1.3 Research Statement

Many local music magazines have ceased publication after a few years publishing consistently. Music magazines such as ROTTW have a target market for people who buy printed version music magazines. Thus, they are not changing their revenue to an online media.

One of the methods to prolong the existence and publishing of music magazines is by repackaging and updating the design aspect. In this research, fanzine graphics are researched to offer an alternative to the current look of professional printed music magazines.

Even big corporate businesses such as Nike adapted the fanzine culture. They did their own fanzine entitled U Don’t Stop to indirectly sell their products. It has the intimate touch with handwriting, and crossed off words. It’s as scruffy as a real fanzine. Warner Music produced their version of fanzine called Dirt. The clothing chain Urban Outfitters with their Slant and Body Shop with Full Voice. They used the fanzine approach for their business because they need something cool that young people can connect. (Brent & Biel pp. 133, 134, 135)

The researcher did an interview with key persons in the local and foreign music magazine industry. The researcher also did library research to understand the issues and methods to complete the research. Music fans were surveyed to strengthen the research and get the most preferable findings.

This will enhance the aesthetical value thus will keep people purchasing printed music magazines and keep them alive, along with internet and mobile technology.