Inside Soap is a magazine published by Hearst Magazines UK that covers storylines and interviews stars from popular soap operas shown in the UK. It profiles current plots and allows readers to email questions directly to soap actors. The magazine's readership consists primarily of passionate British soap fans, many of whom are parents. The magazine establishes a recognizable brand through its consistent masthead font, coverlines that highlight different story elements, and use of promotional language and punctuation to generate interest in the soaps. Both the print and online versions maintain this branding identity.

1. Inside Soap
CASE STUDY

2. -published by Hearst Magazines UK
-covers current and future storylines in soap operas shown in the UK
-traditionally provides interviews from actors who play the characters,
current storylines are outlined and soap stars’ personal lives are also
covered, including tips on fashion and where to purchase clothes worn by
the stars
-readers are invited to email their questions to soap stars and entries are
published in interview format

3. Demographic
-passionate soap fans = niche demographic
-primarily a British audience
-high percentage is ABC1 demographic
-51% have children in the household = more parents that read the magazine and watch soaps

4. Magazine
Iconic masthead font which is
recognisable to their audience, creates
brand identity throughout their products
Various coverlines to give the audience
a choice of content and to represent
the variety in stories to read
The main images give direct mode of address
which adhere to generic magazine codes and
conventions = creates a closer relationship
between the models/characters and the
audience (Hearst promotes)
Pug/puff in a graphic circle with a neon yellow
background, like a highlighter, to connote the
importance of the message = represents
exclusivity of the information to the magazine
Many tags are used such as ‘plus!’
and the use of exclamation marks to
create a buzz for the information
and therefore the soap itself
Interrogative statement used to create
enigma in the audience and make them
need to read on in order to find out the
answer

5. Further Examples
Distinctive sense of brand identity
across the editions due to similar
layout and colour schemes

6. Online
Same iconic masthead and
colour scheme to the print
Updates weekly = print
releases new edition weekly
Main feature of print =
main feature online
Simplistic and easy to follow layout,
contrasts with the full on print covers
Encourages interactivity = voting for
awards, social media etc.