Key concepts
- 2. Introduction to Magazines he french word “magism”. The word Magazine for periodicals, comes from basis of magazines The Gentleman's Magazine, first published in 1731, in London was the first general-interest magazine. Edward Cave, who edited The Gentleman's Magazine under the pen name "Sylvanus Urban", was the first to use the term “magazine”. Early magazines were often bought at newsstands. Gradually, however, most companies began distributing their magazines by subscription. A subscription guaranteed that the subscriber would receive each new issue of the publication.
- 3. Differences between magazine and newspapers Newspapers and magazines are two important forms of print media that are read by millions of people around the world, to get information and entertainment. People are so used to newspapers and magazines that they hardly pay any attention to differences between them. Magazines- Magazines tend to focus on specific topics, such as sports, home decor, gardening or music. Articles featured in magazines are typically written for the general public and are not created from extensive research. Magazines tend to be more ‘freestyle’, they are more relaxed and practices well on freedom that they are given. Magazines are published less frequently than newspapers. Newspapers- Newspapers primarily focus on politics, current events, financial reports and various interests throughout the world. Most papers publish their material on a day-to-day basis, even on weekends. Newspapers focuses more of what is needed: fixed and straight to the point.
- 4. Magazine Genres Magazines cover a huge range of titles and the range is widening all the time as society changes and increases. For example twenty years ago theres was no such thing as lifestyle magazines specifically directed at men and now this is such a huge market with popular titles such as ‘Loaded’, ‘GO’, FHM and Zoo The magazine market has seen a high degree of audience fragmentation. The publishing costs are low so very small readerships c an be catered for at a profit. For instance fishing was originally covered by just one general magazine - now there are a huge variety: including Gamefishing, Trout etc. This is so that there is a magazine for every audience so that they can generate as much profit as possible because magazine sales have been declining. Examples of Magazine Genres: -Womens (like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Marie Claire -Mens (like Maxim, GQ) -Teen (Seventeen, Teen Vogue) -News Magazines (Time, Newsweek etc.) -Sports -Home and Garden -Music/Entertainment (Rolling Stone,Entertainment Weekly, Giant etc..) -Gossip Magazines (Star, In Touch, People) -Lifestyle/Fitness -Fashion Magazines
- 5. Front covers Front covers are very important in order to create an identity for the magazine and to differentiate from the competitors. The genre needs to be clear to a targeted audience For example, when a potential customer walks by a magazine stand, the magazine cover which catches their eye the most is most likely the one that they will want to buy. When the customer looks at the cover more carefully, it is important to have the contents on display on the cover, that way the customer knows what he/she will read about inside. The cover of a magazine is like a one shot chance for the company to make their argument about why you should buy it.
- 6. 4 Key Concepts • Representation –how is the magazine presented? What image is it portraying (about life)? How do you know? • Institution –who made the magazine? Was it a big, powerful company or a small independent company? • Genre –what is the magazine mainly about? How do you know? • Audience –who would read the magazine? Age, sex, gender, location, specify in more detail if possible
- 7. Institution- Billboard is owned by Prometheus Global Media, it is a big company who publish many magazines. Billboard is the world's most influential music media brand reaching key executives and tastemakers in and around the music business Genre- Audience- Genre- Billboard is a chart magazine that doesn't focus on any particular genre, which is similar to Rihanna as she is R&B and pop so she is appropriate for the cover.
- 8. Audience - Billboard is a chat magazine with a varying target audience and genre, depending on what is in the charts at that time. Overall is is aimed towards both genders, usually depending on the cover star- and the age rand for the target audience is around 25-54 years old. Statistics show 71% of the readers are between this age. Representation - The magazine is presented in a way where it immediately attracts readers. This is due to the bright and bold colours that are used on the front cover. Also the large image of Rihanna makes the magazine even more popular, this is because of her large target audience