This is an analysis of two music magazines, Q magazine and NME music magazine. It also has information on the ideal reader of the magazines. Q magazines ideal reader I found on the internet but for NME's ideal reader I made my own assumption and then below i have information from their media pack, which gives information on demographic audience and their target audience.

1. Research and Planning
Analysis of music magazines

2. The masthead is eye catching and bold letter
which makes it easier for the target
audience, which is roughly between the ages
of 25-40, to recognise the magazine form a
distance and makes it easier to also grab
their attention. Furthermore, this is also
reinforced by the fact that the typeface is
somewhat old fashioned. In addition since
the name of the magazine is just one letter it
makes it easier for the target market
(readership) to remember the magazine. As
a result of this it also stands out more when
the magazine is laid next to other magazines
as it has a red background with white
writing.
From the main cover line the
audience is able to see as to what
there will be within the magazine
and what type of information and
music genera this issue is based
around.
The font helps keep the front
cover somewhat simple and since it
is bold and san serif it helps make it
clear and easy to read.
Furthermore, the colours used in
the font contrast with the
background making it easier to
read and understand as to what is
within the magazine.
The cover price is a somewhat
expensive as it costs £4 which shows
that its target market would have a fair
amount of dispensable income. It
stands out clearly and makes it easy for
the target market to read the price.
The lure is the final feature of the
front cover that effectively lures in
the customer as it is the name of a
well know DJ of their time and so
the reader would feel confident
that he would know what he is
talking about and would want to
buy it. Also since it has a sticking
font and colour scheme they are
able to attract the attention of the
audience.
The strapline is a simple, attractive and
straight forward moto as it clearly sates the
contents of the magazine “Discover Great
Music”. From the use of the word “Discover”
the magazine is able to tempt customers to
pick up the magazine and buy it. They are
also able to suggest to the customer and the
readership that they don’t have to be
experts in music that instead they can
become experts. This is further enforced by
the fact that within the strapline it says that
it contains “Great Music” , which expresses
confidence, and makes the customer
confident that within the magazine there is a
lot of great contents.
The cover image shows a seductive and powerful
lady but seems to have insecurities. Her
seductiveness is show by the way she is staring
straight into the reader, or lens, and by the way
she has her mouth open. This would entice the
male audience as they would find her to be
attractive. On another hand, her insecurities are
shown through the fact that she is using black nail
polish and blue eye shadow. This is because black is
a gloomy colour with the blue being depressive.
Even thought these colours shows she is insecure
she is also able to show that she is confident and
isn't afraid of expressing her insecurities.
Furthermore, within the blue eye shadow there is a
hint of gold which shows the power and confidence
that she has, which is also supported by the black
nail polish as it can also be a powerful and
prestigious colour.
From the this cover line the reader
is able to see a familiar name with
what seems to be quite an
interesting story. From this the
company is able to entice the
customers to buy the magazine as
the cover line and other aspects of
the magazine as a whole are
constantly luring in the customer.
The pull quote attracts the
attention of the audience as it
gives them a piece of the story that
is quite interesting. Due to this they
are able to entice the curiosity of
the customer.

3. From the Q magazine
media pack- all
magazines have these

4. The strapline shows that it is a magazine
based around the new music genres and
artists. This is expressed by the fact that
the word ‘new’ is used in the strapline.
The way the masthead is presented is in a
eye catching manner as it has a bold, red
font. Furthermore, it has the largest font
size making it stand out more than the
rest of the other pieces of text.
From the main cover line the audience is
automatically reeled into the magazine and
are instantly captivated as to what could be
the full story behind the cover line. Due to
the font and the colour of the writing the
cover line is able to stand out more than the
rest of the magazine and because it has the
same colour as the title it suggests that the
interview is as important as the company.
From the font that the magazine uses the
company is able to ensure that they are eye-
catching and look professional at the same
time. This is further empathised by the
colours that are used, these colours also help
distinguish as to what is more important and
what is less important.
The cover price is £3,30 which shows that
the magazine is aimed at a large amount
of people instead of it being aimed at
people who have a large amount of
disposable income. Furthermore, the
manner in which it is presented shows
that the magazine is trying to keep it both
obvious but discrete at the same time.
This is because it is rather small compared
to the other components of the cover
page and it is side ways in a corner of the
page. This makes the reader think about
buying it without wanting to know the
price but also because it makes the
reader focus upon the contents of the
magazine.
From this cover line we are able to see what
other content the magazine has and what it
is about. by doing this they are able to
address their magazine to a larger amount of
people and possibly increase the sales and
demand of the magazine.
The cover line gives the audience a sneak
peak into what is inside of the magazine
and as to what type of artists the
magazine is going to be focused around.

5. NME’s ideal reader
Based on the image and content of the front cover of this NME magazine, which
was published on the 25th of September 2010 . The ideal reader would be
someone who knows quite a lot about music and would be interested in learning
about different music genres, as well as getting to know of new musicians or
bands.
The ideal reader would also know about the current problems faced by musicians
and bands, as well as be interested in some “gossip”. However, the main trait of
an ideal NME reader would be that they are profoundly integrated into the music
world. This could be by buying large amount of music equipment, CD’s and any
other thing that is related to the music world.
Statistics from the NME media pack states their target audience and their
demographic statistics. It states that the average age of their reader is 25, while
their magazine is aimed at males between the ages of 17 – 35. 73% of these males
are within the ABC1 social grade, which are well educated with 34%in full time
jobs and 26% studying full time. It also states that the readership is predominantly
male with 73% and who are dedicated to the magazine as well as enjoy new
entertainment.