Magazine and Genre Research

1. MAGAZINE RESEARCH
Research into successful music magazines (Q
and Kerrang) and the codes and conventions that
made those magazines successful
Research into my chosen genre

2. Music Magazine – Genre Research
Music magazines offer readers information about different types of
music and cultures surrounding different genres of music. The
magazines also offer reviews and opinions by critics who comment
on different genres of music and exclusive interviews from artists
and musicians worldwide. Music magazines were very prolific in the
United Kingdom, with the New Musical Express (NME) leading the
pack since its first issue in 1952. Melody Maker (published in 1926)
was another music magazine that rivaled with NME. By 2001, falling
circulation and the rise of internet music sites caused many of the
older magazines such as Melody Maker to cease publishing.

3. Magazine for my Research
Masthead
Strapline
Main Headline
Cover Lines –
(Star Appeal Richard Dyer)
Main image –
(Star Appeal
- Richard
Dyer)
Barcode/Pric
e/Date/Issue

4. Music Magazine – Genre Research
Codes and Conventions of a Magazine
Masthead - The title of a newspaper or magazine at the head of the front or editorial page
(Example – Q or Kerrang)
Strap line - A tagline is a variant of a branding slogan typically used in marketing materials and
advertising (Example – The worlds best music magazine)
Main Headline - The main story of the magazine, usually displayed in the middle of the
magazine. This is what usually entices customers to purchase the magazine.
Main Image - Works in tangent with the Main Headline to show off the main story of the
magazine (Star Appeal – Richard Dyer)
Cover Lines - Smaller headlines which reveal smaller stories and content present in the
magazine
Barcode – A unique number which is scanned to show proof of purchase of that particular item
Price – How much the item is valued to the consumer
Date – Date of release
Issue – What issue the current magazine is
USP (Unique Selling Point) – What makes that magazine unique from the others? How will it
stand out and be more successful then other similar magazines?
All these typical conventions are found on a magazine to enable it to be successful and appealing
to the public.

5. Music Magazine – Genre Research
What possible codes and conventions are missing on this Q
magazine?
 There isn‟t a website hyperlink or information about how consumers
can learn more about the magazine across the media platforms.
There is no form of social-networking sites advertised on the magazine
which limits them in terms of the magazine getting exposure and
recognition amongst consumers. Many people use social-networking as
a means of communication and therefore exposure on a platform such
as Facebook or Twitter will give the magazine more of a chance of
becoming successful and theoretically gain more revenue.

6. Target Audience
The target audience for Q can be denoted as ‘Social Climbers’ (Maslow) because consumers idolise
and want to be the stars (Star Appeal – Richard Dyer) portrayed in the magazine. They are driven by
the dream that one day, somehow, they‟ll gain recognition of some sort and gain the popularity and
wealth that are associated with the stars featured in the magazines. Readers can form a ‘Personal
Identification’ (Katz) with controversial stories such as a star opening up about their troubled past or
traumatic experience which can develop into the reader feeling sympathy for them (Caregivers –
Maslow). Readers can also immerse themselves within stories shown ‘Diversion’ (Katz) to escape
from their daily working lives. The target audience for Q magazine is young teens/adults, aged around
16-24 (Hartley). This is because the layout and design of the magazine is quite modern and young, as
well as sophisticated and professional and therefore appeals to a young age range.
What is the USP of this magazine?
By looking into this media product, I believe the USP is the constant use of ‘Star Appeal’ (Richard
Dyer) in each issue released by Q. The example I annotated contains the lead singer of The Killers
(Brandon Flowers) which immediately attracts a number of consumers who are familiar and take a
liking to the star. The main purpose for Brandon being used is so that people are attracted into
purchasing the magazine. Other headline acts, bands and artists feature throughout Q magazine
which enables the magazine to appeal to a wider audience and essentially attract more customers.

7. Magazine for my Research
Competitio
n
Masthea
d
Main
Headline
Cover Lines
–(Star
Appeal Richard
Dyer)
Main image –
(Star Appeal
- Richard
Dyer)
Barcode/Pric
e/Date/Issue

8. Target Audience
Kerrang! has a niche target market due to their product being based on Rock music. The target
audience for this media product probably ranges from ages 16-24 (Hartley) but as always, other
consumers of other ages are usually interested too. According to statistics, 60% of readers are males,
with 40% of readers being female (Hartley); whom they both classify in the C/D social class. Stars
such as Hailey Williams from Paramore inspire people to become ‘Social Climbers’ (Maslow) due to
their huge popularity and considerable fortune (Star Appeal – Richard Dyer). By using Hailey, the
magazine offers a sex appeal to the male gender as a young, attractive woman is predominant on the
magazine (Male Gaze – Laura Mulvey). Readers can form a ‘Personal Relationship’ (Katz) with
Hailey because she answers questions asked by other readers and also realize similarities and
differences with the star, Hailey (Personal Identification – Katz)
What is the USP of this magazine?
Through research, I believe the USP of Kerrangs magazine is the competitions they offer. They offer
readers the chance to win music tickets in exchange for purchasing their magazine. This entices the
audience and gives them another reason to purchase the magazine because they can get free tickets
out of it. They also offer readers a free poster, luring the reader in further and offering them another
reason why they should buy the magazine. Kerrang! uses music stars (Star Appeal – Richard Dyer)
such as Slipknot, Metallica and Fall Out Boy to draw the attention to consumers and persuade them to
consume the media text

9. Magazine 1) – Publisher Research
Q has built a solid international reputation amongst fans, stars and the
music industry itself for producing high quality pieces of media texts (in
terms of magazine) every month which contains everything there is to
know about Rock and Roll. The main reason why Q is so successful is
due to them having the biggest stars (U2, Adele, Oasis, Rihanna,
Radiohead, Lady Gaga) in their magazine (Star Appeal – Richard Dyer)
to attract customers. Q is the UK‟s number one actively purchased music
magazine which can be explained by the magazine being full of quality
and character. Photograph is a big part of Q, as well as the in-depth
reporting which gives readers exclusive information and substantial
amount of content. Due to Q having such a big reputation, readers
consume information and become intrigued by what is in the latest
installment of Q. Q is so popular that a positive review in Q can made a
musicians career, with them covering new upcoming artists as well as
writing about the biggest stars in rock and roll around the world.
(Bauer Media Publisher of Q magazine;
http://magazines.bauermediaadvertising.com/magazines/detail/Q)

10. Magazine 1) – Publisher Research
According to the data above, the majority of the Q readers (67.2%) are
males with the other 32.8% being females. This shows that the magazine
is perhaps slightly targeted to the male gender rather then the female
gender. Q magazine is mainly popular with years 15-24 with the
information being sophisticated enough for young adults. The way the
magazine is layout indicates that the target audience of the magazine is
the middle class (bourgeoisie) or upper class

11. Magazine 2) – Publisher Research
Kerrang! is another popular music magazine which is also well
established. It has over 30 years of heritage and reaches more young
readers than any other music magazine. Having a younger target
audience is a big The magazine also offers information on games, film
and mobile technology which means there are appealing to a bigger
market. Kerrang! readers are the most music consumers purchasing over
6 albums per month on average and are 8 times more likely to spend over
£200 a year on albums. This indicates the level of influence Kerrang! has
on readers
(Bauer Media publisher of Kerrang! magazine;
http://magazines.bauermediaadvertising.com/magazines/detail/kerrang)

12. Magazine 2) – Publisher Research
According to the data presented, like Q magazine, the majority of readers
are male (57.4%) with the remaining 42.6 being female. This indicates
that the magazine is perhaps targeted targeted to the male gender, like Q
magazine. Kerrang! is clearly a big hit with young adults, with 63.2% of
readers being aged 15-24. This reinforces the point I made earlier, that
Kerrang! is a big hit with young adults and people of the ages between 1524. Yet again, this magazine is also aimed at the middle class
(bourgeoisie).

13. Conventions of a Music Magazine
Masthea
d
Main
Headline
Main image –
(Star Appeal
- Richard
Dyer)
Stars (Star
Appeal Richard Dyer)
Cover Lines
–(Star
Appeal Richard
Dyer)
Barcode/Pric
e/Date/Issue

14. Target Audience
The target audience for Vibe magazine can be denoted as young, modern
consumers who have a love for Hip-Hop/Rap. Consumers of the media text are
known as ‘Social Climbers’ (Maslow) due to them seeing the main image (Lil
Wayne (Star Appeal – Richard Dyer)) and choosing to ‘Inform and Educate’
(Maslow) themselves by consuming the magazine. As always, readers can build a
‘Personal Relationship’ (Katz) with the star pictured at the front of the magazine
due to their story being told and similarities being identified between reader
themselves and the celebrity.
What is the USP of this magazine?
Through research, I am able to come to the conclusion that the USP of this
magazine is the ‘Star Appeal’ (Richard Dyer) it offers. Stars such as Drake,
Eminem and 50 Cent are used effectively so that consumers will be tempted into
purchasing the magazine. These stars, inarticulately Eminem carry a huge fan base
with them, which suggests that fans will be willing to purchase an issue of Vibe
magazine even if they don‟t usually purchase it. This is because there favorite star
is featured in it and followers are generally interested in information regarding stars
they idolize.

15. Ideas For The Name of my Magazine
Note – Name clearly signifies the magazine is music
related
Crochet – The connotations of this verbal code is that the
magazine is straight forward and to the point. It offers
information that is easy to understand and can be easily
absorbed by the reader
Sound – The connotations of this verbal code is that it is
solely music based. Sound can vary from loud to quiet, and
like this magazine, it offers information from a wide range.
Loud – The connotations of this verbal code is that the
content of the magazine is full and packed
Muted – Name clearly signifies the magazine is music
related.

16. Ideas for Magazine Cover Image
Masthea
d
Competition
Straplin
e
‘Star Appeal’
– Richard
Dyer
Cover
Lines
Main
Image
Barcode/Date/
Price/Issue
Main
Title

17. Front Cover Analysis
Masthead – This essentially the brands image and dictates to
consumers what production company the magazine is from
Main Image – Image of Dave Grohl (Star Appeal – Richard Dyer)
attracts customers to purchase the product. A fire effect connotes that
the music that the Foo Fighters produce isn‟t „peaceful‟ but „furious‟
instead
Strapline – Not very effective on this magazine because it is covered
but because it is a well published magazine, they can afford to cover it
Cover Lines – Interesting cover lines that uses celebrities (Star
Appeal – Richard Dyer) to attract consumers and allows the audience
to make comparisons and relate to stories (Personal Relationship –
Katz) which can also allow them to form sympathy (Caregivers –
Maslow) or gratitude towards the celebrity
Competition – “Unheard Foos Album” – Has the potential to attract a
high number of customers who are fans of the Foo Fighters because it
is an „exclusive‟ win

18. Ideas for Contents Page
Releva
nt Page
Numbe
r
Preview of
Front Cover
Contents
Images
(Preview)
Heading
SubHeading
Page
Preview
Review
Offer
Log
o
Page Number

19. Contents Page Analysis
Front Cover – Another glimpse of the front cover
Logo – The Q Logo. This is constantly used throughout so that
the reader can always have the brand image in their head
Contents – A list of the stories that will most likely gain the
readers interest. The most exclusive stories
Review – Feedback from the writer in his/her opinion. Due to Q
magazine being so popular, reviews have the ability to make and
break somebody.
Images (Preview) – This enables the magazine to have a few
images so that it isn‟t just words. The images give the reader a
preview what the content of the magazine is about
Offer – “Subscribe and get 37% off each issue”. If they have a
large amount of subscribers, they‟ll have a big fan base so trying
to persuade people into subscribing is a good way of gaining
more popularity

20. Ideas for Interview Page
Quote
Image (Star Appeal
– Richard
Dyer)
Logo
Titl
e
Introduction
Story/
Interview

21. Interview Page Analysis
Image – Picture of celebrity (Star Appeal – Richard Dyer)
Title – The title of the story. Gives a small insight to the
reader about what the story is about
Introduction – A small paragraph introducing the main
story/interview of the magazine
Quote – A quote taken from the story/interview. The most
memorable words that the interviewee has said.
Logo – The magazines logo, which is included to show
constancy throughout the magazine
Story – An exclusive interview that was taken out my the
writer of the article. The interview is specific to the needs
and wants of the reader, and has a relevance to the whole
magazine