1. Unit G321: Foundation
Portfolio in Media
Preliminary Task, Log Book and
Evaluation
Amelia Springthorpe
Candidate Number:6502
Center Name: St Paul’s Catholic College
Center Number: 64770
2. Music Magazine
Genre Research
Frequency: Weekly
Circulation: 19,491
Associated with rock,
alternative and indie
music.
Originally a music newspaper, but
moved towards the magazine format
it is today during the 80s and 90s.
Introduces
new bands as
well as
celebrating
established
artists.
First issue:
7 March 1952
3. Analysis of Established Magazine Cover.Masthead-
Instantly
recogniseable
to audience.
Main image- Usually
one star (Dyer) or
model.
The ‘Star appeal’ is
used to attract the
target audience.
Direct Address- Is
the model looking
toward the
audience? This
usually creates a
relationship
between the
audience and
magazine. If the
‘star’ is not looking
at the audience, it is
unconventional, but
can ‘look cool’.
Cover lines-
Smaller than the
main headline,
describes articles
and features inside
the issue.
Barcode
Website
Price
Main Headline-
Conventionally in
a different style
to the rest of the
text on the cover.
Strapline-
in unconventional space, usually
under the masthead.
4. Front Cover and Missing
Conventions.
The ‘Puff’ (Competition/
Promotion) is missing from this
magazine cover. This should
normally be included on a
magazine to entice the audience
to buy the magazine, in a similar
way to the ‘star appeal’ attracting
an audience.
On this cover, the ‘strapline’,
although featured on the cover, is
not found in the conventional
place- beneath the masthead,
instead it is found below the
barcode.
5. Why NME?
I decided to use NME as inspiration for my
magazine, as it is an established, popular and
respected magazine, and so I feel it would
offer valuable direction in how to structure
my magazine and what it should feature.
In addition, NME also focuses on the music
genre that I am personally interested in, rock.
Therefore, when creating my magazine I will
already have an insight and understanding of
the genre, and I believe that it will be easier
to create a magazine fit for purpose, and will
appeal to the target audience.
6. Audience Research.
To help me understand which conventions to use in my magazine, I
published a survey on www.surveymonkey.com.
From the results of the survey, I was able to conclude that the best
music genre to use in my magazine was ‘Rock’; that it was important
to include more images than text in my magazine.
The results of the survey also helped me decide what to call the
magazine.
Additionally, data from the magazine showed me that using
promotional features (Competitions, posters) on the front cover would
entice more people to buy the magazine.
I also found that using a celebrity image or “Star appeal” (Dyer) would
encourage my target audience to buy the magazine.
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23. Gender of NME readers
Male
Female
These two charts show that the majority
of NME readers are male and the median
age is 23. This means that in order to
appeal to my target audience, which
includes all genders, and focuses on the
ages, between 15-20, while using NME as
inspiration, there will have to be aspects
of my own magazine that differ from
NME.
24. Target Audience – Katz, Maslow, Hartley and/or socio-economic needs.
The target audience for NME magazine can be denoted as, primarily people who
are interested in music; more specifically people who have an interest in new and
upcoming artists as well as established and ‘classic’ bands/ artists, for example,
‘The Rolling Stones’ and David Bowie. This can be denoted from the line on the
front cover of the magazine which reads ‘The Past, Present and Future of Music.’
What is the USP of this Magazine? Refer to specific conventions/ stories from
your research.
The Unique Selling Point of this magazine is the genre of music that it focuses on.
Music magazines, regardless of genre, tend to focus on mainstream artists, while,
although NME features established artists, such as, David Bowie, The Rolling
Stones & Radiohead, the magazine also introduces new and emerging artists to
the audience.
25. Publisher Research.
“Time Inc. is one of the largest media companies in the world reaching more
than 130million consumers each month across multiple platforms through
influential brands such as Time, People, Sports Illustrated, InStyle, Real Simple,
Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Wallpaper and NME.” – Taken from the Time Inc.
Website.
“Time Inc. brands attract young and affluent consumers; 2 out of 3 have incomes
over $100,000+ and more than half are 18-34”
“CONSUMERS INTERACT WITH OUR BRANDS MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A
BILLION TIMES A YEAR - THAT’S OVER 10 MEANINGFUL INTERACTIONS PER
SECOND.”
Has global offices in New York, Tampa, Birmingham, Bangalore, San Francisco,
Amsterdam, London, Stamford, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Chicago.
