The document discusses NME (New Musical Express), a highly popular UK music magazine established in 1952. It summarizes that NME originated as a music newspaper and became one of the most established music magazines in the world, known for its coverage of punk rock in the 1970s. It also launched an online version in 1996 that now averages 7 million users per month. NME prides itself on being a platform for relatively unknown indie bands to promote themselves and get noticed. It focuses on both mainstream and promising new indie rock talent. Despite some changes over the years and a decline in print circulation, NME still has a loyal fanbase and remains relevant through its online presence and social media.

1. CASE STUDY:
The primary inspiration for my magazine is Nme, or ‘new musical express’, which is a highly
popular indie/indie rock magazine that has been in publication since 1952. it originated as a
music newspaper and eventually became one of the most established music magazines in the
world. During the period of 1972 to 1976, it became known as a form of gonzo-journalism
(independent reporting) that is commonly associated with the punk rock movement, through
the writings of tony parsons. moreover, this demonstrates the numerous genres that nme has
represented over the decades – until it solidified itself as an indie rock magazine.
Furthermore, an online version of the magazine was launched in 1996, and has since
established itself as the world’s largest standalone music site with an average of seven million
users per month.
nme prides itself on its independency and often serves as a platform where relatively
unknown bands or artists of the genre can promote themselves or be ‘noticed’ by the
magazine. This was especially prominent in 2001, where nme asserted itself as a dominant
force within the world of promoting new music, with the assistance of bands such as the
strokes and the white stripes – who went on to become world-famous indie bands. For this
reason, the magazine was epitomised as a platform for all new music, and has since focused
on both mainstream, familiarised indie rock and promising new talent within the genre. It is
necessary to note that the most featured bands on nme are blur and oasis; and these are prime
representatives of the bands/artists that nme have consistently covered over the years.
it is a cheap, monthly publication that has the option of subscription for a discounted fee, and
this is available on the website. Despite the logo and general brand identity remaining the
same for many years, the general aesthetics of the magazine have shifted greatly since the
introduction of nme.com, as it changed from newsprint to tabloid size and began using glossy
prints as opposed to the coarse newsprint. In addition to these changes, the magazine often
tried to expand its fanbase by introducing new genres such as r’n’b and electronic music, but
this proved disastrous for the sales and, consequently, it has stuck to a concrete formula ever
since. Also, in terms of the post-millenium expansion of the brand, creating webcasts, apps,
and their very own singles chart attributed towards its own genre. In spite of the general
decline of circulation in the last ten years, the magazine still has a loyal fanbase and a larger
amount of monthly subscribers than any other magazine in the industry, which epitomises its
relevance even within the technology-centred modern world.
likewise, the fanbase itself has varied over the last few years, with emphasis being on the
older generation as opposed to the late teenagers that is previously based itself around. With
the introduction of a more authoritative, indie redesign in 2008, and a new editor in 2011, the
focus on engagement with the target audience has been enhanced substantially, as the new
target audience is less specified than the 16-20 year old category it found itself in before. In
expanding its readership for males up to 30 years old, more classic bands have become
prominent on the front covers of nme, with greater focus on actually rating bands and
promoting live gigs, remasters of old albums, and more. Evidently, as social networking has
dominated the internet over the last five years, nme has worked in accordance with this with a

2. facebook and twitter page dedicated to bringing old and new fans alike the latest news in the
world of indie/indie rock. This has expanded its online readership significantly, with over 7
million monthly online users, in contrast to the decline of actual print circulation. Therefore,
it can easily be seen that the magazine is becoming more and more modern in its approach to
attracting new fans.