Industries: ownership and control

1) Type up your research notes from the lesson - what did you find out about your allocated media conglomerate?

Media Conglomerate: Comcast
Conglomerate ownership: NBC Universal-merger with Comcast and Telemundo
Vertical and horizontal integration: DreamWorks, "Television, news, movies, theme parks"
Synergy: DreamWorks- theme parks, such as Shrek, Fast and Furious etc.
Diversification: Comcast cable- ISP, internet, video and phone provider.
Cross-media regulation: Comcast-Time Warner merger is in trouble- they made a loss.

2) Do you agree that governments should prevent media conglomerates from becoming too dominant? Write an argument that looks at both sides of this debate.

A media conglomerate, or media group, is a company that owns numerous companies involved in creating mass media products such as print, television, radio, movies or online. I agree that that the government should prevent media conglomerates from becoming too dominant as their dominance will leave very little space and opportunities for other media organisations and companies which means there will be less of a variety of different media products from different view points and perspectives. On the other hand it can be argued that the government should not prevent media conglomerates from becoming too dominant because they are still present examples of multiple media texts (print, television, radio) and therefore are covering all of the different aspects of the media. 

3) Briefly describe the production, promotion and distribution process for media companies.

The production process: This gives the audiences' what they want, including their desires and the gratifications they expect.
The promotion process: This process researches and identifies the target audience for the product. They use techniques of advertising and marketing to inform and persuade the audience of the value of the media product.

The distribution process: Using the easiest and most convenient way to get the product to the audience, easier for them to access.

4) What the different funding models for media institutions?

Income generated from:

• Subscribers
• Investments
• Licence fees
• How long consumers spend on the site

5) The article gives a lot of examples of major media brands and companies. Choose three examples from the article and summarise what the writer is saying about each of them. 

Disney

Disney is a family friendly brand with a reputation focused around it's success in the animation industry. Their success enabled them to also develop merchandising and branded products (e.g: Disneyland). Their brand is recognised by signature images that have become well known across the world. 

Marvel

This brand has become heavily associated with the superhero genre due to the original comic books that were produced. The distinct brand image brings a sense of familiarity for the consumers who purchase these products as they know that although they may not be surprised at the content, the quality makes the purchase worthwhile.

Spotify: Mid 2000s  offered an online music service. Encourage people to buy something they already have.

6) What examples are provided of the new business models media companies have had to adopt due to changes in technology and distribution?

Music - The music industry no longer makes a large amount of profit through the sale of music itself. It now generates profit via: streaming, merchandising and live shows.
The movie industry - creating 3D technology to encourage audiences to continue going to the cinema.

Online newspapers - requiring subscriptions for premium/ specific content to be available for audiences.

7) Re-read the section on 'The Future'. What examples are discussed of technology companies becoming major media institutions?

Google owns YouTube - changed the way we access music/ other entertainment.
Amazon, Netflix and Yahoo - broadcast their own shows which encourages more audience members to sign up for subscriptions/memberships.

8) Do you agree with the view that traditional media institutions are struggling to survive?

I agree that traditional media institutions are struggling to survive and will eventually die out as time goes by as there will be newer and more advanced media institutions that will takeover completely.

9) How might diversification or vertical integration help companies to survive and thrive in a rapidly changing media landscape? 

Diversification may help as it would enable companies to change and adapt to suit what the audiences want to see in a product and how they prefer to access it. Vertical integration may help as it would allow companies to control how effectively each stage is done and whether or not these methods would maximise their profit/ success.

10) How do YOU see the relationship between audience and institution in the future? Will audiences gain increasing power or will the major global media conglomerates maintain their control?

I think that as time has gone by even in present day audiences have a strong influence over the media and what is presented. User generated content has become more and more popular in media industries and media platforms - an example is the news and social media using audiences videos to present information and events that have happened - this is an example of how audiences are gaining more and more influence over the media and the content being presented, it is a lot more realistic.