Research on Distribution of Magazines

Publishers: The institutions that produce the magazine, in the UK there are four large publishers, and a number of smaller institutions. The main four are EMAP Bauer, NatMag, Conde Nast and IPC. They control the design and editorial content of the magazine. 

I researched IPC Media and found out that they do not have anything of hiphop therefore this is a gap in the market. They are a reliable company.  

Distribution networks of magazines Each publisher uses a network of distributors , who manage the flow of magazines from the printer to the final newsstand, where the magazine is sold. Magazines are taken in lorries to regional distributor, who then move these on to the shop or newsstand. The main shops where magazines are sold at supermarkets or newsagent. Magazines cost more to publish, the glossy and full coloured pages and the printing cost. 

Sale or Return is the system used by magazine and newspaper distributor with news-stands  Any copies which are not sold, are returned to the distributor, with no cost to the retailer. This is a benefit to the retailer as there is no risk or wastage involved. However you have to pay for the distribution cost as you pay people for distributing it. 

Subscription-postal/ electronic: Regular readers of magazines, particularly niche publications, may wish to subscribe to a number of issues. When you subscribe to a magazine you may pay for a months and free magazines are posted to you regularly.This is easier for the audience, and ensures a regular core readership for the magazine. Electronic distribution works in a similar way, except the magazine will be delivered to the customer's inbox, Kindle Fire or iPad/tablet.
Direct distribution - freemiums are an increasingly popular method of distribution today is giving out free issues or producing freemium magazines. These are typically given out at stations or other busy public locations
Online magazines (Ezines) are different from magazine websites, they are electronic versions of a magazine, with similar features such as pages that can be turned, adverts, page numbers. These ezines are usually free, they will have electronic features such as video clips and hyperlinks that redirect the reader to another source. They are cheaper and no printing costs at all and you do not need to distribute it.
Apps; Many magazines now have smartphone or iPad apps with some or all of the content available in the hard copy of the magazine. These may be linked via a smart QR code on the front cover of a magazine.
The electronic brand extension;  Most magazines now extend their brand with an online presence, for example social networks such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Myspace. 

Magazine newsstand task

In the store there was a variety of magazines right above each section of  a music CD distributions, this is a quite intelligent because the model in the magazine could be the same model on the CD and therefore you would be interested in paying for both. The mast heads have simple font and are clear, compared to the CD which differentiates from fancy and smaller fonts to large, formal and simple fonts for the magazines. This is quite interesting, there are different music genres in one section this distribution in this shop was quite unique, because the stand next to this was more magazines for a male audience and the rest targeted females.   Realistically the magazines placed at the top would be noticed first and so will be more expensive and the CD below would be cost effective and cheaper.

This is a different supermarket store and newsagent, Their magazines were overlapping and this meant that you would automatically look at the other magazine thinking that they are together. The vogue magazines are in one section and the 3 other popular magazines are in their own section. This is a good idea because they grab your attention and also the price of the magazine is overlooked. There was no prices in this section of the shop, this is an disadvantage as the magazines would look quite expensive because of the glossy paper and colour print but the context is worth it.

In the local store there are more fashion, soaps and targeted gender-ed for example the match of the day and the wrestling magazines are aimed at the male audience and the glamour magazine audience is aimed at females. The magazines masthead which is red or white is the first thing you notice. The magazines are set together like this because if you wanted to buy one magazine and then you look at the model's eye contact towards you, the urge to buy a new magazine will rise.

Audience Feedback gained

Survey Monkey Feedback:
1.My masthead is clear and simple, the colours are good red, white, black , brown.



 2.However the colour scheme should be simple , In the contents page you can see that there is not a house style.






  Class Discussion:
1.Great pull quotes and the eye contact of the model is fierce.


2.The cover lines are unique.



 3.It looks like you planned the front cover well but not the contents page


 4. Creative front cover, Do not spend to much time on the front cover. Make a sketch for the contents page large.



 5. I like the pricing 1.99 it is not too pricey



  Focus group:

 1. Why is your model looking out of the camera

 2. Add more page numbers to the magazine next time

 3. More pictures

 4. A Caption under the image of the model would have been nice

 5. It should be much formal in the contents page.

Please evaluate my magazine on Survey Monkey

Click here to take survey

Audience feedback and Evaluation- Preliminary task / college magazine

Preliminary Task/College Magazine

Model Images for my College Magazine.

My Images For My College Cover Photo Unused

Sketch of LSC magazine