EMPIRE CASE STUDYProduction and
Distribution
REMINDER OF THE MAGAZINE TOPICS
Cross-Media Convergence (Magazine, Website, Social Media, Video/Film)
Ownership (Global vs. National Institutions) Technological Convergence (Mobile,
Computer, Print) Distribution and Production Development of Digital Media Technology
Catch Of The D-Day
Yes, this is the best acronym I could come up with(!)
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF EMPIRE MAGAZINE
Hard copy Shop bought Subscriptions – Exclusive covers
iPad edition – Synergy with Apple Same content as the hard copy Exclusive video footage and interactive articles
iPhone App Movie reviews
Website www.empireonline.com Reviews Movie News Forums, Quizzes, Articles
YouTube channel Interviews
Each of these points can be elaborated upon to create different paragraphs of an answer
MAGAZINE - £3.99 Monthly publication Traditional method of production and distribution Magazine has existed since 1989 Increasing circulation figures (ABC)Subscriptions A reliable source of revenue for Empire Consumers pay for a 12 month subscription and
are encouraged to this commitment with a 36% discount from the retail price
Consumers also persuaded with exclusive covers without copy, acting almost like a film poster
WEBSITE
Content is more ‘on demand’ for thetarget audience
Appeals to the key ABC1 demographic of digital media consumers
Updated daily with movie news, exclusive video and pictures
Encourages consumers to participate in the production of content, engaging the audience in forum discussions, competitions and entertainment – daily quizzes and features Recently held a webchat with Nick Frost and Simon
Pegg Reviews of films appear on the website before
being published in the magazine
IPAD EDITION - £3.99 The magazine is converging Bauer Media’s first iPad version of a
magazine across its portfolio Great example of Synergy
Empire’s contract with another global brandand institution – Apple
It has also obtained a 2-year contract with Jameson and 20th Century Fox
Richard Philips, head of digital sales and trading at Bauer Media, said: "We want fewer advertisers, to allow for more in-depth advertising and integration with editorial.“ (Source: web article on mediaweek.co.uk)
Ensures optimum distribution amongst the target audience who Bauer Media describe as ‘tech-savvy’ and are ‘always up for trying new products’ (Source: Empire Media Pack 2010)
Contains a complete copy of the magazine, plus exclusive interactive articles along with video footage E.g. The regular ‘Classic Scene’ feature on the back page will contain
the video as well as the transcript of the screenplay as usual (February edition: Raging Bull)
IPHONE APP - £2.99
Contains over 9,000 film reviews
Regularly updated Movie information on the go Ideal for cinema-goers No internet connection
required
Another method of the magazine content to be distributed to Empire’s consumers – and gain revenue/sales
JANUARY 2009 QUESTION
Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences, within a media area, which you have studied.
Using your case study, research into the methods that your magazine is distributed to their target audiences
EMPIRE CASE STUDYHow Global Ownership targets a UK National Audience
UK-based Publishing House which is part of Bauer Media Group (founded in Germany, 1875)
Publishes over 300 magazines in 15 countries Its UK branch publishes over 80 magazines Prides itself as being compiled of ‘The UK’s most influential
brands’ such as Empire, Q, Mojo, Kerrang, Grazia, Heat, and FHM
Dominates the UK film market with 70% of the circulation share of film magazines
Globally, Empire outsells its rivals by an average of 2 to 1
Information taken from Empire’s Media Pack and www.bauermedia.co.uk
GLOBAL BRAND, GLOBAL INTEREST
Due to global success, Empire attracts exclusive features and high-profile contributors and interviews
20th Anniversary edition (June 2009) was guest-edited by Steven Spielberg
“Empire is thebest movie magazinein the world. Bar none.Quite simply, it’speerless.”Steven Spielberg
TRON WORLD EXCLUSIVE, AUG 2010
PIRATES 4, ON STRANGER TIDES – ON-SET EXCLUSIVE, FEB 2011
MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2010
The PPA Awards are the most coveted awards in the magazine industry, showcasing excellence, rewarding innovation, and providing the benchmark by which the UK magazine industry judges itself.
PPA Periodical Publishers Association
GLOBAL BRAND, BRITISH TALENT Show-cases rising British Talent
Actors – Felicity Jones, Emily Blunt Directors – Richard Ayoade (Moss from IT Crowd)
Established figures within the UK Film Industry Ridley Scott’s new Alien prequel, Prometheus Ken Loach Graham Kin, CEO and founder of GK Films
(winning Best Picture Oscar for The Departed)
GLOBAL BRAND, BRITISH TALENT – OLLY MOSS’ FILM POSTER RE-
DESIGNS
JANUARY 2010
“Media production is dominated by global institutions which sell their products and services to national audiences” To what extent do you agree?