Magazines: Vogue Industry Flashcards
Introduction to Vogue
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine covering topics including fashion, beauty, and runway
Began as a weekly newspaper in 1982 in the USA, and is now a monthly publication
Historical context for Vogue
During the 1960s attitudes to equality were changing, and women were striving for equal rights, equal pay, and sexual liberation
How are magazines funded
Some magazines are financed directly through the cover price or the cost of subscription
However the majority of magazines have dual revenue streams - with most of their funding coming from advertising
Power and Media Industries by Curran and Seaton
The media is controlled by a small number of companies that are all driven by the logic of profit and power
Companies aim for a greater concentration of ownership
Application of Power and Media Industries
Concentration of ownership is often the result of horizontal integration
Many publishing houses have been able to consolidate their power in the magazine industry by acquiring or merging with rival publishers
What is the problem with horizontal integration?
This has a negative impact on audiences as media concentration limits variety, creativity, quality, and choice
This is because major companies are risk averse and will look for ways to minimise costs and maximise profits
What is IPC
IPC (International Publishing Corporation) was formed following a merger between the Mirror Group who owned a large portfolio of national newspapers
This made them such a powerful force during the 1960s as it had ownership of several large scale, high speed printing plants
Condé Nast
Condé Nast is the publisher of Vogue
Condé Nast are owned by The National Magazine Company
They remained highly competitive in the magazine sector even though they didn’t own any printing presses in the UK only the USA
Why was having access to high quality printing important to Condé Nast and Vogue
High quality printing meets the ethos of the magazines ideology of middle class, upmarket fashion
Their marketing materials are printed in high quality
How is Condé Nast an example of a powerful media conglomerate?
Since 1959 they have been owned by the American media company Advance Publications
Advance Publications diversified during the 50s and the 60s by moving into other industries such as magazine publishing and broadcasting
This process of horizontal and vertical integration allowed them to become a powerful media conglomerate
Regulation for mergers and concentration of ownership
CMA (Competition and Markets Authority)
They are tasked with investigating mergers and takeovers to ensure that industries remain competitive
How did the CMA combat this form of regulation to ensure that smaller companies are not affected
Introduction of statutory regulation - a regulatory system that is implemented by law
This meant that self regulation is threatened and smaller companies can be protected from oligopolies and monopolies
Changes in regulation in the magazine industry
There is a new editors code that all magazines owned by the IPSO are required to abide by
What do IPSO look for when regulating contemporary magazines?
Accuracy, privacy, harassment, and discrimination.
They respond to digital manipulation of images which can be misleading to audiences
