Tuesday, 26 November 2013
Monday, 18 November 2013
MOJO double page spread analysis- research
Double page spread conventions
are clearly shown in this Mojo article in the March 2013 issue:
•Page Title, ‘Love and bullets’
at the top left of the page, indicating what the page contains i.e. a feature
on Ulster Punk by Stuart Bailie.
•Name of the artist in large,
clear italic font. Green background with black text to the information column
for a big impact amongst other articles
•A continuous colour scheme
used over the two pages- a black and white photo taken from 1978. All text is
black other than the small insert which describes the artists in the main photo
which is white.
•Introduction to the article is
powerful with language highlighting the ‘conflict’ and ‘terror’ experienced by
many in Northern Ireland
•The article itself is written
in columns- clear fonts. Drop key used at the start of the article.
•Highlighted quotes from the
article such as ‘Walking around Belfast
•Some text highlighted with large,
bold, colourful green background
•Main pictures of the band
included over the pages, secondary image is a photo of 2 teenage children
playing in a street with a burning skip. This connotes the chaos at the time of
the riots in Northern
Ireland
• The photographer’s details
are found as extra information at 90 degrees to the text in the column.
NME contents page analysis- research
- The NME
Contents Page for 9th March 2013 is located on page 2 of the
magazine. The mast head has large main text which reads ‘Inside this
week’. The elements of the contents page are quite ordered in 3 column
type shapes. There are approximately 4 fonts used. The background is
predominantly white with black writing. Additional colour is red with a
little splash of yellow. This mirrors the colour scheme used on the issues
front cover for consistency.
- Layout-
the largest image catches the readers eye as it is of the iconic Noel
Gallagher. Shock factor is used to attract the readers attention and to
fit in with the singers bad boy reputation with ‘What releasing new music
proves is that reunions are fucking shite and worthless’. This is also
probably the main story within this addition. The image breaks up the text
to allow for easy reading / grazing by the reader. The short bursts of
texts in columns reduce the effort of reading. Additional features also
have shock factor to engage with the reader for example there is mention
of drugs on page 8 and of an ‘orgasmic bunny’ on page 46. Sex, controversy
and drugs do sell magazines. Page
numbers are listed for all main features- this allows the target audience
to easily locate the pages they are interested in. Additional features are
listed in a smaller font with no further explanation or image under the
section entitled ‘Plus’
- Images-
there are 7 images on the cover page- 4 have men, 1 woman and 1 crowd. The
last image is of NME front cover pages. All images are different to the
main front cover image and the additional 12 smaller images in order to
suggest to the reader a variety of content. The images for single
performers primarily use a low angle close up shot.
- Colour
Scheme- As mentioned above the colour scheme is the same house style as
the front cover (black, white and red). This particular colour scheme is
part of the brand identity for NME. Brand identity is important as the
magazine will be easily recognisable on the news stand and will allow for
familiarity. The use of the red or other brighter colours is often used
for important points or buttons (as on the front cover of this edition)
and sell lines.
- The
subscription to NME is important as this is how the magazine obtains its
income. Readers like bargains and the 38% saving will be a good incentive
to subscribe via the telephone or the website. The inclusion of the
website is good for digital natives.
Kerrang contents page analysis- research
The Kerrang
contents page follows many music magazine conventions-
•Page title
at the top of the page with the date of the issue- this is clear to the reader
as it has a bold yellow banner with black text in the house style with Kerrang
logo.
•Quotes
from various articles are listed under the features e.g. ‘The punkiest thing to
come from Essex ’.
•'Features'
section- 5 main features are listed in this issue number (1456), one of which
is the main feature advertised on the front cover about Black Sabbath- a highly
known and iconic band to interest the reader.
•Images are
minimal in this magazine- there are 4 in this copy- a picture of an amp and a
guitar which can be won are the main images, a smaller image of the deputy
editor accompanied by a brief note and an image of magazines advertising
subscriptions.
•Continuous
colour scheme throughout- black, yellow, red and white. All these colours are
found throughout the magazine
•Page
number giving reference to location of articles, with the name of the articles
•Large,
clear font clearly identifies all categories listed in the right hand column-
categories include: feedback, news, live reviews, posters, features, albums,
gig guide, the ultimate rock star test. This content provides the reader with a
sense of belonging, exclusivity, engagement, escapism and the chance to win as
well as having additional lures and freebies.
•Few
external advertisements from other institutions on the contents page- only
‘Peavey- innovation amplified’ and a ‘Learn to play day’
Sunday, 17 November 2013
Saturday, 16 November 2013
Magazine Research- Magazine institutions- How will my magazine make money?
This
is relevant to my magazine because I need to make sure that the images on the
adverts meet the legal requirements of the ASA have been met. Therefore this
will be useful to me so that I meet the required rules and regulations.
There
are 3 different but very similar ways that magazines make money.
Circulation
and Subscriptions
- When you go to the newsstand
and buy your favourite magazine, the profit from that sale makes money
for the magazine. However, there is very little profit in this type of
sale, called single copy sale, once you factor in the price it costs to
make the magazine, the cost to transport it to the newsstand and the
commission the magazine company must pay the newsstand company for
providing space to sell its magazine. Magazines make far more money from
subscriptions since they cut out at least one of the intermediaries and
get their product directly to the consumer. Magazine companies also have
your address so they can make a pitch to renew your magazine subscription
when it comes due, as well as pitch any other magazines they may produce
that they think could be of interest to you.
Classified
Advertising
- When you open any magazine
and flip to the back pages, you will see a classified section with want
ads. Magazines sell want ads by the word or the line, and the ads can be
quite expensive in popular magazines with a large circulation. Even
moderate magazines with smaller circulations command large prices for
their want ads if they target a specific area or group of people. For
example, a magazine on life in
Other
Advertising
- The single best
way that a magazine makes money is by allowing advertisers to use its
unused space throughout the magazine, including the covers and inside
front and back cover. It is normal for a full-page back cover ad to run
several thousand dollars or more in popular magazines with national coverage. Not only does the magazine make money
with this form of advertising, it also fills up the pages by placing ads
in space on pages around the story lines. The magazine looks better and
its revenue increases.
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4897422_magazines-make-money.html
Kerrang web home page and front cover analysis
On the magazine front cover there are no adverts for anything
other than the stories inside. On the homepage there are adverts
for things that could appeal to the target audience eg converse footwear or O2.
This is a technique called cookies. Some adverts may be of a pop up style.Both the magazine and the website have a clear sectional layout and directions to other places in the magazine and on the web. The website uses a clear uncluttered navigation bar and the magazine a content page. Some sections may be similar in theme or content. Images may also be similar between versions.
Both print and web page versions add a feel of audience exclusivity eg ‘World exclusive’ or ‘Access to all areas’.
The website uses sound by offering podcasts of musicians interviews eg Fall Out Boy, which is a level of interactivity for music fans that print magazines cannot offer- this is why the future of print versions of music magazines are possibly under threat from easily available internet options. The podcast has a greater impact than the 2 page spread on page 36 and 37.
'SWAG’ is a play on words used on the website as the area for winning prizes- located centrally on the homepage. On the magazine the reader has the opportunity to win a £700 guitar- this is in the right hand pug position.
The online version has direct links to single downloads and music videos for fans.
Colours are of a consistent house style in the magazine and website- mostly white on black with splashes of yellow and red. Font style is also consistent as are Logo/ masthead.
Both refer to each other print version lists the web page address eg www.kerrang.com. The website has a front cover image of the latest magazine version.
The online version doesn’t repeat the same text. Multimedia features can be quickly updated on line. Viewers can have all the latest news and music gossip.
On line versions can offer a higher level of interactivity for the reader for example direct links to blogs, social networking sites or online shops for merchandise or tickets. Viewers are encouraged to vote on the website for the Kerrang awards.
Image led links and hyperlinks on the online version of the magazine allow easy access to linked sites eg Kerrang radio is referred to several times on the home page.
Front cover analysis - Mojo
This Magazine is called Mojo. The
target audience that it is aimed at is the middle-upper class as it is a
specialist magazine, therefore it focus is the music and not the star appeal.
It is for mainly men aged from 30 and over, however some females may be
interested in this too. I think that is the right target audience due to the
images and font used on the front cover. The contents on the front cover are
almost all about different bands which fit perfectly with the music genre
(rock).
Mojo’s masthead
title has a consistent 3D effect with a masculine font and size and at the top
of the page. The
colour used in this issue is a black. The colour scheme
is basic and appealing using red, black, yellow and white. The bold use of the
red and yellow colours contrast well with the black colours and the main image.
The date and price of the magazine are discretely at the bottom right of the
page with the barcode- this does not draw the reader’s attention to the
expensive cost of £4.60 and therefore doesn’t detract the reader’s attention
from the main image.
Superimposition
is used when the main
centralised image of a Bob Dylan icon overlaps the title of the
magazine; the title is well-known and remains clear to read. Bob’s clothes are
conventional to the genre and era of his music and connote a rock star look,
for example he is wearing a whit shirt and black trousers with a black
waistcoat. Bob adds star appeal to the target audience as he has real celebrity
appeal-he is a singer-songwriter and is he is well known across the globe. Bob
uses the direct mode of address to appeal to the reader as he poses with a subtle
and ‘model-like’ look on his face; this gives him and the cover a high star
appeal. Bob also poses with his arms in a confident position. The publishers add
graphic detail to the main image, giving the reader an impression that he is
holding it. The image is in low key lighting to suggest a rock star mood to the
reader. The long shot is used for the appeal to the target audience and allows
the reader to capture the detail from the surroundings. The low angle shot is
used to
inspire the reader, which makes the reader look up to Bob Dylan as a true rock
star.
This
cover is busy and bold and includes a range of graphic details. An example of
this is in the top left hand pug position, where the publisher has placed the
writing ‘Free sound track CD!’ ideally placed in a red circle effect. Some
sections of text stand out more than others as well, even though the publisher
has not used any colour blocking to add effect the bold red, yellows and whites
stand out which suggests it would be interesting to draw the reader in. The
cover appears to be following the genre type and is expensive looking much like
the aspiring middle class reader.
‘David
Bowie. New album. The verdict.’ is in the sky line position and this is found
at the top of the front cover. Bowie, Dylan and Otis are singers from previous
eras when the target audience were young eg the 1970’s.
‘100 greatest music films ever!’ is the
anchorage text as it tells the reader what they can expect to find in the
magazine.
The
sell line ‘Lights. Camera. Dylan.’ Is on the left hand side so it is easily
visible when the magazine is racked on a stand. The wording establishes a link
with the reality of the reader e.g. ‘Dylan’ being Bob Dylan’s last name. The
sell line gives a short,
sharp description of the title's marketing point-every reader would want to
know more about the celebrity. The text ‘Dylan’ is in a bold red colour to
highlight the stars name. The sell line uses the social integration theory- the
audience wants to know about Bob’s life so that they feel closer to him. It
also corresponds to the main image of him.
Readership Profile - MOJO
Name of magazine: MOJO
Circulation
79,345 (Jan-Jun '13)
Readership
220,000 (Jul-Dec '12)
220,000 (Jul-Dec '12)
Gender ratio: female-26.9% male-73.1%
;59.5% of ABC1 profile
;59.5% of ABC1 profile
MOJO4music information:
• 209,000 unique users
• 460,000 page impressions
• 18,000 email subscribers
• 49,600 Twitter followers
• 32,000 Facebook fans
• 460,000 page impressions
• 18,000 email subscribers
• 49,600 Twitter followers
• 32,000 Facebook fans
Monthly readership respecting ‘world
class journalism and iconic photography’
Readership
wanting ‘high brand values and integrity. A carefully crafted musical archive
covering the very best of music across genres. From classic and modern rock,
folk, soul, country to reggae, electronic and experimental. It prefers to
celebrate quality over popularity – music that will stand the test of time.’
Readership want a magazine that is packed with insight, passion, and revelatory
encounters with the greatest musicians of all-time, be they established or
emerging musicians. The magazine is loved by its readers and artists alike
because it engages them on the subject they love the most: music itself.
Readership wants a definitive cover
feature on an iconic act; a bespoke CD (especially compiled by the editorial
team or a major musician in MOJO’s world);
the famous reviews section, the Filter, which brings you 30 pages-plus
of the best of that month’s music, both classic and contemporary.
The readership wants information and input from guest editors e.g. David
Bowie, Noel Gallagher. They want information a magazine that can provide
breadth and iconic status among musicians e.g. The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Laura
Marling or from Fleetwood Mac to Flying Lotus.
Readership enjoy brand extensions eg Cambridge
Readership wants daily downloads from www.mojo4music.com for a daily
updates and gossip.
Magazine publishers do a great deal of research to ensure they deliver a product that meet the needs and requirements of their target audience. This information will influence all aspects of the production through typography to photography to features and freebies.
Monday, 11 November 2013
Differences in dress between Pop and Indie singers
Ellie Goulding- Indie
Rihanna- Pop
There is a clear difference in the way Pop artists dress compared to Indie artists in the music industry.
Q web home page and front cover analysis- genre research
- The magazine features a main image whereas the homepage has no main image and just uses secondary ones.
- Both of the magazines use not the same images but a similar style, both the magazine and home page use black and white images and close up headshots.
- A homepage has a column layout where as a front cover does not this allows a homepage to involve lots of hyperlinks to other pages on their website.
- The magazine and the website both use the logo this gives the label of “Q” a consistent style. However the slogan on the magazine is not used on the home page.
- The website advertises the magazine by featuring a picture of the most recent and the magazine advertises the website by featuring it on the front cover.
- The colour scheme is consistent on the internet and magazine this continues with the brand identity which is important so people recognise the brand with ease.
- The front cover contains a barcode; this is a big difference because it means you have to pay for the magazine whereas the internet is free. Magazines are less accessible also whereas the internet is much more widely available and cheaper than magazines.
Tuesday, 5 November 2013
Monday, 4 November 2013
Readership Profile- Top of The Pops
Typical age of reader: 11-15 years old
Typical gender of reader: Male 13% - Females 87%
Income/social economic class: They will have a low income due to them still studying at school. Most of the 11-15 year olds parents will pay for the magazine for them, this is why it is critical that the content is suitable.
Favourite bands/artists: JLS, Justin Bieber, One Direction, Flo Rida, Miley Cyrus, Pink, Lady Gaga, High School musical and Katy Perry.
Attitude to life: They generally have a positive look on life and want to do well at school, although they are starting to hit their teenage years.
Spend money on: Clothes, Cosmetics, Mobile Phones, Ipods/mp3 players, Music CD’s and DVD’s.
Typical fashion/clothes: SuperDry, Jack Wills, Toms
Music: The readers of Top of The Pops magazine, want to be just like the celebrities that they see in the magazines and on the TV. They are inspired by their talents and how they look, which results in them wanting to be ‘mainstream’ and follow the crowd with what they wear, and the things they do. They also listen to the music in the magazine to ‘fit in’ with people that like the same things as them.
Films: The readers watch musicals such as: High School Musical, Grease, Glee and Camp Rock, so that they can learn the songs and sing them with their friends.
Other Information:
- Launch date- February 1995
- Genre- Pop music
- Multiplatform- no
- Readership- 331,000
- Frequency- Weekly
- Circulation Figures- 78,325
- Price- £2.99
- Pages- 56
Knowledge
The information given in the magazine includes interviews with celebrities eg: ‘Misha B’ and ‘100% One Direction’ and information about the life behind the scenes of the stars. This magazine has mostly gossip contents to suit the target audience with little factual knowledge. (Maslow, Esteem and self-actualisation )
Independence/Influence
The attitude to the artists and bands is very laid back. There is a cool and trendy, relaxed theme to the magazine with a great deal of focus on relationships and insider information. The effect on the reader will mainly be informing them of the latest gossip. There are 6 articles for ‘All About You’, these include problem solving and real life stories. This is what the young reader are interested in so the magazine will really appeal to the reader. (Maslow, Esteem and Love/Belonging)
Belonging
Connections with other mind-like fans are shown through ‘Your Shout Outs’. Readers can interact with the magazine and online because they contain 8 competitions and ‘Offers’ on items to buy in shops. There are not obvious signs to social networking sites as the target audience may be a little young. There are adverts in the inside back cover of the magazine to mobile phone downloads eg: ‘Ringtones and Wall papers’. Subscription is not promoted well but there is a section near the end of the magazine called ‘Reserve me a copy’. There is also a reminder to ‘ Don’t miss the next issue of…’ for the online version on the same page. Subscription of both the magazine and online version are important to make people feel like they belong to the ‘Top Of The Pops’ family. (Uses and Gratification, Integration and social interaction) (Maslow, Love/Belonging)
Personal Identity
Top of the Pops is for those that want to know all the latest insider gossip. There is a lot of ‘Pop’ subculture. The appearance of the magazine is very basic with a girly pink colour theme. The pictures of the celebrities with body, vestural and object codes that connote a sense of popular dress style. They also contain many pull out style pictures that are up to date and they are highlighted on the contents page as ‘Boy Alert!’. This allows the young audience to connect with the magazine and have a lasting keepsake for themselves or for their bedroom wall. (Uses and Gratifications, Personal Identity)
Entertainment
Top of the Pops magazine is a source wonderful of gossip. The audience can get direst information from the artists on their feelings, bad habits and interests. The young readers can escape from real life for a bit. There are links to popular TV shows eg: ‘The Voice’. (Uses and Gratifications, Entertainment)
News
In Top of the Pops magazine the minority of the articles are about music news, though the content of the news varies from ‘Celebrities at London Fashion Week’ to the ‘Latest…music, film and TV highlights’. The website also offers a limited amount of news. (Uses and Gratifications)
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