1. A case study

3. • It was first published on the 7th of March 1952
• It started as a music newspaper but in the late
80’s developed into a magazine.
• It is a genre specific magazine associated with
gonzo journalism (self involved reporting) and
indie rock music.
• It features alternative rock artists such as the
rolling stones and Oasis.

4. NME was initially a newspaper however
from the issue of 21st of March 1998, the
paper was no longer printed on
newsprint, it has shifted to a tabloid
size with full glossy colored covers.

5. The color scheme is similar
throughout
the
copies
printed from the early
version of the newspaper to
the latest version of the
magazine. They all feature
strong block colors of
red, white, back and blue.
The main image presents
the typical indie-rock
genre and features all the
conventions.
The music artists and
bands listed are all
alternative rock artists.

6. • The name of the magazine is an acronym for
‘New Musical Express’.
• It’s an alternative rock publication
• Known for supporting new British and American
bands
• It has adapted to the new sounds in the indie
rock scene which has helped to increase
readership and sales in rough patches. It has
received negative speculation

7. • Issued weekly
• Costs £2.50 per issue
• Consists of 70 pages focusing on mainly guitar
and alternative rock music.
• It currently has a circulation of 40,948
• It has a readership of 369,000
• The layout trademark is similar to one of a
newspaper due to the dominant use of the colors
black, white and red along with the bold
headlines and articles written in columns.
• Has a website ‘www.NME.com’

8. NME effectively uses multimedia
synergy to it’s advantage. This
introduces a greater overall
effect to what the publication is
already successfully producing.
It provides an opportunity to
increase readership figures by
enticing
those
from
other
untraditional media platforms.
The addition of a music channel also adds to
the multimedia synergy aspect of the
publication. This music channel provides an
essential platform for the readership to take part
and listen to the indie rock bands and
musicians that are featured in the magazine. It
also advertises the magazine as one may not
necessarily know about it, but bought it due to
listening to their music channel.

9. The content is often articles or
interviews
on
the
artists
featured regarding the recent
happenings in the music world.
They are full color articles that
combine the image with text to
create
different
visual
dimensions. Images are usually
of the artists performing or in
natural environments.

10. •
•
•
•
•
NME has a understated style in terms of color use, the magazine features simple block colors
such as black, white, yellow, dark blue and red. This could be interpreted as being done
deliberately to ensure that the content (sell-lines) is more prominent and eye catching as the
publication celebrates music alone. It also has an underlying promotion of the British
culture.
It has been established as a content based publication, usually there is no room on the front
cover left blank, many young people may believe that due to this the magazine is
boring, however it reflects the age of the target audience as being older. Older people tend
to prefer content to the overuse of pointless photographs. With this in mind it is important
to state that the publication both uses images and text effectively alongside each other to
create the perfect visual that interests and entertains the reader.
The masthead is extremely simple, due to it’s simplicity it stands out from the rest of the
magazine publications trying to compete with one another with elaborate overcomplicated
masthead designs. People are more inclined to pick up the magazine that stands out from
the rest.
Articles include use of images however are mainly content heavy. Reviews and features on
Indie Rock artists .
The overall look to the magazine is glossy, there is no use of cover mount or free gifts as the
publication are confident in the fact that their readership is loyal and will buy the magazine
regardless of whether they receive a free gift or not, Free gifts are not of the target
audiences interest.

11. • Mainly male between the ages of 17-30
• 52% are working full-time and 29% are still
studying.
• Fast-moving music fan who lives for the cutting
edge music culture.
• Enjoys going to gigs and other live
events, spending on average 20 hours + on the
internet.
• Sees NME as a high level alternative rock
magazine and also an educator.

13. • There is a section dedicated to gig and album
reviews, most of the content is related to music
as it is a music publication.
• Bands that commonly feature are:
The arctic monkeys, The Foals, Oasis, Bombay
Bicycle Club, Little Comets, Modest Mouse and
Blur.
• The magazine offers free posters and the
opportunity to win gig tickets.

15. Red, white, blue and
black feature strongly
as well as a slight
addition of yellow.
Content is related to
independent
rock
music and bands
The magazine is
visual
and
has
heavy content.

16. • The language used is sophisticated and can sometimes be
seen as ironic, suggesting that the target audience is
educated and intelligent.
• Profanity also features showing that there is a raw intensity
to the magazine and it isn’t afraid to be different, this may
suggest that the audience is older or more mature.
• The tone of expression used by a follower of indie rock
music is used, only an ardent fan of indie rock would
understand the terms. This makes the target audience feel
like part of a special club or proud of their ability to
understand.
• There is a down to earth vibe as they are honest in their
opinions this honest suggests a good friend-to-friend
relationship between the magazine and the reader.

17. Friendly informal mode
of address
Professional vocabulary
used to increase the
reliability
of
the
magazines content
Casual conversational
tone, added rhetorical
question

18. •
•
•
•
•
‘Are you ready for us then?’
‘I’ve been emailing the other smiths!’
‘Best new dance acts on the planet’
‘The next big comebacks’
‘SICKO!’ ‘POTTY MOUTH!’ ‘DRAMA QUEEN!’

19. is the institution that makes
and distributes NME.
• IPC media is the Uk’s leading consumer
magazine and digital publisher. With
more than 60 iconic media brands, IPC
creates
content
for
multiple
platforms,
across
print, online, mobile, tablets and
events. They engage with over 40% of
men in the UK. NME is part of the
brands that IPC distribute.
•

20. • The International Publishing Corporation Ltd (IPC)
was formed in 1963 following the merger of the UK’s
three leading magazine publishers – George
Newnes, Odhams Press and Fleetway Publications. It
was first established in 1881 with a number of titles
published under the IPC umbrella.
• The upsurge in the music scene signaled the arrival
of New Musical Express in 1952.