Evaluation question 3

1. What kind of media
institution might
distribute your media
product and why?
BY MATTEO RIMINI

2. What is an institution?
 An institution is a ‘organization or company, public or privately
owned that produces and/ or distributes media products’
 In the case of my magazine production the major institution would
be the company responsible for publishing, distributing and
marketing my publication.
 Other institutions involved in the process would be the PCC (Press
Complaints Commission) and other regulatory bodies

3. Media Institutions for Magazines
 Different institutions make different types of magazines genres. Two
examples of the most popular magazines are Vogue and GQ. They are very
famous for including well known celebrities on their magazine covers
 Vogue magazine started in 1892 however only started becoming a
monthly publication until 1973.
 GQ started in 1957, sixty seven years after Vogue as a monthly men’s
magazine. They focus on fashion, style and culture for men.
VOGUE GQ

4. Media Institutions in Films
 Different media institutions make different types of films for example
Pixar usually create films more suited for children when on the other
hand 20th Century Fox are famous for their adult movies.
 Pixar started in 1982 however Lionsgate has been around forty seven
years longer since 1935
 Both are extremely famous and have produced many famous films
PIXAR 20TH CENTURY FOX

5. Where would institution disperse a
music magazine?
 A music magazine will start to be posted through people’s doors so you
gain attention however after a while they may be included inside
newspapers or even sold at corner shops. Companies have recently started
to create apps where you are able to read the magazines online for a small
fee. This is increasing in popularity and decreases the need for hard copies
sold in stores.
 My magazine has a certain target group ages at 15-25 therefore I would
prefer mine to be sold online. This is because my target group generally
spends a lot of time on their phones.

6. What is a Media Distributor?
 ”A media distributor are companies that publish different works including
magazines, radio, TV etc. to retail outlets. ”
 Each distributor has various portfolios and for a magazine or any form of print
to reach a local supermarket it has to go through a distributor. The distributor
is the one that makes the magazines and sells them to stores for profit.
 Distributors usually don't sell one brand or genre of magazine. They may offer
a rap magazine but also a lifestyle magazine so they match everyones needs

7. Distribution Methods of a Magazine
 From my research I have discovered that there are several
distribution methods for a magazine:
 1. Sale or Return
 2. Publishers
 3. Apps
 4. Subscription

8. Sales or Return and Publishers
 Sale or return is the system used by magazine and newspaper
distributors.
 If there are copies that have not been sold they are returned to the
distributor with no extra cost. This benefits the retailer as there is no risk or
wastage involved. However It is a risk to the environment.
 Publishers are the institution that produces the magazine. There are four
well known publishers in the UK; BAUR, IPC, NATMAG and CONDE NAST
 These companies control the content and the design of the magazines.

9. Apps and Subscriptions
 Magazines are now offering smartphone apps where some of the content
from the magazines are available.
 These are linked via smartphone QR code on the main cover of the
magazine.
 Readers who regularly read magazines (usually niche publications) may
want to subscribe to several issues instead of getting them all posted.
 This is easier for the readers and is similar to electronic where they will get
it downloaded onto their kindle / IPad etc.

10. Which distribution method is best for
my magazine?
 During my research I found out that the majority of start up business
distribute their magazine online via smartphone apps etc.
 I also found out that from a survey, 25% of respondents had NOT read a
print magazine this past month. Nearly 40% have read 1 or 2. 35% have
read 3 or more print magazines. These statistics clearly state that hard
copy magazines are decreasing in popularity.
 In conclusion I believe that best way forward is through subscriptions
and apps as they are high in demand at the moment.

11. Examples of Media Distributors
Bauer Media is a distributor that focuses on all different types
of genres. They display the majority of content that you find in
supermarkets. They have a wide collection of brands and are
very popular. Q, Mojo and Kerrang are all done by Bauer
Immediate Media Co founded in 2011 have raised to the top
after creating magazines who target all ages, genders and
interests. This benefits them as they reach a wider audience.
Two well known music magazines that they produce are
RadioTimes and BBC Music
Time Inc International reaches 28 million adults every month.
Teir main focus of there magazines are for adults as they belive
the majority of magazine readers are 18+. In terms of
magazines they produce the well known: UNCUT and NME.

12. Most suitable distributor for my
magazine?
 I chose Bauer media as the distributor for my magazine for several reasons. Not only do
they already have global success with more then 600 magazines in 20 countries
worldwide but they also have the expertise and experience. They have a lot of success
distributing magazines such as ”Closer” and “EMPIRE”. As well as this they have current
connections with disrtibutors such as WHSmith which is considered one of UK’s largest
bookstores. I researched into WHSmith and discovered that it is said they sold 1.1
million magazines every week last year and close to 18,000 every hour when open.
 Bauer Media also have digital versions of their brands and I belive this will attract more
attention as online buying is increasing massively. The age range of my taget audience
is 15- 25 year old therefore a digital copy would be perfect as this age group is always
on their phones.
 Bauer Media is the distributor of ”Q” and “MOJO” which have a variety of music genre
artists featured in their magazine. I believe this is the best distributor for my magazine.

13. Most suitable distributor for my
magazine? 2
 I didn't’t just look at Bauer Media as there were several others possibilities
I could have chosen. Another company I spent a while researching was IPC
Media (a digital publisher in the UK). They have sold over 340 million
copies each year, publish around 62 media brands which include 2/3 of
woman's and 42% of men's magazines. Examples include NME and Marie
Claire. The magazines they produce are a mix of niche and mass marketing
meaning I would still be able to reach a mass audience if they were to
distribute my product.
 Eventhough I would like my product to be a hard copy and distributed in
the UK, I would also want for there to be digital copy where you are able
to download online. I feel like my magazine would really miss out if they
didt offer a digital copy due to my target audience.

14. Why my magazine?
 Bauer Media is incredibily successful as they are however I feel like I can
brin something different to their selection of magazines. After researching
I have found out that they are not highly popular in distributing rap
magazines. I believe that by offering customers a top quality rap magazine
e