TASK 4A - RESEARCH INTO MUSIC INDUSTRIES AND

INSTITUTIONS
IPC Media is a consumer magazine and digital publisher in the United
Kingdom, with a large portfolio selling over 350 million copies each year.
IPC was founded in 1968 from its parent company Time Inc.

What types of magazine and target audiences has IPC

been associated with over the years?
The IPC over the years has been associated with multiple different
magazines and multiple different target audiences for example;

Mizz
VolksWorld
Motor Boats Monthly
Homes & Interiors
Wedding & Home
World Soccer
Anglers Mail
Rugby World
Cycling Weekly

In the 1800s IPC/Times Inc. was mainly based around middle aged and
middle class males, this was proven as they published magazines based
around sport and cultural interests. However, from around the 1960s IPC
produced a wider variety of magazines for example;
Woman
Womens own
Women & Home
As you can tell by the titles these magazines have developed and are made
for both males and females now.

What sorts of genres of music/types of magazines

might they be likely to publish?
From previous magazines such as NME, it is evident that IPC do not really
publish a specific genre of music magazine, as NME performs various
collaborations, such as the collaboration with Dizzee Rascal in 2009.
However, they are unlikely to publish magazines such as the heavy metal
genre, as the company seems quite family orientated, and are more likely to
publish magazines such as pop, R&B or rock, as they are popular in a larger
audience. IPC are unlikely to publish niche genres of music as well, sticking
to the larger magazines that can afford the services of printing and
publisher that the company provides.

Why might IPC be an appropriate publisher for a new

music magazine?
IPC would be appropriate for the publisher of a new music magazine
because of their history in this area of magazine business. The company has
a history of nearly two hundred years in printing development, which
means they are obviously going to have incredible amounts of experience
in reference to the printing business, be it magazines, or the newspaper
with which the company originated. From this information we can see that
IPC has a large history in the industry and is well versed in regards to the
nature of their business, allowing for an up and coming music magazine to
be published effectively and with a high level of professional attitude in
regard to their work.

Why might alternative publishers like Bauer be

appropriate?
Bauer Media is Europes largest privately owned publishing Group. The
Group is a worldwide media empire offering over 300 magazines in 15
countries, as well as online, TV and radio stations. Bauer Media is a UKbased media group consisting of many companies collected around two
main divisions Magazines and Radio - widely recognized and rewarded as
being industry innovators. Bauer magazine heritage stretches back to 1953

with the launch of Angling Times and the acquisition in 1956 of Motor
Cycle News, both still iconic brands within our portfolio. In comparison I
wouldve said that Bauer would be a better publisher as it has a wider
target audience. However, IPC has now developed and now has multiple
different magazines and target audiences, so if I was to choose I would now
choose IPC as they are more based around my magazines genre and still
have a lot of experience in printing and publishing.