Understanding Media Economics

ISBN: 1412930766

Author: Doyle, Gillian

Condition: New

Product Description'This book provides an extremely well written and informative introduction to the subject of media economics, characterized by clarity in the explanation of concepts or frameworks and by a balanced discussion for the respective positions in areas of debate' - Paul MacDonald, Roehampton Institute'This book is a very valuable contribution to the media economic literature' - Richard van der Wurff, Dept of Communication, University of AmsterdamUnderstanding Media Economics provides a clear, precise introduction to the key economic concepts and issues affecting the media.The book: explains the fundamental concepts relevant to the study of media economics; considers the key industrial questions facing the media industries today; relates economic theory to business practice; covers a wide range of media activity - advertising, television, film, print media, and new media; and looks at the impact of economics on public policy.The Second Edition of Understanding Media Economics is has been fully updated, and offers a stimulating perspective on the contemporary media environment. This book remains an essential purchase for all students of the media and mass communication.ReviewThis is an excellent textbook on media economics, which takes into account the full complexity of the subject matter in the context of structural, technological and creative transformations that characterise digital media at the start of the twenty-first century.Milan TodorovicLondon Metropolitan UniversityGillian Doyle's book provides a wide-ranging, accessible introduction to media economics and their application to a broad range of media topics from advertising and business models to copyright, audience demand and public policy. Whilst critical of the certainties and simplifications of economists, Doyle delivers not only a lucid overview of economic concepts like merit goods, deficit financing and economies of scope, but shows how these continue to be relevant and useful for understanding how media work. The book is alert to the disruptive effects of technology, but highlights the continuities between old and new media, and between economic certainties and media complexity. Some of the chapters could work as self-contained extracts for a seminar or specialist module (each chapter helpfully includes a list of learning outcomes), but the book perhaps works better as a single narrative, with recurrent themes and motifs. What's refreshing about the book is Doyle's willingness to move beyond the boundaries of media economics and forge connections with a diversity of topics, policies, practices and debates. The book is generous with its expertise, covering the basics for a non-specialist and providing up to date insights from current research for more advanced readers, intercut with interviews and examples from the industry. Throughout the book Doyle's experience as a teacher shines through, a reminder that the virtues of good teaching - clear structure, avoiding jargon, questioning received wisdom and providing the resources for readers to form their own opinions rather than expounding one's own - can also inspire good research.Chris BiltonCentre for Cultural Policy Studies, University of WarwickIn this accessible and thoroughly up-to-date book, Gillian Doyle expertly synthesizes economic theory and contemporary cases to both explain the structure of the contemporary media industry and shed insight on the significant challenges and controversies confronting the sector. A hugely valuable resource.Lucy KngReuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, Oxford University, and Jonkoping University, SwedenThis second edition of Understanding Media Economics is a welcome overhaul that gets to the heart of the issues and challenges in todays media industry. It is more applicable beyond the classroom than the previous version and should be on the reading lists, not just of students in media economics course, but also of many in Wes