NME has announced a number of new features that will be introduced into the music weekly on the back of recent reader research. The changes, and I quote, "are the result of extensive reader research and see a finely tuned editorial proposition and a radical modern look-and-feel to switch on NME's design-savvy audience". I've no idea what that means, but it sounds very good.
New features will include a weekly planner of events readers should be looking out for, a 'your photos' section alongside the traditional letters page, a behind the scenes page about life in NME HQ, and a 'stuff we love' section that will let NME journalists blag stuff other than music. And let readers know about what's cool in the fashion, gadget and merchandise worlds, obviously. There'll also be a reworked logo, and a slight restructure to the mag, including an expanded reviews section and all new news section.
Confirming the various changes, NME editor Conor McNicholas told CMU: "Our readers are the magazine so when its time to innovate we allow them to lead the process. Development at NME is continuous and with these changes we've really nailed an essential weekly value-for-money package for the passionate British music fan. Things move incredibly quickly in the world of music now but that makes it a great time for music and a great time for NME".
Publishing director Paul Cheal added: "The media landscape for 15-24 year olds is moving at breakneck speed and it's vitally important that NME continues to evolve its content and design to reflect this. The new look NME is packed full of new franchises and is even more accessible, while maintaining the authority and heritage that marks it out as the world's greatest weekly music magazine".