The NME's man-in-the-moon moment: How an iconic magazine went free

This event report explains how NME, the music magazine, has adapted to the digital age by focusing on digital and making its print magazine free.

The NME's man-in-the-moon moment: How an iconic magazine went free

Joseph CliftWarc

The NME is one of Britain's longest-lasting and most iconic magazines. Established in 1952, it became a rock music bible in subsequent decades: making the cover of the NME became a rite of passage for a band on the way to the big time.

But the digital revolution damaged the brand, financially. Circulation dipped to just 15,000 and, despite its youthful brand image, the average reader age was over 35.

"A fundamental change needed to happen," the NME's editor, Mike Williams, explained at a session...

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