Evaluation: Question 3

Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I had to consider who and how I would distribute my magazine through, this is extremely important in reaching the appropriate audience for my magazine. I researched two main distributors to the UK and compared them to conclude which would be more appropriate for my magazine. 

Bauer Media

Europe's largest publishing group which distributes over 300 different magazines in 15 countries. In the UK Bauer Media reaches 22 million consumers every week, showing Bauer media has a mass audience which when distributing my magazine is a main factor I would seek in a distributor. Bauer Media was founded in 1875 showing the amount of experience in publishing the company has and how successful they have been as they have got to the top of the publishing market and stayed there. They distribute magazines like MoJo and Kerrang! They also have multi-media platforms and own radio labels like Kiss and Absolute Radio. This would be useful for my magazine as promotion could be made through these as well.

TimeIncUk (Was IPC)

Another distributor I have considered is TimeIncUK (formerly IPC) they are a digital and magazine publisher with a big portfolio selling over 350 million copies a year. Founded 1968, they do not have as much experience as Bauer Media but in the time since they was founded they have global portfolio of websites reaching 25 million users a month. Although they distribute magazines like NME and Uncut which are similar genres to my magazine this is why I think Bauer Media after reviewing both of the distributors would be more appropriate as a means of distributing.

Digital Distribution

In order to fully expand the possibility for gaining audience for my magazine I would also digitally distribute my magazine. This would be done online through a subscription method I could also do this through the use of apps which would allow people to have the magazine on their phones and tablets, this encourages the portability of the magazine as convergence has greatly affected the way we consume media products like magazines.

Physical Distribution

I would also look at physical distribution across stores. Ideally a large store would be good for distribution like ASDA or Tesco which have many stores across the UK. This would allow my magazine to reach people all over the UK, paired with online distribution the physical distribution would work well together as some people may not look online for magazines and the same as some people may not like physical copies and find it easier to buy magazines online. Big chain supermarkets are my best choice for selling physical copies as they are now a main supplier of magazines whereas in the past there was specific magazine shops but now these have decreased and magazines are more commonly sold in supermarkets.