'Q' magazine is the UK's number one music magazine, founded in 1986. It was originally aimed at older collectors of vinyl and CDs but now appeals to a wide demographic. While featuring both current artists and classics, its readership remains predominantly male aged 15-24. Through print, digital, and social media platforms, 'Q' has grown its popularity substantially over 29 years to become a trusted brand in music coverage in the UK.

1. ‘Q’ MAGAZINE READER
PROFILE
By Sophie Rudd
THE UK’S NO.1 MUSIC MAGAZINE

2. A BRIEF HISTORY
• ‘Q’ is a music magazine published every month in the UK
• Founders: It’s the older sister of ‘MOJO’ music magazine and was founded by Mark
Ellen and David Hepworth.
• First published: it was first published in October 1986 by the ‘Emap’ media company.
• Why was it published?: ‘Q’ was first published by Ellen and Hepworth at a time when
they felt extreme dismay at the attitudes of the music press at the time.
• Target Audience: the magazine was ultimately created as the founders felt dismayed
for the older generations who were the pioneers of collectors – buying up as many
CD’s as possible, because they felt immense joy at collecting such precious items.
• Why did it sell so well?: the arrival of ‘Q’ magazine saw a newer and much more
higher standard of photography and production of which people hadn’t noticed
before.
• Original title: ‘Q’ was originally titled ‘Cue’ (as in cueing a record to play) – but the
choice to give the magazine a one-letter title came as part of its marketing
technique, which ultimately explains why, today especially, the magazine appeals to
so many people on supermarket’s magazine stands.
• New Owners: In January 2008, ‘Q’ was sold onto ‘Bauer’ which also owns/produces
‘MOJO’.

3. THE ‘Q’ READER
• Gender Appeal: despite the fact, as ‘Q’ magazine has progressed, it has become more and
more subservient to the range of youth subcultures which has cropped up over the years, e.g;
artists such as Adele and Cheryl Cole (members of the pop subgenre which stereotypically
appeals to the market of teenage girls), to the more expected featured artists of Coldplay,
Noel Gallagher and The Beatles (which would appeal to the target audience the magazine
originally aimed itself at – i.e; CD buyers/collectors).
• Gender Majority: so, even though the magazine has progressed over the years; featuring
artists which reach out to a much wider demographic, the magazine still appeals
predominantly to males (roughly 70%).

4. THE ‘Q’ READER
• Age Appeal: if one looks once again at the
magazine’s specified target audience when
‘Q’ was first created – it aimed itself at those
who collected CD’s and Vinyl records – the
older generations, who were youngsters
especially at the time of bands such as The
Rolling Stones and The Beatles, who have
frequently been issued as main artists on the
magazine’s front cover.
• Age Appeal: Therefore, it could be stated
that – as the magazine has progressed and
featured more and more current artists,
which appeal to a much wider-scale
audience demographic – that can explain
why the majority of readers are aged 15-24
(35.5%).

5. THE ‘Q’ READER – AS TAKEN FROM THE ‘Q’ WEBSITE
‘Q’ Official Website

6. SOCIAL MEDIA ACCESS
• There are many ways in which fans/readers can access ‘Q’;
- Apps: for iPhone, iPad and Android
- Subscription service
- Online and Mobile Sites
- Live Events
- Music awards
- TV channel
• This wide range of reader access through online apps, social media and
print means ‘Q’ appeals to a mass audience like no other (hence the
magazine’s status of “The UK’s no.1 music magazine”). In addition, 29
years of monthly magazines, containing the most up-to-date artists
(along with the legendary classics) all which come with the most
exclusive interviews and content, means that ‘Q’ is a highly respected
and trusted brand across the country.

7. ‘Q’ MAGAZINE STATISTICS
‘Q’ music magazine has gained extreme popularity
over the years; here are a few statistics about the
magazine’s popularity – online, on social media, and
across the country.
TWITTER FOLLOWERS = 117’949
TOTAL NO. OF FACEBOOK PAGE LIKES = 106’739
INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS = 6’422
YOUTUBE SUBSCRIBERS = 4’016

8. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE
• YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE (PRINT EDITION ONLY);
- £27.00 (Annual Direct Debit) = Get one magazine a month, for 12 months a year, delivered
straight to your door + possibility of receiving exclusive gifts you wouldn’t get in store + a
saving of £23.30 a year (46%).
• YEARLY SUSBRIPTION SERVICE (DIGITAL EDITION ONLY);
- £27.00 (Annual Direct Debit) = Get one digital version of ‘Q’ magazine a month, for 12
months a year, available for you to download on any device + take it anywhere you want +
experience exclusive interactive galleries/videos/music links, enabling you to listen as you
read + a saving of £20.88 a year (46%).
• YEARLY SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE (Q PRINT AND DIGITAL PACKAGE);
- £32.00 (Annual Direct Debit) = a double subscription for a fraction of the cost: receive one
magazine a month (delivered straight to your door – in print) + one digital version of the
magazine a month (available to download on any device, to have wherever and whenever
you want) + investment in the best deal of them all + a saving of £63.76 a year (68%)!

9. THE ‘Q’ MUSIC AWARDS
• The ‘Q’ Music Awards are run annually by the magazine itself. Since they began in 1990, they have
became one of Britain’s largest and most publicised music awards. The awards have spread across
several locations; including the likes of Abbey Road Studios – and, most recently, The Park Lane
Ballroom.
• The awards celebrate the biggest and the best
artists – from the most current stars including
Sam Smith and James Bay, to the older greats
of our country’s history – such as Queen.
• This is one of the only music award events which celebrates the artists themselves.
Artists who have won in the past years include Paolo Nutini (2014 – Best Track “Iron
Sky”), Muse (Best Act In the World Today) and Take That (Hall of Fame award).