AS Media Studies Evaluation Question 3

AS Media Studies Evaluation

Q3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

What is a media institution?

• A media institution is a company who write, design and create a media text to distribute to their target audience.• There are many different institutions who produce different

media text depending on their audience interests. This may be a film, newspaper, magazine or radio program etc.

Examples of media institutions

• Depending on their output to their audience, many institutions may have global connections such as Universal, one of the 'Big Six' Hollywood film studios who have produced some of the highest grossing movies in history including: E.T. The Extra Terrestrial, Meet The Fockers and most recently, Jurassic World earning a domestic gross profit of $651,926,506. Their revenue as of 2011 stands at $4.239 billion.

• In contrast, Vertigo Films are an independent cinema company based in the UK, focusing on producing and distributing films for a more niche audience. These include StreetDance 3D, The Sweeney and Horrid Henry: The Movie. Each film has a limited social group for their target audience as primarily dance enthusiasts will be interested in StreetDance, and Horrid Henry being a popular children's book will be focused on attracting families to the box office.

Media Institutions for music magazines

Bauer Media• Bauer Media are a UK based multi-

platform publishing group who merged into Bauer Media Group in 2008 to become Europe's largest independently owned media empire with over 300 businesses in 15 countries incorporating TV, radio and online businesses.

TimeInc. UK• TimeInc. UK (formerly IPC Media) are

a publisher based in Britain with notable attention to multi-platform magazine content including print, tablet, mobile and online. Their global audience is 120 million with over 50 websites.

Reasons for publishing my magazine

• My magazine 'RetroGrade' is centred around popular artists during the 50s - 90s. This includes interviews and discussions about latest album releases, films based around their careers and an opinion poll of favourite songs e.g. The Beatles.

• These articles do not require meeting the artists face to face as that would mean budgeting for travel expenses and for the artist to be keen for an interview within a tight schedule.

• The only interviews that needed to be written with the artist present was Carl Welsh, at a local gig and Alexander Bone, a jazz saxophonist who appeared on the BBC Last Night of the Proms.

• All these factors taken into account mean that my magazine would only need a low budget to be produced to a niche audience as the topics issued would not be based on trending news but for those who may occasionally like to follow the events of renowned artists of the past.

Who would publish and distribute my magazine?

• Anthem Publishing (anthem-publishing.com) are a music-making and listening magazine publisher based in Bath.

• After purchasing the rights for Guitar & Bass magazine from IPC Media, the company expanded and began producing other music magazines including Vintage Rock and Classic Pop, making them the leading independent music-making publisher in the UK. Vintage Rock is a classic rock and roll magazine covering artists from the early 50s to mid-60s including Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis, with news of current events and album reviews. Classic Pop is a bi-monthly magazine focusing on pop music of the late-70s into the 80s including New Wave, synth pop and ska.

• I believe they would be interested in publishing my magazine as the artists I cover vary from the 50s - 90s and would attract a more diverse audience. Furthermore, the variety of genre is not restricted to just rock or pop but features the addition of country and jazz influence to provide for a wider range of musical tastes.