The document proposes a new rock music magazine called "Mordant" targeted at females aged 16-20 in the UK. Key points: - The name "Mordant" was chosen as it means sharp/critical and fits the cynical tone of rock music. It also stands out on shelves. - Rock music was chosen as the genre since existing magazines are aimed at older audiences or based in America. - The target audience of 16-20 year old females was selected as there is a gap in the market for women and to tailor content to them. - The magazine will include information on bands, gigs, competitions and posters, with more images than text per reader preferences.

1. Proposal
Emma Watson

2. Title of my magazine
I have chose the name Mordant for my rock music magazine. I chose the name mordant
as it means having or showing a sharp or critical quality. Synonyms include sarcastic and
sardonic. I chose the name Mordant because it sounds interesting and cynical this works
for my genre as Rock music normally have a cynical tone. Also, through my research I
have found that rock music magazines such as NME normally have a cynical and sarcastic
tone.Also because my target audience is more mature readers (16-20) they would more
likely appreciate the sarcastic tone. I also chose the name Mordant as it is an unusual
name therefore would stand out on a shelf in a supermarket as a result people are more
likely to buy it. By naming my magazine Mordant it sets the tone for the rest of my
magazine. Originally I had 3 magazine names of Mordant, Sardonic and Acid. However,
after asking my target audience they liked Mordant the most as they said it embodied
rock the most. They said that Sardonic sounded like Satanic therefore causing issues and
possible complaints. They said that Acid seemed like it was promoting drug use therefore
unfit for being on a shelf.

3. Choice of Genre
I chose rock as a genre because even though there are magazines on the market for rock
music none of them really are aimed at 16+. The most popular ones are normally aimed at
older readers as rock music is seen as explicit and inappropriate for younger listeners.
Also, through research I discovered that most rock magazines are based in America and
not England this could be expensive for my target audience as most teenagers are on low
to no income. As well, Rock is a very broad genre for example there are sub-categories
such as pop punk. By choosing a genre that is broad means that there is more scope and
a larger target audience as a result my magazine is more likely to sell. Also, pop is the
most mainstream genre therefore there is room in the market for a rock magazine.

4. Target audience
I chose my target audience to be Females aged 16-20 years old. | have chosen a niche
market so that my magazine is tailored more to their needs such as having more pictures
with articles and focussing on more modern bands. Also, I have chosen this target
audience because at the moment there is a gap in the market for a rock magazine
targeted at women.At the moment two of the most famous rock music magazines,
Kerrang and NME, are aimed at men between the ages of 15-24 therefore my magzine
would most likely sell.

5. Content of the whole magazine
In my magazine I’m going to include lots of information about different bands both
already big and established bands but also up and coming bands to give variety. IT
will include one big spread that focuses on the main artist that will most likely be on
the front cover. But it will also contain other information such as upcoming gigs
throughout the country, competitions and posters. The magazine will have a ratio of
more images than text as doing research I have found that that’s what my target
audience prefers. I feel by having a range of different features in my magazine it
will keep readers interested and encourage them to buy it every time it comes out.
By having a variety of information and lots of information it makes the magazine
seem value for money therefore more people would buy the magazine.

6. Initial ideas for front cover
I will have the masthead at the top in Bodoni MT Black as it’s a bold text and easy to read
from a distance which would help it stand out in a store as result people will more likely
buy the magazine. I will then have the the selling line above saying something along the
lines of “Britain's first rock magazine made for teenagers”. It will then have a kicker talking
about the main article that would be about a new band in Birmingham. It would also
feature a strapline line , direct address and pull quote about other articles in the magazine
that would entice a possible consumer to buy the magazine. Then in the puff it would
have information on exclusive posters that would be in the magazine as it is something
that would entice people to buy the magazine therefore it should be highlighted. The
image would be an image of the model (Olivia Watson) in front of a graffitied wall in
Digbeth posing with a limb coming forward to give depth of field.The colour scheme
would be black, white and red as that is the most common colours used on rock music
magazines.

8. Ideas for contents page
My contents page will have one large image of a band on the top with other images layered on
top of it. Then at the bottom it would be separated into four columns. The first column would
be a note from the editor with a picture of the editor above the note. The note would give a
brief explanation of the experience with the band and what’s their favourite bit in the
magazine. By adding an editor's note it gives the magazine a more personal feel and breaks
the barrier between reader and producer. The first column will just be features of the
magazine . The next column will continue the features of the magazine but will be broken up
by a big thing about exclusive poster then the third column will have a picture at the top and
the contents finished off. The final column will have information about subscriptions. In each
column it will have a heading to separate the text and make it easier for the reader to find what
they want. By including lots of pictures in the contents page it breaks it up and makes it more
visually appealing to the eye as a result people more likely to buy the magazine. The headings
would be in red and the background would be black with white writing to keep with the colour
scheme of black,white and red.

9. Initial ideas for DPS
On the left side would be a large image of the main artist who the article is about. On the
other side would be an interview with the artist about their music and life etc. At the
bottom would be photos of the band singing and just natural looking photos to make
them seem like they’re one of them and there is no superiority over their fans. The
interview would have a very chatty feel as my target audience is younger therefore they
would not want a really formal and structured article. The interview would be separated
into two columns with the questions in red and the answers in black. This is to keep with
the colour scheme of black, white and red.