EMPIRE CASE STUDYProduction and

Distribution

REMINDER OF THE MAGAZINE TOPICS

Cross-Media Convergence (Magazine, Website, Social Media, Video/Film)

Ownership (Global vs. National Institutions) Technological Convergence (Mobile,

Computer, Print) Distribution and Production Development of Digital Media Technology

Catch Of The D-Day

Yes, this is the best acronym I could come up with(!)

PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF EMPIRE MAGAZINE

Hard copy Shop bought Subscriptions – Exclusive covers

iPad edition – Synergy with Apple Same content as the hard copy Exclusive video footage and interactive articles

iPhone App Movie reviews

Website www.empireonline.com Reviews Movie News Forums, Quizzes, Articles

YouTube channel Interviews

Each of these points can be elaborated upon to create different paragraphs of an answer

MAGAZINE - £3.99 Monthly publication Traditional method of production and distribution Magazine has existed since 1989 Increasing circulation figures (ABC)Subscriptions A reliable source of revenue for Empire Consumers pay for a 12 month subscription and

are encouraged to this commitment with a 36% discount from the retail price

Consumers also persuaded with exclusive covers without copy, acting almost like a film poster

WEBSITE

Content is more ‘on demand’ for thetarget audience

Appeals to the key ABC1 demographic of digital media consumers

Updated daily with movie news, exclusive video and pictures

Encourages consumers to participate in the production of content, engaging the audience in forum discussions, competitions and entertainment – daily quizzes and features Recently held a webchat with Nick Frost and Simon

Pegg Reviews of films appear on the website before

being published in the magazine

IPAD EDITION - £3.99 The magazine is converging Bauer Media’s first iPad version of a

magazine across its portfolio Great example of Synergy

Empire’s contract with another global brandand institution – Apple

It has also obtained a 2-year contract with Jameson and 20th Century Fox

Richard Philips, head of digital sales and trading at Bauer Media, said: "We want fewer advertisers, to allow for more in-depth advertising and integration with editorial.“ (Source: web article on mediaweek.co.uk)

Ensures optimum distribution amongst the target audience who Bauer Media describe as ‘tech-savvy’ and are ‘always up for trying new products’ (Source: Empire Media Pack 2010)

Contains a complete copy of the magazine, plus exclusive interactive articles along with video footage E.g. The regular ‘Classic Scene’ feature on the back page will contain

the video as well as the transcript of the screenplay as usual (February edition: Raging Bull)

IPHONE APP - £2.99

Contains over 9,000 film reviews

Regularly updated Movie information on the go Ideal for cinema-goers No internet connection

required

Another method of the magazine content to be distributed to Empire’s consumers – and gain revenue/sales

JANUARY 2009 QUESTION

Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences, within a media area, which you have studied.

Using your case study, research into the methods that your magazine is distributed to their target audiences

EMPIRE CASE STUDYHow Global Ownership targets a UK National Audience

UK-based Publishing House which is part of Bauer Media Group (founded in Germany, 1875)

Publishes over 300 magazines in 15 countries Its UK branch publishes over 80 magazines Prides itself as being compiled of ‘The UK’s most influential

brands’ such as Empire, Q, Mojo, Kerrang, Grazia, Heat, and FHM

Dominates the UK film market with 70% of the circulation share of film magazines

Globally, Empire outsells its rivals by an average of 2 to 1

Information taken from Empire’s Media Pack and www.bauermedia.co.uk

GLOBAL BRAND, GLOBAL INTEREST

Due to global success, Empire attracts exclusive features and high-profile contributors and interviews

20th Anniversary edition (June 2009) was guest-edited by Steven Spielberg

“Empire is thebest movie magazinein the world. Bar none.Quite simply, it’speerless.”Steven Spielberg

TRON WORLD EXCLUSIVE, AUG 2010

PIRATES 4, ON STRANGER TIDES – ON-SET EXCLUSIVE, FEB 2011

MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2010

The PPA Awards are the most coveted awards in the magazine industry, showcasing excellence, rewarding innovation, and providing the benchmark by which the UK magazine industry judges itself.

PPA Periodical Publishers Association

GLOBAL BRAND, BRITISH TALENT Show-cases rising British Talent

Actors – Felicity Jones, Emily Blunt Directors – Richard Ayoade (Moss from IT Crowd)

Established figures within the UK Film Industry Ridley Scott’s new Alien prequel, Prometheus Ken Loach Graham Kin, CEO and founder of GK Films

(winning Best Picture Oscar for The Departed)

GLOBAL BRAND, BRITISH TALENT – OLLY MOSS’ FILM POSTER RE-

DESIGNS

JANUARY 2010

“Media production is dominated by global institutions which sell their products and services to national audiences” To what extent do you agree?