Magazines: Oh Comely- Industry
Iceberg Press
Visit the Iceberg Press website - particularly the Who Are We page and the Why Are We Here page. Read the content and then answer the following questions:
1) Why did the people behind Iceberg Press set it up?
'Iceberg exists to do things differently. To usher in a new age for magazines and media brands.'
2) What is the Iceberg Press mission statement? (It's on the Why Are We Here page and is a series of statements).
' The world of magazines has never been more vibrant and innovative, but you wouldn't know it from the average newsstand today. We aim to bridge that gap.'
3) What are the two magazines that Iceberg Press publishes?
Oh Comely and The Simple Things.
4) What similarities do you notice between The Simple Things magazine and Oh Comely?
They both offer fresh and modern perspectives on topics.
5) What differences can you find between Hearst UK, publisher of Men's Health, and Iceberg Press?
Hearst UK publishes many magazines including Men's Health whereas Iceberg Press only publishes two magazines and is a lot smaller.
Writer's Edit journal article
Read this excellent Writer's Edit academic journal article on the independent magazine industry and answer the following questions:
1) What is the definition of an independent print magazine?
Magazines published "without the financial support of a large corporation or institution in which the makers control publication and distribution".
2) What does Hamilton (2013) suggest about independent magazines in the digital age?
There is evidence that suggests that independent magazines and "small printed magazines are quietly thriving even as the global newspaper and book industries falter” .
3) What is the aim of Kinfolk magazine and what similarities can you draw with Oh Comely?
Similarly to Oh Comely, Kinfolk magazine prioritises expression and creativity and offers help and advice to its readers.
4) Why does the article suggest that independent magazines might be succeeding while global magazine publishers such as Bauer are struggling?
Independent magazines are using digital development to their advantage and have a strong online presence which is why they are succeeding.
5) How do independent magazines launch? Look at the example of Alphabet Family Journal.
AFJ relied on online crowdfunding campaigns.
6) What does the article suggest about how independent publishers use digital media to target their niche audiences?
Independent magazines utilises technological advances and their online presence to target their niche audiences.
7) Why is it significant that independent magazines are owned and created by the same people? How does this change the creative process and direction of the magazine?
So the aesthetic and overall theme of the magazine is not lost.
8) What does the article suggest regarding the benefits of a 'do-it-yourself' approach to creating independent magazines?
The do it yourself approach emphasises a person's self determination.
9) The article discusses the audience appeal of print. Why might audiences love the printed form in the digital age?
'The preference for a print is born of a refusal to see print and online content as opposing camps'.
10) What are the challenges in terms of funding and distributing an independent magazine?
Independent magazines do not have the backing of established large publishers,so they have to find innovative new ways to fund and distribute magazines.
Irish Times feature
Now read this short feature in the Irish Times on the growth of independent magazines and answer the following questions:
1) Why are independent magazines so popular?
They have diverse subject matters and are driven by passion for their content and reach audiences around the world.
2) Why is the magazine publishing industry set up to favour the big global conglomerates?
They have multiple titles,large sales teams and economies of scale therefore the industry favours big conglomerates.
3) What does the article suggest regarding finding an audience for an independent magazine?
It is difficult to find an audience as if subject is too broad you may get 'lost in the crowd' but if the subject is too narrow the audience will be too small.
4) What are the challenges for magazine distributors?
Shipping magazines is expensive as you have to pay for shipping and the price for shipping them back if they do not sell.
5) The article suggests that many independent magazines only make money by diversifying into other products. What examples do they give?
Independent magazines can diversify into other products such as hosting events,selling t-shirts etc.
TCO interview with Ruth Jamieson
Finally, read this excellent interview on the TCO London website with Ruth Jamieson, who has written a book on the renaissance of the independent magazine sector. Answer the following questions:
1) Why does Ruth Jamieson suggest there's a renaissance in independent publishing?
Ruth says that it has never been easier to start a magazine and find your audience .
2) What are the common themes for successful independent magazines?
Offering something that digital media cannot offer,great art direction,focusing on the readers, and having a strong unique idea.
3) How many of these aspects can you find in Oh Comely? Make specific reference to the CSP pages where possible.
You can find many of these aspects in Oh Comely, for instance Oh Comely has a unique and artsy aesthetic and they focus on the readers by offering help and advice and they have feminism beliefs at its core.
4) How does Jamieson see the future for the magazine industry?
Magazines will have to learn from independent magazines if they want to survive.Mainstream magazines will be branching out beyond their print issues.
5) How might this future impact Oh Comely? Do you think Oh Comely will survive the next five years - and why?
I think Oh Comely will survive as it is an independent magazine and targets a specific niche audience that are loyal to the magazine.
Visit the Iceberg Press website - particularly the Who Are We page and the Why Are We Here page. Read the content and then answer the following questions:
1) Why did the people behind Iceberg Press set it up?
'Iceberg exists to do things differently. To usher in a new age for magazines and media brands.'
2) What is the Iceberg Press mission statement? (It's on the Why Are We Here page and is a series of statements).
' The world of magazines has never been more vibrant and innovative, but you wouldn't know it from the average newsstand today. We aim to bridge that gap.'
3) What are the two magazines that Iceberg Press publishes?
Oh Comely and The Simple Things.
4) What similarities do you notice between The Simple Things magazine and Oh Comely?
They both offer fresh and modern perspectives on topics.
5) What differences can you find between Hearst UK, publisher of Men's Health, and Iceberg Press?
Hearst UK publishes many magazines including Men's Health whereas Iceberg Press only publishes two magazines and is a lot smaller.
Writer's Edit journal article
Read this excellent Writer's Edit academic journal article on the independent magazine industry and answer the following questions:
1) What is the definition of an independent print magazine?
Magazines published "without the financial support of a large corporation or institution in which the makers control publication and distribution".
2) What does Hamilton (2013) suggest about independent magazines in the digital age?
There is evidence that suggests that independent magazines and "small printed magazines are quietly thriving even as the global newspaper and book industries falter” .
3) What is the aim of Kinfolk magazine and what similarities can you draw with Oh Comely?
Similarly to Oh Comely, Kinfolk magazine prioritises expression and creativity and offers help and advice to its readers.
4) Why does the article suggest that independent magazines might be succeeding while global magazine publishers such as Bauer are struggling?
Independent magazines are using digital development to their advantage and have a strong online presence which is why they are succeeding.
5) How do independent magazines launch? Look at the example of Alphabet Family Journal.
AFJ relied on online crowdfunding campaigns.
6) What does the article suggest about how independent publishers use digital media to target their niche audiences?
Independent magazines utilises technological advances and their online presence to target their niche audiences.
So the aesthetic and overall theme of the magazine is not lost.
8) What does the article suggest regarding the benefits of a 'do-it-yourself' approach to creating independent magazines?
The do it yourself approach emphasises a person's self determination.
9) The article discusses the audience appeal of print. Why might audiences love the printed form in the digital age?
'The preference for a print is born of a refusal to see print and online content as opposing camps'.
10) What are the challenges in terms of funding and distributing an independent magazine?
Independent magazines do not have the backing of established large publishers,so they have to find innovative new ways to fund and distribute magazines.
Irish Times feature
Now read this short feature in the Irish Times on the growth of independent magazines and answer the following questions:
1) Why are independent magazines so popular?
They have diverse subject matters and are driven by passion for their content and reach audiences around the world.
2) Why is the magazine publishing industry set up to favour the big global conglomerates?
They have multiple titles,large sales teams and economies of scale therefore the industry favours big conglomerates.
3) What does the article suggest regarding finding an audience for an independent magazine?
It is difficult to find an audience as if subject is too broad you may get 'lost in the crowd' but if the subject is too narrow the audience will be too small.
4) What are the challenges for magazine distributors?
Shipping magazines is expensive as you have to pay for shipping and the price for shipping them back if they do not sell.
5) The article suggests that many independent magazines only make money by diversifying into other products. What examples do they give?
Independent magazines can diversify into other products such as hosting events,selling t-shirts etc.
TCO interview with Ruth Jamieson
Finally, read this excellent interview on the TCO London website with Ruth Jamieson, who has written a book on the renaissance of the independent magazine sector. Answer the following questions:
1) Why does Ruth Jamieson suggest there's a renaissance in independent publishing?
Ruth says that it has never been easier to start a magazine and find your audience .
2) What are the common themes for successful independent magazines?
Offering something that digital media cannot offer,great art direction,focusing on the readers, and having a strong unique idea.
3) How many of these aspects can you find in Oh Comely? Make specific reference to the CSP pages where possible.
You can find many of these aspects in Oh Comely, for instance Oh Comely has a unique and artsy aesthetic and they focus on the readers by offering help and advice and they have feminism beliefs at its core.
4) How does Jamieson see the future for the magazine industry?
Magazines will have to learn from independent magazines if they want to survive.Mainstream magazines will be branching out beyond their print issues.
5) How might this future impact Oh Comely? Do you think Oh Comely will survive the next five years - and why?
I think Oh Comely will survive as it is an independent magazine and targets a specific niche audience that are loyal to the magazine.
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