Independents & Conglomerates

Independent Media

Independent media (or alternative media) refers to any media platform, ie; radio, television, newspapers or internet that is void of government or corporate interests.

It is argued that mainstream media is too biased, and whilst aspects of alternative media can too be biased, it tends to be significantly different to that of mainstream media.

Every person is able to engage in independent media, in fact most of us do. Through blogging platforms and media based websites, we can input our own content and material into the media sector, ie; this blog you are currently reading.

Conglomerates

A conglomerate is a corporation consisting of numerous smaller companies. In media, a conglomerate is a company that owns a variety of smaller companies that are involved in different media platforms.

In business terms, a conglomerate owns businesses in unrelated industries, however in media they are much more combined within the same industry. That being said, the conglomerate may also own businesses outside of the media industry.

A prime example of a multi industry conglomerate is Britain's own Virgin Group Ltd, founded by Sir Richard Branson. Since the 70's, Virgin have provided us with some of the largest companies to have dominated the business industry, with not only being a heavy competitor in the music industry, they've also ventured into airlines, railway, mobile networking, banking, holidays and television to name a few.

Here is a slightly condensed list of Virgin Group's ventures both past and present;

- Virgin Records (Record label, retail stores, recording studios)

- Virgin Games

- Virgin Atlantic Airways

Virgin Cargo

- Virgin Holidays

- Virgin Airship & Balloon Company

- Virgin Radio

-Virgin Vodka & Virgin Cola

- Virgin Trains

- Virgin Cosmetics

- Virgin Mobile

- Virgin Active

- Virgin Cars

- Virgin Galactic

- Virgin Fuel

- Virgin Money

- Virgin Healthcare

- Virgin Media