Smash Hits magazine was founded in 1978 in the UK and focused on pop music. It became known for making or breaking bands based on their cover placement. While initially monthly, it switched to biweekly due to popularity. It ceased print in 2006 due to competition from the BBC but its digital properties continue. Billboard is the oldest American music trade magazine, founded in 1894. It publishes various music charts and tracks popularity of songs and albums. Unlike Smash Hits, its covers use limited colors and striking single images to appeal to an older audience of both sexes.

1. RESEARCH INTO SIMILAR MUSIC MAGAZINES

2. Smash Hits Smash Hits magazine was founded in 1978 by Nick Logan, creator of ‘The Face’ and editor ‘NME’. Appearing on the cover of Smash Hits was a sign that an act had finally ‘arrived’ and after massive sales, Smash Hits switched from a monthly to a fortnightly publication. It was published by Emap, who also use the name for their digital television services, and for a digital radio station. In February 2006, it was announced that the magazine would cease publication due to declining sales because of massive competition from the BBC’s Top of the Pops. However the digital television, digital radio, and website services still all continue . Both of these Smash Hits covers use a varied colour pallet with pink being most predominant. This immediately suggests a female readership with the cover line ‘Girls rule!’ to support this. Although the cover on the left is a more recent edition there is a clear consistency in the appearance e.g. the banner in the left third and the yellow footer. Unlike magazines such as Q or NME, the overall look of Smash Hits appears very cluttered and busy. This is important when attracting a young audience as it gives the impression that the magazine is full of pop gossip.

3. Billboard Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It was founded by William h. Donaldson and James Hennegan in 1894. In the 1930’s Billboard began publishing music charts. Originally, there were only three genre-specific charts: Pop, Rhythm & Blues, and Country & Western. However, it now tracks the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis with the Billboard Hot 100 Chart (the top 100 songs regardless of genre, based on physical sales, digital sales and radio airplay) and Billboard 200 (the chart for album sales). Unlike Smash Hits, both of these Billboard covers use more of a limited colour pallet. One single striking image has also been used instead of additional smaller images supporting cover lines. These images are also much more provocative suggesting that it aims to appeal an older more mature audience of both sexes.

4. Front Cover Masthead - Turn It Up - Loud Tagline - This weeks hottest pop gossip Main Image - Medium close up of a female singer on a plain white background Cover lines - Main cover line anchored with image - Pull quote from the article - Fashion - Celebrity gossip - Competitions Contents Page Genre Mainstream pop – targeted at a female audience aged approximately 14-17 years. Main Image – Smaller version of the front cover with page numbers clearly pointed out making it simpler for the young audience. Other Images – Anchoring with certain articles e.g. fashion. Sub Sections - Celeb Gossip - Fashion - Competitions - Reviews Double Page Spread Main Article - Interview with the artist on the cover. Main Image - Image filling the left hand page. Other Images - Smaller images of the same artist Colour Scheme - Bright, bold and feminine. - Pink and yellow to attract attention to important parts. Pull Quote – taken from the article and placed with the main image. Ideas for my Music Magazine