This document discusses how media products are produced and consumed for profit and gratification. It examines uses and gratifications theory, comparing traditional print media to social media. Print media aims to distract, build identity, foster belonging, and educate through professional content and trusted brands. Social media allows for more authentic and immediate user-generated content but can be less reliable. Different social media platforms are analyzed for typical uses around distraction, identity, belonging, and knowledge in areas like professional networking, chatting, sharing images/videos, curation, and music sharing. The document also outlines common design elements of a music website aimed at maximizing user engagement and time on site.

1. New Technologies
and the Music Press
LO: To be able to demonstrate
understanding of media
products and the ways they
are produced and consumed.

2. Primary Goal – To make money
What are they selling?
Gratification (satisfaction)
What does it look like?
Distraction/entertainment
Taking the user away from worries and responsibilities
A sense of self
Giving the user a range of social norms (stereotypes) to
compare themselves against. Aspirations to be/have more.
A sense of belonging
Giving the reader a range of people who share their ideals
(who think like they do) and a base for building relationships
Knowledge and education about topic/society
Giving the user a sense of personal growth, confidence to
engage in the conversation and even, an opportunity to be
superior (sometimes)

3. Uses and Gratifications Theory
Distraction and Entertainment
Print (And Web 1.0 tools)
Kerrang! etc
Social Media (Web 2.0 Tools)
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
etc
Content is more reliable –
content is usually more
sophisticated
Professionals dictate consumer
content – mediated (crafted to
be beneficial to publishers) –
user experience is controlled –
Users generate content –
unexpected experiences – more
authentic – in the immediate
Amateur content - less reliable

4. Uses and Gratifications Theory
Sense of Self
Print (And Web 1.0 tools)
Kerrang! etc
Social Media (Web 2.0 Tools)
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
etc
Professional role models –
trusted brands – popular
culture – Inspires confidence
Ideas dated before it’s released
- conformity
Opportunity to be original – real
role models - everyone can test
their voice – true (not
glamorised) presentation of
peers
Unproven– opinions

5. Uses and Gratifications Theory
Sense of Belonging
Print (And Web 1.0 tools)
Kerrang! etc
Social Media (Web 2.0 Tools)
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
etc
Feel part of a ‘tribe’ – send
letters – talk about it with
friends and family
No real access to people
outside of immediate group
Be part of a ‘tribe’ - connect
with like minded people – can
be a contributor OR just a
consumer (lurker) – not
restricted by geographical
location – public or private
conversations – wider,
overlapping communities
Irresponsible users

6. Uses and Gratifications Theory
Knowledge and Education
Print (And Web 1.0 tools)
Kerrang! etc
Social Media (Web 2.0 Tools)
Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest
etc
Trustworthy – informed –
access to good sources –
professional presentation
Mediated (filtered and crafted
to be appropriate for use).
Precisely relevant – specific
niche content – up to date
trends
Unreliable – novice experts –
saboteurs

7. Different Uses of Social Media Platforms
Typical Uses - Professional
Distraction/Entertainment
A sense of self
A sense of belonging
Knowledge and Educations

8. Different Uses of Social Media Platforms
Typical Uses - Chat Distraction/Entertainment
A sense of self
A sense of belonging
Knowledge and Educations

9. Different Uses of Social Media Platforms
Typical Uses – Image Sharing
Distraction/Entertainment
A sense of self
A sense of belonging
Knowledge and Educations

10. Different Uses of Social Media Platforms
Typical Uses – Video Sharing
Distraction/Entertainment
A sense of self
A sense of belonging
Knowledge and Educations

11. Different Uses of Social Media Platforms
Typical Uses – Curration
Distraction/Entertainment
A sense of self
A sense of belonging
Knowledge and Educations

12. Different Uses of Social Media Platforms
Typical Uses – Music Sharing
Distraction/Entertainment
A sense of self
A sense of belonging
Knowledge and Educations

13. Music Site Home Page
Log in/out requirement
Supply email address
They can identify (and watch)
your online presence (static)
Tailor site content to your
habits
Is it a website?
Or is it a Social Networking
site?
Masthead
- Brand Identity
(static)
Slogan or image
Supports brand id
(Static)
Advertising
Once they have your details,
this can become ‘bespoke’
(not static)
Search Bar
Navigate site (static)
Navigation tabs
OR Menus
Links to ‘personal spaces’
that are familiar and spaces
to be explored (static)
Colour Scheme
Supports brand id
(Static)
Updateable content
Videos/photos/text
Posted in
Carousels/roll over frames
To maximise content (not
static)
Live Feeds
From Twitter or their own
comments app
Links to external
social networking
sites
Type of synergy – both
sites win by generating
more traffic More traffic + time spent on site = lures more advertising companies = more revenue
Lists
Playlists, artiste lists, genre lists
All keep user on site longer
Distraction/Entertainment
A sense of self
A sense of belonging
Knowledge and Educations