2. Q Music Magazine, part of the
Bauer Media family, is a similar
magazine, in aspects of genre and
audience, to my own music
magazine. Therefore, I have
researched into their brand and
magazine.
3. Magazine
Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in
the United Kingdom.
media group in
October 1986, setting itself apart from much of the other
music press with monthly production and higher
standards of photography and printing. But, is now
published by the Bauer Media Group and is sold at £3.99.
4. Mission Statement
‘Q is the magazine that brings music alive. It draws together the biggest stars,
the most exciting phenomena, the new artists that matter and a healthy dose of
irreverence to create an unmissable widescreen picture of what’s really
happening in rock and roll right now. Every issue features agenda-setting star
interviews, the month’s biggest moments in music, and fascinating investigations
into the wider world of rock and roll. Each month Q’s comprehensive reviews
section gives the last word on all the most important new releases and reissues –
and feeds Q’s readers’ hunger for new music to enjoy. Q’s reviews section is
the ultimate critical overview of music. And magazine’s unrivalled access brings
its readers up close and personal with the stars who set the agenda. Q is the
ultimate rock and roll read.’
5. GENRE
In my opinion there is not one prominent music genre represented throughout
the magazine contents of Q music magazine. They are thought to be based
on ‘popular music’, meaning that they focus on new releases, covering
various genres of music such as rock, pop and indie. Their unique selling
point can be recognised by their high focus on interviews and reviews, rather
than tens of articles simply about musicians and different musical genres.
However, consumers have different opinions of what the genre of Q is. For
example, the genre of rock can be highlighted through the magazine’s choice
of colour scheme, established as red, white and black, and artists in which
they chose to represent, such as The Killers, Kings of Leon, Jake Bugg and
Lana Del Ray.
7. TARGET AUDIENCE
Q readers are affluent – 72% are in the ABC1 socio-economic groups and have
high disposable income.
68.3% Male readership – means that the magazine appeals slightly more to
males, but how is this?
On each of the 12 monthly issues, no female artists or
bands are represented, mainly all male bands and some
male single artists. This is can explain the male readership
attraction to the magazine. Although, this isn’t always the
case, like on the February 2012 issue where Lana Del Ray
was chosen as the cover artist.