Task 5 – Magazine newsstand task

Task 5 – Magazine newsstand task

This newsstand is found in a newsagent. There aren’t many music magazines but the magazines that are found in this shop are placed quite far back on the newsstand this means that the information on the top left fifth is important and needs to be able to stand out, be recognisable and has to show off as much important information possible that will get the reader interested in that magazine.  When magazine are setup on a newsstand they overlap most of the magazine this is where the placement of coverlines, mastheads and images is decided so that it is easy for the reader to pick out the magazine. The magazines tend to be on the left hand side and they are mainly short so that it they are visible on the stand even when overlapped. 

This kerrang magazine was placed on the second row so it was important that certain parts of cover page were on show when designing the layout. The masthead is made visible as it is in the left third, the face of the main image is also visible which means that will catch the readers attention when scanning the newsstand as they are likely to recognise the artist if they are fans of that certain magazine or they might just have the knowledge of who that artist is. A splash/mention of a freebie is mentioned at the top of the cover page, which will also encourage people to buy this magazine as they see that will be getting something free out of it. This specific magazine includes 5 posters inside which is likely to entice the reader as they might like to collect posters of there favourite artist. Another image is shown on the cover page right underneath the masthead this will also appeal to the reader because they would want to know why there's a picture of that person and what they’ve got to say.

 

In class we had discussed 3 different types of distribution. These are online distribution, direct distribution, and printed distribution.

• Online distribution has recently become the biggest method of distribution. Using a subscription that can either be free or paid for e.g. RWD magazine requires a subscription. E-zine is an electronic version of a magazine similar to an eBook. With subscriptions it’s very simple, you enter some details in and then you receive the magazine online, these subscriptions can be done on your computer, an ipad, kindle fire. Also these apps are available on smart phones. 
• Postal subscription is a part of distribution as it posted through your front door. This is a good way of distribution as it doesn’t require you to leave your house at it is basically brought to you. The publishers are guaranteed to have a sale from this form of distribution. As for the audience this is a cheaper way of subscribing and there’s a chance to receive free gifts.

• Direct distribution is when a magazine may be handed out to you or there’s selected locations where you can pick up free magazines. Advertising funds this form of distribution and this is why they are able to give out magazines for free because they’ve been paid to have adverts in the magazine.

• The final form of distribution is when you purchase it from newsstands, bookstores, newsagents, and supermarkets. Within this process of distribution there is the choice of sale or return, this is has both positive and negative aspects to it. The positive aspect is that  if the distributors were to give a set number of magazines to a retail outlet to sell and they hadn’t managed to sell them all, they are able to return the magazines back to the distributors with no cost. However the negative aspect is that this results in a lot of wasted magazines and it is rather expensive for the distributed.

The form of distribution I would use is online distribution as the Internet is constantly being used by people of all ages; this means it will be a quicker way of creating a fan base. This means there wont be any problems with wasted products like if I were to do sale or return, also people are able to just subscribe online so there isn’t a need to print numerous copies which may or may not sell.