NME unveils new look magazine and website

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 20-Sep-05, 11:00

LONDON - Music weekly NME has unveiled a double revamp, with its website rebuilt and stocked with more audio and video, and the magazine redesigned and its content tweaked.

The new-look NME is out today with a free CD full of tracks from bands, including Arcade Fire and Arctic Monkeys, which have played on NME-sponsored festival stages this summer.

The title's last redesign was in September 2003, a year after it changed to a compact smaller size. The new format has been a year in development, during which the title's circulation has climbed 5.2% to 73,640 copies.

"When things are going well, that's the time to innovate," editor Conor McNicholas said. "Too many magazines wait until they're obviously tired before thinking about changing, but for us development is a rolling process."

An expanded Radar section will offer more coverage of new music and a new two-page Clubs section features UK club listings, and interviews with bands and DJs from the indie disco scene. There will also be more recommendations from musicians and an archive slot, Tales from the NME Archive.

The website, NME.com, has been completely overhauled and redesigned. A new media player helps users access gig footage, interviews and album listening posts, and it will carry advertising. Weekly newsletters and text alerts can be customised and the message boards and forums have been revamped.

The relaunch follows world exclusive first listens of albums by Kanye West, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones, which NME.com has recently secured.

Ben Perreau, editor of NME.com, said: "While NME is the authority for music, NME.com is the vehicle to emotionally experience the music and give users an involvement on a community level."

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