The Big Issue Flashcards
What is the big issue? how does it work?
Not-for-profit magazine sold through vendors who are homeless
The vendors buy it for £1.50 and then they sell it on for £3
The vendors are then free to use the money they make however they want
whats the point of the magazine?
to give homeless people a legal way to make money
what front cover is studied?
25th anniversary edition (october 2016)
who is the target audience/demographic?
ABC1 (disposable income)
People who get socially embarrassed
how many copies were they selling a week at the height of their success? How did this change and what did they decide to do?
Height of success - 300,000 copies
But as of 2011 they were only selling 125000 copies
So they decided to rebrand and focus more on politics and celebrities
What is the big issue foundation and when did it start?
1995
Charity which provides homeless people with training, workshops and info on how to get support
what is the big issue invest and when did it start?
2005
funds people with business plans with the ultimate goal to end poverty
How is the Big Issue connected with the Body Shop
the body shop gave the big issue the funding they needed to start up
The founder of TBI (Gordon Roddick) married founder of TBS (Anita Roddick)
who publishes the magazine?
Dennis Publishing
How have they combated the decrease in sales of print media?
They have digital distribution (worked with Zinio) allows people to apple purchase one digital copy or subscribe for 12 months
how does curran and seatons theory relate to the product?
Not primarily focused on making profit, but instead on helping the homeless
Being independent inspires creativity and diversity (allows more discussion of controversial topics)
how does gerbners cultivation theory relate to the product?
challenges the repeated negative stereotypes of homelessness often presented by the mass media
how does gauntletts identity theory relate to the product?
Challenges traditional stereotypes towards the homeless
Grayson Perry article allows expression of sexuality and gender which breaks traditional taboos and stigmas
‘Moving On’ articles present a range of homeless people who have turned around their lives - motivates other homeless people to do the same
how does van zoonens feminist theory relate to the product?
The women are not sexualised, and their bodies are not seen as objects, and mens bodies are not shown as spectacles
how does livingstone and lunts regulation theory relate to the product?
Not a member of IPSO but still must adhere to strict regulation guidelines
Editorial independence - can feature ‘risky content’
