AS Media Studies Target Audience Research Into Existing Magazines

1. T A R G E T A U D I E N C E R E S E A R C H
I N T O E X I S T I N G M A G A Z I N E S
AS MEDIA
FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO

2. RESEARCH INTO TARGET
AUDIENCE
• For a variety of magazine cover.

3. INTRODUCTION
For my preproduction Media Studies Foundation
Portfolio Research Task I carried out Target Audience
research into Existing magazines. I have done a
breakdown of magazine front covers such as; Teen
Vogue, GQ, Cosmopolitan and Entertainment, to show
how these magazines use modes of address to target
their audiences. I have pinpointed the target
audiences; age ranges, genders, how the main image
attracts them, their interests, their preferred colour
scheme and language which appeals to them, in order
to understand how each magazine uses different visual,
written and design techniques to attract their pacific
target market.

4. RESEARCH INTO THE TARGET
AUDIENCE FOR TEEN VOGUE
• Breakdown of Teen Vogue magazine front cover, in terms of target
market.

5. TEEN VOGUE READERS
Age This cover would attract readers aged 13-
21.
Gender The magazine would engage with (mainly)
females, due to the ‘role model’ appeal
on the front page and the large bold
subtitles that are orientated around fashion
topics.
Main Image The celebrity endorsement is diverse as the
actress Victoria Justice is not only a
children's TV star on Nickelodeon but she is
also a red carpet icon. Which attracts both
adolescents and older teens.
Interest The target market for this magazine would
be teen females with an interest in: fashion,
collage advise, Hollywood, beauty and
celebrities stories. Theses are all aspects
advertised on the cover therefore
attracting the correct target audience.
Colour scheme The colour scheme is pink, gold, white and
brown. These complimentary colours
increase the teen readers desire for the
magazine as the colour coordination is
visually pleasing and relevant to the latest
runway clothing colours.
Language The language on the cover is short, catchy
and capitalised in order to grab the
female readers attention. The use of key
words such as- Mayor Style, real beauty,
cool, pretty and dazzling will intrigue the
target audience making the magazine
desirable.

6. RESEARCH INTO THE TARGET
AUDIENCE FOR GQ
• Breakdown of GQ magazine front cover, in terms of target market.

7. GQ READERS
Age This cover would attract readers
aged 16-35.
Gender The magazine would attract
(mainly) a male audience, due to
the masculine colour scheme and
and the subjects of the articles.
Main Image The celebrity endorsement,
Leonardo Dicaprio will attract men
of all ages due to his long and
successful acting career of playing
roles that appear in movies that
people of all ages can watch.
Interest The men who read GQ will be
interested in ; celebrities, shocking
stories, fitness tips, job advice and
style guides .
Colour scheme The colour scheme is black, white,
bright green and gray. These eye
catching colour will attract the
target audience when on the
shelves.
Language The language on the cover is
capitalised and bold showing that
the magazine is full of interesting
stories which will appeal to the
male audience.

8. RESEARCH INTO THE TARGET
AUDIENCE FOR COSMOPOLITAN
• Breakdown of Cosmopolitan magazine front cover, in terms of target
market.

9. Age This cover would attract readers
aged 18-35.
Gender The magazine would appeal to a
(mainly) female audience, as of the
magazine content and colour
scheme.
Main Image With Cameron Dias on the front
cover, females of all ages would be
attracted to the magazine due to
Camerons long lived life in the
media spot light.
Interest The magazine readers would be
interested in; sex, fashion buys,
confessions from the public, fitness
tips, celebrities and social media
advice.
Colour scheme The colour scheme blue, black,
yellow and orange. These bright
and contrasting colours would
appeal to females and encourage
them to read the magazine further.
Language The use of short and sweet
language such as ‘radiate
confidence’ and ‘sexy summer hair’
will appeal to females who want to
get the gossip and tips as quick as
possible.
COSMOPOLITAN READERS

10. RESEARCH INTO THE TARGET
AUDIENCE FOR ENTERTAINMENT
• Breakdown of Entertainment magazine front cover, in terms of target
market.

11. ENTERTAINMENT READERS
Age This cover would attract readers aged
16-35.
Gender The magazine would appeal to a
(mainly) male audience, as of the
magazine concept and dark colour
scheme.
Main Image The use of Johnny Depp on the front
cover will attract both male and
female readers due to Johnny Depp’s
likability and brilliant acting skills. As he
is dressed as the character - Sweeney
Todd, this magazine will stand out on
shelves even more as it is strange and
intriguing.
Interest The target market will want to read
about: the inside scoop on new films
and movie stars.
Colour scheme The colour scheme is white, red, blue
and black. These contrasting colours
tie in with the dark Sweeny Todd
theme and will appeal to film
enthusiasts.
Language The use of words such as ‘holiday’,
‘preview’, ‘new films’ and ‘Johnny
Depp’ will entice the target audience
who have an interest in theses areas.