Q5- How did you address your audience?

By Ross Golding

Planning

Whilst thinking about ways in which I could attract and address my audience I explored the use of ‘GAPS’, this considers the ways that the audience receive and acknowledge the material handed to them. Whilst also allowing magazines distributors to improve their product in future reference, through previous audience reaction. The use of ‘GAPS’ is much similar to that of the uses and gratifications theory.

GAPS

G- Genre

A- Audience

P- Purpose

S- Selling Point (a distinguishing characteristic)

GAPS in my product

G- House with elements of hip-hop

A- Mid adolescents to young adults

P- To entertain

S- The incorporation with the North Face clothing brand alongside trips abroad and prizes for competitions such as game consoles

Uses and Gratifications Theory

This theory is split into 4 main sections: - Information, for example finding events and

knowning general information about certain artists - Personal Identity, finding role models in media

such as lead singer of a band - Social Interaction, gaining a sense of belonging in

a group - Entertainment, filling time and freeing tension

U & G Theory in my magazine

In relation to my magazine, the uses and gratifications theory is suited, as it is with most other music magazines. This theory is most probably suited to dance music over any other genre as it is by far the fastest growing genre in the modern day music era.

Information: - Information can relate as people can find news about

upcoming events, such as gigs and Q&A sessions with various artists.

- Further you can also gather a greater insight into your preferred artist which could subsequently result in a greater appreciation for their music.

Personal Identity: - Personal Identity can easily relate as it is one

of the most important aspects of the U&G theory. This aspect allows the audience to mould a personal face around certain member of certain genres, and in this the audience can decide which styles of music they are in favour with, and more inclined to take interest in. Through trying create an identity on behalf of the audience, synthetic personalisation is shown. The magazine is trying to make a specific character for the reader to latch onto.

Personal Relationship: - Personal relationship much like identity has the intention to mould the reader. But this aspect gives the reader the opportunity to feel part of or to associate with a certain social group. And through this messaging and interaction situations are created in things like forums, where people can discuss albums, gigs, personal opinions on collaborations and such like .

Entertainment: - Entertainment is fairly self-explanatory as the magazine itself is purely for enjoyment. A device that lets you relax and concentrate primarily on the magazine, which in relation to my target audience, is fitting as it allows the stress of school/college to be rid of.

Selling Features and New Media

Competitions- Questions about popular artists for example:

2. What is 'Jay-Z's' real name?A- Shawn CarterB- Steve CarterC- James Carter

Prizes for winner of competitions- e.g. a trip to New York or clothing items from NorthFace

Bright colours to display a bright energetic feel

Social Media accounts such as: Instagram- @mag_power10 and Twitter- @powermag- I’d use these social media accounts as a way to reach a wider audience, and through this millions not just in the UK but around the world would see. Further, by interacting with the younger generation the magazine can keep up to date with new breaking news in the dance scene at all times, and with this hopefully the magazine will appeal more to my target audience.

Advertising The main form of advertising and seemingly most

appropriate would be through radio. It would seem more sufficient if both a music magazine and radio station collaborated as both fall under the same subject.

Other advertising would include a website in which forums and further information about the magazine could be set up.

Posters to be placed in train stations, bus stations and on billboards.

Merchandise such as T-Shirts and coffee mugs. And finally, featuring at music festivals to potentially be

in ownership of a stage much like the NME at Reading or the Mixmag stage at the Creamfields festival.