Stretch tasks R093 TA4: Distribution Platforms and Media

Round 1: Quiz Blitz

1. A billboard Print, discs, cinema, billboards and packaging are physical.
2. corrected That is the real difference, and it changes how much checking print needs.
3. A billboard Physical media still reach audiences online cannot.
4. False Streaming plays as the data arrives.
5. Downloading A download only needs a connection while it transfers.
6. Screenshots, an age rating and a privacy declaration Apps also go through a review process.
7. Alt text, a plain text fallback and an unsubscribe link Small images help emails load too.
8. The message, palette and logo Aspect ratio, length and call to action change per platform.
9. It is easy to pirate; Platform rules can change without notice Online is also crowded, with huge competition for attention.
10. Posting a video directly to the platform Platforms favour native video over links.
11. A layout that adapts to the screen size Websites must be responsive.
12. print Broadcast has its own technical delivery specification.

Round 2: Quick Fire

1. • Streaming plays as it arrives and needs a continuous connection
   • Downloading transfers the whole file first, then works offline
   Model answer

   Streaming plays media as it arrives, so it starts almost at once and uses little storage, but it needs a continuous connection. Downloading transfers the whole file first, which takes storage, but then it can be used offline.

2. • Print cannot be corrected once it is printed
   • A mistake means paying to reprint, while a website can be updated
   Model answer

   Once a print run is done, a mistake cannot be corrected, whereas a website can be updated at any time. A typo in print means paying to reprint everything, so proofs must be checked and signed off before the press deadline.

3. • Each platform expects its own aspect ratio
   • Matching how people watch there performs better
   Model answer

   Each platform expects its own aspect ratio, such as 9:16 vertical for a phone feed and 16:9 for a website player. Matching the crop to how people watch there fills the screen and performs better, while a wrongly cropped video underperforms however good it is.

4. • It is tangible and needs no device or power
   • It reaches audiences who block adverts, or customers as they choose
   Model answer

   A physical product is tangible and needs no device, connection or power to be used. A billboard also reaches people who block adverts online, and packaging reaches customers at the moment of choosing.

Round 3: Big Think

1. • Families: printed leaflets or posters
   • Because that is where parents already are
   • Families: local community groups online
   • Students: social media video
   • Vertical, captioned, with the point made early
   • A responsive website with online booking
   • Success measured with analytics
   • A drawback acknowledged and handled
   Model answer

   For local families, I would use printed leaflets in schools and shops and posters near the centre, because that is where parents already are, plus posts in local Facebook community groups. For the students, I would use short vertical videos on Instagram and TikTok, captioned and making the point in the first seconds, because students scroll on phones with the sound off. Both should link to a responsive website with online booking, so interest becomes a booking. Analytics and click through rates would show which platform brings bookings. However, printed leaflets cannot be corrected once printed, so the prices and opening times must be signed off carefully first.

2. • Print is tangible, collectable and makes a gift
   • Print sells in bookshops, where readers browse
   • But print brings manufacturing and shipping costs, and cannot be corrected
   • E-books cost little and reach readers globally and instantly
   • E-books offer resizable text and can be updated
   • But e-books are easy to pirate and need a device
   • E-books give data on readers
   • A conclusion, such as a small print run alongside the e-book
   Model answer

   A printed book is tangible and collectable, makes a good gift and is sold in bookshops, where readers browse. But it brings manufacturing, storage and shipping costs, and a print run cannot be corrected if a typo is found. An e-book costs very little to distribute, reaches readers globally and instantly, and offers resizable text for accessibility; it can also be updated, and gives the publisher data on its readers. However, e-books are easy to pirate, need a device, and the platform takes a cut while the book competes with millions of others. On balance, the publisher should release the e-book for reach and low cost, alongside a small print run or print on demand for bookshops and collectors.

This or That

1. No: they must be reprinted Print cannot be corrected once it is produced.
2. Stream Live content has to play as it arrives.
3. Download A download works offline once it has transferred.
4. It reaches buyers as they choose Packaging is the only medium present at the moment of choosing.
5. No: match each platform Each platform has its own aspect ratio and viewing habits.
6. Online distribution Physical distribution gives almost no audience data.
7. Native upload Platforms favour video uploaded directly to them.
8. Yes, then justify it The marks are for the justification, but only once you have chosen.

Memory Match

• A 6 Distribution: Getting a product to its audience
• B 5 Streaming: Playing media as it arrives
• C 2 Downloading: Transferring the whole file first
• D 3 Responsive design: Layout that adapts to the screen
• E 1 Native upload: Posting a video directly to a platform
• F 4 Multi-platform: Released on several platforms, adapted for each

Sort It

1. Physical Manufacturing and shipping costs Physical products must be made and moved.
2. Physical Needs no device or power A printed product just needs reading.
3. Online Gives detailed analytics Online distribution measures its audience.
4. Online Resizable text and captions Online formats adapt for accessibility.
5. Online Easy to pirate Digital files are easy to copy.
6. Online Can be updated at any time Online products can be corrected after release.
7. Online Global and immediate reach Online reaches anywhere at once.
8. Online Depends on a service continuing to exist If the platform closes, the product goes.
9. Physical Cannot be corrected once produced Print and discs are fixed once made.
10. Physical Tangible and collectable Only a physical product can be held.
11. Physical Limited by logistics and geography Physical items have to travel.
12. Physical Reaches people who block adverts online A billboard cannot be blocked.