like ‘Top of the Pops’ which is the same genre as mine, and of a
similar target audience.
 There are advantages and disadvantages of IMC publishing my
magazine. The advantages would be that they publish established
magazines already and are a respected, trustworthy company.
Another advantage would be that they were founded in 2011, so
therefore are a modern company and are aware of current
happenings, rather than being stuck in the past.
 However, a disadvantage would be that they already publish a similar
magazine which is ‘Top of the Pops’, which is currently the most
people young music magazine, so is therefore fast competition, but
the target audience of that magazine is slightly younger. Therefore,
my magazine would appeal to a marginally older target audience.

3.  If my magazine ‘Base’ and IMC’s current magazine ‘Top of the
Pops’ were published alongside each other they could promote
different ages of pop artists. ‘Base’ would publicize concerts as
well as the target audience is older, and also more explicit music
(which a lot of the music in the current charts is), allowing a
more varied range of pop artists to be featured.
 Also, my magazine will promote both female and male artists
throughout encouraging female equivalency as ‘Top of the Pops’
is very male based, involving posters of “boy bands”. As the
readers go into their teenage years they focus less on the looks
of the pop artists and more of the actual talent themselves, so
my magazine would create more of a ‘don’t judge a book by it’s
cover’ feel, as the artists I use will have general talent, rather
than just a pretty face.

4. Modern publishing
company so will be more
willing to change things.
Based in large
cities so have easy
connections.
Publish similar magazine
so have experience with
the genre.

6.  Another magazine which would be a potentially good distributer
for my magazine would be Time Inc (previously IPC Media). IPC
Media were founded in 1968, and sell approximately about 350
million copies of their magazines per year, with a large portfolio
they have experience in what they do.
 An advantage to Time Inc distributing my magazine would be
that they publish magazines such as ‘NME’ who is of a
completely different genre to my magazine and therefore would
have an appropriate spot in the market for it. Also, as Time Ink is
such a prestigious and respected commenting the public trust
their magazines, so it would be good publicity for my unknown
magazine to be started with them.
 Then there also disadvantages to Time Inc publishing my
magazine such as they are known for their rock music
magazines, so a sudden change of genre could be seen as
negative.

7.  My magazine costs £2.10, and the established Time Inc magazine
costs around £2.50 this works well as the price ranges are similar
so readers who like Time Inc magazines will not be thrown off
guard by the price change. The fact my magazine isn’t expensive
would also appeal to my target audience as teenagers usually
don’t have much money.
 To appeal to my readers I am offering away an exclusive to the
weeks top 40 music chart and free pop music posters, so my
magazine offers a fair deal as it isn’t expensive and allows
readers to have an inside scoop and free posters.
 ‘NME’ focuses on mainly male artists, whereas my magazine
focuses on both male and female, giving a sense of female
equivalency.

8. This magazine is also a music
magazine, but is a completely
different genre. Therefore this
company would have a space
for my magazine in the market.
Two experienced
companies have
combined, so therefore
would have a good
idea how to promote
my magazine.