RESEARCH ON MAGAZINES

Areej Zafar

Billboard is an American music magazine, headquartered in New York City, New York and owned by Prometheus Global Media. It was first published on November 1, 1894, and is distinguished as being among the oldest trade magazines in the world. The magazine originally focused on bill posting and outdoor amusements before specializing in the music industry in the 1960s. Billboard maintains several internationally-recognized record charts, which track the most popular songs and albums across several categories on a weekly basis. Its primary charts, the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard 200, respectively rank the top songs and albums regardless of genre, and are based on digital downloads, radio airplay, and internet streaming. Its data is largely based on the Nielsen SoundScan tracking system, which it has used since 1991.

TARGET AUDIENCES

Billboard magazine doesn’t focus on one specific genre of music and therefore is available to a wider audience. Wikipedia states that “Billboard is intended for music professionals, such as record label executives, artists, music retailers, and radio DJs. -although it is generally considered a business-to-business magazine.” The Billboard magazine is also read by many young people who are deeply interested in music and the industry therefore, although the content of the magazine may be business based, I can certainly look at the layout for inspiration when making my magazine as it appeals to a young audience.

This is the mast head of the magazine and the logo of the billboard magazine tells us the name of the magazine. In all billboard magazine the mast head is the same. The logo or the mast head attracts specific target audience.

 Information about the articles in the magazine are placed here as it is quite visible to the audience.

This is the main cover line with the name of the artist whose picture is on the cover. It is written in large font to attract the audience’s attention

The barcode has the information about the price of the magazine and close to it the website of the magazine is printed.

 This is the main cover image that acts as a direct mode of access. The artist is looking directly in the lens of the camera. This gives an impression that the artist is looking at you. This conveys the message of importance to the audience.

The main heading is written in san serif font with black colour.

This area is used for advertising different content and various media used by Billboard.

This is the content list tells us about the articles and on which page they are on. This section also offers the readers a music chart consisting on all the latest ratings .etc, this section is unique for the bill board magazine.

These pictures are used instead of the central image. However it is a good idea as it represents variety of content.The sub headings are written in serif font. There are four different sub headings to separate the magazine into different topics.

The white background gives a decent look to the article, image, cover line etc. It is giving a very decent look and all of the page is looking very organised.This main image of the artist T.I is very good. Because of the white background the image is looking neat. That is why the image will easily attract audience’s attention.

This title is designed by bit playing with words and letting the audience know that the article is all about T.I 

 Because of the white background the text of the article is looking very neat. Also it appeals the eyes of the readers. This representation is very organised.

Rolling Stone is a magazine published every two weeks that focuses on politics and popular culture. In 1967, Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco, California, by Jann Wenner – who is still the magazine's chief editor – and music critic, Ralph J. Gleason. Rolling Stone was known for its musical coverage and for political reporting by the enigmatic and controversial gonzo journalist, Hunter S. Thompson. In the 1990s, the magazine changed its format to appeal to a younger readership interested in youth-oriented television shows, film actors, and popular music. This led to criticism that the magazine was emphasizing style over substance. In recent years, the magazine has resumed its traditional mix of content, including in-depth political stories. It also has expanded content to include coverage of financial and banking issues. As a result, the magazine has seen its circulation increase and its reporters invited as experts to network television programs of note.

Target Audience Audience of 11,899 in which 60% are male and 40% are female. They target an age of 18+, and 27% of the readers are between 18-24. Another 27% are aged from 25-34, 20% from 35-44, 14% from 45-54 and a small 13% from the age of 55 and above. This is similar to my magazine, however I plan to make mine 50% male and 50% female. I chose this as a lot of the indie genre magazines are more male than female. My age range is also slightly different, as I want to start mine from 16 rather than 18.

 Masthead The masthead makes a reference to an English rock band, this hints to the audience that the magazine is about music. The typography is stylish and red with a 60s vibe, this could hint that the magazine is timeless.

Main image is a black and white photo of Lana Del Rey in swimwear. She manages to keep it classy and glamorous as her swimwear is not too revealing. Magazine focuses on music and does not aim to sexualize women in a derogatory way. The image slightly covers the masthead of the magazine, which suggests that the magazine is so popular, showing the masthead in its entirety is not needed.

The typography of the headline ‘Lana Del Rey’ is sophisticated and plain. This reflects the artist’s visual and musical style, straightforward and classy.

The headline mention Lady Gaga who is a famous pop singer. This suggests that the magazine will have information about A-list celebrities and will entice readers to buy the magazine.

The background of the main image is the side of a building revealing some exotic plants. This suggests that the magazine has an informal style, if the main image was shot in a studio setting it could suggest that the magazine uses a formal style. 

Masthead The title for the Rolling Stone contents page contents page is quite hidden within the page. Also shortening it to ‘RS’ also shows that the magazine is well Main image known and not the The use of this image in the full name is needed contents page shows that this for the magazine to magazine is for all ages as there be recognised.

The image is in black and white and two of the men are dancing on the stage, its probably taken in 50-60s,and is of Johnny Carson and other men since the text underneath is about Johnny Carson. They are wearing suits which makes them important and wealthy might be in upper class.

‘Johhny be good’ written in black serif. The text is very simple and you get the impression that the text is about 50s or 60s.

‘Money Honey’ written in black Serif. The heading indicates that the story about the beyonce is about her money and power.

The cover lines tells the audience where you can find different stories and a little bit on what they are about. The page number is on the left on each story.

The overall layout of this page is the main colours are black, white and read. This four columns in this article this also shows that is it quite an works well in this page as it adds to the gothic, emo stereotype that is linked to how immature page for the magazine as it doesn’t have much Lily Alan’s appearance portrays her. This page seems quite empty and spacious text. However as Lily Alan is a young women a lot of young compared to other magazine double page spreads.

This image of Lily Alan is personal as if she is actually not as attention grabbing talking to them and as she is a and the quote and that is modern celebrity this would so bold it seems to overdraw a lot of attention from an power everything else.audience. The use of what is However in the image Lily said within the quote draws the Alan looks very casual and attention of the reader as it informal. The contrast of makes an interesting first her red checked shirt next impression of the story making to the black and white the audience want to red more. works very well as it brings The font is sans serif however it colour and boldness to the still looks informal as it is all page.

Vibe is a music and entertainment magazine founded by producer Quincy Jones. The publication predominantly features R&B and hip-hop music artists, actors and other entertainers. After shutting down production in Summer 2009, Vibe was purchased by the private equity investment fund InterMedia Partners and is now issued semi-monthly with double covers, with a larger online presence.

Target AudienceThe magazine's target demographic is predominantly young, urban followers of hip-hop culture. In 2014, the magazine moved online-only.

The mast heading is large and bold to make it stand out. Its yellow and going perfectly with the greenish and greyish background. This keeps in the colour scheme making it look better.

This tells the audience what is in the magazine, it might be the best part or very interesting news because it is at the top of the magazine so the audience can see it first. Yellow and white copy is used within the skyline to draw attention to it.

Main image is of Dr Dre and Eminem. Both of them is dressed as doctors Dr Dre is holding a injection and looking straight at the camera, to the audience this draws them and make them look at the magazine, to his left side Eminem have headphones on his head and holding music logo with a scissor which shows him that he’s into music only. These two are too eye catching in this poster that anybody will buy it on the spot. There expression draws a lot of attraction.

The typography of the head line ‘WHAT ARE EMINEM AND DRE ARE COOKIN’UP? creates curiosity for their fans. This headlines means what song are they working on together. It creates excitement because they both are great musicians and their songs are a massive hit when they work together.

These information lines are used in two colours yellow and white. They tells the audience what is inside the magazine making them want to buy it. The background is dark , yet it doesn’t distract

the audience from the image.

The ‘V’ on the background symbolizes the magazines name ‘Vibe’. It keeps in with the house style.

Main image of Kanye west,he is looking straight at the camera. He looks like quite and casual pose and his facial expressions are serious and domineering. It’s a black and white so is gives a different and original look. The only colour is the heart that lady is holding to his chest.

The heading is staggered into three lines. It looks disjointed and strange, its large. Its stands out with the grey background.

Sub headings are used to sliy up the words. The copy in a serif its looks quite normal.

Along the top side various images of salange Knowles are shown.its in the black and white fiving it an glamorous look. By the poses she is doing she is potrayed as a fun and energetic person.

The main image of salange Knowles is large and colourful. All other images of her are in grey whereas she’s in a bright red dress, this makes her stand out and catching and attention.

The subheading is in alarge typefacewhich draws audience attention to it. Her name is in bright blue and bold to make it stand out the audience see it. Its in san serif style so its not formal, ideal for the young adult audience.