Research Task Two : Independent Music Magazines

Your set brief tells you that:

"You work for an independent media production company. You have been given the task of producing the front cover and contents page of the first two editions of a new music magazine that is being launched by an independent publisher."

What is an independent magazine?

The independent print magazine is characterised as being published without the financial support of a large, mainstream publisher who control the publication and its distribution.

Mainstream magazine publishers include Bauer Media.

An example of a music magazine produced by Bauer is Mojo.) Bauer Media holds the top spot in terms of total annual circulation. In 2020, they had a total circulation of 126.08 million. They publish a wide range of consumer magazines across various genres.

Mainstream magazine publishers will have numerous magazines under their control - a bit like the way in which companies like Reach plc, News UK and DMGT own multiple national newspapers.

How are independent magazines different?

Independent magazines are defying the predictions of many that print magazines are a fading relic of the pre-digital world.

Independent music magazines tend to focus on a particular genre of music and/or target a niche audience.

Two independent music magazines which are published in the UK at present are The Wire and RnR. 

TASK

Create a new post on your blog with the title:

Research Task Two : Independent Music Magazines

In this post you should explain what an independent magazine is.

You must also provide evidence of research into two independent UK music magazines which are currently published; The Wire and RnR.

See if you can find out as much as possible about these two magazines.