Question 3 – “What kind of media institutions might distribute your media product and why?”

The Production Process

The process behind the production of my music magazine, or indeed any music magazine would follow the 5 simple steps above but here are the more complex steps:

1) Content – Editorial team will decide what will go within a magazine. 2) Flat Planning – A flat plan is then produced of the magazine. 3) Commissioning – Editor will commission any external writers. 4) Research & Writing – Frenzy of research & copy writing. 5) Sub Editing – Quality Control.6) Production - Designing.7 Proof Reading – Checking for errors.8) Checking printers’ proofs – For checking.9) Distribution – Sent to warehouse.

Who would distribute my magazine?

IPC media publish NME magazine. NME also has its own radio station and TV programme. This helps broadcast and advertise the rock/pop genre to the ‘indie’ target audience. With these different ranges of media IPC Media are about to make sure NME’s audience with specialist content.

My magazine or product is similar to NME magazine, as it follows some of the genre conventions and targets a similar audience – older teenagers/younger adults interested in the ‘indie’ social group. IPC Media is recognized internationally and has a respected reputation, and I don’t think producing a similar product would damage their reputation – if anything increase it. My product is also mainstream which suits IPC Media because they say they cater for mass audiences. Also because of IPC Medias skill and knowledge in this sector – they will be able to make sure my product is at the highest possible standard and will be able to use their knowledge to improve it.

During the production of my magazine, IPC Media would be able to use their knowledge about particular audiences – such as the music genre to commercially increase the audience size & increase revenue. IPC Media would also be able to produce my product so it doesn’t lose popularity with a similar audience to NME.

How my product would be advertised?

Products such as NME are advertise via the magazines own radio station and TV channel, online website and even social networking sites which play a big part in society- since the arrival of web 2.0. Taking NME’s audience into account, this is the most effective way of them advertising and reaching a large commercial and mainstream audience. NME targets mainly teenagers and young adults & it is this age group which commonly use technology through web 2.0 – so this would be a good way of advertising.

With my product, my audience is also mainstream – which means some of the advertising strategies mentioned above could apply to my product. I think I would definitely advertise my product through web 2.0 on social media such as Twitter & Facebook because this is a great way of ‘word of mouth’ advertising & the majority of my audience use this technology. I would apply for my magazine to be advertised on mainstream TV channels and radio stations. However I would also get my magazine advertised at music festivals all over the world, in order to reach a large commercial and mainstream audience.

Where would I distribute my product?

As my magazine is being distributed to a large mainstream audience, It would make sense to distribute my magazine to big brand supermarkets and stores such as: Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisions & especially WHSmith who are well known for their books & magazines & also any other local newsagents that would be interested in selling my product.

With the emergence of web 2.0 I can allow my audience to subscribe online and have each issue of my magazine sent to them via post – however this would be at an added expense because of postage & packaging. New technology such as Iphones, Ipods, Blackberry’s, Ipad’s etc. – also mean I can distribute my magazine into a format that can be accessed on these technologies for an added price – which is conforming to my audience needs – and can further help me attract a mass audience, increasing revenue.