Media Studies · Year 13

Active learning ideas

Cross-Media Case Study Analysis

The Cross-Media Case Study is a synoptic challenge that requires students to synthesise their knowledge across all four areas of the theoretical framework: language, representation, industry, and audience. Students analyse how a single media franchise (like 'The LEGO Movie' or 'Black Panther') or a major campaign functions across multiple platforms. They explore how brand identity is maintained, how different demographics are targeted, and how 'synergy' is used by conglomerates to maximise profit and reach.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• A-Level Media Studies - Cross-Media Studies
• A-Level Media Studies - Synoptic Assessment

• 20–60 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 3 activities

Activity 01

• Stations Rotation
• 60 min · Small Groups

Stations Rotation: The 360-Degree Analysis

Set up four stations for a specific case study (e.g., Station 1: Social Media, Station 2: Print Ads, Station 3: The Main Text, Station 4: Merchandise). Groups rotate through, identifying how the 'brand message' is adapted for each platform and audience.

How do cross-media campaigns maintain brand identity across different platforms?

• Remember
• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Management
• Relationship Skills

Activity 02

• Inquiry Circle
• 45 min · Small Groups

Inquiry Circle: Synergy Hunt

Groups are given a major conglomerate (e.g., Disney or Sony). They must find a recent cross-media campaign and map out every instance of 'synergy' they can find, presenting their 'Synergy Map' to the class with an explanation of the economic benefits.

In what ways do different platforms target distinct audience demographics?

• Analyze
• Evaluate
• Create
• Self-Management
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• Think-Pair-Share
• 20 min · Pairs

Think-Pair-Share: Platform-Specific Targeting

Show two different trailers for the same film (e.g., one for TikTok, one for Cinema). Students pair up to identify the different 'audience positioning' and 'media language' used in each, then share their findings with the class.

How does synergy benefit media conglomerates?

• Understand
• Apply
• Analyze
• Self-Awareness
• Relationship Skills

A few notes on teaching this unit

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• Cross-media just means the same advert is put in different places.

  Effective cross-media campaigns adapt the content to suit the specific conventions and audience of each platform. Using 'Platform-Specific' comparisons helps students see how the 'language' changes while the 'brand' stays the same.

• Synergy is only for big movies.

  Synergy happens in news, fashion, and gaming too. Active research into different industries helps students see that cross-media strategies are a standard industry practice across the board.

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Methods used in this brief

• Stations Rotation
• Inquiry Circle
• Think-Pair-Share