Circulation

The Top 5 Magazines for the first half of 2012.

Asda Magazine : 1,963,201 - % change y/y: -0.9 - Sold copies: 0

Tesco Magazine : 1,931,673 - % change y/y: 0.2 - Sold copies: 0

TV Choice : 1,277,850 - % change y/y: -5.7 - Sold copies: 1,277,850

Tesco Real Food : 1,223,333 - % change y/y: 0.5 - Sold copies: 0

What's on TV : 1,215,609 - % change y/y: -4.6 - Sold copies: 1,215,609

The Top 5 Magazines of 2011.

Tesco Magazine ( Cedar Communications Limited ) : 2,018,375 ; 1.7%

Asda Magazine ( Publicis Blueprint ) : 1,949,451 ; -18.1%

The National Trust Magazine ( National Trust ) : 1,948,384 ; 3.5%

TV Choice ( H Bauer Publishing ) : 1,304,382 ; -4.3%

What's on TV ( IPC Media Ltd ) : 1,253,697 ; -0.3%

Music Magazines

The Stool Pigeon : 54,588 - % change y/y: - Sold copies: 0
Classic Rock ( Future Publishing Ltd ) : 62,354 ; -7.9%
Kerrang! ( Bauer Consumer Media ) : 42,077 ; -2.1%

New Musical Express ( IPC Media Ltd ) : 27,650 ; -14.0%

The top 5 magazines in 2011 tell us a lot about what genre is most popular. The top 2 are to do with big supermarkets, and are usually free by the entrances to the stores or at the checkouts. The next is a The National Trust Magazine. This will be very popular with people who are into nature, but also elderly people because they have time to visit the places that are like country parks. Magazines 4 and 5 are both TV magazines, which are probably popular because the information given is going to be correct, and some peoples lives revolved around TV. Yes, TV listings can be accessed on the internet, but some people cannot access them so the magazine is the most reliable source. 

Mine Fuhrer - Sun Newspaper

The Sun front page that was cut an hour before the deadline.


















The front page which was finally printed.

Target Audience for my Magazine

For my magazine, I would like the target audience to be that of a mature age, but also still has fun at heart. Possibly a bit like the NME, but with more formality about it, so it appeals to a younger audience but also an older audience. Having interviews with new artists but also classic artists definitely opens a window for me to put my magazine out to a wide audience. I am thinking of going with a design like the music magazine "Clash" but having it jam packed inside with fresh new talents and classics, just like the NME. I think this mix between the two will work very well, with the "Clash" being quite formal and mature, and the NME being quite alternative and immature.

NME - SAGEL = Socio-economic group, age, gender, ethnicity and lifestyle

Definition of a Target Reader - Particular group of people, identified as the intended recipient of an advertisement or message. Also called target population.

I feel the target reader for the NME uses it as an escape from society. I think this because the magazine itself is very alternative and unique, so the unique people have something which they can relate to. On the copy I purchased, it had a free CD attached, meaning that it is some publicity for the band it belongs to but also it is a new window of music for the reader to listen to.

Who is the target reader of the NME?

I believe the readers of the NME to be people who are in to alternative music, with some dashed of rock added in. Most of the bands inside the magazine are definitely not mainstream, so it gives them a chance against the bigger artists to get some publicity. I would say the readers would be around 17 - 23, because the magazine still seems immature in a sense, like trying to be young. It has bold fonts which make it catch the eye, and it does not take much to make a teenager get distracted.

Hypodermic Needle Effect Theory and Uses and Gratification Theory

The "hypodermic needle theory" implied mass media had a direct, immediate and powerful effect on its audiences. The mass media in the 1940s and 1950s were perceived as a powerful influence on behavior change.

Several factors contributed to this "strong effects" theory of communication, including:

- the fast rise and popularization of radio and television

- the emergence of the persuasion industries, such as advertising and propaganda

- the Payne Fund studies of the 1930s, which focused on the impact of motion pictures on children, and

- Hitler's monopolization of the mass media during WWII to unify the German public behind the Nazi party

http://www.utwente.nl/cw/theorieenoverzicht/Theory%20Clusters/Mass%20Media/Hypodermic_Needle_Theory.doc/

  

The Hypodermic Needle Theory, also known as the Magic Bullet Theory, was the first major theory concerning the effect of the mass media on society. Originating in the 1920s, the theory was based on the premise of an all-powerful media with uniform and direct effects on the viewer or audience. The Hypodermic Needle Theory is therefore an effects theory that contends viewers are passive, and directly affected by what they view; people accept the message they see without considering its merits. In that way media content is shot at the audience like a magic bullet, directly penetrating the viewer' mind.

http://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1708629.html 


One influential tradition in media research is referred to as 'uses and gratifications' (occasionally 'needs and gratifications'). This approach focuses on why people use particular media rather than on content. In contrast to the concern of the 'media effects' tradition with 'what media do to people' (which assumes a homogeneous mass audience and a 'hypodermic' view of media), U & G can be seen as part of a broader trend amongst media researchers which is more concerned with 'what people dowith media', allowing for a variety of responses and interpretations. However, some commentators have argued that gratifications could also be seen as effects: e.g. thrillers are likely to generate very similar responses amongst most viewers. And who could say that they never watch more TV than they had intended to? Watching TV helps to shape audience needs and expectations. 

http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/short/usegrat.html


 

Exposed Magazine Deconstruction

This is exposed magazine, who say that the magazine is 'the definitive entertainment, lifestyle and listings magazine for Sheffield and South Yorkshire established in 2003.' It is a free magazine, which will automatically make people want to pick it up, because people love anything that is free in this day and age! There is a competition to win a Vespa scooter, which is a prize with substantial value, meaning that the readers will enter, and possibly read the rest of the issue. If the competition asks for an email address, then the magazine company can keep them for a possible mailing list to tell the reader about upcoming issues, offers and competitions. The masthead is slightly off kilter, which could be a representation of the type of reader the magazine gets - the alternative character. The image shows two males in a medium close up, with one of the males looking seriously and the other with a slight grin. This could link to the other title on the cover, which says 'Love & Hate' - the serious looking male could be the 'hate' and the smiling male could be the 'love'. Alternatively it could be the name of the duo's band. There is a banner along the bottom, which has links to two social networking sites, which lets the readers connect with the magazine. Just above the banner on the left, it shows a charity which the magazine supports, which could attract readers because they can see the charitable side of the publication which makes them a good magazine. Below the masthead, it says 'spoken to'. It goes on to list who they have interviewed, giving the reader an insight into the content of the most recent issue. If the reader sees and artist which they like, they are more likely to pick the magazine up and be informed about the artist of their preference. With the magazine being free, there has to be advertising included to help the financial cost of producing the publication. In the bottom right hand corner, there is an advert for 'wigs and warpaint', which is possibly a fancy dress company. If this magazine is aimed at the 18-30 age group, then it is most likely that the people reading it are students at a possible university, so advertising fancy dress is a good idea because students love to don a costume and hit the town. Just above this advert is a section of text titles 'Plus'. This tells the reader what else the issue has to offer. If the reader has seen that their favourite artist is in the magazine and that also an event build up is inside, they are twice as likely to read it than if there is nothing that takes their fancy on the cover. 

Rolling Stones Magazine Deconstruction

The RollingStone magazine is a very well respected publication. This is an older issue, from March 1983. The Stray Cats are a rockabilly band, who were part of the era of mods and rockers. The songs were relevant to the time: the lyrics and song titles were about things that were happening in that era. In the song "Rumble in Brighton" is about the fights in Brighton between the Mods and Rockers. The Mods had Lambrettas and Vespas, and the Rockers had big chopper motorbikes, much more powerful than the scooters. "Look at that Cadillac" is a song about the lust for that car, and how saving all the money they can to get one is a dream.

The cover is overall quite plain, with the image of the band being the only one. The title is in an attractive font and it is bold blue, making it easy to read. The other colour used is yellow, and the two colours together work well. Along the top theres is four other things which will be in the magazine. This is good because it shows the reader that there is other things to look at of interest other than the story on the Stray Cats. There is a small barcode bottom left which does not incriminate on the cover. The background is sort of dull and the band members facial expressions are those of serious men, which could suggest the type of music played has true meaning. Although this cover may be simplistic, it draws the reader in because it does not reveal much and will make them want to look inside, getting more of an insight into the life and times of the a very prominent band of the time, the Stray Cats.

Methods of Research

For my coursework, I will need to undertake some research to make sure that my music magazine is aimed at the right audience, but also has everything a music magazine should have in it. To make sure I have all of the information needed, I will do primary, secondary, quantitative and qualitative research.

Primary - First hand research

• Questionnaires
• Surveys
• Interview
• Focus group
• Phone call
• Textual analysis

Secondary - Research you collate from someone else

• Books
• Internet
• Search engines
• Industry websites
• Newspapers
• Magazines

Quantitative data is looking at patters or trends in numerical data. (E.g 10/11 people like cats)

• Closed ended questions are usually used for this type of research as it provides the researcher with a set of standardised answers that they can easily compare.

Qualitative data is looking at words, opinions and responses. 

Clash Magazine Research

Clash magazine was bred out of long running free listings magazine Vibe based in Dundee, Scotland. Re-launching as Clash Magazine in 2004 it won Best New Magazine award at the PPA Magazine Awards and Music Magazine of the Year – Record of the Day Awards 2005 and 2011.

The magazine alternates between modern bands such as The Horrors, Florence & The Machine and Jamie xx as well as hip-hop artists like DJ Shadow, Kanye West and Beastie Boys, who have all had cover spots in recent issues. It concentrates on music and fashion, and often their effect on surrounding culture, as well as film and technology. 

The target audience is the younger generation, maybe 18 - 30, but if you are older than that age, it does not mean you cannot read it, just the target audience is younger.

At the turn of 2011, Clash Magazine took on an entirely new look, ditching the previous glossy feel and music led design, for an altogether more artistically led approach.

They are an independent media group, with established platforms in both print and digital media. 

Social groups are represented as very alternative and different, and ones that stand out from the crowd. 

Clash magazine has a very simplistic magazine cover layout, but is very effective. Usually, there is an image of only the artist, and then the title in large capital letters. This shows that it is the type of magazine that does not need to be plastered with images to attract, it has already built up a strong base of readers. 

Final Draft of School Magazine

This is my final draft of my school magazine! I am just working on my analysis of the cover and contents page, so it will be uploaded shortly!

Magazine Deconstruction

Although this magazine is set out as a very childish type of magazine, it is mainly aimed at parents and teachers as it says on the top. The font is very uneven like a child's handwriting. There is a clock on the right hand side, which could mean it's time to learn but also learning the time is a key part of education as a younger child. There is a competition on the front which is good because it will draw the parents and teachers in with a chance to win an educational product. The main photo shows 5 children dressed up in Halloween costumes, which means that maybe the issue will include ideas on how to have a party of top tips on safe trick or treating.

Focus Group School Magazine - Teacher and 6 Year 7's

For my school magazine, I wanted to know what would be attractive to a people who would be reading it. So, I asked a group of 6 Year 7’s and a teacher what they would like. Both the pupils and the teacher said the same ideas, which were:-

• Term dates 
• Student achievements
• Book vouchers
• Profiles of members of staff
• School trips
• Photos of previous trips
• General news
• Thought for the week
• School quizzes (Are you smarter than a 10 year old)
• Menus of what is to eat
• Bright and attractive colours 
• Embarrassing stories
• One Direction (the girls said this)

It is definitely important to make sure the magazine is attractive to as many people as possible. School trips are a good one to use I think because everybody gets excited about school trips and enjoys going on them (even if they are meant to be educational!) 

Term dates are a good idea to add in for parents, because the students are not too bothered about the exact dates, and also exam dates for the older students would be very useful so they can prepare for them in a good amount of time. 

Menus are good for everyone because parents can see what their children are eating, students can have a choice what they will eat in the week, and even the teachers who eat at school can see what will be on offer.

First draft of school magazine + If in doubt; ask!

So, I started to create my school magazine for the preliminary task, on PowerPoint, only to realize that in fact I should have been on Publisher! Oh dear! But here is my first draft!