1. Media Music Magazine
Research
Front Covers and Background Research Of Magazine
Institutions
Alice Williams

2. Brand Identity Analysis
‘Q’ is in a sans serif font, this
shows a more variety of
audiences, the location of
The symbolic symbol of ‘Q’ Magazine, this is at the left hand corner
which is in a red box with a white ‘Q’, of the magazine, this is
shows the use of these house colours they easily recognisable to the
contrast good together, and make it clear audience and creates a loyal
to see and easy to recognise within the readership.
magazine.
The typography of the
‘MOJO’ masthead, is in a
sans serif font. This
The colour of the masthead, is in black and sometimes indicates that the target
white, the black has connotations of rebellion and links in audience of this
with the rock and metal culture of ‘Kerrang!’. The white has magazine is that of a
connotations of purity, which contrast within their genre, The red writing, which is mature audience when
this however can be seen as breaking the convention of layered onto the MOJO compared to ‘Kerrang!’.
rock and adds to the magazines ideology of rebellion and masthead, gives a sense The target audience of
rock. Also the ‘shattered’ effect, also has connotations of of establishment and ‘MOJO’ is an older
rock, this makes it clear what their genre is. authority to the audience who have
magazine. As including interest of classic rock.
‘the music magazine’
adds to the sense of
establishment.
The typography of the masthead of ‘Kerrang!’
magazine is of a serif font , this conveys the youthful
nature of ‘Kerrang!'s target audience.

3. The Background of MOJO
-‘MOJO’ is a popular and well-known British music magazine.
-‘MOJO’ is published by Bauer media
-‘MOJO’ is known for its classic rock.
-The first issue of ‘MOJO’ was on 15th October 1993.
-The frequency of ‘MOJO’ is monthly.
- ‘MOJO’ regularly includes free cover mount CD’s which links in with the current issue of the
magazine.
- It is mostly known for its iconic photography and musical archive, and cultural in depth emotional
link to music.
- ‘MOJO’ includes lots of surveys to participate the reader, some of these include, ‘ Top 100 albums of
MOJO’s lifetime list’ and ‘The top 100 records that changed the world’.
- ‘MOJO’ releases many special editions
- The price of MOJO now is £4.50
The different platforms for ‘MOJO’ are:
- ‘MOJO’ magazine
- ‘MOJO’ website
- ‘MOJO’ twitter
‘MOJO’ Audience
Passionate for classical rock music and culture
The audience for MOJO is predominately male (77%)
http://www.mojo4music.com/blog/
http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/Brands/Mojo/

4. Analysis of a ‘MOJO’ front cover
The magazine uses a lot of different techniques to attract
its audience. The use of colour in the front cover is limited.
The house colours are black and red; it is featured over the
entire front cover.
The mise-en-scene used creates a strong reflection onto
the genre of the magazine and of the target audience. The
costume that the main image is wearing is of leather
trousers and topless, this has connotations of rock and
rebellion.
The free CD included, entices the audience in, the CD links
in with the theme of the magazine of ‘Elektra’ music. If the
audience see the theme of the magazine is ‘Elektra music’
and they are a fan, then they are more than likely to buy if
there is a free CD included. The colour of the album is in
red. Red has connotations of love, which links in with the
title of the album; ‘journey to love’. It also connects with
the house colours within the magazine, of red, black and
white.
The call out used ‘Magic! Darkness! Obsession!’, the word ‘magic’ has connotations of special, this implies that
the bands is special and are magical within the music industry. ‘Darkness’ has connotations of danger and also
has elements of rock, which relates to the genre of the band and magazine. Also ‘Obsession’ connotes to secrecy
and has an implied impact onto the reader, that there is secrecy behind the band that has only recently been
discovered, this can be seen as a puff. Also the typography of ‘obsession’ is in red and the others in black, this
emphasises the word ‘obsession’ and attracts the audience, into thinking there’s something hidden that’s
happened. This can also make them seem inferior, as only they know it, as they are the only ones who have
brought the magazine; this can attract some people into buying the magazine.

5. The main image used, is black and white, this connotes a vintage
feel, and gives a view onto who the magazine is targeting for their
main audience, which is for an older audience.
The image is of Jim Morrison, who was the lead singer in a rock
group called ‘The Doors’, the image of him is iconic, he was
famously known for his iconic style of dress, which is of the leather
trousers and topless, the black and white of the image can also
connote that he is well established within the music industry. Also
the typography of ‘The Doors’, are iconic as well, as the typography
is the actual bands logo, this appeals to the target audience, as, if
the audience is a music lover, then they will recognise this, and
attracts them to the magazine, also using the logo of ‘The Doors’,
connotes that they are well established within the music industry
and creates a sense of importance.
The main image is also laid out in the centre, this is a convention of
a music magazine and tells the audience straight way that it is a
music magazine.
Layering is used throughout the front cover. The image is layered over the masthead to give the artist a
dominant feel and attitude and gives the sense of superiority to the magazine, as they are well known within
the music industry. Also the lead article of ‘the doors’ is place over the main image. This gives emphasises on
the lead article and works well better within the front cover.
The cover lines featured, are in no text box and are just lines of text. This gives the feel of more maturity and
gives a more polished look. Just like ‘Kerrang!’, the artists name is in a different colour than the description
underneath, this gives it a more conventional look, and entices the reader to the artists names and them
‘showing off’ about who's in the magazine.
The language used, is more sophisticated, when compared to ‘Kerrang!’. It is clear that the target audience of
‘MOJO’ is of an older audience, by the language used. ‘Masterpiece’, ‘Greatest’ and ‘John Lennon’. The use of
using more sophisticated language show how they target their audience.

6. The Background of Q
-’Q’ is a popular music magazine which is based on a wide
variety of cross genres, including alternative rock and indie rock.
-’Q’ is published by Bauer media.
-The frequency of ‘Q’ magazine is monthly.
-The current editor of ‘Q’ magazine is Paul Rees.
-’Q’ was 1st published in October 1986.
-The total circulation of ‘Q’ is 80,418
- The current price for ‘Q’ is £4.50
-The content of ‘Q’ is famous for its in depth review sections, including, new releases in music and
live concert reviews.
-It is also known for its interviews with popular music artists.
-Free gifts are usual for ‘Q’ magazine, e.g. books or CD’s.
- Just like ‘MOJO’, ‘Q’ has a lot of surveys and votes to include the readership, e.g. .‘100 greatest
songs ever’ and ‘100 greatest singers’.
There are several different platforms for ‘Q’: ‘Q’’s Audience
- ‘Q’ Radio -Passionate for music
- ‘Q’ Awards Engaged
- ‘Q’ Live Open Minded
- ‘Q’ 50 Devoted to music
- ‘Q’ TV ‘The drive to discover new music
- ‘Q’ Website -Likes live concerts
-The audience majority is 75% male and
http://www.qthemusic.com/ 25% female.
http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/Brands/Q/

7. Analysis of a ‘Q’ front cover
The Typography of ‘Dave Grohl saves rock, again’ is in a serif font,
this connotes to establish and importunacy, this reflects onto the
band, ‘foo fighters’, as they are an established band in the music
industry and is important. Further more, the typography also has
additional connotations of an inscription in a stone, which has
connotations of time and that the band are ‘embedded’ into the
music industry, further highlighting that they are established into
the music industry and that they are of a ‘rarity’.
Layering is used through out this magazine cover, this is
convention of music magazines. The main image is layered over
the masthead, this gives, the artist a sense of dominance and
powerful, this can connote that he is powerful within the music
industry, the expression and graphics on his face, add to the
dominance nature. Also, covering up the masthead, gives the
magazine a sense of well established and well-known in the music
industry.
The pull quote of ‘This will kill me’, entices the reader and acts like a enticement, so the audience will want
to read the full article. Also ‘kill’ has connotations of violence and implies that something bad is about to
happened and urges the reader to read on. The typography of the pull quote, is in red and is in serif font,
this creates for a serious effect and as its in red, it connotes t danger and death, this links in with the actual
quote.

8. Analysis of a ‘Q’ front cover
The cover lines featured on the front cover, are another convention of
a front cover. The cover lines in this magazine, do not feature a text
box and use lines. Similar to all of the other magazines researched,
they have different colours when featuring the artists name. This
emphasises the artist name and hooks the reader in so they might buy
it more.
The red circle, located in the top right hand corner, entices the readers
attention and shows that there is a free endorsement. The red is in
theme with the house colours, which make the endorsement stand
out more. The red circle, also looks like a sticker which had been
placed on it, it looks effective as it stands out among the page. The
black typography of ‘free!’ stands out against the white typography
and the red circle. This attracts there audience, as ‘Q’ has a wide
audience, so it attracts the younger audience with the free gift.
The direct mode of address is used, to invite the reader in and adds to the shocking image. The main image
of the artist is in the centre, this adds to the effectiveness of the image and again, entices the reader. The
house colours used are red and white. Because ‘Q’ appeals to a wide audience, the magazine needed to
appeal to a wide audience. The use of colours and a polished feel adds to the maturity of the magazine,
however the use of the free endorsements and the strong image that has connotations of rock culture,
creates a good balance between the younger audience and older audience. The language techniques used,
also from an older audience. E.g. ‘sex, drugs and golf in la’, this suggests of an older audience and shows that
of the majority of their audience, of 20s and 30s and hard core music fans.

9. ’Young, individually minded and passionate
consumers defined by attitude, passion and
loyalty’
-Kerrang! Magazine
The Background of Kerrang!
- ‘Kerrang!’ is the worlds biggest selling weekly rock magazine.
- ‘Kerrang!’ is published by Bauer consumer media.
-The name ‘Kerrang!’ is onomatopoeic for the sound when playing a power chord on an electric guitar.
-The frequency of ‘Kerrang!’ is weekly.
-The total circulation is 42,967.
-Their first issue was on 6th June 1981.
-The magazine was first published weekly, but due to high demand it was made weekly.
-They include a nu metal genre, they feature bands like, ‘Slipknot’, ‘Linkin park’ and ‘Staind’.
-From the 6th June 2011 James McMahan is now editor of ‘Kerrang!’.
-Currently ‘Kerrang!’ costs £2.20
-There are several platforms for their magazine:
- ‘Kerrang!’ Magazine
- ‘Kerrang!’ Radio
- ‘Kerrang!’ Website
- ‘Kerrang!’ TV
- ‘Kerrang!’ Awards
- ‘Kerrang!’ Tour
Kerrang!’s audience
‘Kerrang!’s audience is niche. They mainly target that of males who have a deep interest in rock culture and
music. They also are targeting a younger audience, when compared to ‘Q’ Magazine.
-‘Kerrang!’ also includes in depth articles and themes that are heavy rock and its background.
-‘Kerrang!’ is also aimed at the youth and their lifestyles and has an rocky edge.
-They are also appealed to males.
http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/Brands/Kerrang/
http://www.kerrang.com/

10. Analysis of a ‘Kerrang!’ front cover
The main image used is of a woman, and is part of a band called
‘Evanescence’. The direct mode of address, draws the reader in and
shows that she is dominant, this also shows her as powerful. Adding to
her dominance, layering is used to convey the sense that she is
important, as the image is over the masthead. This highlights the means
that she is superior, but that because the music magazine is well-known,
the magazine doesn’t need to show their name and connotes to a well
established magazine in the music industry. Also, having the image fill up
most of the page and using a bleed in the image, on the front cover, it
adds to this sense as well.
The image also further creates an iconic image of her as a band member
and has all of the attention on her , the use of using this type of image is
that the target audience of the magazine which is hardcode music fans,
will recognize this as her and automatically connect with the magazine
and are more lenient to buy it, the mise-en-scene also adds to the , she
persona within her band and her image, is dark make-up and black hair,
and dark clothes, these all have connotations of dark and gothic, but also
gives a sense of heavy rock, which conveys the strong means of the
genre of the magazine.
The medium close up and central positioning of the image further
creates a more interesting composition and also entices the reader in
more, as because it’s a central positioning, (one of a magazine
conventions), it attracts the audience to the magazine. In addition using
a female on a male targeted magazine, creates sex appeal to try and
make males attracted to it and then they buy it.

11. The pull quote of ‘I’m finally happy…’, anchors the image in the front
cover. The effect of the pull out quote, shows the artist getting personal
with the magazine, this entices the reader and makes the reader think
that she is talking to the magazine and to the reader personally. The
ellipses after the pull quote, entices the reader further into reading the
article, as it shows that there is more information to me found out. In
addition the word ‘finally’ shows that she wasn’t happy before and that
maybe something has happened and the magazine is implying that they
know, so this attracts the reader further.
The lead article is in yellow typography, and contrast well with the
background of black. This makes the band name stand out and attracts
the reader further. Yellow has connotations of happiness and joy, this can
be reflected onto the pull quote used and creates more of a believable
and well laid out composition. The artist name is also illuminated in
yellow, this creates emphasises onto the artist and intrigue the audience.
The skyline used, is highlighted using the red strip across the top of the
page. Using a different colour than the house colour on the front cover,
makes the skyline stand out. The words are further emphasises by using
a contrasting colour of white on red. The words ‘Now with 83% more
new music than before!’, entices the reader, as the use of persuasive
language used , hooks the reader in. This also attracts their target
audience, as it claims to be featuring more music in the magazine , this
intrigues the audience, because the target audience is of hard-core
music fans, so this would attract them more and the magazine want to
show that they have included more music, have included it.

12. The magazine, include free posters and listings of gigs, this hooks the
reader in, as because the audience of ‘Kerrang!’ Are hard-core music
fans, they would be interested in posters and gigs listed, so this adds to
another point to attracting their target audience.
The cover lines used, is a convention used on music magazines. The use
of these, show what else is featured in the magazine. The typography is
smaller than the masthead and lead article, as the magazine want the
audience attention on the lead article and no the less important cover
lines. The cover lines are in different colours. The name of the artist is in
red which stand out among the page and links in with the skyline colour,
it also suggests that the artists are important, and the words underneath
are in black which suggest this information is less important.
The direct mode of address is inviting the reader in, this gives us clues
about the type of magazine and relationship the magazine wants to have
with its audience is that they want to make it seem personal and want to
create the sense that the magazine has authority, as they know about
the artist.
The style of writing used, appeals to their target audience of youth and
males, as they use simplistic language when compared to ‘Q’ which is for
a different audience. The language also includes buzz words, e.g.
‘awesome’ ‘win!’ and ‘plus’, this hooks the reader in and shows us, that
using simplistic and persuasive language shows that it is more targeted
for teenagers and early 20s. The cover lines are also featured in a text
box to create a further feel of youthfulness.
The barcode and price line, is included in every music magazine is a
convention, and is conventionally located at the bottom right hand
corner.