AS Coursework Media Studies

1. I wanted to make sure that I get opinions from a variety of young individuals so I
made sure that the participants were aged from early teens to late-twenties. I
chose this as my target audience because this is allows for a larger target
audience and also because these age groups are stereotypically usually more
open minded and accepting.
I wanted the opinions of both males and females to get a good idea of
preferences according to gender. I have found that females (60%) read more
magazines compared to males (40%) but my target audience will include both
genders as the male gender is an important part of the demographic.
Age
13-15
16-18
19-25
Gender
Male
Female

2. My participants mostly listened to three main genres: rock, pop , metal. Even
though a larger number preferred pop (50%), I will choose rock as my
magazines genre as it will allow stylizing my magazine according to conventions
and typical connotations associated with the genre rather than making a generic
magazine that fits into the mainstream.
A majority of the participants (45%) wanted to know about the new song
releases while others equally (27% each) wanted information and competitions
on upcoming concerts or insight into the lives of the musicians (gossip). I think I
Genres
Rock
Pop
Metal
What do you look for in a magazine?
New song releases
Upcoming Concerts
Gossip

3. will put all of these categories into my magazine as they are all important and
each will be appealing to a different kind of audience.
The 30% who said yes wanted to participate in competitions and win prizes to
gigs and concerts or electronics. The 20% who said no said so because they felt
that these competitions are not legitimate and the prizes aren’t trustable
(Quality or originality).The remainder 50% said that it didn’t matter as they
didn’t usually participate and these and them being included made no difference.
I have decided to include them as they will at least increase the reader and
magazine relationship better (might result to more dedicated readers).
Do you want it to include competitions
and prizes?
Yes
No
Doesn’t matter
Should there be a comment section?
Yes
No
Doesn't matter

4. A majority (50%) of the participants said yes because they could solve any doubt
or ask or any information required. The rest who said no or that it doesn’t matter
said so because they hardly ever use sections like these. I have concluded to
include this section because not only will it make the reader-magazine
relationship stronger but it’ll give me an opportunity to know what my readers
want.
The 40% who said no were either more into mainstream music more or were
afraid that they might be featured because of controversies and not talent. I have
decided to include upcoming musicians on the basis of their talent and hard-
work. This is because they may serve as an inspiration or role model to the target
audience, making the article and magazine more appealing.
Should there be articles on up-coming
musicians?
Yes
No
Should issues of concern be
mentioned?(to spread awarness)
Yes
No

5. All participants said yes because they felt that spreading awareness on issues of
concerns would be a very good initiative and could help a lot of people. A few
had concerns that it could shadow the main focus of the magazine-music. I have
decided to include a few initiatives over a few months each.
All of the participants said yes as this would be easier to access and could be
better for their busy schedules. A few mentioned that they like reading from a
real paper magazine but that it would be nice to have other options. I support
their view point and would have an online version of my magazine as well
allowing for greater consumer convenience.
Should there be an online version?
Yes
No

6. All the participants said that this should be done and would definitely push them
into buying the magazine more. I will give a free CD with my magazine as it
immediately makes the magazine more appealing.
There were a variety of choices and preferences. Most votes (33%) were given to
Auditoriums or concert halls. However, it is unlikely I will use this location due
to an insufficient budget and lack of resources.
Should there be free items given out?
Yes
No
Which location should be featured?
Clubs
Auditoriums or Concert Halls
Gardens or Parks
National Monuments or
symbols

7. All participants mentioned that this would make updating themselves easier. I
would include a separate section with updates on concerts of the musicians of
magazines genre.
All participants said yes because gender was not an issue to them and all they
cared about was that they were talented. I would feature both men and women.
Should there be updates on all
upcoming concerts?
Yes
No
Should men and women both be
featured?
Yes
No

8. A majority (70%) said no because that was not why they bought magazines and
it could be a very bad influence on younger readers while the few (30%) that
said no said that it would make the magazines more noticeable and attractive to
them. I will not be featuring provocative pictures because I personally want to
keep the magazine’s focus on music rather than sexual appeal.
Since the disposable income of the participants isn’t on a very broad scale , I
would choose the price of my magazine to be close to 3 pounds because it would
be within the reach of most participants (80%) and isn’t completely out of reach
for the remaining 20%. The magazine will also be monthy, making the price even
more affordable.
Do you want those who are featured to
be dressed prvocatively?
Yes
No
What is your disposable income?
0-2 pounds
3-5 pounds
6-7 pounds