The Big Issue

What is The Big Issue?

An independent magazine company in the UK that operates on a Not-For-Profit basis, supporting homeless people.

How does The Big Issue support homeless people?

By providing training, workshops, and information on various issues such as mental health, domestic abuse, and housing.

What significant diversification occurred in 1995 for The Big Issue?

They diversified into direct support with The Big Issue Foundation.

What is The Big Issue Invest?

A financial fund set up in 2005 to provide funding for charities and small businesses, especially for individuals from impoverished backgrounds.

How has The Big Issue adapted to changes in the magazine industry?

By moving into digital distribution and setting up an online shop.

What is Zinio?

A digital distribution company that allows customers to purchase or subscribe to digital copies of magazines.

How does The Big Issue generate revenue?

Through sales of the magazine, digital sales, and advertising space, which is often reserved for charities.

What is the price structure for street vendors selling The Big Issue?

Street vendors purchase copies for £1.50 each and sell them for £3 each.

What is the primary goal of The Big Issue?

To provide a legal way for homeless people to earn money.

What type of editions does The Big Issue create with celebrities?

Special editions that feel more exclusive and encourage readers to buy multiple copies.

How does The Big Issue differ from traditional magazines?

It focuses on giving back to the community rather than solely pursuing profit.

What was the peak success of The Big Issue in the early 2000s?

Vendors were selling 300,000 copies of the magazine.

What is the impact of digital distribution on The Big Issue's audience?

It helps reach audiences who are online regularly and those avoiding paper copies.

What is the significance of The Big Issue's global reach?

Zinio distributes the magazine to over 174 countries, allowing for a wider audience.

What role do street vendors play in The Big Issue's distribution model?

They sell the magazine directly to consumers, providing income for themselves.

What is a unique feature of The Big Issue's advertising strategy?

They reserve space for adverts about charities and community projects.

How does The Big Issue maintain its independence?

It is not part of a larger conglomerate and partners with Dennis Publishing for printing.

What does the term 'Not-For-Profit' mean in the context of The Big Issue?

Any excess revenue is used to support homeless people rather than for profit.

What is the purpose of the collective editions of The Big Issue?

To create exclusivity and encourage readers to collect them.

How does The Big Issue help vendors financially?

Vendors keep the profit from selling the magazine, which helps them support themselves.

What challenges has the magazine industry faced that affect The Big Issue?

A decline in print magazine sales as consumers shift to online information and entertainment.

What kind of content does The Big Issue include to attract readers?

Interviews and guest editor features with celebrities.

What was the initial aim of The Big Issue when it was established?

To provide a sustainable income for homeless individuals.

What external funding did The Big Issue receive to start the magazine?

The Body Shop granted them £50,000.

Who were the founders of The Big Issue?

Gordon Roddick and Anita Roddick.

What significant change did The Big Issue make to boost sales?

They redesigned and relaunched the magazine to feature more political and social reform content.

What was the weekly sales figure for The Big Issue as of 2011?

125,000 copies a week.

How did The Big Issue represent left-wing ideologies?

By discussing negative aspects of conservative policies and figures, such as Margaret Thatcher.

What is a notable characteristic of the artwork in The Big Issue?

All artwork is by male artists, contributing to a male-dominated representation.

What stereotype about men does The Big Issue reinforce according to the notes?

That men are not emotional and are mentally tough.

How did The Big Issue portray homeless individuals?

In a positive and sympathetic light.

What was the magazine's response to the Conservative government's policies?

It painted a negative picture of the government, highlighting issues like unemployment and library closures.

What type of content did the rebranded magazine include to attract readers?

More celebrity features and regular columnists.

What was the purpose of the letters page in The Big Issue?

To feature various letters, including discussions about homelessness.

How did The Big Issue depict men in positions of power?

As powerful, successful, and important, reinforcing traditional masculine stereotypes.

What aggressive adjectives were used to describe the magazine's founders?

Adjectives like 'hard-nosed' and 'tough' were used.

What was the magazine's main goal regarding homelessness?

Supporting the homeless.

How did the magazine's portrayal of its founders affect its representation?

It created strong representations of its male founders, emphasizing their power.

What was the magazine's approach to discussing figures like Trump?

It negatively represented them, aligning with its left-wing ideologies.

What did the letters suggest about the funding for a memorial for Margaret Thatcher?

That it should be used to build libraries instead.

What was the impact of the redesign on The Big Issue's sales?

Sales eventually picked back up despite a general decline in magazine sales.

What does the term 'inspirational' refer to in the context of The Big Issue?

It was used to describe the homeless vendors of the magazine.

What visual perspective was used to portray the founders of The Big Issue?

A low-angle perspective that makes them look more powerful.

What does the magazine's content suggest about the representation of men?

It reinforces a macho image and stereotypes of masculinity.

What is the significance of the Sky Westworld advert in relation to gender representation?

It represents men as powerful and successful, contributing to stereotypical portrayals.

What was the magazine's strategy in response to declining sales in the industry?

To increase the cover price to help vendors earn similar money despite reduced sales.

What does the representation of men in The Big Issue suggest about their roles in society?

Men are often portrayed as role models and the top in their fields, with titles like 'Legends' and 'Champions'.

How are women represented differently than men in The Big Issue?

Women are referred to in less idealized terms, such as 'Actress', and are often depicted in stereotypical roles that suggest reliance on men financially.

What social issue is highlighted through the representation of homelessness in The Big Issue?

The representation includes gritty details of homeless culture, such as drugs, alcohol, and violence, creating a realistic portrayal of homeless life.

How does David Bowie's representation challenge traditional ideas about masculinity?

Bowie is known for his androgynous looks and for wearing makeup, defying gender norms.

What role does Grayson Perry play in challenging gender stereotypes in The Big Issue?

Perry is depicted as a man comfortable with expressing his feminine side by wearing dresses and makeup, which counters typical representations of masculinity.

What stereotype about women is reinforced by the Turn2Us charity advert mentioned in The Big Issue?

The advert suggests that women cannot cope financially after their husband's death, reinforcing traditional gender roles.

How does The Big Issue include diverse representations of masculinity?

By featuring individuals like Grayson Perry and David Bowie, the magazine presents complex and modern depictions of masculinity that challenge mainstream norms.

What is a countertype representation of women in leadership found in The Big Issue?

Women like Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon are represented as educated and respected in their fields, countering typical mainstream depictions.

What does the article imply about the inclusion of female bosses in managerial positions?

It suggests that women are less likely to be hired for managerial jobs, reflecting a lack of inclusion in top roles.

What does the weather reference in the article symbolize regarding homeless individuals?

It creates a representation of homeless people as brave and strong, despite the challenges they face.

How are the representations of homelessness described in The Big Issue?

They are not idealized; instead, they present a realistic view of the struggles faced by homeless vendors.

What does the article suggest about the typical readership of The Big Issue?

Typical readers are likely to be left-wing and hold liberal, alternative points of view.

How does The Big Issue's portrayal of women in positions of power differ from mainstream media?

It presents women as strong and powerful, which is counter to the typical representation seen in mainstream media.

What aspect of masculinity does Grayson Perry's representation complicate?

Perry's representation complicates masculinity by showing a blend of traditionally masculine interests alongside a comfort with femininity.

What is the significance of the titles given to men in The Big Issue?

Titles like 'Legends' and 'Champions' suggest a reverence and idealization of male figures in society.

What does the article imply about the challenges faced by homeless vendors?

It acknowledges the harsh realities of their lives, including substance abuse and violence, rather than romanticizing their situation.

How does the article reflect on the representation of women in the context of financial stability?

It highlights a stereotype that women are financially dependent on men, particularly in times of crisis.

What does the term 'countertypical' mean in the context of women's representation in The Big Issue?

It refers to representations that challenge and differ from traditional stereotypes of women.

How does The Big Issue address the complexity of masculinity?

By showcasing figures like Bowie and Perry, it presents masculinity as multifaceted rather than one-dimensional.

What is the impact of personal stories and first-person perspectives in The Big Issue?

They help readers to understand and empathize with the experiences of marginalized groups, such as the homeless.

What does the article suggest about the portrayal of women in the media?

It indicates that women are often underrepresented or depicted in less favorable terms compared to men.

What role does the representation of homelessness play in societal perceptions?

It influences how society views homeless individuals, often highlighting their struggles while also portraying them with dignity.

What is the overall theme regarding gender representation in The Big Issue?

The magazine presents a mix of traditional and countertypical representations of both genders, challenging stereotypes and societal norms.