Magazine advert analysisCourteney Coutinho

Continuing with my research into magazine adverts that promote albums and singles I have found a Jessie J advert that markets her new ‘debut album’ Who you are. When I first saw this magazine advert I felt that it really stands out and would catch my eye as a consumer if I was looking in magazine. The colour choices are very deliberate and the colour scheme works cohesively with the main image and artist image and branding technique. The colour scheme that has been chosen is very simple as three simple colours have been used; black, gold and white. These colours look very effective together as the gold and white stands out against the black background and grabs the audience attention. The colour scheme also works with the main image on the advert as Jessie J is seen wearing all black and dark make up against a white background. The artists looks very glamourous in the image with gold earning and glitter around the eyes. This links with the gold used through out the advert and reflects a classy, extravagant feature to the artist. I feel like this image created for the artist in the advert does not match what I already know as a consumer and music fan. I personally thought Jessie J was an everyday girl as she came from an average background and make a big break through in the music industry after years of busking. The glamourous Jessie J does not seem as relatable as the image that Jessie J had previously. The white background of the image contrast with the black background that is used for the advert, this makes the image really stand out which is important as Jessie J has a very recognisable look and is known international although she is a British artist. The main image which is used is the cover work for her album Who you are. Conventionally the cover work form the album is used for the advert as it promote the whole product and when the consumers do go and purchase the product they already know what the cover looks like. The direct eye contact is very intense for this photograph and feels like the artist is addressing the reader. The close up shot does not show much of the artist body position however her hands are on her hair showing she is stressed or excited. The text which is written over the image is also from her album cover and in larger font is the artist name as she is already famous and her fan base will buy the album because it is hers. The title of the album is in a smaller, font and is written in white. The white stands out from the image as the artists wears black however I feel that the font should have been a bolder style to stand out further. The extra information which is included in the advert is written against a black background. The less significant text is in a yellow/gold font and is in bold capital letter to stand out. The other more important pieces of information is in white and a larger font. The white stands out greatly against the black and really catches my eye as the consumer. The information which is included in this poster is the albums name, and a song which is included in the album. Jessie J has chosen to highlight the achievements of her album by stating that the album included ‘The number one international smash price tag’. This highlights the great quality the album is as she has achieved a number one with her song and many people will buy her album because they really liked the song Price tag and wan to hear more from the artist. The artists official website address is included in a much smaller font as it informs the consumers where they can get more information about the album and the artist. Conventionally the record label logo is included in the bottom left hand corner as it is a recognised label and some consumers will buy the album knowing it must be of a good stands for Lava to produce it. There is a lot of information that is conventionally included in magazine adverts that Jessie J has chosen not to use such as where the album can be bought from, release date, social media names, reviews and ratings and forms of buying the CD such as ITunes. This magazine advert is made to attract consumers and to promote the new debut album rather than inform the consumers. I feel that it does attract consumers due to the layout and minimal information included as the photograph is large. However more information could have pushed sales further such as where is album is available and if you can get it on ITunes and when the release date is. I think gaining the right balance between making an eye catching advert and having the necessary information Is very important as if the advert catches the consumers eye they will need to know where and when they can buy it.

Another example of a magazine advert I have found is from the famous female soloist Florence and the machine. Similar to the Jessie J advert the same artwork is used for her album cover to promote it on the advert. Florence and the machine has used her album cover to feature on the advert. It is the most prominent and eye catching feature on the advert as it is very large compared to the text under it. As Florence and the machine is such a huge name and is known internationally it was more important to promote herself as the artists on the advert as her huge fan base and many people interested in music will purchase her album as they have heard lots of her songs in the charts and through other forms of media. The name of the artists is in large, curly font at the top of the advert. The curly font really works well the image the artist holds as well as the image as in the background flowers and stems are visible. The curly font reminds me the stem of the flower as it curls around the plant. The white font also stands out against the background so was a good choice of colour and works with the innocent, female image the artists holds. The main image is very effective although the artist is not looking directly at the camera. I really like the fact she is not looking into the camera lens as it makes it different from over cover work and looks very elegant. I feel like the artists is not looking at the camera as she is holding a secret and I as the consumer would want t buy her album to try and find out what it is. The body position is very elegant and flattering for the artist and works well with the pink flowers in the background. This photograph really promotes a gender specific target audience as the flowers and innocent body position attracts a female target audience. The photograph also really works well with the title of the album as it is called ‘Lungs’ and through the artists outfits the lungs are visible. It is a very different photograph and intrigues the audience and interest me to want to know me. It reflects her unique style and sound as she has a very distinct sound in the music industry. Very dhal water colours have been used to create a very old vintage effect. This suits the artists image and branding technique as her style and sound is often seen in the vintage era. Under the main image there is the albums name. It is in very large font and the placement of it really grabs my eye more than the artists name which is unusual. The font is also different to the artists name however this font is much clearer as it is written in capital bold letters which are separated. The lines above and below the name also give a very vintage effect and connects with the era specific outfit the artists is wearing. Under the albums name is the extra pieces of information and the important conventional release date. The release date is in a big font to inform the audience and to help create a lot of hype for the album before it is released. The italic font is very feminine and elegant and links with the whole theme of the advert. In a much smaller font there is a list of songs that are included in the CD. The artists most well known songs are listed as people who know just that one song may buy the CD to head what else the artist has. Under the song titles the advert shows the forms in which you can get hold of the album. She uses a variety of medias that consumers can get hold of her CD as she includes the form of vinyl and digital. Two very different forms of media however the artists shows her diversity and maybe it accessible to a much wider audience. Personally I would have written under it the shops that will sell it however a website is included which the consumer can go on and get more information about the artist as well as the album. A conventional record label logo is included in the bottom right hand corner. I really like this advert as the background is the same throughout and the layout reminds me slightly of a film style poster. There is more key information included in this advert than the Jessie J advert which will lead in more sales. I feel that the artist is marketed and her image comes across well in this advert with the font and colour choice.

Lana Del Ray is a perfect example of a famous female soloist who has a great unique image and sound. I found this magazine advert which promotes her new album Born to die. Following conventions of magazine adverts the same artwork for her album has been included in the advert. The same image is used and font style is used however instead of featuring a photograph of the album cover she has turned her album cover into the advert by adding extra information on to the bottom. By suing the same artwork it is very recognisable to the consumers as well as the artists as people will connect her to the way she looked in her album cover. The artists name is in very large bold white text at the top of the advert. The white font really stands out against the blue sky in the background and will help promote and sell the album as Lana Del Rey has a huge fan base. The main image highlights Lana Del Rey's unique style and helps suggests what some of her songs that are featured on the album are about. Some of the songs are about summertime as her singer is called ‘summertime sadness’. I feel that this title especially comes through from the image as the background is very bright and reflects summer however her serious facial expressions and white blouse connotes sadness. The artist has direct eye contact with the camera which is very important as it addresses her consumers and suggests her album is very personal. The medium shot is flattering for her although I feel hat the bright light flushes out the colour of her face. The album name is written in the same style font as her name however in a much smaller font. The blue bold font really stands out against the white blouse which she is wearing and helps connote the idea of summer again. The bold font reminds me of a style of font posters would use as a vintage theme comes across. Under the album title extra information is included in a very small, italic blue font. The blue colour stands out against the white blouse if the font was larger however due to the size and style it is very hard to read. In the advert she has included in a larger font the release date of the album. She has also included some of her more well known songs such as ‘blue jeans’ and ‘video games’. This will help sell her album as many people would have heard one of her most popular songs from the top charts and want to explore the artist by purchasing the album. At the bottom of the advert she has included her website to find out more details which is in bold font as it is important detail. They have also included the amazon logo which informs the audience the different ways of purchasing her album. The record label logo is also at the right hand corner. I really like the idea of having a theme and using colour scheme and font to promote the theme and image for the artist like the advert.

I found an example for an advert for the band Mumford and sons and wanted to see how an advert could portray a band and all their individual personalities. This advert is not really eye catching because of the colours and the font as a very minimal colour scheme has been used. However the vintage theme that comes across due to the polaroid pictures and dark colours make this advert look like a film poster. This distinct feature really stands out to me as the consumer and I feel that I would stop and look at this advert in a magazine. The black background is really simple however effective as it makes the white text stand out as well as the photographs. The black background creates a sleek, professional background which helps portray the band in a good light. The bands name is in white, large italic font. The traditional writing really suits the bands style as they specialise and have a distinct sound of a traditional folk band. This concept also links with the polaroid pictures as they are outside in a field with different folk instruments. Under the bands name the title of the album is there in a bolder style of the same font in smaller writing. They follow conventions of adverts by making the bands name larger than the album title. This is because Mumford and sons are a large band and will create hype for the product if they are involved as they have already a large fan base. Four polaroid are used which works really well with this advert because it helps get each bands members individual personality across. However y using the same location and lighting it joins the photographs together and group the band as one. The band are in a filed which works with their sound as they focus on traditional folk music which is also reflected through the instruments they are holding. Also in each polaroid there is faint images of the other band members to show they are all joint. The lighting is really vintage in the images which helps create the old film poster look. It also links with the polaroid image format instead of using a current photographic method. Under the artwork a quote from a review is shown in white bold font. It really stands out as it is a great achievement for the bank being recognised by NME. Also by naming NME a reputable name the consumers will see what great quality this product is as NME also think so. Also in the advert they have included song which are included in their album ‘sign no more’. They names their most popular tracks. I have seen not that most artist do this as many people will at least recognise one of their songs. At the bottom of the advert the record label logo ‘island’ is there as they are known for the great music they produce. Overall I really like this magazine advert as it stands out for the theme and portrays the artists and their image well. The boys come across as everyday people and make them relatable to the audience. Not much information is included in this advert as the four images are really important to get each band member personality across.

Another magazine advert which I have found is from the artists Rihanna. Rihanna has a great image which is built up for her and she is known world wide for her distinct look and sound. I really like her magazine advert as it is very different from other adverts that I have seen. The main image is off the artists with heavy dark eye make up and roughed filled lips. Her short hair and body position creates a biker girl image and she is rough and ready. She holds one of her eyes which interests me as a consumer as I would by her product to see why she is in that body position. She is almost holding her eye as if it is in pain so I would want to see the emotion that comes across in her album. A blue wash filter is used throughout the advert which makes this advert stand out so much. As it is different from the others in the magazine. The blue is an interesting colour as it almost suggests a male target audience however I feel the blue was chosen to suggest thee is a lot of emotion and sadness involved in the alum. From her direct eye contact it looks like she has had to experience a lot of pain to make her new album. As Rihanna is such a huge artist she has even created a logo for her self which is included in all her products; fashion ware, perfume and albums. The simple R is written in such a distinctive font that it is recongised easily and can be easily associated with the artists. At the bottom of the photograph a parental supervisor logo is included to suggest that there is R rated material involved in the album. This links with the whole of the artists logo as she looks very dangerous and R rated look. As Rihanna use to have a very innocent pop girl image she totally wanted to contrast it by creating the rough and ready dangerous look. To make sure her consumers and fan base know her new image it was important to make the whole CD and advert connote this theme with font and colour. Under the photograph with a blue background Rihanna’s name is in large white font and is sectioned in a black square box. The diagonal layout of the text is really effective as it disorientates the audience as well as look like a graffiti font. The new album is not given a name from what I can see which is very unusual. It also does not have a release date which could mean that this advert was just creating hype for the artists before she properly markets her new album. For such a huge artists like Rihanna this marketing technique is often used just to make the audience aware that she is currently working on a new album. Under her name she has used red font to right two of the songs that will be included in this album. She has named two of her most popular songs as many people would have heard them in the chart and know the artist for that reason. The red really stands out from the blue background as well as adding a sense of danger. In the bottom right hand corner her website address is included where fans can find out more details and a record label logo is included. I really like this poster however feel that more information is needed as not much is told from this advert and makes the audience go on her website to find out more.