Megan Hall

Complete analysis of a music magazine

History- Q magazine is a popular and well established music magazine which is published

monthly in the UK. The magazine was founded by Mark Ellen and David

Hepworth, Q’s first issue was published in 1986 by the EMAP media

group, Q magazine attracted many people due to its high standard of

photography and printing.

Q magazine has previously been published under two other names

which are: The modern guide to music and more, which the founders

believed was two long and not appealing enough to their target

audience. And also: Cue, this is due to the sense of cueing a record, however the name

caused for confusion as some people connoted the title with snooker. Therefore, the used

the single-letter title of Q to be clear on newsstands whilst promoting their brand.

Music genre- The genre of music which Q magazine will vary, meaning there is no particular

style or genre which the magazine will publish. The magazine focusses on new releases and

artists who are up and coming within the music charts.

Target audience- The founders of Q magazine, Mark Ellen and David Hepworth, created the

magazine due to their concern that the older generation of music buyers where being

ignored by the music press, so decided to aim their target audience on

the older audience of music buyers. The older target audience is also

clear within the pricing of the magazine as older people who, according

to statistics are 70% in employment, at a median age of 34, can afford to

pay a little extra for a magazine. It could also be stated that Q magazine

could attract a younger audience also due to their featuring of recent and

upcoming artists. However, the magazine can also contain information

about ‘classic’ music from previous decades which would suit a more mature target

audience, from both genders. The magazine has a mass audience as it is very popular and is

published every month, however it could also be a niche audience as it is only targeted

towards fans of music.

Style- The style of Q magazine varies from cover to cover, the red square with a white Q is a

significant convention of Q magazine. This is used within every front cover of the magazine.

This is very strong branding, they are also very confident within their brand as sometimes

the main cover image may cover some of the Masthead. The cover uses a range of serif and

sans serif fonts on the cover to appeal to a mature audience.

Multiplatform aspects- Q magazine has launched a Q Radio in June 2008, this became a full

service radio station with a complete roster. The presenters include Drive time with Danielle

Perry and Q the 80s with Matthew Rudd. Up until 2012, there was also a Q TV television

channel in the UK. Q also hold an annual awards ceremony for artists called the Q Awards.

Events it sponsors- Q magazine were the official sponsors of

Glastonbury festival in the year 2010. Q is also in a partnership with Absolute

Radio.