Analysis of Magazine Publishers

Future PLC

Founded in 1985, Future PLC is ranked the sixth-largest media corporation in the UK; it publishes over 30 magazines in a variety of fields including video games, technology and music.

The company started in Somerton, Somerset, in 1985 and now sells magazines all over the world, with a very large market in the US; some of its most popular magazines include PC Gamer, Voted the world’s most popular PC gaming website, BikeRadar, the world’s most popular cycling reviews website, and MusicRadar, the world’s most popular website for musicians.

Based upon the types of magazines that Future PLC publishes, they majority of their magazines appeal to young, pro-active people with specialist interests and hobbies; this suits my magazine very well as its aimed towards younger people with an active interest in guitars and guitar playing.

As of September 2013, Future PLC has begun the transition towards a more digitally driven publication business, looking to publish more on the virtual and digital platforms rather than the conventional paper format; future claims this will allow them to keep up with the ever-expanding publishing market that is developing more into technical means of distribution.

Future PLC has a whole website dedicated to its musically driven titles, giving a much greater digital and multi-platform presence to its musical magazine; this would be invaluable to my magazine as the digital market is booming and the introduction of online resources associated to my magazine would raise its profile and popularity dramatically. Also, Future PLC provides a free digital download of each issue to any mobile device for the reader, this incorporation of modern media to my magazine will allow it to attract to a much wider band of modern, tech-loving readers and will allow this new audience to take the magazine wherever they go.

Time Inc. UK

Formally IPC Media, Time Inc. has one of the largest publishing portfolios selling over 350 million copies each year. IPC Media was originally founded in 1968 but taken over by Time Inc. UK, a division of Time Warner, in 2001 and now publishes popular magazines such as NME, Country Life and Horse & Hound. The company is based in London and reaches 130 million consumers each month through over 90 popular


titles, making them the second biggest publishing company in the UK.

Time Ins. Produces content based at a very refined and sophisticated audience, with titles such as ‘Super Yacht World,’ ‘TV Times,’ ‘Shooting UK’ and ‘Style at home.’ Based upon its current titles, I don’t think that Time Inc. UK would be the best option for publishing my magazine; the target audience for their magazine contrasts too highly with the proposed audience for my title. 

Each of Time Inc. UK’s titles is accompanied by its own mobile app, providing a much greater modern presence and attracting a more technologically-minded, modern reader who likes their magazines easily accessible wherever they are; The app also provides a more expanded reading experience with added article features and multimedia content. Many of Time Inc. UK’s titles, mainly NME, have their own award events; this pushes the publicity and popularity of the magazine even further, dramatically increasing sales.

Bauer Media Group

Founded in Hamburg, Germany in 1875, Bauer Media Group has been managed by five consecutive generations of the Bauer family; to date, it is the UK’s 3^rd biggest publisher. Bauer media expanded its publication presence even further after it the group acquired Australian magazine publisher ‘ACP Magazines in 2012. By 2011, Bauer had expanded to approx. 11,000 employees, turning over 2.4 billion euros (£1.9 billion) from over 300 individual magazines in 15 countries.

Many of Bauer’s publications include ‘Kerrang!’ magazine, ‘4 Music,’ ‘Planet Rock’ and ‘Mojo’ magazine; this magazines are very similar to the style and themes my magazine meaning Bauer Media Group would be most suitable to publish my magazine; Its audience suits my magazine’s targeted relaxed music listener and musician who enjoys reading magazines for the latest music new and content.

Bauer’s multi-platform presence is huge, Bauer publish content for television – with channel such as ‘4music’ and ‘BOX Television – as well as many radio stations, including ‘Planet Rock’ and ‘Absolute Radio.’ This further extension of media platforms greatly increases Bauer’s presence in the media world creating a bigger influence of the market; as a result of this, people would be more likely to read a magazine published by Bauer. This is very good for my magazine as, because it’s very small and new, it can increase its readership quickly and effectively.