Media Studies analysis of CD adverts

1. CD ADVERTS Research & Planning

2. Bring me the HorizonThere is a hell, believe me I've seen it. There is a heaven, lets keep it a secret Like most CD adverts, this one is solely uses the CD cover as it’s main image, the only difference from the CD itself is that it includes a HMV logo in the bottom corner, and a record label and website in the opposite corner. Realistically all a CD advert needs to do is promote the CD and give a release date, and this advert follows that basic rule.

3. Similar Adverts Most adverts are similar to the previous in that they use the CD cover as the main image, like in the two to the right. The advert for “Them Crooked Vultures” (bottom) is based on simplicity, the only colour (besides black and white) is red, and this really stands out because of its heavy usage of the colour, so immediately the eye gets drawn to it Also on this is the release date which is just below the name and in black. This shows us that the producer wants us to see the date.

4. Tour Dates There are some CD adverts which include tour dates also. Some are clearly visible (see top image) and some not so visible (see bottom) Again, both adverts use the CD cover as the main image but also rely on the tour dates to fill space. I believe that this is a good method of advertising because if people are interested in buying the CD then perhaps they are also interested in seeing the band live, and so I think this is a good marketing strategy.

5. GallowsGrey Britain This advert very clearly utilises the theme of the album and title in its colour scheme. “Grey Britain” implies that this is a dark release and so the colour scheme -which is very monotone- reflects this.

6. Quotes This advert uses a quote from a respected music magazine to promote the album. This advert itself is very basic in its design, making it easy to understand what it’s purpose is. I believe that simple adverts are the best adverts, too much clutter and it detracts from it’s purpose.

7. Featuring.... One thing that CD adverts usually include is a couple track names after “featuring...” For example on this it is in yellow The fact that this text is in a different colour to the rest, implies that perhaps the producer wants the audience to recognise these tracks

8. Album/Single Adverts This slide is to show the links between single and album adverts The top image is a single off of the album on the bottom. The similarities are clear, they both share the same background and colour scheme, the only real difference is the image and the text. The advert for the album is more simple and includes less text than the single. Despite this both adverts only include the necessary information: Title, name, release date. The images are both associated with the album, its just the advert for the album has the CD cover as its main sell, the one for the single has an image which is in the booklet within the CD, possibly connoting that the single is less important than the album