THE WORLD’S LONGEST RUNNING MAGAZINE OF CULT ENTERTAINMENT

Media and Partnership

Opportunities
2019
A Long Time Ago…
It’s 1977 and Star Wars explodes across the USA,
but the film was many months away from hitting
the UK. British comic industry icon Dez Skinn
knew what was coming; Sci-fi, Horror and Fantasy
were about to enter mainstream UK audiences
with a vengeance. After negotiations with 20th
Century Fox, Dez secured exclusive coverage of
Star Wars, many months prior to its release and
STARBURST Magazine was born, securing its
place in history as the best magazine to cover all
things genre related.
Now
Over 35 years and 400 issues later, STARBURST
Magazine boasts an extraordinary heritage of
covering all things genre related as the world’s
longest running magazine of cult entertainment.
We remain a market leader as a publication by
fans for fans, serving our readers with all the latest
news, reviews, interviews, exclusive features,
retrospectives and competitions across every
popular medium, including movies, TV, books,
comics, games, music, merchandise, events and
everything else in-between.
STARBURST provides a cross-platform experience
for a 21st Century audience, including traditional
print magazines (with specially commissioned
collector’s edition artwork covers for our
subscribers), fully interactive digital editions (multi-
platform), up to the minute genre news, reviews
and more at our mobile and tablet optimised
starburstmagazine.com boasting over 70K UVs
per month, several award-winning international
live radio shows and downloadable podcasts, the
largest genre online community with over 200,000+
Twitter followers, over 15K Facebook likes and a
biweekly newsletter (over 22K subscribers).
Not forgetting to mention we run iconic themed
bars FAB Café and Satan’s Hollow in Manchester
and regularly send our intrepid team to events all
over the world to meet our readers to ensure we
provide the highest quality content for our diverse
and eclectic readership of fans of all things science
fiction, fantasy and horror.
COVERS
Some of our favourite STARBURST covers from the past few years...
Editorial
Don’t judge a mag by its cover…
We publish three different versions of STARBURST magazine tailored to those who may become our next loyal subscriber or for that person looking for an impulse by before they
catch their last train.

Newsstand photo-cover Special collectors’ edition Fully interactive cross-platform digital edition
to catch the eye of those picking us up on for our subscribers featuring a specially commissioned that is available through iTunes and Magzter;
the high-street for the first time. front cover from our artists, unlike any other magazine ensuring anyone with a tablet or smartphone can view
in the field. STARBURST digitally.
 Legacy approach
Along with the cover, we will always publish
in-depth features to do with whatever we
are highlighting for that particular issue. We
regularly theme our front cover and features
for our large film distributor clients as part of
an advertising package. Our readers are often
enticed by our front cover image, so we use a
legacy approach to some of the properties we
feature, concentrating on its past, present and
future. We always try to investigate as many
different angles of the film or TV show we
are featuring on our cover. Some of our most
successful articles include fun pieces on
merchandise, different adaptations of a title
and surrounding themes, talent profiles and
in-depth interviews. These articles can often
be tailored to suit the needs of our clients and
we will always advise the best way to fuel our
readers intrigue and passions.

Features
We think it’s our eclectic, far-reaching
approach that ensures that any fan can pick
up STARBURST Magazine and find plenty to
satisfy their hunger for cult entertainment.
Other releases are not neglected as we
cover a vast spectrum of upcoming releases
in regular preview articles, interviews and
features. If it’s related to science fiction,
fantasy or horror, we will want to cover it.
Bigger on the Inside…
Each member of the STARBURST editorial team are fans and established writers in all subjects connected with science fiction, fantasy and horror.
We feed directly into specific, simply organised points of interest so our readers can flick directly to their favourite sections, including…

Letters
Readers get the chance
to share their thoughts Things to Come
on the world’s longest Everything we’re
running magazine of cult looking forward to
entertainment as well as seeing from the world
the goings on in the genre of cult entertainment.
world. We also feature the A great place for
top tweets of the month our clients to get
and, of course, our letter our readers’ mouths
of the month! A favourite watering in the run up
section for many of our to a release.
readers and a great place
to place an advert so early
in the magazine.

Blu-ray & DVD

Cinema
We review all the latest genre cinema releases. As part
of any advertising package we are happy to offer a
guaranteed review as well as the choice as to whether
we print it or not depending on how well it does.
We review all the latest releases from the world of
science fiction, fantasy, and horror. From recently
released cult classics to the latest Hollywood
blockbusters. Positions next to this section are regularly
taken by many of our major film distributors.
TV
With small screen series having blockbuster budgets and
scope, it makes sense that we devote a review section to
the latest episodes. This has already become a very popular
section with readers.
Books
STARBURST brings you
the best book news and
upcoming releases every
month in Brave New Words
and delves into the literary
world with Book Wormhole
our monthly column Independents Day
looking at forgotten genre Each month we profile and interview an emerging
classics and the latest talent from the film world. Artists who are doing it
genre releases. This is a their own way, outside the Hollywood and studio
must use editorial section systems. Filmmakers featured in the past include
for any publisher when Lawrie Brewster (Lord of Tears), Adam Green
booking an advertising (Hatchet), and Andrew Lee Potts (Wireless).
package and regularly
includes opportunities for
our readers to win signed
copies by their favourite
authors.

Audio
STARBURST is one of the few genre magazines that remains
passionate about cult soundtracks. We also review the latest
audiobook releases and happily interview those that are
connected with these often forgotten mediums.

Horror Obscura
Each month, we delve into the
macabre and terrifying history
of horror movies, focusing on
films you may have missed
and profiling important
directors and actors who are
otherwise overlooked.
Comics
Every month we report
on the latest goings
on from Marvel, DC,
Image and other comic
giants in View from the
Watchtower, plus we
review the best print and
digital releases from
the indie scene that are
about to hit our shelves.
This section is extremely
popular with a number
of comic publishers and
we highly recommend
booking in advance to
ensure coverage
TV Zone
Veteran STARBURST
author Paul Mount
covers the latest in UK
genre TV, without doubt
the easiest medium
for UK audiences to
connect with. If a new
series is coming out
or if a legacy series
is coming back to our
screens, this is a vital
channel to reach the
science fiction, fantasy
and horror demographic
to tune in.

Games
STARBURST’s games
coverage starts with
news from around the It’s Only a Movie
gaming world and a look Our charismatic and effervescent editor
at six upcoming games Jordan Royce shares his views on one of the
that our readers should month’s big cinema releases.
be getting excited about
in Pixel Juice. We then
review the latest releases,
venture back into gaming
history with Retro Bytes
and take our monthly
look at the world of table
top gaming in Roll for
Damage. If a distributor
has something to play,
we have the readers who
will want to play it.
Readership
Magazine Venues and Events
A monthly readership of approx. 45,000 Not only do we look after one of the world’s most iconic magazines, but we also look after some of
throughout the UK and overseas. On sale in the most uniquely genre themed venues in the UK, including:
WHSmiths, Tesco, and all good newsagents &
comic book shops. Also available via Barnes - DI S COT HE QU
& Noble in the USA, and selected outlets in NE O E

Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

Also available as an interactive digital edition
worldwide on Magzter, viewable on many devices.

Beautiful themed cult bar boasting the likes of an
original series Star Trek bridge as a dance floor, a
Dalek, retro games consoles and out of this world
cocktails. Both venues regularly hold special talks
and events with stars from the small and silver
screens plus fan-based events.
Manchester’s No. 1 venue every Halloween. A
twisted vision of Hell created by our editor Jordan
Royce, including (fake) corpses, a giant devil and
beautiful stained glass windows. There is no other
partying experience like it in all of England.

Customers at our venues receive free copies of STARBURST Magazine, plus we are always happy to help our clients by displaying posters/flyers as well as hosting events.

We send our intrepid team to many events all around the country regularly giving away thousands of free copies of Starburst Magazine to both new and faithful readers.
Please always enquire what media partnerships we have with our large event clients each issue or if you have an event, always see how we can help make sure everyone who is
passionate about science fiction, fantasy and horror knows about it.
Online
Starburstmagazine.com attracts
70,000+ unique visitors per
month, generating over 120,000+
impressions, and is fully optimised
for mobile devices. Upwards of
40% of our online traffic is from the
USA and a further 10% from other
English speaking markets (Australia,
Canada, and New Zealand).
STARBURST’s website regularly
breaks stories attracting thousands
of readers before many of our
competitors.

Radio Show and Podcasts

Over 12,000 listeners tune in to the
‘STARBURST Radio Show’ every month on
Fab Radio International, available worldwide.
The show is also available as a popular
podcast from iTunes and on ‘listen again’
via starburstmagazine.com. Recently the
STARBURST podcast was number three in the
iTunes top Television charts. The STARBURST
Radio Show podcast won the 2015 UK
Podcasters Award for TV/Film at the New
Media Europe conference. We also run similar
podcasts including a Doctor Who podcast and
a book podcast. All of which are available to
sponsor and have
the team discuss
anything you’d like
them to talk about.
#SocialMedia
Twitter
With 72K+ followers

Demographics
Twitter followers,
STARBURST has
the largest Twitter
community of any
cult entertainment 72K+
publication worldwide.
It has 10K more than
Age of Readership
SFX and almost twice followers 30% are aged 15-24
29% are aged 25-34
as large as Sci-Fi 23% are aged 35-44
Now’s reach. We 13% are aged 45-54
regularly use Twitter 5% are aged 55+
to provide a platform
for all the latest news,
5%
competitions, interviews aged
and reviews for all of our 13%
55+
aged
advertising clients. 45-54
30%
aged
15-24

23%
aged
35-44

29%
Facebook aged

STARBURST has 25-34

16,000+
accumulated over
16,000+ likes on
Facebook. This
places us in the
people like us on Sex
upper echelons of UK
69% of readers are male
cult entertainment
publications. We
regularly publish
reviews, competitions,
Employment
72% are in full time employment
news stories and
21% are in part time employment
interviews to our
5% are unemployed / don’t work
readers.
2% are retired

*all data accurate as of August 2015

All editorial created for our clients will be shared both online and through all social media
channels too, ensuring that every platform is used to reach our diverse demographic of readers.
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
The STARBURST International Film Festival is a celebration of
independent cinema and talent.

As part of the main programme, we screen new and exciting films

from all over the world, many with the filmmakers themselves in
attendance. Support the magazine’s remit of embracing the strange,
we showcase many amazing features and spectacular shorts.

We have hosted such luminaries as Lloyd Kaufman (The Toxic

Avenger), Luigi Cozzi (Starcrash) James Bond director John
Glen, actors Virginia Hey (Mad Max 2, Farscape), Caroline Munro
(The Golden Voyage of Sinbad and several Hammer Films), and
Martine Beswick (Dr Jekyll and Sister Hyde) and popular guests
from Doctor Who, Dredd, Red Dwarf, Inside No 9 and much more.

As well as film screenings, there are plenty of events such as

panels and Q&A sessions.

The culmination of the weekend is the STARBURST Fantasy

Awards, which reward the hard work of the filmmakers whose
movies we’ve enjoyed during the course of the festival. There
is also the STARBURST Hall of Fame Award, which is given to
someone who has provided an outstanding contribution to the
world of sci-fi, horror, or fantasy throughout the years.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The STARBURST Fantasy Awards are the main event at the STARBURST
International Film Festival, bringing the festival to an epic conclusion.

We give recognition to the cream of the crop and shine a light on those
people that contributed something special to Fantasy Cinema. The
inaugural year was sponsored by Horror Channel.

There is the chance to be part of our festival as an overall sponsor, of

the STARBURST Fantasy Awards, or individual awards themself.

For all enquiries regarding advertising with us please contact:

advertising@starburstmagazine.com
Telephone No: 07771331334
ONLINE SPECIFICATIONS

Web ad sizes from September 2017 onwards:

FEATURED STORY MPU – 300px (w) x 250px (h)
Full screen image with title
(text is optional) promoted at top Leaderboard Banner – 2000px (w) x 247px (h)
of our homepage as first thing
seen on site, with link going to the Featured Story image sizes required can be discussed further
news story/article/review on our site over email.

For further details regarding online specs, please contact:

paul.ripley@starburstmagazine.com
LEADERBOARD BANNER

MPU Format
All adverts must be RGB and at 72dpi.

Please ensure all non-background content is at

least 8px from the sides of the ad.

Files
We accept the following files (max size attached);
MPU’s: JPEG / PNG - 20kb
Animated GIF - 70kb

Banners: JPEG / PNG - 800kb MPU MPU MPU

Animated GIF - 200kb

Video
We also accept video (rich media) ads to be
embedded with code snippet supplied by you.
 PRINT SCHEDULE
ISSUE 460 (MAY 2019)
Copy deadline: 4th April
Publication date: 19th April

ISSUE 461 (JUNE 2019)

Copy deadline: 2nd May
Publication date: 17th May

ISSUE 462 (JULY 2019)

Copy deadline: 6th June
Publication date: 21st June

ISSUE 463 (AUGUST 2019)

Copy deadline: 4th July
Publication date: 19th July

ISSUE 464 (SeptEMBER 2019)

Copy deadline: 1st August
Publication date: 16th August

ISSUE 465 (OCTOBER 2019)

Copy deadline: 5th September
Publication date: 20th September

ISSUE 466 (NOVEMBER 2019)

Copy deadline: 3rd October
Publication date: 18th October

ISSUE 467 (DECEMBER 2019)

Copy deadline: 31st October
Publication date: 15th November

ISSUE 468 (JANUARY 2020)

Copy deadline: 5th December
Publication date: 20th December

ISSUE 469 (FEBRUARY 2020)

Copy deadline: 2nd January
(please note closeness to New Year, adverts may have to be prepared and sent
to us before Christmas if you are off work for the Holidays until after 2nd Jan)
Publication date: 17th January

ISSUE 470 (MARCH 2020)

Copy deadline: 6th February
Publication date: 21st February
PRINT Ad Specifications
DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD
Trim: 285mm x 420mm
Bleed: 291mm x 426mm

FULL PAGE
RATECARD
Trim: 285mm x 210mm
Bleed: 291mm x 216mm Print and Digital
£3000 - OBC
HALF PAGE (Landscape) £2500 - IFC
Trim: 142.5mm x 210mm £2000 - IBC
Bleed: 148.5mm x 216mm £1500 - DPS
£1000 - Full Page
HALF PAGE (Portrait) £750 - Half Page
£450 - Quarter Page
Trim: 285mm x 102mm
Advertorial - POA
Bleed: 291mm x 108mm Series Bookings - Discounts available (3,6 & 12 Months)
QUARTER PAGE (Portrait) All adverts appear in both the print and digital editions of
Trim: 142.5mm x 102mm the magazine.
Bleed: 148.5mm x 108mm
The digital edition is fully interactive and can contain links
to websites, social media pages, video and audio files.
Format
High resolution PDF files to the above sizes. CMYK with fonts embedded and all elements
set to 300 dpi. Max ink coverage of 280% Online
£1000 p/m - Featured Story
£500 p/m - Leaderboard
Bleeds £350 p/m - MPU
Artwork for FULL PAGE ads must include a 3mm bleed on all sides. All text and images Total Site Branding - POA
should be at least a further 8mm from the trim size.

Re-supplying Artwork Other

We check and prepare for print all artwork as soon as it’s recieved, if you need to amend £250 - Sponsor Radio Show (includes advertorial)
your artwork and re-supply it, you must notify us. £250 - Sponsor Podcast (includes advertorial)
We will not accept any responsibility if incorrect versions are printed when multiple
versions have been supplied and no instructions have been given.
For all enquiries regarding advertising with us
please contact:
Delivery advertising@starburstmagazine.com
Send all artwork to: paul.ripley@starburstmagazine.com Telephone No: 07771331334