industry

• the big issue industry

  • independent magazine
  • C2DE readership
  • not part of a conglomerate
  • operates on a not for profit basis, using any excess revenue to support homeless people
  • sold by vendors who but for £1.50 and sell for £3 and use money to support themself
• the big issue goal

  • to give homeless people a legal way of making money
  • to give them a hand up not out
• big issue diversification

  • after their success, wanted to help more people in need and diversified In 1995 with the big issue foundation and big issue invest (charity)
  • In 2016, diversified into online shop with profits going back to helping those in need
• what is the big issue foundation?

  • provides homeless people with training, information on how to get support with issues such as mental health, abuse and housing
• how do the big issue create revenue?

  • 2016, diversified into online shop with merch with all money going back to the needy
  • not about profit and power but giving back to the community making it different to most magazines
  • brands with similar ABC1 audiences place adverts in the magazine to create revenue for the big issue
• magazine industry

  • suffered due to the decline in people buying print magazines and instead choosing to get information and entertainment online
• the big issue digital distribution

  • working with Zinio: massive company that distributes thousands of magazines online where you can buy 1 or for 12 months
  • helps target audiences wo are online regularly, who don't have a local vendor and who are avoiding paper copies for environmental reasons
  • helps reach a global audience as Zino distributes to over 174 countries
  • revenue from these sales is used ti support vendors
• big issue relaunch

  • in 2011, only selling 125,000 copies weekly so decided to redesign and relaunch in attempt to boost sales
  • editions started to feature more content about political and social reform
  • featured more celebs
  • new magazines had a slightly higher price in attempt to help vendors make similar money
  • in a world where other magazines sales continued to plummet, the big issue's sales did eventually pick back up
• historical context

  • in 1980s, homelessness was a riding issue due to inflation, unemployment and privatisation of houses with ban on under 18s claiming housing benefits
  • big issue want to be a hand up not down
• big issue context

  • advice on how to get income
  • represents homeless people positively with main goal to help people
  • 1991
  • £4
  • social enterprise
  • micro business model (sell for more)
  • C2DE
  • published weekly
  • fair trade/ethical brand