Due to the rapid
increase in technological advances, media has also adapted along with
this. Referring to Rob Hind's work, 31% of all adults in the UK now
consume magazines digitally compared to their physical counterparts.
This also implies to the music magazine industry. Music magazine
companies have therefore had to adapt to the current situation of the
industry whilst trying to stay traditional to what many bought in the
first place. One company which has done one such thing is NME. Their
magazine has evolved to become a multi-platform brand which can be
accessed on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter, have
their own playlists on Spotify and has its own Youtube channel; an
alternative form of social media/general media. Social media itself
can help the magazine a great deal as it can then rival, not only
other companies, but the music industry as a whole itself by
providing fans with more options when it comes to reading and/or
listening. When companies such as NME take on this approach, they
advance their profit margins and increase popularity and stature over
other magazines that do not take this approach in the modern age such
as Melody Maker.
So many people are
using their smartphones and tablets as alternatives to the physical
versions of magazines as they may find these versions more portable
and increasingly efficient. Another reason why many people are using
their smartphones as a source to read their magazines is that a big
reason magazines had become so popular was that they could be read to
kill time and/or when people needed a distraction. Smartphones and
tablets themselves can already be classed as distractions without the
added need for the magazine itself however, by letting consumers read
their products on their media devices such as the previously
mentioned ones, magazines will proactively be provided with an
increase in revenue.
When developing my
final product I will take many of these key elements into mind as it
may provide an accurate representation into the insight of a
realistic magazine. Things such as social media websites; provided
with actual links and original imagery, would be included as well as
other features that modern day magazines use to link consumers to the
internet such as QR codes. My magazine will find ways to rival other
companies currently on the market with features relating to the
theme/genre: Alternative rock music magazine. This would include a
Spotify playlist as this is a free music streaming website and maybe
even a burnt CD with short tracks included.
