Question 3

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
For my magazine, I would only like it to be distributed by a mainstream distributor if it did not affect the integrity of it. For example IPC media distribute NME, however they also distribute magazines such as "boat owner" showing that they are not a specialist distributor and therefore could make my magazine eventually become generic. This can also be seen very clearly through IPC, with magazines "TV choice and "TV quick" looking almost identical to one another and containing the same stories. This is why I believe an Independent distributor would be a possibility. Whilst profit is an important factor, one of my main objectives with this magazine was to challenge the mainstream and generalised indie magazine, and by doing this i will be appealing to a niche audience, something that independent distributors specialise in. A Magazine such as "Losing Today" would be an example of this. By following in the footsteps of this magazine, I would be able to continue to make my magazine unique and how I want it, not have it generalised and spoilt.
By doing this, the retail outlet of my magazine will be different, for example, whilst many mainstream mgazines are sold in outlets such as "Sainsburys" and regular supermarkets, my magazine would be sold in music outlets hopefully including the likes of "HMV", places where people are genuinely interested in music. Having an independent distributor will also be perfect for the brand identity of my magazine, a unique magazine cannot be distributed by a generalised company, it needs to be specialist.
The distribution strategy of my magazine would probably have a large impact on the profit made by the magazine, it would be reduced severely as the amount of money that could be put into marketing would also be reduced. However, to change this I could use internet marketing as it is far cheaper, for example I could use viral marketing to create word of mouth.