2. Introduction to Magazines
he french word “magism”. The word Magazine for periodicals, comes from basis of magazines
The Gentleman's Magazine, first published in 1731, in London
was the first general-interest magazine. Edward Cave, who
edited The Gentleman's Magazine under the pen name
"Sylvanus Urban", was the first to use the term “magazine”.
Early magazines were often bought at newsstands.
Gradually, however, most companies began
distributing their magazines by subscription. A
subscription guaranteed that the subscriber would
receive each new issue of the publication.
3. Differences between
magazine and newspapers
Newspapers and magazines are two important forms of print media that
are read by millions of people around the world, to get information and
entertainment. People are so used to newspapers and magazines that
they hardly pay any attention to differences between them.
Magazines-
Magazines tend to focus on specific topics, such as sports, home decor,
gardening or music. Articles featured in magazines are typically written
for the general public and are not created from extensive research.
Magazines tend to be more ‘freestyle’, they are more relaxed and
practices well on freedom that they are given. Magazines are published
less frequently than newspapers.
Newspapers-
Newspapers primarily focus on politics, current events, financial reports
and various interests throughout the world. Most papers publish their
material on a day-to-day basis, even on weekends. Newspapers focuses
more of what is needed: fixed and straight to the point.
4. Magazine Genres
Magazines cover a huge range of titles and
the range is widening all the time as society
changes and increases. For example twenty
years ago theres was no such thing as
lifestyle magazines specifically directed at
men and now this is such a huge market
with popular titles such as ‘Loaded’, ‘GO’,
FHM and Zoo
The magazine market has seen a high
degree of audience fragmentation.
The publishing costs are low so very
small readerships c an be catered for
at a profit. For instance fishing was
originally covered by just one general
magazine - now there are a huge
variety: including Gamefishing, Trout
etc. This is so that there is a
magazine for every audience so that
they can generate as much profit as
possible because magazine sales
have been declining.
Examples of Magazine Genres:
-Womens (like Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Marie Claire
-Mens (like Maxim, GQ)
-Teen (Seventeen, Teen Vogue)
-News Magazines (Time, Newsweek etc.)
-Sports
-Home and Garden
-Music/Entertainment (Rolling Stone,Entertainment Weekly, Giant etc..)
-Gossip Magazines (Star, In Touch, People)
-Lifestyle/Fitness
-Fashion Magazines
5. Front covers
Front covers are very important in order
to create an identity for the magazine
and to differentiate from the
competitors. The genre needs to be
clear to a targeted audience
For example, when a potential customer walks by a
magazine stand, the magazine cover which catches their
eye the most is most likely the one that they will want to
buy. When the customer looks at the cover more carefully, it
is important to have the contents on display on the cover,
that way the customer knows what he/she will read about
inside. The cover of a magazine is like a one shot chance for
the company to make their argument about why you should
buy it.
6. 4 Key Concepts
• Representation –how is the magazine presented? What
image is it portraying (about life)? How do you know?
• Institution –who made the magazine? Was it a big,
powerful company or a small independent company?
• Genre –what is the magazine mainly about? How do you
know?
• Audience –who would read the magazine? Age, sex,
gender, location, specify in more detail if possible
7. Institution-
Billboard is owned
by Prometheus
Global Media, it is a
big company who
publish many
magazines.
Billboard is the
world's most
influential music
media brand
reaching key
executives and
tastemakers in and
around the music
business
Genre-
Audience-
Genre-
Billboard is a chart
magazine that
doesn't focus on any
particular genre,
which is similar to
Rihanna as she is
R&B and pop so she
is appropriate for the
cover.
8. Audience -
Billboard is a chat
magazine with a varying
target audience and
genre, depending on what
is in the charts at that
time. Overall is is aimed
towards both genders,
usually depending on the
cover star- and the age
rand for the target
audience is around 25-54
years old. Statistics show
71% of the readers are
between this age.
Representation -
The magazine is
presented in a way where
it immediately attracts
readers. This is due to the
bright and bold colours
that are used on the front
cover. Also the large
image of Rihanna makes
the magazine even more
popular, this is because
of her large target
audience
