KERRANG MAGAZINE

Kerrang! is a weekly magazine devoted to rock music made by Bauer Media Group. It  published in June 1981 for the first time as a one-off piece in the Sounds newspaper. It is named after the word that sounds like a power chord on a distorted electric guitar. In the early 2000's it became the best-selling British music newspaper. The original owner was United Newspapers who then sold it to EMAP in 1991.

In the early 1990's the magazine placed many thrash and glam metal acts on the cover such as Mötley Crüe, Slayer, Metallica and Poison. They later discarded them when grunge acts such as Nirvana rose to fame- keeping up with popular demand. This was criticised by some fans that followed the magazines from the start as they seemed to just run whatever was popular.

Popularity rose again with the hiring or editor Paul Rees in 2000 with the introduction of nu metal- bands such as Limp Bizkit and Slipknot. Rees went on to edit Q magazine and Ashley Bird took over in 2003. They also coined the phrase "Thrash Metal" while making a reference to the Anthrax song "Metal Thrashing Mad" in issue number 62- making them stand out as a confident, successful publication. In 2008, EMAP sold its consumer magazine to current owner Bauer Media Group.

The website is dedicated to finding out more information on the current bands and upcoming events. It features an online shop, podcasts, message board, TV and radio ensuring even more opportunities to sell merchandise.  It also launched it's own online forum with the rants and raves section.

This is an extract from the Bauer Media Company website. It tells potential advertisers what, how and why to advertise in their magazine. They have to sell their product to these people to create extra revenue, whilst ensuring that the adverts are current and relate to their target audience of late teenagers and adults that they give on the site. This is the kind of magazine our company would advertise in as they often feature pop punk bands and news.

They also hold an annual awards ceremony to mark the most successful bands in the interests of their readers. The awards became one of Britain's most recognised award events. It is always presented by major music celebrities, with many others outside the industry attending the event. EMAP launched Kerrang! as a digital radio station across the UK which began as a 'jukebox' station, playing a back-to-back sequence of music. In June 2004, Kerrang! 105.2 was launched as a regional radio station. It has specialist programmes devoted to various genres and artists. It includes interviews with stars. Then , in 2001 EMAP launched Kerrang! TV. It covers the more mainstream side of rock like the radio station as well as classic rock. Kerrang TV is now a joint venture between Bauer Media Group and Channel 4. It holds it own tour throughout January a tour of rock music concerts around the UK. The tour has featured bands such as Bullet for My Valentine, Good Charlotte and Sum 41 (our chosen band). In 2012 Kerrang announced a new rock chart for the UK which is based upon airplay across Kerrang Radio, Kerrang TV and sales figures from the Official Charts Company. It is announced on Saturday mornings and feature twenty tracks. The latest chart can be viewed on Kerrang every Saturday at midday.