Institution

Research

Introduction/ history

• Q is a popular music magazine released monthly

• The fist issue was published in October 1986• Although originally named “Cue” it later

decided to change to “Q” so not to be confused with a snooker magazine.

Overview of the content

• Extensive review section• With the star rating an album receives from Q

generally being advertised along side• Well known for lists, e.g. “The 100 Greatest

Albums”• Also includes promotional gifts like CDs

The publishing institution

• It is published by Bauer Media Group

• It is a large European based media company

• They publish a wide range of media products including: magazines, digital products and radio and TV stations

• Other magazines- Kerrang!

Typical reader profile

• Gender: Male (70%)• Age: Between 15-40• Median age: 32• Interests: Rock and

roll music• Income: 72% are

ABC1 with high disposable income

Social Grade Social Status Occupation

A upper middle class higher managerial, administrative or

professional

B middle class intermediate managerial,

administrative or professional

C1 lower middle class supervisory or clerical, junior managerial, administrative or

professional

C2 skilled working class skilled manual workers

D working class semi and unskilled manual workers

E those at lowest level of subsistence

state pensioners or widows (no other earner), casual or

lowest grade workers

Layout trademarks

• White Q inside a red square located in the top left corner of every magazine

• Every issue of Q has a different message on the spine.

• The magazine generally has a white background on the front cover

• The font colours are black, white and red

• Front cover has a medium close up image of an artist

Does the magazine reflect the values of its audiences?

• The audience for “Q” is more mature music listeners. Who would be less focussed on stardom of the musicians and more on the music.

• This is reflected by the magazine because of the content. Instead of having lots of articles about celebrity life and gossip, it is more to do with the actual music shown by the extensive lists and reviews.

• The audience is also represented buy the house style because the colours of: red, white and black is pretty simple and not that wild. This creates a more sophisticated feel to the magazine without appearing boring because the audience are mainly 30s and so still fairly young.