David Hesmondalgh wrote a book called “The culture industries”

His work is about tracing the relationship between media work, workers, and the industry.

“VH:[00:17:10] I think a lot sadly does come down to luck and who you know. “

“MM: [00:34:02] So how do you see that? Looking back do you think that was, do you think basically you were lucky? The right person, in the right place, at the right time?

JL: [00:34:12] Yeah.  “

Many younger people believe that the creative industry is a lot different to how it really is

“LH [00:20:14] the minute that I went in I realized not everybody who works in creativity is a fun person. There are a lot more boring than you’d expect them to be. They’re not as fun.“

They are drawn to the ideas of fame and wealth and that it will be easy and fun, putting them in a vulnerable position when they realise that this is not the case and the industry requires you to get very lucky

David Hesmondhalgh says that media is a risky business

The 3 main sections of the culture industry

PRODUCTION : This involves the production of the media such as the movie director or the song writer.

DISTRIBUTION : This includes companies or people who promote and advertise the product.

CONSUMPTION : This includes the shareholders, people or businesses that are involved with the product through the distribution. This includes workers such as cinema ticket people or the listeners of the music.

Strategies that minimise this risk mentioned by David: Concept 1: maximising profits and minimising risks

• Horizontal integration: This acquires the media companies involved to minimise risk by achieving scale based cost savings whilst also trying and allowing the product to maximise profits by positioning brands to not compete against each other
• Vertical integration: This acquires production, distribution and marketing specialist subsidiaries, media can control all aspects of their supply chain
• When considering horizontal integration, this idea is that there is one large business that integrates it’s business by focusing on one section of the film industry and the culture industry. Such as a business based around production, the main business is called the parent business.
• Vertical integration is when the main large parent company owns multiple companies across different stages of the film industry.

Repetitive strategies

• Following the same genres that are proven to generate the most profit to minimise risk

• Using the same star actors

• Leaving shows on cliff hangers to make sure they are interested in the next season or movie

• Or making more products out of one, such as song then selling concert tickets and merchandise