Analysis of COUNTRY

WEEKLY MagazineSeptember 2009

Country Weekly is an American tabloid style weekly magazine that specifies and dedicates itself to country music as well as lifestyles, events and personalities. It was established on the 12th April 1994 and has been continuing to publish successful magazines for many years satisfying country fans across America and in particularly the Midwest such as Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin as well as Texas and Alabama. It was started by American Media, Inc as the company’s fifth periodical and in its first year of publication had average weekly sales of 290,000 copies of which 225,000 were single copy sales. In February 2009, the magazine became a weekly magazine as opposed to a fortnightly one since 1999. This change could perhaps be because the audience desired there to be a weekly magazine full of country music and as a sensible magazine they listened to their audience and made one. They also updated their image and brand identity that month with a new logo. In total it is published fifty two times a year. In around 2009 there was around 435,000 people reading the magazine with the hope that it would sell about 75,000 copies per issue-exclusively to newsstands. Being sold weekly can perhaps provide the idea that figures will be high as there is a demand. Similarly going for seventeen years can show its a successful magazine that can survive through the economic times as music is strong and is a crucial part to most peoples lives.The typical content of a COUNTRY WEEKLY magazine includes:

•The latest news•Images of artists, concerts, bands•Scoops on the latest artists/bands and their music•The buzz-so hot issues on TV, Radio and on the web•Heat index-showing what's hot and what's not in terms of artists/bands and their successes eg: going platinum•Editorial•Letters from the readers•Adverts/promotions•Articles about artists/bands•Cooking feature•Fashion feature•Reviews of albums•Interviews•Polls•Photos and the experiences of fans meeting their favourite country stars•Crosswords•Charts •Questions and answers•Tour Dates

What type of artists/bands does the magazine use?

The types of artists it contains vary in ages and attracted audiences as COUNTRY WEEKLY has a wide target audience between 16 and 50 years old. So because of this wide range the calibres of artists varies in ages in order to suit the ages and likes. So for the teens you have Taylor Swift and for the older audience Joe Diffy. Bands such as Lady Antebellum, Brooks and Dunn and Rascal Flatts are also used when appropriate

For more information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Country_Weekly or http://www.countryweekly.com/

Analysis of COUNTRY

WEEKLY Front cover

The light Blue masthead has connotations of happiness, tranquillity and softness which can create a calm and relaxed feel that the target audience will like as its not too heavy and they know they can just relax and read with ease about their favourite country stars. Similarly the light blue is positive and warming which can link to the magazine that celebrates the country music genre for the benefit of its audience.

The flasher contains a cover mount for the audience where they can win a country stars jeans which is incredible for them as they can not only learn the latest country news about their favourite artists but also have the chance to win some jeans.

The main Image is a medium shot of a famous country star in classic country and western wear. The darkness looks cool and mysterious which can link to the content about bearing “his soul” and revealing secrets the audience will be eager to receive. The cowboy hat interacts with the masthead which makes him look dominant and powerful which he must be to be on the front of a huge magazine. Similarly the way the hat covers up some of the masthead can show that COUNTRY WEEKLY have an established brand identity that is recognised even though there is a cowboy hat in front.

Barcode / price Date of issue

The header contains copy explaining the content of the magazine so that the audience are in the know. This information is usually in the footer of a magazine but perhaps COUNTRY WEEKLY chose to use it at the top as it is what they really want to show, based upon what their audience wants. Similarly the way it is in white on a red background can show importance as red has connotations of warning and danger but here its positive as its like you must look at this otherwise you will miss out which the reader does not. Similarly in the header is the price but not just the typical price but how they have slashed it which can perhaps show that they have done this for the benefit of their audience.

The selline is bold and in white and yellow which really stands out on the dark colours of Trace’s costume. It sits across the main image and contains information about the main story. The red bullet points below are very bold and even bolder with the white outline. They contain an insight into the secrets revealed by the sell line and follow the red and white colour scheme throughout the cover.

There are cover lines which include supplementary images to provide the audience with visual context. The images can draw in the audience who not only recognise the artist in the main image but also in the supplementary images. The first cover line has a red box drawn around it which really grabs your attention along with the red writing which talks about “Country’s sexiest man”. Red has connotations of love which can suit the female audience who see these men as sexy and love country music. However the male audience can gain something too as they can see what is considered sexy and aspire to be like this. The second cover line is cleverly inside a notepad linking to the idea of school which is what the cover line is focusing on by using famous country stars and their “fears” about school. The use of the blue and white continue the colour scheme and help create a house style.

The slogan talks abut inside stories which again links to the exclusivity the magazine offers to its readers who feel they are getting all the secrets.

The way the header contains “All you need to know Every week” speaks directly to the audience supporting the intimate relationship between the reader and the magazine and it sells the idea that they are the only magazine who can tell you everything you need to know. It can make the reader put trust in the magazine as all their needs are met by the dedicated people who make the magazine. The emphasis on “every week” in capitals and the exclamation mark sets a guarantee that the audience will be in the know every week which is impressive .

The background is plain which can show that the music and the artists are what are important which is admirable by the target audience who love their music.

The layout is simple and uses rule of thirds to create an interesting and neat layout .

Analysis of COUNTRY

WEEKLY Contents page

The main image is a medium close up of a female country star. This is an attractive image of a country star and can support that the core audience are females who will aspire to be like her but similarly can support the male audience also as they can be attracted to her. She is dressed up and looks attractive and with the caption saying “Terri Clark gets serious” the audience know she means business and her eyes are quite piercing and its like she wants you to follow her for you to get the story. It can lure you in. The relaxed look in Trace’s image can contrast with the more serious look on Terri and showcase the variety of stories on offer this month all however about country music and where its going.

The masthead is not followed on here from the front cover like it is usually on other music magazines which could show originality and it could be that the magazine wanted the artists and the content of the cover lines to do the talking. Similarly they may have thought that the masthead was not needed. There is also not a house style as the colours on the front cover do not follow onto the contents which could show again the independence of each page which could link to how there are only solo artists on the cover and contents.

The font is basic and clear which means its accessible for the target audience. Similarly the layout uses rule of thirds to again make the content accessible for the audience who want to find the desired pages. One section to the rule of thirds is the production values which shows who has helped put together the magazine. It contains the masthead of the magazine but its small which could show that they have their brand identity but choose to be more modest as they are all about the music and the audience.

There are lines used to separate the different sections and therefore helps make the content accessible. It also though creates a modern and simplistic look that can be appealing to the target audience especially the younger end as they are drawn to ,modern and contemporary looks. Similarly the females costume is modern and appealing.

The cover story is labelled and has, like the other cover lines a brief summary about what the page consists of. Having the image can make it clear who the cover story is about and therefore direct the audience in the right direction which is very beneficial and shows the magazine helping their audience. The image may not be as big as Terri’s however this could be so that there is something to suit all the audiences so Trace has the cover and then it changes as the magazine does on. Similarly it could be that Trace is so well known that he does not need to have a large image to be known . Similar to the main image on the page Trace is smiling which can link to the happiness and brightness connoted by the white and the purple colours and country music overall.

Bold writing is used for the numbers and the titles for each page which helps make it clear about what is going on in the magazine. Similarly having part of the ‘contents’ on the main image and below it can show a clean and funky style that can link to the teen audience and also how country music overall is always developing and adopting new genres such as pop and urban into country.

The layout and the copy are all quite brief and simple which means that the bold images and themes can take hold. And similarly that nothing is given away, only a brief summary that excites the audience. The simplicity can also represent country music overall as its a genre that satisfies all its fans though good honest music that speaks of real life themes that the audience can relate too.

At the bottom of the page in the tan coloured box there is a number for customer service which can show that the magazine care about their audiences needs and requirements.

The background to the main image seems to be like an old house which can link to the country genre that uses themes of being at home. The lighting seems also quite dark which could be seen as negative however may have been used to present a romantic and pretty image and similarly accentuate the make up of the cover star for the target audiences benefit.

The mode of address for this contents page is quite informal and relaxed and its like they are talking direct to the audience which supports that music magazine fans and magazines have a close relationship and also that country music is a friendly genre. Example include “hot shots”, The Buzz” and “who floats your boat”. There is formality though with the rest of the copy which helps to add the serious tone that music magazines desire to show the passion for music as well as the fun side.

Analysis of COUNTRY

WEEKLYDouble Page

Spread

There is a large main image that has a medium shot of Trace, the cover star. He is not giving direct eye contact but its still powerful as his eyes are piercing across and the reflection in the guitar captures the eye. This article is made up of questions from fans for Trace with answers by Trace so it could be that his eye contact is looking out across to his fans in a concert or a room, it can create a personable image. The darkness of his outfit can create a cool image of him as he looks handsome and trendy within his own style. The cowboy hat suits the country genre and him looking active can almost make you hear him playing the guitar. The image on the front cover is different to the image on the double page spread as on the front it was a lighter image and on the double page spread is darker. This contrast can link to revealing secrets as said on the front cover as its like we are seeing more to him more than we have ever seen which creates an exclusive and amazing article.

The stand first provides a brief introduction to this very “personal interview” that the COUNTRY WEEKLY readers have done. It is in green on the back background and it really stands out and complements with the green light background in the main image. After the stand first there is also another kind of introduction to lead into the interview.

There is a large white masthead that is bold. The “No holds” is in a thinner font whilst the “barred” is in a thicker which can emphasise the word barred which can be to do with the fact that the fans can ask anything as there are no rules which can impress the reader who love how they can get to know their heroes. There seems to be no hierarchy-even though they are stars there is still time for the fans

The style of font has smudges on which could denote his maturity in terms of him being in country music for so long as its like they are old but the bright white can show that he isn’t stopping now and by the content of the article its shows he is still creating music regardless of how long he has been in music.

The way it says fan exclusive is appealing and is almost dissolved softly into the background which could perhaps show a soft side to this hero in country music in this dark but cool atmosphere.

There is a drop cap used which creates a clear and smart start to the article.

The white font is continued throughout the article with the green part being the questions and the white the answers making for a consistent style throughout which is smooth for the audience.

There is a supplementary image of Trace and his wife which has been used because one of the fans asked a question about his “wife Rhonda” so is relevant .

There is a caption for the image.

His costume in the supplementary image with his wife is also quite dark which can show his style and again linking to this personal interview give the fans more about him and his persona. He looks happy with his wife and since a lot of the fans asking the questions are female it can support the core female audience who see him as a gentleman.

Analysis of the written article

This article takes the form of a huge interview where fans have written to the magazine with their questions. These are the die-hard fans who know all about “his records, his videos, his TV appearances, his movies, his book and his background” but have the opportunity to find out more. Handing over the interviewing to the reader can show how they value their readers opinions and views so much so that they do an article for them. It can show that, the country genre cares dearly about its fans and that country artists do not put distance between them and their fans. There is an introduction that gives a summary of Trace and how they, as a magazine had to cut down the questions “to a manageable number” . The questions include asking about his music, what would he want to witness “if you had a time machine?” and about his wife.

The mode of address for this article/ interview is quite informal as the questions are from fans so are personal and creates the atmosphere of a large conversation. Examples include “stuff” and “pretty cool”, “gettin’”. The informality can give the feeling that we are there in the conversation and are really learning about the cover star. The exclamation marks can also create the conversational atmosphere and add a vibrant and cool atmosphere.

There is a paragraph that starts with a drop cap Y which splits into two wide columns and then below are the questions and answers wrapped round the image which all help to create a smart and smooth appearance which could even be a reflection of the artist himself.

The headline is dramatic as it is, like a lot of what country stars say meaningful and makes you think due to it being different. “No Holds Barred” is about there being no rules which can again link to the informality where nothing is barred and all is relax and similarly support how the magazine readers have the close bond not only with the country stars but with the magazine too.

Target Audience

The target audience for COUNTRY WEEKLY is a majority of females due to the features on music, country men, fashion and also lifestyle with also a male audience not far behind the females who can still look at the male stars and aspire to be like them and also follow the incredible music and also the female country stars. The target age group for COUNTRY WEEKLY is between 24-35 years old. This age group enjoy the features on the newest country stars, articles, interviews, lifestyle and fashion features and also enjoy the features on looking behind the lyrics.

The social class for the COUNTRY WEEKLY reader is working class. Originally the magazine cost $3.49 but then to boost sales they reduced it to $2.49 and in modern times its only a $1. The $3.49 price could perhaps represent the price the skilled working class such as plumbers, electricians etc would pay for their country fix and then through economic times the price has come down to benefit and allow access for more people to country music. This can show how country music is a big part to peoples lives and a magazine that wants' to share it all! The final change to a dollar can show again economic times biting but also that the magazine is more accessible to those who are perhaps the semi-skilled working class. Similarly the magazine is quite small and the paper is quite thin and of not great quality however the audience are so dedicated and are lured in by the price that they do not really mind and just enjoy having all the news and souvenirs that COUNTRY WEEKLY offers.

Methods used to attract the audience

The bold and variety of colours in in the fonts and images can catch the readers attention and set the tone for what seems to be an exciting magazine due to the happy and friendly colours.

The way they use personal pronouns such as “you vote” can attract the audience who feel special , important and like they are in control.

The large and supplementary images are all of males which helps support that the core audience are females.

The older country star on the cover can support that there is an older audience who will know the artist but similarly there are younger country stars which could be for the teen audience so creates an attractive balance.

The reference to the slash in price can perhaps show the magazine helping their audience as they did not have to show this as they could have just changed the price but they have used it to make it clear that they are about the music and the audience.

The language about “stars”, “inside stories”, “hottest "and “sexiest” can also help draw the reader in who are intrigued by what they will be getting this week which is exciting for them.

The notepad linking to the “school” story can stand out as it is an unusual feature that will catch the readers eye.

The words “free!” with the exclamation mark shouts at the audience and can grab the audiences attention who think they are getting more than what they are getting already which is amazing. There are also capital letters which also shout at the audience and catch their eye.