Following research amongst both current and potential readers, NME is now a more opinionated, entertaining and heavyweight music magazine with even more relevant and timely content, says the publisher.
New content includes:
• A brand new front section, featuring vital, in-depth reads such as ‘The Main Event’ - a report, investigation or debate on the week’s most pressing music news story.
• Weekly Talking Head comment pieces from both musicians and NME’s star writers, including Gavin Haynes, Luke Lewis and Emily MacKay.
• Regular new First Night, On The Road and In The Studio pages which showcase NME’s unrivalled access and provide invaluable information to readers on major tours and upcoming albums.
• A complete overhaul of Radar, NME’s vital new music section, to include more new band news, live reports and tips each week. The section will also feature regular expert columnists – including Tim Westwood, Simian Mobile Disco and Mary-Anne Hobbs – writing incisively about different music scenes from hip hop to hardcore rock.
• A celebration of NME’s incredible history through a new page ‘This Week In’ which looks back at the brilliant and often bizarre stories from NME’s archive.
Krissi says: “When I took this role I had very clear ideas about what I wanted to do with the magazine. The new NME is significantly different, with a much more mature and aspirational design, and content which focuses on being in-depth, opinionated and above all knowledgeable. We listened carefully to what music fans want from their NME – and delivered a weekly must-have for anyone who is obsessed with music, regardless of age.”
The new NME will look very different with a complete redesign – including a new logo – new layout, with more words on the page, supplementary breakout information, a smarter feel and better use of NME’s raw and essential photography throughout.
The changes are unveiled in this week’s issue. The special issue features 10 covers showing the breadth of music NME is excited about in 2010. The remarkable collection of cover stars are: Jack White, Rihanna, Kasabian, Foals, MIA, Magnetic Man, Florence + the Machine, LCD Soundsystem, Laura Marling and Biffy Clyro.
Publishing director Paul Cheal adds: “Music is everywhere. Having a trusted voice that separates the wheat from the chaff while informing, entertaining and inspiring people who love music is more important than ever. Krissi and her team have delivered precisely that with this latest iteration of the NME.”
To support the launch, NME is delivering a large print and online marketing campaign. This will run within IPC brands including Nuts, Loaded, Uncut, Now, Look and Marie Claire as well as on NME TV and NME Radio with additional support from external partners including The Independent, Time Out, and AMG Music Academy venues. This campaign will reach an estimated eight million 15-34 year olds.
