set text - The Big Issue

1. 'CREATED TO DISMANTLE POVERTY BY
CREATING OPPURTUINITY, THROUGH SELF
HELP, SOCIAL TRADING AND
BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ‘

2. TIMELINE
TIMELINE OF MAGAZINES
In 1663, German Theologian and poet
Johann Rist created a periodical, 'Edifying
monthly discussions’, this was considered
the earliest form of modern magazines.
1885, First Publication of National
Geographic
1905, ‘Vogue’, turned from
newspaper to a unisex
magazine.
1923, First weeklies, ’Time’ magazine
1944, ‘Seventeen’, first magazine
for teens focusing on beauty and
fashion. These magazines helped
shape the images of teens
throughout different periods of
history.
1954, ‘Sport’s illustrated’ -
first men’s magazine
1972, ‘Cosmopolitan UK’ – world’s
best selling women’s magazine.

3. THE BIG ISSUE TIMELINE
The Big Issue was founded in 1991 by John Bird and Gordon
Roddick in an attempt to combat the increasing number of
homeless people in London.
In 1993, The Big Issue went weekly, and established in Scotland
and Wales.
In 1995, began to offer additional support and advice to vendors
around issues such as housing health, personal finance and
addiction.
Circulation 82,294 per week, world’s widest circulated newspaper
advertising in UK, Australia, Ireland, South Korea, Japan, Nambia,
South Africa, Malawi and Taiwan.
Financed through magazine sales and advertising.

4. CONSTRUCTION
EDITOR: Paul McNamee
WRITERS: Joey Barton (Premier League Footballer)
Rachel Johnson
Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park)
Samira Ahmed
In January 2012 the
magazine was
relaunched, to
increase focus on
campaigning and
political journalism.

5. OWNERSHIP/FINANCE
What company/institution owns/creates the product?
The Big Issue Company LTD
Founded by John Bird and Gordon Roddick in Sep 1991
How are they financed?
The Big Issue Company is a self sustaining business, however the magazine itself
Is a non-profit organisation with all its profits passed to The Big Issue Foundation
(a legally separate charity).
Profit?
They generate income from magazine sales and advertising revenue. Vendors buy the
magazine for
£1.25 and sell it for £2.50, making £1.25 income for each magazine they successfully sell.

6. FUN FACTS
- The magazine can only be sold by the homeless or people on the verge of being
homeless.
- The Big Issue shop is their latest addition to the Big Issue Network, they help
support ethical and social shopping a truly accessible option for consumers. For every
purchase they help the environment.
“For example this could be a bag produced with eco-friendly materials, the proceeds of
which give former street children a home and an education.”
- “Big Issue Invest is also helping to pave the way for 2.7 million social housing tenants to
potentially improve their credit files, by partnering with Experian on The Rental Exchange.”