1. UNIT 4: MEDIA AUDIENCES AND
PRODUCTS
By Sophie Carey

2. In media , why might we group or
classify audiences in this manner?
This way of putting certain people to a grade helps the
media when companies need to choose a accurate target
audience. This gives a rough indication of the types of
people our target audience for media is. From this chart we
can also see what else our social classes are and what they
like to watch.
This would be massively helpful for magazine/television
companies as they would need this type of information to
identify what type of people their product would invite.
We can also make comparisons from this chart, from each of
the sections of media, this is so then we can specify types of
people to fit to each role in media. For example upper-class
radio station would most likely employ a person who is form
that type of interest.
I believe that this way of identification is very useful for
media students as well as big companies, this is because
during school units, pupils need the guide lines to know what
target audiences their product will attract.

3. How is audience research used in
relation to new media products?
The use of Barb would help TV/companies associated with the media, to know what times/channels the other
similar programmes are on. With this information the companies would be able to know what times and channels
are the best to broadcast theirs on. They would be able to know this because Barb shows view ratings.
Audience research such as, ratings, tell you if there is a high views, which would clearly mean the programme is
being enjoyed by many. It also can help the company decide weather to make a second series, depending on
how many people viewed it.
Much like film makers, TV Channels will organise focus groups and surveys to find out if people they have
targeted enjoyed there product, this would be an important part of their production, because if key for them to
know if they have got the target audience right. Once they know what target audience they need they then can
broadcast It on the right channel.
Another way for companies to identify weather people from the right target audiences like there product is to
do questionnaire, on things about you product. Or do the questionnaire before the production of the product to
make sure what your doing is specific to the target audiences needs.
There is also a chance to do tasters of products to then identify the certain people that it has attracted. E.g. TV
programmes would broadcast a special one off episode to see if it get view and is worth airing.

4. Using the classifications table and the BARB website, what can
you tell us about your chosen industry and your product from Unit
21?
Grade C1- middle
This is because my product (music video) used a song that was recently in the charts, and from research I know
that the charts are mainly listened to teenagers. Using other information, such as Barb I know that programmes
like ‘the Xfactor’ are mostly viewed form teenagers, from this is can identify using the classifications table that it
is most related to the target audience from Grade C1.
My target audience wouldn’t be associated with Grade A because specifically those type of people are
attracted to radio 2, I know that radio 2 doesn’t play the charts. This is a clear indicator that it would be more
suitable for my target audience to be the lower middle, as the radio they listen to, plays the charts every
Sunday.
I also believe my music video has more of a youth feel, with colours, happiness and determinations. So I did
predict that my target audience would be toward the teens. I also wanted a younger target audience because I
know that they are more interested about music, and their videos. This means hopefully my song would get views.

5. What constraints, codes of practice, and or regulations
does your chosen industry/must your product follow?
During pre production I had to write a letter to Ellen Hochberg, the record company, who looks after
Rudimental, in odder for me to have permission to use the song.
I also had to make sure that the music that I had chosen had no swearing, or rude content in, this is
because the music video is going on the ‘Ringwood school’s YouTube page’ this means I would be
representing ‘Ringwood’.
For example the music video for the song ‘Blurred Lines’
had got banned from many countries, due to its rude
Content. I needed to be sure that this didn’t happen to me.

6. Create an avatar of an ‘average audience member’ that your
Unit 21 product is aimed at. Consider age, gender, clothing
style, musical tastes, etc.
This represents a typical, teenage girl.
Aged 15, which is roughly my target
audience. The actual song would attract
people Aged - 14-30. however my music
video would attract maybe a younger age.
E.g. 13-20
When creating this avatar I made sure her
clothes were like what teenager wear. I
also made sure that what she looks lie
stereotypically looks like a Grade C1,
lower class girl. I porously located her in a
town because this is where typically
teenager spend their time.
I also have chosen to create a boy avatar
because I believe my music video attracts
both genders.

7. Look at your final product and list the ways you have aimed your product
at your target audience. Consider content, genre, narrative, visual images.
Content- the song that I used, is a popular song, which was in the charts. From this I
know that radio 1 is the radio station which plays the charts. Now a days the chart
music is listened to younger ages like teenagers to early 20’s. This helped me to know
that is would be more suitable, if my target audience was aimed at 14-30.
Genre- The fact that my product is a Music Video, it relates again to my target
audience of being 14-30.
Narrative- My story would relate more to a my target audience because I believe
that, its gives a feel of what its like to be a young person will all the distraction,
but you have to stay focused. My video is conceptual.
I also think that teenagers would enjoy my music video more because of the visual
side of the video. I know that teenagers like to live more on the edge, e.g.
Skiing
Paint fight
I know that my music video is more pleasing my target audiences eye.