FUTURE PLC

FUTURE PLC

Who are they?  Future PLC. is an international special-interest media group that is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol FUTR).  Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating over 180 special-interest publications, websites and events for people who are passionate about their interests.  We hold market-leading positions in games, film, music, technology, cycling, automotive and crafts.

Are they British/European/American? Future todays employs 1200 people in offices in London, Bath, San Francisco, New York and Sydney. Future was founded as a UK company in 1985.

What other magazines do they produce?  They produce T3, Total Film, Classic Rock, Guitar World, and Official Xbox Magazine (Metal Hammer). Future is the biggest music-making publisher in both the US and the UK (Future PLC, 2011).  Metal Hammer on Planet Rock and Metal Hammer 25th Anniversary show (

Why is it important for the institution to evolve and follow market trends? To keep on top of what their audiences want, they need to be able to offer exactly what there after thus resulting in no loss of customers/viewers. The more magazines evolve and offer more products, the more things their customers can get involved with and may appeal to a wider range of people. (Same as IPC Media)

Do they produce products other than media texts? They organise events, (sporting events), music and film industry and have websites for gaming and technology.

How important is convergence for your institution?  Convergence is what gives these two magazine institutions unique selling points which attract more customers. By mixing the old with new, more customers are able to get involved with the product. For example, Future magazine allows the customer to subscribe to them on an iPad, iPhone and iPod touch.

How do they target their audience? Do they offer a variety of magazines for different nationalities and ethnicities? Our online advertising growth in the UK – some 44% - more than compensated for the continued decline in demand for print advertising. Overall advertising revenues grew year-on-year, with online proportions up from 22% to 31% (Steve Spring, May 2011).

‘Advertising patterns continue to change and in the UK, the internet advertising now accounts for a greater share of advertising expenditure than is allocated to television, radio, billboards, magazines or newspapers’ (Interim Report, May 2011).

Consider the use of NMT (New Media technology); how does the institution communicate with their audiences’ through the use of the internet/mobile phone applications. . Mobile phone apps and Metal Hammer has more than 100,000 Facebook followers.  They allow you to sign up to receive frequent newsletters, podcasts, forums (fans can communicate and share with each other). Most magazines allow the audience to write and contribute/ leave a comment(s). They allow you to sign up to receive frequent newsletters, podcasts, forums (fans can communicate and share with each other). Through the Future PLC website, you can register to get email alerts/ updates and twitter updates