MUSIC MAGAZINES RESEARCH

BauerWhen were they established?Bauer is Europe’s largest privately owned publishing company. They’re a worldwide company and they offer a range of magazines to all different countries. Bauer was created around 1953 and started to publish Angling Times. The company now publish magazines such as FHM, Grazia and Closer. It is a large publishing company and publishes magazines with large target audiences and that are very popular among people across the globe.

They publish FHM which has a large target audience. It’s targeted at predominantly males as it’s a lads mag and it appeals to men. The magazine is popular among it’s audience and belongs to large publishing company.

Grazia is targeted at women and has a very wide target audience. Again it is one of a few popular magazines that are published by Bauer. Bauer is a large publishing company and publishes many very popular magazines.

IPC MediaLocated in the UK IPC media is a consumer magazine and a digital publisher it is also a Time Warner company. They sell over 350 million copies a year. It was founded in 1958 and now as the UK’s leading consumer magazine, has over 60 iconic media brands covering newspaper, magazine, trade and technical, books, printing and news and products. With the multiplatform contents they reach out to 26mUK adults, almost two thirds of UK women and 42% UK men. Their websites reach over 25m users globally every month.

Three publishing divisions:• IPC Connect: consisting of mostly women’s magazines including Now, Chat and Woman. TV entertainment

brands with What’s on TV, TVTimes and TV & Satellite Week and the goodtoknow network.• IPC Inspire: is rich in leisure magazines containing Country Life, Horse & Hound, Rugby World and

Decanter. As well as having brands such as Nuts, Mousebreaker and NME.• IPC Southbank: is more of an upmarket women’s division including the magazines Marie Claire, InStyle,

Women & Home and Essentials. It also covers the lifestyle and home section with Ideal Home, Livingetc and housetohome.

NME is a mainstream music magazine published by the large group. It has a wide target audience and is a very popular magazine.

They also publish other kinds of magazines like House to Home. This magazine has a niche target audience and is probably less popluar than more mainstream magazines like NME.

Future PLCFounded in 1985, Future PLC is an international media group, with setups in the UK, US and Australia. They create over 200 specialist publications, apps, websites and events. Market leading positions in Technology, Entertainment & Video Games, Sport & Auto, Music and Creative. Monthly, the company attracts 45 million users, to digital property websites. They provide over 100 digital editions and unique apps on tablet devices. Sell 2.2 million magazines every month, export to 89 countries, making them the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of magazine content.Future PLC is the Association of Online Publishers’ Consumer Digital Publisher of the Year and PPA Digital Consumer Publisher of the Year. Suggesting that they are a highly used, respected and trusted company.

Metal Hammer has a niche target audience and mainly consists of males and heavy metal music fans. Future PLC take care of more magazines with a smaller target audience and are less popular.

Again this magazine has a niche target audience as it involves classic rock so would appeal to classic rock fans only.

My magazine

I think that I would like IPC Media to own my magazine as they are a very popular and large publishing company and from what they said on their website it seems that they don’t currently publish many mainstream music magazines and there would be room for another. The only problem I could encounter is that my magazine could be too similar to NME. Overall I think that if this company published my magazine it would do well and become popular and gain a large target audience as NME did.

Uses and gratifications theory

The theory consists of working around the users needs. The users basic needs are:

1. Diversion – needing to relax and escape from everyday life. They escape their daily routine. (escapism)

2. Personal relationships – some people use media as a way to form relationships with the characters and feel like they know them on a personal level. People usually find themselves understanding the situations the characters are going through. They also use media to create relationships with other people as part of a social group.

3. Personal identity – the user often finds themselves identifying with a character and the character reflecting them in some way. They also learn values and behaviours.

4. Surveillance – using the media to gratify the need for information about the world around us. For example watching the news to see what is happening in the world.

Contents pageDiversion – the audience would get away from their every day life by reading this contents page because these people are not people who are in their every day life and they don’t know them on a personal level.Personal relationships – the audience would see these articles as a way to possibly get to know the people they are fans of. The quotes from the artists would appeal to the audience as well because they are something the artists would have said and it seems personal.Personal identity – audiences that read this magazine would obviously already be interested in these artists already. So by finding more out about them they can find out who they are as well and if they’re similar to the artists they are interested in as well.Surveillance – they would be using this magazine to find out what is going on with their favourite artists and what’s new. They are keeping up to date with what is going on in the media and this is a way of doing it.

The layout of this magazine is simple there one main image. The image is of one member of a current band this would appeal to the target audience as there is not too much to focus on and the image fits in with the bands quirky style as he is wearing a crown and holding flowers. This also suggests that he is king allowing his fans to see him as this too. On tis front cover the masthead is behind Tyler's head. This suggests that he is more important than the magazine – the artist makes it what it is. The anchorage text to the main image is quote from Tyler and the text links in with the picture as it is a royal theme. There is not too much text on the page and this would appeal to the audience because they may enjoy not having too much to read on the front cover as the majority of this audience are young people, predominantly students. The colours are all kept to red, black and white in the fonts which keeps a theme throughout the magzines house style as well. On this issue there is some green included where it says “free inside” probably inorder to make this stand out even more. Overall this magazine does a lot to appeal to it’s target audience and would be able to do so.

FRONT COVER ANALYIS

Clearly this magazine is aimed at young girls as there is a young girl on the front and the graphic features on the cover include previews of the “sizzling posters” that are to feature inside. These would appeal to the audience because these people are famous at this time, they’re current artists and they are One Direction, JLS and Cher Lloyd. They are females to look up to and idolise and they are boys to find attractive and want to be with. These images are good images of the artists and they show them doing good things. The colours used on the front page are purples, pinks and white. This sets up a colour scheme for the cover and they are very girly colours , again appealing to the target audience of girls. The lack of text and coverage would appeal to the audience because what they want to read is inside, they are most probably teen girls that want to see their favourite artists on the front then follow it up inside. The masthead of this magazine is in front of the main image taking up some of the page proving that it is important. Overall this magazine is appealing to the target audience and the features allow it to do this. They are appealing to the audience.

FRONT COVER ANALYSIS 2

FRONT COVER ANALYSIS 3

This magazine appeals to it’s target audience of people who are interested in hip hop/rap music. These people will be young probably working to lower middle class, possibly an equal balance of male and female readers as well. This cover features an image of cover star A$AP Rocky with gold grills and gold rings, common features with hip hop and rap singers. This would appeal to the audience as this is what they aspire to have and be able to afford, they look up to these people and respect them. The text “high life” appeals to the audience because it refers to one thing being the high life of having money and cars and living like a star. But on the other hand it can refer to being high or getting high as many rappers and hip hop starts freely admit in their music. People who are interested in the music are interested in the lifestyle to and this cover is appealing them because it hints to the lifestyle and shows a star and says about an interview with the star. Also there is some text in the bottom left hand corner naming other stars of this genre which would again be appealing to the audience as these are the people they listen to. The colour scheme is simple, sticking to white text the whole way through. Overall the magazine appeals to the target audience because it includes what they want to see and be.

FRONT COVER ANALYSIS 4A classical music magazine takes a different approach at appealing their target audience. This magazine uses the same colours as NME but somehow they come off as different. The colours appear soft and natural like the woman used for the main image. She ‘s holding a classical instrument which would appeal to the audience as they like classical music and may play an instrument themselves. The graphic features look like they are of things that the audience would be interested on. The different sizes of fonts for the main image ladies name suggests she is important and famous in the classical music world, appealing to the audience because people who read this magazine will obviously be interested in the famous artists in classical music and be drawn to the names of them. The text at the very top of the page would also appeal to the target audience because it reads “best selling classical music magazine” – it’s the best of its kind and the audience would be pleased to know this because they are most probably from the middle or upper class and reading the best classical magazine would impress them and their friends. Overall this magazine appeals to the audience mostly because of the text on the page.

FRONT COVER ANALYSIS 5This magazine is similar to CLASH magazine in the sense that the artists belong to the same hip hop/rap genre of music. Although this magazine features a lot more text on the page. There is more coverage on this page and clear colour scheme of red, white and black. The most important features being the masthead and the name of the artist on the front page are in red and white, they look bold and are noticeable when looking at the cover. The actual way that the artist is posing in the main image adds to the hip hop vibe as he has his hands up showing off his jewellery and watches. He has the typical look of a hip hop rapper – tattoos, jewellery, watches, etc. signs of money. This is what appeals to the audience the sense of the lifestyle their idols lead. This front cover appeals to the target audience because within the coverage talks about interviews with other stars of this genre and about rappers being locked up. All these topics are what interest the audience and make them want to read further into the magazine. Overall this front cover appeals to the magazine because of what it features – main image of a rapper, exclusive interviews and “top 10 freshmen” everything appeals to them on this cover because it really focuses on the genre.

CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 1This contents page is for hip hop/rapper genre and it appeals to the target audience because it has an image of 50 Cent a huge rapper who is very famous within this genre. He would appeal to the audience as he is as famous as he is and by including him in the magazine. The way that the contents page is set out is very simple and easy to follow, the page numbers are in red before the text that follows them so it is simple to be able to find articles that would interest certain readers. Also again the simple colour scheme of red, white and black is appealing because the page look simples and everything looks neat and tidy. It’s not too busy which people will like. Compared to the text the image is quite big but because the image takes up a similar amount of space on the page it looks good and like there is equal text as there is image. This would appeal to the audience because there isn’t too much to read and the picture also gives them something to look at. The whole layout makes it seem classy and simple. And the fact that the text varies in size and boldness to what it’s saying is also very appealing. Overall this contents page would do well to appeal to it’s target audience because it is simple and easy to follow, has a colour scheme throughout and there is a good amount of text compared to image. A very good contents page.

CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 2

Again this contents page for KERRANG! Has used the red, white and black colour scheme like many other music magazines but this comes off as having a different tone. The tone of this magazine seems a lot more rocky and harsher than previous ones. I think it’s because of the style of text and how everything looks a bit destroyed. This appeals to the target audience because this is their style, they are rock and metal. The ripped effect of the black paper onto the white would appeal to the audience because it looks like it’s been ripped up and this is what the artists they are interested in do. They rip things up and smash guitars. They text “it’s a riot” fits in with the theme of the magazine and genre because it looks loud, like a riot. It looks like a riot. Appealing to the target audience because they want to riot when they see their favourite artists, they like loud things and riots are loud. The graphic features look thrown onto the page, again appealing to the audience because it looks like a careless act and that’s what they want to see. The image of Paramore is at the bottom and is a giant pull-out poster inside. This appeals to the audience because they would want a poster of a band that they enjoy and want to have up on their bedroom walls. Overall this contents page appeals to it’s audience because of how it is put together and what it features.

CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 3This is a contents page for the music magazine Vibe, that features R’n’B and hip hop artists. In this issue Kanye West is the main image on the contents page, already this would appeal to the audience because he is a famous artist within the genres featured in this magazine. The colour scheme is simple with the image and background in black, white and grey. And only a heart in red creating a focal point. The way he is being portrayed is as a ladies man but his facial expression looks harsh and like he has power over the women he gets. The layout of this page is simple as there isn’t a lot of text and a large image. The text has different headings within the contents such as; “features” and “fashion” this would appeal to the audience because then they know where to look for whatever they are interested in reading. Also the title “contents” looks good in the way it’s laid out because it looks bold and is funky, again appealing the target audience because it’s different to other magazines. The variety of fonts on this page would appeal to the audience because people like a variety when it works and looks good, and that’s what it does on this page. Overall this contents page really would appeal to it’s target audience because of the artist it features, how simple it is to follow and the lack of things on the page makes it good to look at and not too busy.

CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 4This is a contents page for NME magazine. The thing that would first grab the audiences eye would be all the graphic features. There are a lot on this page making it interesting to look at and then having little text to read would appeal to students (the majority of the target audience are students) as they have enough to read. The page numbers are large and would make it easy for the audience to find what they are looking for. the variety of different fonts make the page interesting to look at and give the audience a change of scene with whatever they are reading. I think that the large, simple title works with this page as it’s in black – as is the other text on the page. And it’s in a simple but effective font. Appealing to the audience because they wouldn’t want anything too much. The graphic images would appeal to the target audience because it gives them a lot to look at and want to read further into the images that first caught their eye. Also the fact that there are a lot of images represents the magazine because they represent a lot of different artists because the audience are interested in lots of different artists. Overall I think this contents page does well at appealing to it’s audience because it features things that they want to see and what they are interested in.

CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 5This contents page again uses the colour scheme red, black and white. It works to make the contents page look classy and ties in with the graphic features on the page such as; the union jack as it has red and white in it and looks good on the page – also works along with the red number and the text “50 ultimate British songs” as it starts off a theme within itself. The colour scheme also works with the main image which consists of the colour black and white. This would appeal to the target audience because it’s simple to follow and classy. It doesn’t look too much at all. The small amount of text works well with the amount of graphic features because it looks equal and works around the page. Again appealing to audience who just want to be able to follow it easily. Every thing is numbered so the audience can find what they want to read further into. The main image is large and the page number for it is large as well, working well because it’s all large. Appealing the audience because again it’s attractive to look at and then simple and classy as well which is what this audience look for in this magazine. Overall I think that this contents page does well to appeal to their audience with what is featured, how everything is laid out and how simple and easy it all is to be able to follow. A very classy contents page.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD ANALYSIS 1

The house style of the article is evident upon first glance as the main image is black and white and then there is a huge “L” behind the actual article. This give the pages a theme and is followed through well. The drops cap “L” and “S” work well because they are bold and make a statement like the artist the article is about. The article has a standard layout which is easy to follow and to read appealing to the audience because it is simple and people like things to be simple and not too hard to read. The pages aren’t too busy and they keep the writing clear so it can be easily read. The name of the artist is at the top of the page allowing the audience to see who it’s about if they need to. Overall it’s a good double page spread because it includes an image and a substantial amount of story as well.

CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 2

This double page spread again has a colour scheme of black, pink and white. It keeps this going throughout the spread. The colours used in articles about people tend to be personal to the artists they are about, this would appeal to the audience because they feel like it’s personal as well and colours that their favourite artists like, linking to the uses and gratifications theory (personal relationships). The font used for the title “wild child” works well with what the words say because “wild” looks wild and like it’s been scrawled across the page. This would appeal to the audience because it’s personalising the artist they are reading about and that’s what they are looking for in a magazine. This double page spread has the questions from an interview in pink and then the answers in white, fitting in with the colour scheme and allowing the audience to follow the interview easily and differentiate between questions and answers. Overall a good double page spread that appeals to the target audience.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD ANALYSIS 3

The title of the double page spread is a quote from the artist it is about, this works well because the font is all different sizes and it’s either grey or black. It would appeal to the target audience becayse again it’s on a more personal level than something written about the artist than something they have said themselves. It also looks good on the page and works with a subtle colour scheme. The text is set out in columns and looks neat and easy to follow – what audiences look for in double page spreads. The image is a close up of the artist that the audience would like because it’s of an artist they enjoy listening to and presumably reading about too. There is also variations between fonts as the introduction across the page before the whole article is in italics and the title is in bold capitals, the variations would appeal to the audience because it’s refreshing not to have to be reading all the same. Overall a very good double page spread that would appeal to a target audience the whole way through.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD ANALYSIS 4

This double page spread is on two members of the band One Direction. The titles are quotes from the members of the band which are referring to their past, this would appeal to the target audience because they want to know about the bands past and how they were before they got famous, they want to get to know the people, which is what this article helps them to do. The images would appeal to the target audience too because they are large images of the members that they probably find attractive and want to see on the page. There is not a lot of text compared to graphic features but it works as there are quotes on the page and subheadings within the main body of text allowing the audience to see where what they want to read is. There are different colour schemes throughout the two pages. In the first page the colour is blue and on the second page the colour is turquoise. This appeals to the audience because it’s easy to follow and see what information belongs to who. Overall this double page spread does well to appeal to it’s target audience.

DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD ANALYSIS 5

The colour scheme works well on this spread because the photo and text all ties in together with the rusty orange presents on all of them. It gives the article structure and pulls it together. The main image contradicts with the writing about it and this would appeal to the audience because it’s ironic and students like irony and sarcasm because they use it themselves. The way the text is laid out makes the page look neat and easy to follow, again appealing to the student audience because when they read they want it to be easy to follow but to still look good. The quote in the middle breaks up the page as does the variation between fonts. This double page spread does well to appeal to the target audience and to keep them interested throughout. Overall a good spread that appeals to it’s audience well.

ZONE Reader profileMale: 33%Female: 67%Average age: 20Working full time: 24%Working part time: 17%In education: 59%

On average ZONE readers spend per month:£45 on clothes£10 on music£7 on DVD’s

97% readers use the internet regularly94% readers download music digitally

On average readers spend 2.5 hours on the internet daily

EvaluationFrom my research and various analysis’s I have a learnt a great deal about magazines and what audiences want from them. From my front cover analysis's I have learnt that it’s about getting the right balance between text and main images, I think I’d like to have a front cover with a statement image and minimal text like the CLASH front cover. Similarly from my contents page analysis’s I have learnt that it’s again about the balance of text and images, I like the VIBE contents pages as they have a good layout as it’s simple and looks classy – a look I’d like to go for. The double page spread on Lady Gaga is a good one as it looks classy and I also like the one that’s written on Pete Doherty. I like the styles that these two have and think that they will look good in my magazine. From the focus group I done I think that it helped me to finally decide what I wanted my genre to be and what to feature in my magazine. The group helped me to confirm what I already felt to include in my magazine. And the questionnaire helped me with what I should feature in my magazine. And what people would enjoy reading and looking at in a magazine.