How the Music Industry works

Institutions – How does the magazine industry work?

Positions in the music industry vary depending on the magazine, however they all have the similar basic staff roles.  People who work with word and images, these people carry out editorial functions, which create the editorial product.

Editor positions:

·      Editor in Chief

·      Managing Editor

·      Production Manager  + Production Assistants

·      Executive Editors (magazine’s not always have them)

Editor in Chief

The editor in chief of the top editorial position at a magazine and is responsible for directing all content and implementing the mission of the magazine. He/she handles and controls the relevance of components going into the magazine as well as checking grammar and aesthetics in documents and articles appearing in the specified medium. This job also involves relationship building and communicating with authors.

Managing Editor

The managing editor is responsible for the total quality of the published material, for supervising, directing the activities of the support staff and coordinating publication through editing, writing and producing manuals and related materials. Their duties are to over see the process of publication communication with authors, writers, and indexers, also to coordinate this process. She/he has to inspect proofs for accuracy supervises subordinate staff, serve as liaison between units or departments, publishers, printers and authors. Another duty they have is to manage budget and assist preparations of promotional material.

Production Manager + Production Assistants

A production manager ensures that goods and services are produced efficiently. They ensure the correct amount is produced at the right cost and at the right level of quality.

Typical work activities

The exact nature of the work will depend on the size of the employing organisation. However, tasks typically involve:

•       overseeing the production process, drawing up a production schedule;

•       ensuring that the production is cost effective;

•       making sure that products are produced on time and are of good quality;

•       working out the human and material resources needed;

•       drafting a timescale for the job;

•       estimating costs and setting the quality standards;

•       monitoring the production processes and adjusting schedules as needed;

•       being responsible for the selection and maintenance of equipment;

•       monitoring product standards and implementing quality-control programmes;

•       liaising among different departments, e.g. suppliers, managers;

•       working with managers to implement the company's policies and goals;

•       ensuring that health and safety guidelines are followed;

•       supervising and motivating a team of workers;

•       reviewing the performance of subordinates;

•       identifying training needs.

Executive Editor

Executive editors must exhibit the ability to effectively manage subordinates and assistant editors. Depending on the size of the publication, the executive editor is to ensure that the publication's content is in line with its mission. This is done by coordinating with the assistant editors, who take this information back to their subordinates. In addition, the executive editor approves the hiring of newsroom staff members, performs conduct appraisals and is an editorial staff disciplinarian.

Once articles are written, copy editors read them to correct errors in fact, grammar, spelling, and punctuation; to eliminate problems in organization, clarity, and style; and to ensure that the piece reflects the content and tone of the mission of a magazine. The copyediting staff, often referred to by the traditional newspaper term "the copy desk," is managed by the copy chief. Entry-level positions on the copyediting staff include proofreaders and fact checkers.

The visual side of the editorial department is supervised by the art director, who works closely with the editors to carry out the unique look of a magazine. They make all the assignment for photographers, photo stylists and illustrator but also manages the designers who make the lay out of the editorial pages. There are also titles such as senior designer; staff artists, junior designer and art assistant.

 The advertising sales staff is also supported by people who provide expertise in both business and creativity. The marketing director designs a sales strategy to attract advertisers. The research director gathers information about a magazine's readership to help advertisers better understand and appreciate the audience they will be reaching. The public relations director works to promote a magazine's image among its various constituents—readers, advertisers, and others in the magazine industry. The promotion director prepares sales materials such as board presentations, brochures, and videos that sales representatives use to help sell advertising. The merchandising director develops and implements "value-added" programs to enhance the marketing programs of advertisers. All of these sales support directors employ assistants to help carry out their jobs; the promotion and merchandising directors also manage artists and copywriters to prepare materials related to their work.

Of course there other career also can be found in this industry such as, circulation, distribution, technical support, finance and accounting departments. There is also newly introduced position which is online editing who designs and oversees the contents of the website of the magazine.