Question 3:What kind of media institutions

might distribute your media product and why?

Magazine distribution is vital in the success of the magazine as this is the way in which the magazine reaches the target population. The most important thing to research when selecting a distributer is the existing magazines they already distribute. The two distributers I have researched are Bauer and ICP Media.

IPC Media formerly known as International Publishing Corporation is the UK's leading consumer magazine and digital publisher. With more than 60 iconic media brands, IPC creates content for multiple platforms, across print, online, mobile, tablets and events. ICP engages with 26 million UK adults - almost two thirds of UK women and over 40% of UK men. Such brands includes NME Magazine; this is both an advantage and disadvantage as NME Magazine attracts people who are interested in the Rock genre- this shows that there a gap for my magazine as it is a complete different genre. However, the disadvantage is that they are currently distributing a music magazine so this maybe too much competition.

The second distributer is Bauer Media which reaches over nineteen million UK adults every week. They have more than eighty influential media brands with a wide range of interests including Heat, Grazia, Closer, FHM, Kiss 100, Kerrang, Q and 4Music. As you can see, this distributer is well-known to many musical companies. My magazine is most similar with Q magazine which limits the chance of them distributing my magazine. However, there are several music magazines they distribute so this shows they may be willing to accept mine.

From the points made above, I feel that ICP Media the better distributer as there more of a chance and a bigger gap then that of Bauer. Additionally, ICP attracts 26 million whereas Bauer attracts 19 million. ICP is also a distributer that is based in UK however Bauer is a distributer that is based in the Germany and since my magazine is a magazine from the UK; I have a better chance at getting accepted by ICP.

The shops that will distribute my magazine are those shops that my target audience generally shop at. These include HMV as they are retail shop and from my research my found most young people buy albums from artists from there. Also, general supermarkets such as Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s will distribute my magazine as they have a section for magazines and newspapers; so this will be an ideal place for my magazine and they receive thousands of customers per day. Additionally, WH Smith and Wilkinson could sell my magazine as they also have a section for a news stand.