Media research 2nd

Media Research

• 2nd Half

This is a double page spread from the magazine Kerrang. The two pages are combined as one big page. There are four pictures within the spread with at least one band member in each of them. Using a fair amount of pictures will attract and entertain the audience and most likely selling the article to them. Three colours are predominantly used. Red, black and white are all used. These three colours attract and stand out. Making the magazine easier to read and more accessible to the reader. The size of the font varies again a technique used to attract and entertain the audience. The colour of the font and page itself could reflect the emotions of the band and their genre. MCR genre is punk and the red white and black could signify their emotions. From looking at the double page spread I can see that the band ‘My Chemical Romance’ are trying to sell their music to the target audience of the magazine. The target audience being indie\ punk\ rock lovers the age group could range from 15 to 40. The magazine focuses on MCR new album. They give the audience sneak peaks to names of the tracks and what they are going to sound like. They also portray photos of the band themselves in the studio etc. this will excite the audience leaving them wanting to know more and also leaving them eager to purchase the album when it is released. The magazine also uses the words ‘World exclusive’ this makes the article unique in its own way leaving the readers thinking only they know this much information about the new album. The language used in the interview could be seen as colloquial. The leading band member Gerard Way uses words such as ‘how the hell’ and ‘gonna’. These words are generally used by the younger generations. This interview can relate to its younger audience. It could connect with them and encourage them to buy the magazine. For example if one of their favourite lead singers talks like the way they do the younger generation see them as role models and will act and talk like them. Overall the various elements used to create this double page spread are in my opinion used to try and sell and emphasize the band featured within the article. All of the elements used help to do this. I think that the producer of the article aimed to inform and entertain its audience and tried to not only sell the bad but the magazine itself, by this I mean it wants to gain more customers and generate more profit.

This is a double page spread. Unlike my previous double page spread this one doesn’t have vast amounts of photos and the writing doesn’t represent anger or fierce emotions. There is one main image on the left hand side of the page. The model is rap artist T.I. although there aren’t vast amounts of photos one main and large image will attract and amuse the target audience especially if there is a popular and successful rap artist on the page. The colour used varies a lot for example the colours on the second page are bright summary colours. This contrasts with the topic of the article, the topic being ‘the summer preview’. This lightens the mood of the article and aims to please and enlighten the mood of its audience. It gives the magazine a more summery and light feel. Allowing the readers to relax whilst reading the article. T.I. himself is posing and looking directly at the audience. This connects the reader not only with T.I. but also with the magazine. Like all rappers T.I. is wearing gold and silver chains. T.I. is a role model to many young rappers and young people. The chain around his neck represents fame, hard work, money and power. Each of these elements are what some young people want to aspire to be.

This is a double page spread from Q magazine. The colouring of the double page spread is dark this shows an element of profession and seriousness. The magazine is trying to promote and make Kid Cudi look professional and good at the same time. There is one main image which is of Kid Cudi himself, this stresses that the atricle is about him and him only. This also shows its audience what he looks like if they didn’t already know. The colour of the font is white this makes it easier for the audience to read because of the black background. Kid Cudi himself is standing up and swearing at the reader. This connects the reader and Kid Cudi together making the reader feel more involved in the interview. This also shows the audience that Kid Cudi is rebellious and how he behaves. However he can do this because he is a rapper and generally all rappers swear. The audience may want to see this because rap itself is about being yourself and letting your emotions and thoughts out.

This double page spread is from XXL magazine. The main feature of the magazine is two rappers, 50 Cent and Soulja Boy. You can clearly see this from the two of them on the left page. They cover and occupy the whole page. The language used at the start is slang. It was taken from a tweet by 50 Cent. Swear words and other words are used. You can tell that the target audience of this magazine is young rap and hip hop fans. You can tell this by the language used and the most obvious aspect is that two of the biggest and most successful rappers are the main feature of the magazine. The general layout of the magazine is simple; this makes it easy and more accessible for its audience.

This is a double page spread from the magazine Q. As you can see from the picture Lady Gaga is the main feature in the issue of the magazine. She covers the left hand side of the double page spread. The shot used is a mid shot. Lady Gaga looks directly at the reader allowing the reader to feel more involved. She has no top on and is only covered by what looks like to be some sort of necklace. Her hairstyle is also wild; this shows the reader the nature of Lady Gaga, her nature being wild, extreme and rebellious. The layout of the magazine is simple but compelling. There is one image and one article. This simplistic layout makes the article more accessible for its audience. The picture itself is a black and white one; you could argue that this adds dramatic effect making the article more interesting. There is a large L letter that matches the length of the page, the shape itself if red, I think this adds an element of seriousness and makes the article look more professional.

• Magazine institutions• • IPC Media• • IPC Media creates over 60 iconic media brands, with print alone reaching almost two thirds o UK women and 42% of UK men – almost 26 million UK adults – IPC Media websites

collectively receive over 20 million users per month. IPC’s diverse print and portfolio offers something for everyone, with a focus on three core audiences: men, mass-market women and upmarket women.

• • IPC has 5 divisions• IPC Advertising – This offers its customers access to IPC Media’s unparalleled range of print and online brands. Their leading portfolio reaches 27 million UK adults, and online their

brands reach 20 million users every month.• IPC Connect - IPC Connects brands provide powerful reach, with its magazines read by 49% of all mass market women – that's eight million mass market women, while its digital

brands reach 2.7 million adults• IPC Inspire - IPC Inspire is IPC's men's division. Its portfolio of 38 brands covers a huge spectrum of interests and includes famous names from Country Life and The Field to Nuts and

NME.• MarketForce - Marketforce is the UK's leading news trade sales and Distribution Company, successfully marketing 23% of the total magazine category.• IPC Southbank - IPC Southbank is the up market women's division, focusing on the two key markets of Fashion & Women's Lifestyle and Home Interest. Southbank is home to some of

the most iconic magazine brands in publishing.• • • The International Publishing Corporation Ltd was formed in 1963 following the merger of the UK's three leading magazine publishers – George Newnes, Odhams Press and Fleetway

Publications – who came together with the Mirror Group to form the International Publishing Corporation (IPC). And IPC Magazines was created five years later, in 1968. • • • Bauer Media• • Bauer Media is a division of the Bauer Media Group, Europe’s largest privately owned publishing Group. The Group is a worldwide media empire offering over 300 magazines in 15

countries, as well as online, TV and radio stations.• Bauer Media joined the Bauer Media Group in January 2008 following acquisition of Emap plc’s consumer and specialist magazines, radio, TV, online and digital businesses.

Collectively, the Group employs some 6,400 people.• Bauer Media is a multi-platform UK-based media Group consisting of many companies collected around two main divisions – Magazines and Radio - widely recognized and rewarded

as being industry innovators.•

jMagazine Institutions

• EMAP• • Emap is a business-to-business multiplatform media group, whose brands informs, inspire and connect within the sectors they operate in. For millions of people across the

globe involved in the built environment, retail, media, fashion, health, education, government and automotive sectors, Emap provides essential news, analysis and access.• • Emap maintains an undiluted focus on content and product quality across online and offline publications, conferences, awards, exhibitions, festivals, data and intelligence

services. This enables the sharing of best practice, ideas and inspiration, for better, more timely, more informed decisions. Emap gives business professionals the commercial understanding and access to the people and organisations they need to do their jobs better

• • Eden Bidco ltd• In March 2008 Emap plc was acquired by Eden Bidco Ltd, a joint venture between Apax and Guardian Media Group plc.• • Apax Partners• • Apax Partners is one of the world’s leading private equity investment groups. It operates across the United States, Europe, Israel and Asia and has more than 30 years of

investing experience. Funds under the advice of Apax Partners total $35 billion around the world. These Funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. Apax Partners Funds invest in companies across its global sectors of Tech & Telecom, Retail & Consumer, Media, Healthcare and Financial & Business Services. Funds advised by Apax Partners have invested in the media sector for more than 20 years. Significant recent investments include: Incisive Media, Central European Media Enterprises, HIT Entertainment, World Directories and Yell. For more information visit: www.apax.com

• Guardian Media Group• • Guardian Media Group plc is one of the UK's leading multimedia companies. Its diverse portfolio includes:• Guardian News & Media: the Guardian and Observer newspapers and the Guardian.co.uk website.• GMG Radio: regional radio stations across the UK under the Real Radio, Smooth Radio and Rock Radio brands.• Trader Media Group: one of Europe's largest specialist print and online media companies, and publisher of the Auto Trader magazine and website. GMG and Apax Partners,

with GMG as the majority shareholder, jointly own Trader Media Group.• GMG Property Services Group: Vebra and Core, leading providers of software to independent estate agents and thinkproperty.com, the consumer-facing portal.• GMG is owned by the Scott Trust, which was created in 1936 to secure the financial and editorial independence of the Guardian in perpetuity. For further information visit

www.gmgplc.co.uk

Rap\Hip Hop Questionnaire

• Rap\Hip Hop Questionnaire• Who do you prefer?• Lil Wayne - 2• Eminem -5• Drake – 1• Tyler The Creator – 2• • In your opinion what is Eminem’s best song?• • Mocking Bird - 1• Toy Soldiers - 2• Not Afraid- 1• Stan - 1• Lose Yourself - 2• Beautiful - 1• Love the way you lie -2• • Who out of these artists is the most stylish (clothing etc)• Soulja Boy - 3• Chris Brown - 2• Tyler The Creator - 3• Pharrel - 2• • Who uses the best lyrics?• 50 Cent - 2• Drake - 1• Eminem - 6• ADD other if applicable - 1• • Who is the best role model?• Eminem - 2• Tyler The Creator - 3• Jay Z - 1• Soulja Boy - 2• 50 Cent -2 • • What is your favourite genre of music?• Rap – 1• Indie - 4• Heavy Metal - 1• Dubstep – 2• Rock – 1• Reggae - 1

Reader profile My magazine readers are into the music genre of rap and hip-hop. Readers will spend from £2 - £5, this would mean my magazine would have to be a reasonable price. They take interest in many different rappers, they like the different styles the rappers use. Many of the readers judge the magazine by the front cover and who is on it, taking a glance at it and seeing whom it is will attract them. Therefore I will make the picture interesting and eye grabbing. The readers like and respect Eminem The readers like to know and read about the rappers latest events etc (news and information about the rapper)

Reflection on contents page analysis I researched into many different types of contents pages, which varied from different magazines of different genres and different styles and found out many techniques used by the magazines themselves some were examples of unique selling points and some were similar to each other. In my opinion the contents page has to look bold and stand out well it also has to entertain the reader and entice them even more so they get the feeling that the magazine is well written produced and laid out well. Usually the contents page will have a masthead at the top of the page. This usually is the name of the magazine however sometimes there is a statement simply saying ‘inside this week’ or ‘this week…’ statements that let the reader know what they are going to find inside the magazine. Most of the contents page that I found had a lot of images displayed on the page. I think this is a good way to sell the magazine. I think this because the reader will want to see images of what lies within the magazine. I think that it entertains the reader. It will also let them know who stars in their magazine again selling the magazine to its audience. I think that the variety of pictures used is more entertaining for example one magazine I bought there are varieties of photos for example photos of bands posing, laughing having fun etc and then there is a picture of J ay Z and Kanye West singing on stage. This variety makes it more entertaining for the reader. Font and colouring of font plays a big part in the success of the magazine. One example is that the page itself is white and the writing is black so this enhances the boldness of the font, making it easier for the reader to view the page numbers, making it more accessible for the reader, this helps sell the magazine and attract future customers and members.

Reflection on double page spread analysis I have researched into many different types of double page spreads from different types and genres of magazines. I have found out that there are different techniques used to try and entertain and sell the magazine to its various target audience members. Firstly there is a large image of the artist or band the double page spread is covering. In some case I have found that the image is on the left had side of the page and in others the image is on the same page as the writing, basically all together. Sometimes the image is integrated into the writing making the page seem more interesting and entertaining. However some people will have different views and opinions on which layout they prefer whether it is of the image on one page or all of the writing and images together the two pages. The image itself has to be a striking one. One that will entertain and amuse its audience and one that will grab the reader’s attention secondly the font and lettering of the page should be amusing and eye catching. If the font is brightly coloured and stands out it is most likely going to catch the reader’s attention and will sell the magazine and article to them. However from what I have seen the font of the actual article itself is a professional and mature look. This will make the magazine look entertaining and amusing but at the same time it will make it look professional this again sells the magazine. The titles of the double page spread needs to be amusing, entertaining and stand out in the sense the reader is entertained by it. This helps sell and will attract the readers attention to the double page spread, leaving them knowing that the magazine is more than capable of writing a good and amusing double page spread. The language used within the article can help sell the magazine. If taboo and slang words are used it will help sell the magazine to a younger audience. This means that the target audience will be for a younger audience and the material will be suited for a young person. Overall I think that there are many techniques used to help sell and attract audiences and new readers. Each of them in their own way help sell the magazine and create and produce a unique and entertaining double page spread, through language, image, font, colour and many more techniques and various elements the magazine can become highly successful.

Reflection on front cover analysis I have researched and looked into numerous magazine covers. The genres of the magazines have varied a lot and from looking into different genres and magazine types I have realized and learnt that there are lots of different styles used and carried by different magazines. When looking into front covers the main technique that seems to come into focus is the main image on the front cover. The image itself covers the majority of the front cover and is usually a mid shot of a famous music artist that the magazine is focusing on in the issue. The model is looking directly at the audience this connects the reader with the star on the front cover. The model themselves will be famous and will usually be doing well, this is a unique selling point for the magazine it helps sell the magazine and increase its popularity. Many buzz words are used to exaggerate the significance of the issue for example the word exclusive plays a large part in selling the magazine. This makes the interview or article they have included in their magazine special to the magazine itself. The reader will see this and purchase the magazine simply because their favourite artist has exclusively features in this magazine, again an example of unique selling points. The font and colour of the font also helps sell the magazine. For example the magazine will aim to look professional and look like a mature and well respected magazine, this will help influence the target audience when coming to choose the magazine, in some cases a magazine will attempt to do the opposite and make the front cover flamboyant and stand out. This is a point of difference. Some magazines will attempt to put contrasting colours on the front cover, this will help the magazine become bold and stand out thoroughly. This will catch the audience’s attention and help them choose the magazine. This leads on to my next point, which is the masthead. The masthead is a main feature of the magazine. The company will want the masthead to stand and boldly and largely. It will help sell and promote the magazine. Some magazines design it in a certain way in which the masthead stands out and is an elegant masthead and will stick into the audience’s head for future reference when coming to purchase a magazine. Overall I think that there are various elements and techniques that help make the magazine. I think the bold font and colourful lettering on the page help make the magazine the best and most attractive it can be, they are essential details and contribute wholly to the success of the magazine.

What type of music do you like?

RapIndie Heavy metalRockreggae

Favourite Eminem song?

Mocking birdToy soldiersNot afraidStanLose yourselfBeautifulLove the way you lie

Who do you prefer?

Lil WayneEminemDrake Tyler The Creator

Who is the most stylish?

Soulja Boy

Chris Brown

Tyler The Creator

Pharrel

Eminem

50 Cent

Drake

Other

Who has the best lyrics?

Eminem

Tyler The Creator

Jay Z

Soulja Boy

50 Cent

Who is the best role model?

Audience reflection

I produced a questionnaire that related to my chosen genre of magazine. I asked questions about which rap artists they preferred and other questions like ‘which rapper is the most stylish?’ etc, this allowed the audience to really think about the rappers and what they dress like and their personality. It also showed me which rappers are preferred and looked upon to be great and successful rappers in my audience’s minds. From looking at my results I can see that Eminem is a well favoured and respected rapper and is appreciated by many people.

Find Your tribe

User Gratification theory

Diversion

XXL magazine is a great way to get away and be free from the events that are going on around us in our everyday lives. The magazine offers interesting interviews and news stories of artists and new songs or albums soon to be released.

Personal relationships

Reading XXL gives the reader information about rappers and other artists, it also gives the reader news about various topics, and this gives the reader a chance to socialize with their social groups.

Personal identity

XXL magazine writes about artists, the reader can compare themselves to the rapper or artist. This can help the reader discover themselves more and they can become more confident etc.

Surveillance

The readers of XXL can read and learn more about their favourite rappers and music artists. XXL interviews the artists and lets the reader know and enhance their knowledge of their favourite artists.