Unit G321: Foundation Portfolio in Media

Preliminary Task, Log Book and Evaluation

Amelia SpringthorpeCandidate Number:6502

Center Name: St Paul’s Catholic CollegeCenter Number: 64770

Music MagazineGenre Research

Frequency: WeeklyCirculation: 19,491

Associated with rock, alternative and indie

music.

Originally a music newspaper, but moved towards the magazine format

it is today during the 80s and 90s.

Introduces new bands as

well as celebrating established

artists.

First issue:7 March 1952

Analysis of Established Magazine Cover.Masthead-Instantly

recogniseable to audience.

Main image- Usually one star (Dyer) or model.The ‘Star appeal’ is used to attract the target audience.Direct Address- Is the model looking toward the audience? This usually creates a relationship between the audience and magazine. If the ‘star’ is not looking at the audience, it is unconventional, but can ‘look cool’.

Cover lines-Smaller than the main headline, describes articles and features inside the issue.

Barcode WebsitePrice

Main Headline-Conventionally in a different style to

the rest of the text on the cover.

Strapline- in unconventional space, usually

under the masthead.

Front Cover and Missing Conventions.

The ‘Puff’ (Competition/ Promotion) is missing from this magazine cover. This should normally be included on a magazine to entice the audience to buy the magazine, in a similar way to the ‘star appeal’ attracting an audience.

On this cover, the ‘strapline’, although featured on the cover, is not found in the conventional place- beneath the masthead, instead it is found below the barcode.

Why NME?I decided to use NME as inspiration for my magazine, as it is an established, popular and respected magazine, and so I feel it would offer valuable direction in how to structure my magazine and what it should feature.

In addition, NME also focuses on the music genre that I am personally interested in, rock. Therefore, when creating my magazine I will already have an insight and understanding of the genre, and I believe that it will be easier to create a magazine fit for purpose, and will appeal to the target audience.

Audience Research. To help me understand which conventions to use in my

magazine, I published a survey on www.surveymonkey.com. From the results of the survey, I was able to conclude that the

best music genre to use in my magazine was ‘Rock’; that it was important to include more images than text in my magazine.

The results of the survey also helped me decide what to call the magazine.

Additionally, data from the magazine showed me that using promotional features (Competitions, posters) on the front cover would entice more people to buy the magazine.

I also found that using a celebrity image or “Star appeal” (Dyer) would encourage my target audience to buy the magazine.

Gender of NME readers

MaleFemale

These two charts show that the majority of NME readers are male and the median age is 23. This means that in order to appeal to my target audience, which includes all genders, and focuses on the ages, between 15-20, while using NME as inspiration, there will have to be aspects of my own magazine that differ from NME.

Target Audience – Katz, Maslow, Hartley and/or socio-economic needs.The target audience for NME magazine can be denoted as, primarily people who are interested in music; more specifically people who have an interest in new and upcoming artists as well as established and ‘classic’ bands/ artists, for example, ‘The Rolling Stones’ and David Bowie. This can be denoted from the line on the front cover of the magazine which reads ‘The Past, Present and Future of Music.’

What is the USP of this Magazine? Refer to specific conventions/ stories from your research.The Unique Selling Point of this magazine is the genre of music that it focuses on. Music magazines, regardless of genre, tend to focus on mainstream artists, while, although NME features established artists, such as, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones & Radiohead, the magazine also introduces new and emerging artists to the audience.

Publisher Research. “Time Inc. is one of the largest media companies in the world reaching more

than 130million consumers each month across multiple platforms through influential brands such as Time, People, Sports Illustrated, InStyle, Real Simple, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Wallpaper and NME.” – Taken from the Time Inc. Website.

“Time Inc. brands attract young and affluent consumers; 2 out of 3 have incomes over $100,000+ and more than half are 18-34”

“CONSUMERS INTERACT WITH OUR BRANDS MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A BILLION TIMES A YEAR - THAT’S OVER 10 MEANINGFUL INTERACTIONS PER SECOND.”

Has global offices in New York, Tampa, Birmingham, Bangalore, San Francisco, Amsterdam, London, Stamford, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Chicago.

Publisher Research – Other Brands.

Similar publication to NME