1. ANALYSIS OF BILLBOARD MAGAZINE
COVER.
The masthead is situated within the top row of thirds.
This connotes importance as it is across the whole
The cover lines on the front cover I think portray the idea
magazine ensuring it is the first thing the readers
that this is a serious magazine. They are also simple and
attention will be. The name “billboard” could link to The
follow the simple housestyle of the colours pink and white.
two most notable charts are the billboard top 100 which
The main coverline is “Lily Allen” showing the importance of
ranks the top 100 songs regardless of genre and is
her story within the magazine; it obviously being the main
based on digital sales, radio airplay, and internet
attraction. Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Ludacris are also
streaming data; and the billboard 200, the
mentioned portraying the genre of music to be quite wide;
corresponding chart for album sales. Also billboards
yet mainstream maybe a more serious portrayal of the top
are used to promote things and are frequently changed
40. “What apples new pricing means for music” is also
which could link to the idea of new music. It is quite a
used which I think could connote the idea this could be for
simple font which could link to the idea that it’s easy to
a slightly older audience, it also shows the magazine is
read. It’s also white which could have connotations of
mainly based on music however has other elements within
fresh and now which could link to the genre of the
it.
magazine; new music. The main image is situated over
the masthead which could symbolise importance of her
and give the idea that she is important within this issue
of the magazine.
The main image is a medium close up of Lily Allen.
The main image is in your face, with its size it could
connote importance. It goes over the name of the
magazine and with being the largest thing on the cover
page it connotes both importance and dominance. Lily
Allen is looking directly at the audience with quite a
serious facial expression, by looking directly at the
audience she is inviting them in. The seriousness of
her expression could represent the fact she wants to
be taken seriously as an artist; and not taken as a pop
artist but seriously it could suggest she is serious about
music. She is also wearing a white headband which
again could represent new and fresh which is how the
music could be described.

2. ANALYSIS OF CONTENTS PAGE
The use of the date and the name of the magazine show the idea of the housestyle.
The date line is consistent throughout each magazine. Also both backgrounds on both
the contents and cover page show the housestyle as they are both quite dark and
simple.
The housestyle is also shown
through the copy (text). This is
The layout of the contents
because the font is again quite
page is using the rule of thirds.
simple and easily legible. The use
This makes it look like a
of black font is also used
professional magazine and
throughout/
ensures everything is in
proportion. The overall style of the magazine is popular music and up and coming
artists so the style is very plain with just one or two colours used. This is
done so that the main cover images can be the main attraction.
The page numbers are in white. Which again is keeping the housestyle as white is
used throughout (on the coverlines on the front page) this could connote the idea of
fresh and new music as that is what white has connotations of.
The ratio of images to pictures are that there are more images that text. I think
this is quite stereotypical of billboard magazine as it is mainly image based.
The 3 other images connote the idea that the genre of the magazine is very wide. This
is because it shows a range of other styles of music. the images mise-en-scene have
the same backgrounds a music theatre background or of a musical instrument included
within the image, linking to the main theme of a music magazine.
The main photograph is a long shot. The woman looks quite happy and
energetic which could link to the fact that this is a Christmas issue and
that Christmas has connotations of happiness. She is also wearing red,
which again is a symbol of Christmas.
It is apparent this is a Christmas issue with the use of the
bauble and the use of the red which connotes the idea of
Christmas giving it a Christmassy feel.

3. ANALYSIS OF DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD.
The background of both pages again follows the housestyle for
this particular magazine. It is again plain and simple which is used
on both the contents and cover. It enables the main focus to be
This page-spread is neatly upon the images and text in comparison to the background.
broken up by image and text.
Reinforcing the idea that The use of the quote in pink follows the housestyle for this
billboard is a mainly image particular magazine, it is also used on the cover page. The
based magazine. This structure quote is used to draw the readers in. It is in a quite bold colour
is which is shown throughout She is also making direct
eye contact with the reader in comparison to the other colours enabling it to be the first
billboard with the simple fonts, thing that the readers look at.
layouts and pictures- simply by looking directly into the
including three columns of text camera. This immediately
with two images. To break up creates a direct relationship
the overall layout, the use of with the reader and draws
them in. Her wind swept hair is quite messy. It could
pink text has been used to have connotations of release and freedom
signpost a specific area and which maybe could link to the quote on the
draw the readers attention in. page in pink stating how she’s gone from living
with her mum to how her life is now.
The medium close shot of the
artist- Alexandra Burke, could
show connotations of both
power and dominance. This is
because it is a slightly low angle
shot; making the readers look
up on her. Which could also
show she may be seen as a
role model and people have
respect for her.
The text is quite simple again following
the housestyle of the font. There are
three columns of text which make it look
professional.

4. HOUSE STYLE OF BILLBOARD MAGAZINE
The conventions of a billboard cover include: often the photo of the main featured artist goes
over the masthead
 The main attraction of the issue e.g the artist is always in the largest font.
 Often sans-serif fonts are used which looks quite modern and could connote freshness
and youth.
The conventions of a typical billboard contents page include:
 Simple layout structure often the rule of thirds is used.
 The left column is often used to represent all the pages within the magazine.
 The contents title is often in bold.
 The image often works around the text. Emphasising the fact that the magazine is mainly
image based.
The conventions of a typical billboard double page spread include:
 The main image often links in the with the text.
 Quotes from the text are often used to draw the reader in.
 Other colours are often used from the main image are often used.
 A small serif type font is often used which looks quite sophisticated and could be seen as
reliable.

5. BACKGROUND OF BILLBOARD.
 Billboard is an international news weekly magazine devoted to music and the
music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It
maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most
popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis.
 Billboard was founded in Cincinnati on November 1, 1894, by William h.
Donaldson and James Hennegan.
 Originally titled Billboard Advertising it was a trade paper for the bill posting
industry, hence the magazine's name.
 Within a few years of its founding, it began to carry news of outdoor
amusements, a major consumer of billboard space. Eventually Billboard
became the paper of record for circuses, carnivals, amusement parks, fairs,
vaudeville, mistrels, whale and other live entertainment. The magazine began
coverage of motion pictures in 1909 and of radio in the 1920s.
 The editor of billboard is Danyel Smith. The frequency of the magazine is
weakly. The circulation figures are: 16,327. The company is: prometheus
global media.
 Lastly Billboard is intended for music professionals, such as record label
executives, artists, music retailers, and radio DJs.