Task 4A
- 1. ARQUAM RAHMAN Task 4 Research into music industries and institutions
- 2. What types of magazine and target audience has ipc been associated with over the years? History of IPC: 1800’s: The main target audience for the IPC in this period was male, as in these eras males were always dominant compared to women, women were seen as inferior. The magazines would be targeted at mainly middle class males as they could afford it and had the ability to read. At this time they didn't reached a wider audience so they targeted males only, they had published magazines such as “Shooting Times” & “Cycling Weekly”.
- 3. Late 1800’s: In the late 1800`s the format of IPC has changed from newspaper to magazine, due to technology evolving. At this time period the genre they focused on was sport and lifestyle magazines such as “Woman Weekly” and “Motor Boat.” They also published sport magazines such as “Yachting Monthly.” The target audience for “Yachting Monthly” would be middle class males in their early 40`s as these type of people would be wealthy to have an interest in Yachts. The target audience for IPC changed as they launched their first women's magazine called “Women's Weekly” which would be targeted at white middle class females between the age of 30-40. This magazine was based on women's hobbies such as gardening. After this launch IPC started reaching the wider audience.
- 4. 1920’s As this was the time period of the world war IPC targeted the women which were classed as house wife's. Magazines such as “Homes and Gardens” and “Women and Home” were published to appeal to women. Women at the age of 20-50 would read these magazines. 1950`s At this time period music and television was more the focus of IPC`s genres. Their was many reasons such as advance in technology with the invention of the television. Both genders were targeted for these type of magazines but still aimed at middle class people as working class people couldn't afford the new technology at the time. 1960`s At this time period sport was the main genre focus. Also the sport genre as England had qualified for the world cup and won in the final against Germany which links with the world war. Magazines such as “Rugby World” and “Shoot” were published at a male target audience for all social classes.
- 5. 1980`s: In this time era magazines such as “Mizz” were published to target a teenage female audience. This magazine had topics on celebrity gossip and latest news. Also a magazine called “Chat” was published which is aimed at the younger female audience aged between 18-30s. For the male audience magazine s such as “4X4” and “Motor Boats” were published. At this time family magazines were published such as “Practical Parenting” to help parents bring up their child. These type of magazines would be appealing more to the females because the females would be bringing up the child.
- 6. 2000`s: In this time era IPC rebranded themselves as IPC Media so that people would recognise what type of organisation they are. As technology had advanced dramatically IPC`s main focus was television and entertainment based magazines such as “TV Easy” and “Pick Me up”. These magazines were mainly focused on soap celebrities such as East enders or Coronation Street.
- 7. Why might IPC BE AN APPROPRIATE PUBLISHER FOR A NEW MUSIC MAGAZINE? IPC would be appropriate to publish a new music magazine as they have a lot of experience with established successful magazines. They have over 60 iconic brands such as “NME”. They also create content for online users which widens the marketing. IPC have built a strong brand image which is well known across the world, so publishing a new magazine would automatically attract an audience. They also are experienced in so many different niche markets ranging from sport to gardening. As IPC are one of the world's leading media companies reaching more than 110 million consumers each month, they can target many different niche audiences. IPC have changed their topics and genres over the last 100 years to target a wider audience and publish new genres to meet consumer demands. Lastly, as they have published famous music magazines such as NME, they have the ability to create a new music magazine and become successful.
- 8. WHAT SORTS OF GENRES OF MUSIC OF MAGAZINES MIGHT THEY BE LIKELY TO PUBLISH? IPC would likely to publish new genres they haven't yet published such as Classical or Jazz. Their most successful music magazine is called NME which focuses mainly on Rock and Indie. If they published a new genre of music such as Pop they would attract a wider audience and this genre is more popular than Rock so they would attract consumers easily.
- 9. WHY MIGHT ALTERNATIVE PUBLISHERS LIKE BAUER BE APPROPRIATE Bauer Media Group Bauer Media Group is a large European-based media company, which are more experienced in the music industry than IPC as they have published a famous rock magazine called KERRANG and music stations such as Kiss.fm. As they are knowledgeable in radio stations they can use this as a marketing strategy to know what is popular to the audience. The Bauer Media Group is one of the most successful media companies in the world. With More than 570 magazines, over 300 digital products, and 50 radio stations. The Bauer Media group has been established since the 1875`s so they have good experience in magazines like IPC. Lastly, Bauer have links with radio and TV which will help market a new music magazine.