Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your

product?

The Production Process

Producing my media product meant that I had to follow these steps which go through the production and publication phases.

Thinking up ideas for the magazine, such as what would it look like? What would be the content of the pages?

Research opposition magazines and products which are already on the market, will they be similar to my media product? How and why? What is the audience of the already published magazines? What is the layout like of already published magazines? Will mine me similar?

Produce flat plans of the product to get a idea of what the end products will look like, also this will make it easier when producing the product.

Construct the product on an industrial size Distribute the product to a generic or niche audiences depending on who the product is aimed at, is

the product commercial or independent?

PublishingMy magazines target audience are young 16-25 year old's who are known as 'indie', this

target audience is very similar to magazines such as NME and Q. these are both mainstream distributors of music magazines. As my product is similar to those distributed by NME and Q it is likely my products will be commercially distributed to a wide audience by well known companies such as Bauer Media which publish Q. These publishers have a good name for themselves as they have successfully published other famous magazines for years now so it would be good if I could get my magazine distributed through them as they would be reliable and have a good reputation. Generally magazines like NME and Q's products are distributed on a large mainstream level but the target audience is still niche in terms of who the customers are due to the stereotypes of the target audience. With these magazines having such a large target audience these products are distributed in large retail stores such as WHSmith and supermarkets such as Morrisons and Asda.

Distribution Bauer media publish Q magazine, Q Radio and Q merchandise which all together publicize

and broadcast the main indie/alternative genre towards their target audience. As they have such a vast selection of media along with a website and social networking links, the publishers of Q sufficiently manage to reach out to their audience through these means of media and contact their audience through their speciality of music. As the publishers manage to know the magazines audience so well they will know how to satisfy their readers and what will make the magazine sell. This will then bring in stronger and higher revenue to continue to re-invest their money back into the production of the magazine.

As my product is very similar to Q due to the following of the codes and conventions of the music genre and as it targets a similar audience, this will help Bauer media to use similar techniques used to publish Q and apply them to my product. Although Bauer media's reputation is strong and varies from fashion magazines to different music genres producing a similar magazine to a product they already have wont be too risky as it adds to a further range of products to its audiences. This is a very important factor when distributing as it ensures that my products will be distributed to the highest standard possible and that it will be done by a reliable source.

During the production of my product, Bauer’s tactics of familiarising and specialising in their magazines audience would greatly benefit my product as it would increase the audience size over time and it would also design and construct a product which would appeal to my target audience which would ensure sales and popularity with this new magazine on the market.

Advertising Companies like Q advertise their magazine through their

own radio station, website and social networking links. Kerrang is similarly advertised through their TV channel, website, tour posters, radio and social networking sites. In regards to their audience this is a very effective way to reaching out to them through these means of advertising as they are already popular with the targets audiences age and hobbies. This is also a way of advertising to a larger commercial and mainstream audience, as most people will regularly use these forms of media and will see the advertisements.

In regards to my products my audience is also mainstream so these advertising techniques will be easy to apply to my products. Using Facebook and Twitter are great to advertise through as they are free and they directly target the audience as well as them being the most popular and current way of advertising online. I would also try for my magazine to be advertised through TV, music channels such as Kerrang TV and MTV Rocks as this is where my target audience will be listening.

Distribution Due to the emergence to web 2.0 it had become a lot

easier for products to be distributed and advertised online, from online agencies which advertise products which could be 'add ons' to websites and pages of indie/alternative clothing websites or online music stores such as iTunes. This is used to reach a larger audience within this genre of people.

If I were to distribute my product to a larger mainstream audience it would be more suitable to distribute it through stores like WHSmith, Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys and other newsagents. I would also provide a subscription service through my magazine which would mean there would be a service online which would weekly or monthly mail out copies of the magazines to subscribed customers. This would allow loyal and regular customers to own every issue and it would be delivered straight to their house. Although this may cost extra for postage it guarantee’s customers for every months issue.

Distribution Due to the emergence to web 2.0 it had become a lot

easier for products to be distributed and advertised online, from online agencies which advertise products which could be 'add ons' to websites and pages of indie/alternative clothing websites or online music stores such as iTunes. This is used to reach a larger audience within this genre of people.

If I were to distribute my product to a larger mainstream audience it would be more suitable to distribute it through stores like WHSmith, Morrisons, Asda, Tesco, Sainsburys and other newsagents. I would also provide a subscription service through my magazine which would mean there would be a service online which would weekly or monthly mail out copies of the magazines to subscribed customers. This would allow loyal and regular customers to own every issue and it would be delivered straight to their house. Although this may cost extra for postage it guarantee’s customers for every months issue.