ONLY HAVE TO DO PART 3

• MAJOR RESEARCH ASSIGNMENT

The Business of Media        Spring 2016                     

45% of Final Grade

Objective

To provide a thorough profile and analysis of one media sector, with a summary of the standard business models during the age of  ‘analog’ media, and an analysis of the emerging trends among both established companies and new entrants in the age of digital media.

Due Dates

Students will complete the project in stages over the course of the semester. Due dates must be strictly adhered to.  Please contact the course director and/or course marker-grader, if you have concerns about staying on schedule.

Collaboration

Students may collaborate on the Detailed Summary: Key Economic Indicators.  Collaborations must be acknowledged.

Part 1          Key Economic Indicators           

Feb 28                15% Final Grade

1)     Identify the core economic variables in your sector. These include but are not limited to:

a)     Main sources of revenue (i.e.: advertising, direct sale, subscription, original content, physical products)

b)    Key sales and revenue figures for past decade

c)     Production, distribution and marketing costs

d)    Relationship dynamics between key entities. Follow the flow of money from production to market and describe who/what are the most important influencers in this process.

2)     Identify the top ten leading firms in terms of revenue and market-share.

3)     Include one table identifying the most prominent corporate entities in your industry.

Tables, Figures, Charts, and Graphs

1)    Please ensure that your written analysis highlights and comments on only the most relevant data. 

2)    Reference all charts and graphs directly within the text of your analysis and provide some justification as to why you included them.

3)    Tables, charts and your narrative should highlight trends over the past decade, wherever possible.

4)    Tables and Charts must be easy to read and referenced.

5)    Make the numbers “tell a story” and highlight the main takeaways for each graphic within the body of your text.

6)    Title all tables, figures, charts, and graphs and number them consecutively.

Please ensure that your written analysis highlights and comments on the most relevant data.  Do not just cut and paste charts.  Don’t overwhelm us with data.  Don’t let the data speak for itself.

Resources

1)    Data should be drawn from reliable sources, including the Standard and Poor’s Industry Surveys, Vogel, Hoover’s and trade publications. Consult the Business of Media Research Guide.

2)    Clearly cite all resources used in your analysis with in-text citations and include a Works Cited page at the end. Hyperlinks should be used where appropriate, but do not take the place of works cited at the end.

Other important notes

1)    Please number your pages. The report should be between 12 – 15 pages including charts.

2)    Make use of headers and sub-headers.

3)    Save your file using the following format for the filename: LastName.FirstName.Eco.Industry.2016     Example: Siklos.Richard.Eco.Music.2016

Part 2              

Case Studies                          27  March             

 15% Final Grade

• One dominant firms and one emerging firm in your sector
• General economic indicators
• General business plan
• Highlights of past successes for established firms
• Current initiatives especially in relation to interactive or digital platforms
• General assessment of company by trades

·         Create a Single Chart – Comparing Main Findings for Each Firm

Part 3             Current Trends & Revision    21 April  30              15 % Final Grade

• Highlight major shifts in business models over the past five years
• Summarize and evaluate new corporate strategies
• Speculate and advise on future developments
• Revise and incorporate previous parts of assignment to bolster arguments
• Provide a conclusion