I am going to analyse the media company called Bauer, fulfilling Ao2. Bauer publish many kinds of magazines, which fall into categories of woman's magazines (which also have other sub genres), mens magazines, film, puzzles, specialist (hobbies), TV listings, and fashion magazines. Bauer is an independent company. They publish both niche and mainstream magazines, this is because they produce such a wide range of magazines. I am going to look at the music magazines that Bauer publish.
Kerrang! is a multi-platform music news business, their platforms being Radio, TV Channel (music videos), a website, and of course the magazine.They specialise the more alternative music scene, making this a more niche magazine. The audiences for the magazine is described by Bauer as;
'Individually minded, independent of thought and musically experienced, an audience defined by
attitude, passion and loyalty.'
However the audiences for Kerrang! are mainly in the 16-24 category, although the magazine aims itself at a more specific audience, being those that listen to rock music. This is not only from the bands they feature, but because of the advertisements, such as the fashion for 'individual' people dressing in a 'rock' style. Also they advertise sexual health, such as condoms and how to look after yourself, this indicates that teenagers will be reading it.Kerrang! is also the leading weekly music magazine, its sales are 52, 272. Kerrang! also has a strong online, TV and radio 'presence' from rock fans. Kerrang! is still a flagship brand, and also selling out tours, with the 'Kerrang Tour' every year.
Because Kerrang! has much a wide range of media, it makes it much easier for them to sell themselves, as each media product can promote each other. For example, The radio could announce the magazine, a person listening to this could buy the magazine, and see an advertisement for a tour. Then from this 3 medias have been used.
Q launched in 1986. Every month Q has the best selling and also legendary bands and artists interviewed, making it the UKs best selling monthly magazine. It is a very popular magazine and sells very well with adults ages 24-36. Q also has a radio station, a television channel, the website and also Q awards. Q describes its audiences to be;
'Open minded experience seekers, the Q audience don’t define themselves by the music they listen to. Music is an important passion, but their love of music will never be to the detriment of their other passions, such as film, sport and comedy.'
Q sells around 103,017 per month, its circulation leads it to be the best selling monthly music magazine in the UK and the rest of Europe.
MOJO is once again a magazine that aims its work towards an audience of 24-36, they are very much like Q in the sense they feature legendery bands and artists, however MOJO's features do date alot further back, for example using Northern Soul music right to rock and alturnative music. MOJO also goes into alot of depth with the music. However their platforms are not as wide spread as Q and Kerrang!, as they only have a magazine and a website. Q describe their audiences as;
'Discerning and passionate music aficionados, the MOJO audience is predominately male (72%) and affluent (36% AB). These heavy consumers of music see their passion as discovery without boundaries, genre and decade being secondary to quality.'
MOJO is second to Q with its circulation at 100,507. However Q and MOJO together hold 37% of music magazine sales. MOJO also produces a high quality of journalism and photography.
