3) What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
There are two main companies which dominate in the magazine publishing world. These 2 companies are Bauer Media, which is well known for publishing Kerrang and Q and IPC Media which produces magazines such as NME and UNCUT.
I looked further into both of these magazines to see which company I would most like to distribute my media product with.
BAUER
Here are some facts that I researched about this company:
It's Europes largest privatley owned publishing group.
It is a worldwide media empire, and offers over 300 magazines in 15 different countries, as well as being online, on TV and on radio stations.
Their business is built on influential media brands with millions of personal relationships with engaged readers and listeners.
In 1994, the company bought a small magazine called "For Him Magazine" which is now the core of the best-selling international multi-platform brand FHM.
Bauer Media is a sister company of H Bauer Publishing, publisher of the UK's biggest TV listings, Take a Break and Bella.
IPC MEDIA
Here are some facts about this company:
- IPC Media produces over 60 well-known media brands, with print alone versions reaching almost two thirds of UK women and 42% of UK men, which is almost 26 million UK adults.
- IPC stands for International Publishing Company.
- The websites collectively reach over 20 million users every month.
- They have 3 different divisions which produce different things: IPC Inspire, which is the mens portfolio and comprises a wealth of leisure brands including Country Life, Horse & Hound and Rugby World. It also includes lifestyle brands including Nuts and NME. Next, is IPC Connect, which is the mass market's womens division. This comprises famous women's weeklies including Look, Now, Chat and Woman. It also includes TV entertainment brands including What's on TV. Lastly, is IPC Southbank, which is the upmarkets womens division. This comprises luxury fashion brands including Marie Claire and InStyle.
- IPC's corporate responsibility agenda currently focuses on three main areas – community, environment and the collective input and action from the employees.
After carefully researching both of these companies- I have come to the descion that
BAUER MEDIA would be the best company to go with to distribute my magazine. It is the largest and most well-known company in the UK, and therefore has a lot of experience, which would evidentially attract a larger audience. It id also much more well known for publishing music magazines, whereas IPC Media produces magazines to do with lifestyle and health. If my magazine was to be published with this company, then it would automatically be linked wit the big name brands such as
KERRANG and
Q.Latly,
BAUR Media is online, on TV and on the Radio which means that there is a bigger range of ways for people to find out about the magazine- which means that my magazine would be much more well-known, which evidentally means that more people will purchase it.