Research Task Three : How Does 'The Wire' Magazine's Front Cover Appeal To Audiences Audiences?

 

Research Task Two : Independent Music Magazines

What is an independent magazine? 

A print magazine is a magazine characterised as being published without the financial support of a large, mainstream publisher who control the publication and its distribution. An example of a music magazine is Mojo produced by Bauer. Bauer Media holds the top spot in terms of total annual circulation. In 2020, they had a total circulation of 126.08 million, they publish a wide range of consumer magazines across various genres. 

The Wire:

One example of an independent music magazine is 'The Wire'. The Wire is an independent print and online music magazine covering a wide range of global alternative, underground and experimental music. The magazine was founded in 1982, primarily as a jazz and new music magazine. Between 1984-2000 it was owned by Namara, a small independent London-based media company. In December 2000 it was purchased in a worker's buy-out organised by the magazine's, then six, full time staff and has been run that way ever since. The magazine is run by a team of full-time staff based in London, although it is based in London, it serves an international readership. Which is controlled by a large international roster of freelance writers and photographers, stationed at points across the globe.

'The Wire' issue 483, published
May 2024

RnR:

Another example of an independent music magazine is 'RnR'. RnR is an eclectic music magazine that has covered a broad base of music, from the mainstream to the fringes of roots, rock, folk, singer-songwriter, blues, world, country and beyond, since 1988. They are an independently-run publication relying upon a small hard-working team, alerting their subscribers to new music that may interest them. They cover not Just the mainstream but the lesser known. Featuring the charts, reviews of everything music, news, and interviews. It is considered to be the perfect magazine for music lovers and those in the industry, discovering new artists and keep up to date on the world of music.

'RnR' issue 104, published
March/April 2024

Research Task One : How has the UK consumer magazine industry evolved?

 Magazine industries have been upended by factors including the move to online. Magazines have had a sharp fall in print advertising revenue, whereas digital advertising spending has been monopolised by online platforms such as Google and Facebook. This is evident in 2000 when the circulation of magazines in the UK was at around 1.6 million and last year fell to 565 million. 

It is argued that print newspapers are still significant but in long term decline, and digital editions and subscriptions for the most part are not making up for the drop in sales. It was reported to the ABC in 2000 that there were 700 consumer titles reported, however that fell to 241 last year. Roger Lynch told the New York Times that the business was 'no longer a magazine company' as its audiences interact via the website and social media rather than its magazines. Arguably verticals have been hit hard by competition from visual platforms such as Instagram, according to McCabe, verticals where consumers can easily substitute the content once found in a magazine with a newer online source are the hardest hit. "Instagram does a very good magazine job for a lot of consumers. It satisfies their level of interest in fashion or food or design. That's been the real challenge. The men's category completely collapsed for that reason. The women’s collapse is a little bit more recent."

Set Brief

 INSTRUCTIONS

I have been given a set brief for my NEA

My NEA must not reproduce an existing media product.

I must work individually on my NEA but others may act in or appear in the production and/or may operate lighting, sound, recording or other equipment under your direction.

My NEA must only use original footage, images and/or text within my production. I must not use any found images in my NEA production

SET BRIEF : Magazines and online

Requirements of the brief

I work for an independent media production company. I have been given the task of producing the front cover and contents page of the first two editions of a new music magazine that is being launched by an independent publisher and two pages for the working website for the magazine.

The web pages must promote the new magazine to its target audience and enable fans to interact with the content.

Summary of brief requirements:

• Statement of Intent (approx. 500 words)

• Music magazine covers and contents pages: Two pages for each of the first two editions.

• Magazine distribution method: Content must be suitable for retail distribution.

• Number of web pages: One homepage and one linked page.

• Cross media production target audience: A primarily 16–25 year old middle market audience that likes to be entertained.

There must be a clear sense of branding across the two elements of the cross-media production.