2. Bauer
When 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 Grazia is targeted at
which has a large target women and has a very
audience. It’s targeted wide target audience.
at predominantly males Again it is one of a few
as it’s a lads mag and it popular magazines
appeals to men. The that are published by
magazine is popular Bauer. Bauer is a large
among it’s audience publishing company
and belongs to large and publishes many
publishing company. very popular
magazines.
3. IPC Media
Located 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 They also publish other
magazine published by the large kinds of magazines like
group. It has a wide target House to Home. This
audience and is a very popular magazine has a niche target
magazine. audience and is probably
less popluar than more
mainstream magazines like
NME.
4. Future PLC
Founded 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 Again this magazine has a
and mainly consists of niche target audience as it
males and heavy involves classic rock so
metal music fans. would appeal to classic
Future PLC take care rock fans only.
of more magazines
with a smaller target
audience and are less
popular.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Contents page
Diversion – 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.
8. The layout of this magazine is simple there one
FRONT COVER ANALYIS 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.
9. FRONT COVER ANALYSIS 2 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.
10. This magazine appeals to it’s target audience of
people who are interested in hip hop/rap music.
FRONT COVER ANALYSIS 3 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.
11. A classical music magazine takes a different
approach at appealing their target audience.
FRONT COVER ANALYSIS 4 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.
12. This magazine is similar to CLASH magazine in
FRONT COVER ANALYSIS 5 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.
13. This contents page is for hip hop/rapper genre and it
appeals to the target audience because it has an CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 1
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.
14. 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 CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 2
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.
15. This is a contents page for the music magazine
Vibe, that features R’n’B and hip hop artists. In this CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 3
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.
16. This 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
CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 4
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.
17. This contents page again uses the colour scheme
red, black and white. It works to make the CONTENTS PAGE ANALYSIS 5
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.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. ZONE Reader profile
Male: 33%
Female: 67%
Average age: 20
Working 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 regularly
94% readers download music digitally
On average readers spend 2.5 hours on
the internet daily
24. Evaluation
From 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.
