Representation of social groupsIn this PowerPoint I will be exploring how certain social groups are represented within the music magazine sector, and how this will affect my final product.

WOMEN• From researching different music magazines I

found that women in particular appear in 2 different manners; either sexualised or angelic.

• These sub divisions appear often within the music magazine sector as it enables the magazine to appeal to a wider demographic as it presents diverse styles, but also diverse stereotypes.

• Although these extreme stereotypes of women are present, it is also a convention adopted by most magazine in order to evoke some sort of reaction from its demographic , hence gaining in demand.

• Asides from this objectification of women, I found , especially for Independent music magazines, that women are underrepresented. This is something I aim to change with my magazine, perhaps being its USP that it aims to challenge conventional features, whilst still choosing realistic models.

Heaven?

Hell?

MEN• Likewise to female, male representations often are

melodramatic and unrealistic. Most of the research I conducted found imagery similar to these two examples of MOJO and Uncut, in which a serious tone is adopted to make the artist seem more dignified.

• This, contrasted with the female representation, is more credible as a music magazine, and with the models being of an older age than what is regularly marketed, the spectator can see that Independent music magazines are aimed at a more mature audience than mainstream music magazines.

• For my magazine I think I will represent men less as I want to make my magazine stand out as a brand among the Indie magazine giants. It will also be less serious and more vibrant, as this will appeal more to a younger demographic which would benefit from it’s youthful qualities.

Old?

Older?

AGE• With social media and technology taking over the old

fashioned conventions such as buying a hard copy of a magazine, more magazines should be aiming their magazines at a younger generation. However, magazines such as MOJO still retain its cult demographic even within a recession and magazine sales decreasing.

• In this edition of MOJO, although the model is not of an older age, the picture is black and white, giving the illusion it’s older. It also appears to have been taken with a poor quality camera, adhering to this illusion. Also, the style that the model adopts confirms that this picture is an old one, which would naturally appeal to an older audience that recognise it.

• However, as shown in the prior slide, older men are presented as serious and unapproachable; giving off a sense of superiority. My magazine, as a new magazine, could not pull off an unapproachable image such as that as it would perhaps scare off my young demographic.Old or old fashioned?

ETHNICITY• Ethnicity an a whole has been represented well in

music magazines, particularly mainstream music magazines as these artists are likely to be globally known.

• On the contrary it could be argued that people from minority ethnic backgrounds are still underrepresented compared to white artists.

• This creates an opportunity for my magazine to include other ethnical backgrounds within my magazine, thus being more diverse and inclusive of all groups.

• Another point is that men of an ethnic background are often shown as ‘dangerous’; their clothing codes include dark colours, caps, excessive jewellery and trainers. This could create a stereotype of all male black artists as being rappers, categorizing males of a certain background in this way.

Thug?

Strong?

DISABILITY• One social group that is completely surpassed within the

music magazine sector is the disabled. The lack of representation of disabled musicians or disabled music groups is one that is common, especially due to the fact that the music industry mostly revolves around aesthetic selling points.

• This bias against disabled people could be argued in two contradicting points;

• That there isn’t any ‘good’ disabled musicians in the market today that can be shown to the public.

• Or that this bias is embedded in society and the music industry is all about fun, frivolity and not being interested in pressing/controversial issues.

• This would be a good issue to pick up on with my magazine, however the issue would be finding a disabled musician that would be willing to be involved in my magazine.

Why not?