Empire magazine is produced and distributed through both traditional and digital methods to reach its target audience. It began as a monthly print magazine in 1989 and still relies on print subscriptions as a stable revenue source. It has expanded distribution through an iPad edition, iPhone app, and website which allow on-demand access to updated content. While Empire is owned by the large global media company Bauer Media, it prides itself on showcasing British talent to its primarily UK audience.

1. Empire case study Production and Distribution

2. Reminder of the Magazine Topics Cross-Media Convergence (Magazine, Website, Social Media, Video/Film) Ownership (Global vs. National Institutions) Technological Convergence (Mobile, Computer, Print) Distribution and Production Development of Digital Media Technology Catch Of The D-Day Yes, this is the best acronym I could come up with(!)

3. Production and Distribution of Empire Magazine Hard copy Shop bought Subscriptions – Exclusive covers iPad edition – Synergy with Apple Same content as the hard copy Exclusive video footage and interactive articles iPhone App Movie reviews Website www.empireonline.com Reviews Movie News Forums, Quizzes, Articles YouTube channel Interviews Each of these points can be elaborated upon to create different paragraphs of an answer

4. Magazine - £3.99 Monthly publication Traditional method of production and distribution Magazine has existed since 1989 Increasing circulation figures (ABC) Subscriptions A reliable source of revenue for Empire Consumers pay for a 12 month subscription and are encouraged to this commitment with a 36% discount from the retail price Consumers also persuaded with exclusive covers without copy, acting almost like a film poster

5. website Content is more ‘on demand’ for the target audience Appeals to the key ABC1 demographic of digital media consumers Updated daily with movie news, exclusive video and pictures Encourages consumers to participate in the production of content, engaging the audience in forum discussions, competitions and entertainment – daily quizzes and features Recently held a webchat with Nick Frost and Simon Pegg Reviews of films appear on the website before being published in the magazine

6. iPad edition - £3.99 The magazine is converging Bauer Media’s first iPad version of a magazine across its portfolio Great example of Synergy Empire’s contract with another global brand and institution – Apple It has also obtained a 2-year contract with Jameson and 20th Century Fox Richard Philips, head of digital sales and trading at Bauer Media, said: "We want fewer advertisers, to allow for more in-depth advertising and integration with editorial.“ (Source: web article on mediaweek.co.uk) Ensures optimum distribution amongst the target audience who Bauer Media describe as ‘tech-savvy’ and are ‘always up for trying new products’ (Source: Empire Media Pack 2010) Contains a complete copy of the magazine, plus exclusive interactive articles along with video footage E.g. The regular ‘Classic Scene’ feature on the back page will contain the video as well as the transcript of the screenplay as usual (February edition: Raging Bull)

7. iPhone app - £2.99 Contains over 9,000 film reviews Regularly updated Movie information on the go Ideal for cinema-goers No internet connection required Another method of the magazine content to be distributed to Empire’s consumers – and gain revenue/sales

8. January 2009 Question Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences, within a media area, which you have studied. Using your case study, research into the methods that your magazine is distributed to their target audiences

9. Empire Case Study How Global Ownership targets a UK National Audience

10. UK-based Publishing House which is part of Bauer Media Group (founded in Germany, 1875) Publishes over 300 magazines in 15 countries Its UK branch publishes over 80 magazines Prides itself as being compiled of ‘The UK’s most influential brands’ such as Empire, Q, Mojo, Kerrang, Grazia, Heat, and FHM Dominates the UK film market with 70% of the circulation share of film magazines Globally, Empire outsells its rivals by an average of 2 to 1 Information taken from Empire’s Media Pack and www.bauermedia.co.uk

11. Global Brand, Global Interest Due to global success, Empire attracts exclusive features and high-profile contributors and interviews 20th Anniversary edition (June 2009) was guest-edited by Steven Spielberg “Empire is the best movie magazine in the world. Bar none. Quite simply, it’s peerless.” Steven Spielberg

12. Tron World Exclusive, Aug 2010

13. Pirates 4, on Stranger Tides – On-set exclusive, feb 2011

14. Magazine of the Year 2010 The PPA Awards are the most coveted awards in the magazine industry, showcasing excellence, rewarding innovation, and providing the benchmark by which the UK magazine industry judges itself. PPA  Periodical Publishers Association

15. Global brand, British Talent Show-cases rising British Talent Actors – Felicity Jones, Emily Blunt Directors – Richard Ayoade (Moss from IT Crowd) Established figures within the UK Film Industry Ridley Scott’s new Alien prequel, Prometheus Ken Loach Graham Kin, CEO and founder of GK Films (winning Best Picture Oscar for The Departed)

16. Global Brand, British Talent – Olly Moss’ film poster re-designs

17. January 2010 “Media production is dominated by global institutions which sell their products and services to national audiences” To what extent do you agree?