Institution Research

Bauer group media are an institution famous for dominating the magazine industry within the UK. They produce magazines (over 300 in 15 countries) and digital products as well as having radio and TV stations in local markets worldwide. The company began in 1953 with the launch of Angling Times which suggests it is highly developed and therefore professional. The media platforms they

produce include print, online, radio, TV and mobile applications demonstrating the diverse opportunities the institution can provide which can be beneficial especially for a regional magazine with a smaller audience base. One thing I really like about Bauer is that there are no boundaries to what type of magazine they produce. The magazines they produce can range from rock music through KERRANG to sport through Golf World. I do however feel that most of the magazines they produce are very mainstream and hyped for a national audience therefore my contemporary and quirky style may not fit in. From the Bauer website, I get the assumption they place great emphasize on relevant target audiences with modern and popular common interests. Although Bauer make a really big revenue and are basically dominating the magazine institution industry, I feel they are more appropriate for a big branded national magazine which will appeal to their worldwide audience.

Future PLC is the 6th largest media corporation in the UK. The company was founded as Future Publishing in Somerset in 1985. This shows that PLC isn't as old and therefore maybe not as established as Bauer which could be the reason why it is slightly behind in terms of success. PLC also has many award winning digital businesses which have a total of 52 million audience consumers

showing that it does in fact attract readers to the magazines it publishes. I feel this is important for a regional magazine as the smaller area of audience members calls for a greater need of attention and publicity. The genres of magazine they produce are almost fully digital for example 3D World, Xbox Official and TechRadar. These tie in well with the name future and all fall under the technology genre which is featured as a sub-genre of my culture magazine. They do also produce magazines such as EDGE, Total Film and Total Guitar. I feel as it already produces magazines without the same content to mine then it will not be a very good institution for me to work with.

The Crack is a self publishing magazine institution and is a free culture and listings magazine. The magazine was started in 1985.  Published monthly in print and online, it covers entertainment and culture for the North East region of England. It provides comprehensive listings and previews on music, art, film, theatre, dance, comedy, gay-interest concerns and clubs, as well as articles relating to local fashion and local issues.The Crack is available in the foyers of public spaces such as pubs, cafes, restaurants and shops and also in those of cultural venues such as galleries, libraries and cinemas.