The document summarizes the production process of Q magazine. It discusses setting a publication date to establish a schedule. It then covers editorial and budget decisions, acquiring content from staff writers and external contributors, sub-editing for accuracy and style, page layout using desktop publishing software, and synergy across various media platforms like social media and a subscription service. Competitors include NME, Mojo, and XXL magazines. Q magazine has a monthly circulation of around 44,000 and aims to appeal to a wide audience with its eclectic music coverage. The publisher Bauer Media takes an ambitious approach to succeed across magazines and radio.
Everything You Need to Know About Q Music Magazine
1. OCR –
Level 3 Cambridge Introductory Diploma in
Media
Unit 13:
Planning and Pitching a Print based Media
Product
P1 Evidence
Name: Kieran Davison
Candidate Number: 3035
Center Name: St. Andrew’s Catholic School
Center Number: 64135
Set Brief - Print
Project/Brief –
Music Magazine & Promotion
2. Purpose
The purpose of Q magazine is to ‘inform and educate’ (Katz) the
reader an understanding of a specific music type/genre. Q
magazine is eclectic therefore the audience will be informed on a
wide range of genres. The magazine includes articles and
interviews on artists and up-coming artists to entertain the
audience. Q magazine is eclectic therefore appeals to a wide
range of audiences as it doesn't’t just cover one specific genre.
On the right is an image of a front cover of Q magazine with a
technical code of a long shot of Kanye West. Kanye West denotes
‘star appeal’ (Richard Dyer) and audiences may be able to
‘personally identify’ (Katz) with him as they listen to his music.
Form and style
The form and style of this magazine includes cover lines spread
throughout the front cover and the masthead. This is to connote
the brand identity of Q magazine. Q magazine is 21cm wide and
has a length of 28.5cm. This gives them a margin so they know
how big their main image can be and how big the font of the
cover lines can be.
3. Meaning
The strapline/slogan ‘’worlds greatest magazine’’, implies that it
is a magazine for everyone. The slogan is also a superlative which
could also suggest that there are no better magazines and that
this is attracting people by using certain techniques. The
strapline connotes this is the magazine everyone should go for
and you are not going to get much better. The strapline
highlights how Bauer (the publisher) feel about producing a high
quality magazine and are committed to publishing the ‘greatest’
magazine.
4. Content
• Some of the content included in Q magazine is
information, articles, interviews and pictures of
music artists. Many of the images are big to
perhaps illustrate the importance of this
particular artist and the same colour scheme is
used throughout to reinforce brand identity. On
the contents page there are subheadings for
example features, every month and Q review.
These are the different sections within the
magazine that will ‘inform and educate’ (Katz)
the reader. For example, on page 38 there is an
article on ‘The Courteeners’. Having a page
number allows the audience to find what page
they are looking for.
5. Target audience
• Q magazine has a large target audience. This is due to their not being a specific
music genre and therefore appeals to everyone within a certain limit.
Hartley
• I think the age range would be between 15-35 considering it an eclectic music
magazine. Another reason why I think this is a suitable age range is because
people typically are not interested outside this age unless they are already an
artist. Furthermore, an audience under 15 would not usually go to the shops to
buy a magazine considering they do not have much money therefore they would
probably read the magazine online instead. However, some at the age of 35 would
be able to go to the shops to buy a magazine and would have more money than a
15 year old who is still in education.
Maslow
• The target audience would be ‘survivors’ because they will like the security and
routine of knowing the magazine is going to be produced monthly and will
entertain the audience on a wide range of music genres. Furthermore, the
audience will be ‘explorers’ as they will like the “difference” (Steve Neale 1980)
that the magazine produces every month.
Katz’
• Q magazine will allow audiences to ‘divert’ away from everyday situations and
stresses in life as they will aim to entertain the audience with information from the
music industry. Furthermore, the audience may be able to ‘personally identify’
(Katz) with some of the ‘star appeal’ (Richard Dyer 1980) on the covers and inside
the magazines.
6. Genre
The genre of this magazine eclectic. This describes magazines without a
specific genre however they release issues without various types of artist on
the front cover. For example one week it may be a rap artist and the other it
may be a rock artist. Steve Neale (1980) stated for media products to be
successful there must be elements of ‘repetition’ and ‘difference’ therefore in
every issue of Q magazine there must be codes and conventions that are
repeated but there must be ‘difference’ to keep an audience entertained
every single month. The repetition could be the colour scheme and masthead
however the difference could be the different ‘star appeal’ (Richard Dyer
1980) and artists every month in the issues.
7. Masthead:
As you can see the masthead is
one letter, this illustrates how
simple this magazine is whilst
being a great selling magazine.
Furthermore the large Q could
also connote quality within the
magazine. The bold red colour
may denote anger or could relate
to the genre of music this
magazine offers.
Cover lines:
The fact that the artists
name is bigger signifies a
importance in this issue.
This therefore gives the
customer an
understanding of what
this particular issue is
about. Furthermore
some people may be very
interested in this
particular genre of music
which may convince them
to buy it.
Main image:
From this main image, I can see that it is overlapping the masthead. The
denotations of this is that this issue conveys a sense of importance and the it is
an authoritative figure. Furthermore this main image is very large and takes up
most of the front cover and understand straight away who id featuring on this
issue. This is important as there may be a star appeal towards the customer .
Barcode, price, date and
web address
This contains the
website information in
order to access Q
magazine. This is so
people can find out
more about Q magazine
as a company.
Strapline
The strapline “the
worlds greatest
music magazine”
could perhaps
connote that it is the
most interesting and
exciting to read due
to the information
within it.
Furthermore it could
also demonstrate
how they are
passionate about
their magazine and
also care about the
customers
8. Pull quote
The pull quote is important as it conveys a small section of the interview. It is normally a
very interesting quote which is important as is someone sees it then they may be drawn
into buying it. This may because they are intrigued to read the rest of the interview or
perhaps because it is one of their favorite artists. Furthermore, this quote also adds a sense
of mystery to the magazine. This is important because it also adds depth which is good as it
keeps the reader interested.
First letter
The first letter of a
magazine is always
big and bold. This is
to firstly illustrate
the artist and to
grab the readers
attention. Q
magazine also do
this with every
issue which also
connotes that it is a
successful
technique.
Page/web address
The page/web
address is an
important part of
this magazine. This is
important as a
customer may
decide that they
would like to see
their website. This is
important as the
website contains a
lot more
information.
Furthermore, this
signifies that their
customers are
interested in the
magazine which
connoted they are
doing a good job on
producing.
Main image:
The main image is a technical code of a close up of Jay Z a rap artists. The main image is of high quality and has been professional taken
to appeal to the audience. The audience may be able to ‘personally identify’ (Katz) with Jay Z as they may listen to his music or even
dress in the same way/style as him.
Drop capital: Drop capitals highlight to the reader where to start reading and entices the reader to read the interview. They are
usually the first letter and bigger than the rest of the writing.
9. Website annotations
Links
These website links take to
various interviews which they
have done and also takes you to
their social media accounts. This
is good as it gives the customers
and people who are interested
more information about perhaps
new issues. Furthermore this is
important a customers may want
to keep up to date.
Layout
the overall layout of this
website is good. This is because
at the top it has clear links to
social media sites which provide
further information.
Furthermore it also ahs the
latest issue of Q. This is good as
it may be something a customer
of Q hasn’t realised and
therefore will want to buy this
issue.
Similarities and differences
Firstly, the differences between this and
a real copy is that the website has much
more information. This is because it has
links to other websites and their social
media. This is important as it provides
extra information which you would not
get in a real copy of the magazine.
Furthermore the similarities of the
actual magazine and the website is that
they both have the latest issue of the
magazine however the website only
advertises it. This would mean that you
would have to buy the full copy
Playlists
The website also has playlists
on the right side. This is good
as it gives their customers an
option for entertainment. This
is good as it may interest them
in also buying the magazine if
they do like the music. This is
important as Q magazine has
no specific genre so it could
appeal to most people and
classes.
10. Production process
• I emailed Bauer media
enquiring about their
production process
which I found on their
website. They have yet to
reply but on their
website is the editorial
process of producing the
magazine.
11. Production process Guide
Date of publication:
The first thing to do is to set up a date of publication. The date of publication is simply the date that you want the
magazine to be released as a finished product to the general public. Once this date has been established, you are now
operating with a schedule. A schedule is your plan on how you are going to go about the production process and
when each of the process will occur.
Managing the schedule:
This is an extremely important step that you should not take for granted when it comes to the production of a magazine. If you want your magazine
to be produced successfully then you must properly manage the schedule. Your schedule should be made in such a way that there are provisions for
certain mishaps so that even when these mishaps occur, you can always meet the deadline. This is the reason why a proper management of the
schedule is very vital.
Editorial and budgetary decision:
The next step that is taken during the production process of a magazine is the editorial decision. The editorial decisions involve the
magazine’s editorial team assembling and deciding what topics will be covered in the next issue of the magazine. Here, the editorial
team basically talks about the various contents that will make up the magazine. After deciding which types of article ideas or topics,
news stories, illustrations and photographs will be used in the magazine, the team now makes the budgetary decisions. Here, they
look at the money that is available to them and how it will be spent towards the production of the magazine. Having done this, it is
now time to move on to the next stage.
Content Acquisition:
The content acquisition process is arguably the most important step because without content we simply cannot have the
magazine in the first place. Content therefore is king. There are two major ways that content can be gathered for a magazine.
The first is through in-house staff writers and the second way is through external writers that are commissioned to write on
topics that are specialist in nature. It is at this stage that artwork and graphics are also worked on. The artwork is defined as
illustrations and pictures that are going to be placed in the magazine. Graphics are the pictures or images that are designed
with a computer program.
12. Production process continued
Sub-editing:
• Checking of the accuracy of all facts in the articles
• Making sure that words are properly spelled
• Making sure that grammar and punctuation are used correctly
• Making sure that all articles follow the house-style
• Working on the page layout
Page Layout:
In big publications, there is a special team responsible for page layouts called the layout
staff. Their job is to typeset and layout the various pages that come together to make
the magazine. In performing this task, they use very powerful Desktop Publishing (DTP)
programs such as InDesign or Pagemaker to get the job done. It is at this stage that
adverts from advertisers are placed into the content.
LINK: http://hosbeg.com/the-magazine-production-process/
13. Synergy
• Q magazine use various social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter and
YouTube, this is an example of technological convergence (a combination of
more than one media platform). This is important because all of these are
further ways of promoting their magazine. Furthermore, on Facebook they
give updates on who may be on the next issue and information on a number
of artists. This may include upcoming tours or perhaps new albums. This is
important because people may buy tickets and their magazine in the future.
• You can also subscribe to Q magazine. This is good as it supplies the
subscribed with early magazine and extra information about music playlists
and upcoming issues.
Social media
http://www.qthemusic.com
14. Competitors
• IPC media: IPC media could be referred to as Bauer medias biggest competitors.
They are heavily involved in magazines and there best selling magazine in NME.
This magazine has has an eclectic genre which is the same as Q magazine. This
means it possesses a variety of genre, open to all music interests.
• This is important as it is also Q magazines competitor along with Mojo and XXL.
They are all very popular however XXL focuses on rap and Mojo is mostly British
rock. Furthermore, this connotes that Q has a better variety when in come to
issues and music artists.
• Hearst media: Hearst media is also quite a large competitor to both IPC and
Bauer media. They also produce music magazines and fashion magazines. This is
important as it puts them into a different target market and are therefore not as
threatening to Bauer media.
https://www.bauermedia.co.uk
15. Market position
Bauer media currently produces some of the UK’s best selling
magazine and in this form of the media, they are the market
leader. Bauer media are also involved in various radio stations
such as Kiss which it popular within the UK. Furthermore Bauer
media have the most market share and therefore connotes they
are the market leader in terms of magazines in the UK.
Q magazines current monthly circulation is around 44,000. Q
have a smaller circulation compared to magazines such as NME.
The reason I think this could be is because Q magazine is a more
UK centered magazine and have adapted to meet the needs of
their occurring audience.
https://www.bauermedia.co.uk
16. Technological convergence
• Q magazine publish their magazine so it is available in stores and they also
have a website. This contains various information like the magazine
however the website also has links to social media in which gives you
frequent updates. However, the magazine also contains the website
information within it. Q magazine are in synergy with Facebook. They post
frequently about upcoming issues and leave hints to who may be on the
new issues. Q magazine also have a YouTube page. On this you can see
their playlists on a particular genre you like. This is good as it gives
customers an insight on what may be in their magazine issues in terms of
artists.
http://www.qthemusic.com
17. Brand ideology/ethos
Bauer media own a number of successful products which perhaps connotes that they
may have attitude to succeed. This is important as one of their products is Q
magazine which is the UK’s best selling magazine. Furthermore, they also are
associated with KISS radio station. This is also one of the UK’s most popular radio
station.
The slogan of Q magazine “the UK’s best selling magazine” connotes that their ethos is
to be the most popular magazine. Furthermore they produce a magazine
appealing to all genres and therefore have a wide target audience. This allows
them to achieve their aims and objectives as it not suit to a particular type. This is
one of Bauer medias best selling products as they are also involved in radio
stations which are also successful. Furthermore this tells us that they are
determined to be popular with both magazines and radio stations. They are also
evidently passionate about their products. Their competition also drives them to
be better as a company as without them, their products may not be as good.
https://www.bauermedia.co.uk
18.
19. Purpose
• The purpose of Mojo magazine is to convey to the reader an
understanding of a specific music type/genre. Furthermore it is also to
inform and educate about the artist on a particular issue. This information
may be on upcoming tours or if the artist is realising new music within a
few months.
• It is also a magazine for everyone and therefore means they have a large
target audience in order to increase the popularity of Mojo magazine.
• I think that this magazine is there to entertain people but to also inform
and educate. This is because it will contain information about upcoming
tours and also extra information of various artists and whoever is on the
front cover depending on the issue. Furthermore I think that it will also
contain an interview which will also give customers an insight to plans or
what is currently happening in their life.
20. Meaning
• The strapline for MOJO magazine is simply ‘The Music
Magazine’. If someone was unsure what MOJO was they
could read the strapline of the magazine and will be able to
quickly identify it is a music magazine. The strapline us quite
unconventional as it isn't a short, snappy slogan but really
simple. The magazine masthead is also quite simple and easy
to read this could connote that classical music is easy to listen
to.
21. Genre
• The majority of issues brought out by Mojo magazine are one
specific genre. This genre is Classic Rock. This is important as it
connotes that perhaps Mojo magazine have a specific target
audience. This is important because as it illustrates that they
are organised and also that they know what to do in terms of
attracting new customers. Furthermore, they also have done a
few issues where the genre hasn’t been British rock. This is
good as it appeals to a wider target audience and therefore do
not have to rely on the same group of customers as they
normally do.
22. Style
• The style of Mojo magazine is always bright
and the logo is also bold either black or white
and at the top of the page. The magazine
needs to stand out to a pass along audience
when it is on the shop shelves. This is
important as the first page creates an
impression for the customers and therefore
need to be bright and the main image also
needs to be big containing ‘star appeal’
(Richard Dyer 1980). The style of the
magazine is conventional with the masthead
and the cover lines going down the left and
right hand side however is not as simple as
other magazines such as Q which has a
simple form and style.
23. Main image
The main image denotes ‘star appeal’ (Star Appeal 1980). Unconventionally the main image is in
front of the masthead denoting that in this issue the masthead is more important. The main
image is surrounded by cover lines down the left and right hand side.
Strapline
The strapline “Dylan blasts
back” firstly connotes that
there is breaking news in
the music industry. This is
important because
customers may be eager to
get to find out new
information. Furthermore
this could also covey that
an artist is coming back to
the music industry.
Furthermore, the colour of
the font may also illustrate
that there is intent within
this and that it could be
more interesting than
other issues or other
magazines.
Barcode, price, date and web address.
This contains information about the website
of Mojo magazine. This is good as on the
website it contains much more information
on things such as upcoming issues and tours.
Masthead
As you can see the masthead is
one word, this illustrates how
simple this magazine is whilst
being a great selling magazine.
Furthermore the large font could
also connote quality within the
magazine. The bold white colour
may denote it being simple but
very good or could relate to the
genre of music this magazine
offers which is predominantly
Classic Rock.
Cover lines
The fact that the artists name is
bigger than some of the other font
connotes importance within this
issue which is perhaps related.
Furthermore this may interest some
people as they may like this artist.
The colour of the font also insinuates
determination or anger which may
be in the interview with the artist.
24. Target audience
Firstly, Mojo magazine has a quite a specific target audience due to their issues which have come
out.
Hartley
I think the age range of this magazine would be between 35-50. This is because of the genre of
the magazine is Classic Rock. The majority of Classic Rock artist are between this age range and
have been around for a while. Furthermore there are not many teenagers who think this and
therefore I think my age rang is correct as parents would have been teenagers when they were
first introduced.
Maslow
The target audience would be ‘survivors’ as they would like the security and routine of knowing
that the magazine will be produced with some ‘repetition’ and ‘difference’ (Maslow) to continue
to entertain the audience. Furthermore, the audience may be social climbers as they might think
that reading a successful magazine with star appeal my boost their position in society.
Katz’
The audience will be ‘informed and educated’ on music artists and the music industry by reading
the magazine. Furthermore, the audience may be able to build a personal relationship with the
artist by reading their interview which they may discuss their personal life and the reader will be
able to relate.
25. Website annotations
Layout
the overall layout of this
website is good. This is
because at the top it has
clear links to social media
and to subscribe which
provide further information
and early releases on each
issue. Furthermore it also
ahs the latest issue of Mojo.
This is good as it may be
something a regular
customer hasn’t realized
and therefore will want to
buy this issue.
Links
These website links take to various interviews which they have done and also
takes you to their social media accounts. This is good as it gives the customers
and people who are interested more information about perhaps new issues.
Furthermore this is important a customers may want to keep up to date.
Similarities and differences
between real copy
Firstly, the differences between
this and a real copy is that the
website has much more
information. This is because it has
links to other websites and their
social media. This is important as
it provides extra information
which you would not get in a real
copy of the magazine.
Furthermore the similarities of
the actual magazine and the
website is that they both have the
latest issue of the magazine
however the website only
advertises it. This would mean
that you would have to buy the
full copy
Playlists
The website also has playlists on the right side. This is good as it gives
their customers an option for entertainment. This is good as it may
interest them in also buying the magazine if they do like the music.
This is important as Q magazine has no specific genre so it could
appeal to most people and classes.
26. Double page spread
Page number web address
The page numberweb address is important because this provides information about how
to get onto their website and also tells the reader what page they are on in the magazine.
This is important because the website may contain certain news or updates that the
magazine doesn’t provide. Furthermore, this will also have links to social media such as
twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
Pull quote
The pull quote is
important because it
gives a small look ant
he interview.
Furthermore, they
normally take quite a
dramatic sentence to
draw a customer in.
the impact of this is
that they may be
interested and
therefore buy the
magazine. In this case
the pull quote is
different colours on
different lines. This
could connote anger
within the interview.
Drop Capital
The first letter of a magazine is always big and bold, this is called the drop
capital. This is to firstly illustrate the artist and to grab the readers
attention. Mojo magazine also do this with every issue which also
connotes that it is a successful technique.
Differentiated Q&A
The differentiated Q&A
firstly helps the reader
understand which one is
the question and which
one is the answer.
Furthermore, this is also
good as there is a Q&A in
every issue and it is
about the artist on the
front cover. This is
important because if
someone is a fan of the
artist then they may buy
it because of them or
perhaps because of some
of the other information.
27. Technological convergence
• Mojo magazine publish their magazine so it is available in stores and they
also have a website. This contains various information like the magazine
however the website also has links to social media in which gives you
frequent updates. However, the magazine also contains the website
information within it. Mojo magazine are in synergy with Facebook. They
post frequently about upcoming issues and leave hints to who may be on
the new issues. Mojo magazine also have a YouTube page. On this you can
see their playlists on a particular genre you like. This is good as it gives
customers an insight on what may be in their magazine issues in terms of
artists.
http://www.mojo4music.com
29. Production process Guide
Date of publication:
The first thing to do is to set up a date of publication. The date of publication is simply the date that you want the
magazine to be released as a finished product to the general public. Once this date has been established, you are now
operating with a schedule. A schedule is your plan on how you are going to go about the production process and
when each of the process will occur.
Managing the schedule:
This is an extremely important step that you should not take for granted when it comes to the production of a magazine. If you want your magazine
to be produced successfully then you must properly manage the schedule. Your schedule should be made in such a way that there are provisions for
certain mishaps so that even when these mishaps occur, you can always meet the deadline. This is the reason why a proper management of the
schedule is very vital.
Editorial and budgetary decision:
The next step that is taken during the production process of a magazine is the editorial decision. The editorial decisions involve the
magazine’s editorial team assembling and deciding what topics will be covered in the next issue of the magazine. Here, the editorial
team basically talks about the various contents that will make up the magazine. After deciding which types of article ideas or topics,
news stories, illustrations and photographs will be used in the magazine, the team now makes the budgetary decisions. Here, they
look at the money that is available to them and how it will be spent towards the production of the magazine. Having done this, it is
now time to move on to the next stage.
Content Acquisition:
The content acquisition process is arguably the most important step because without content we simply cannot have the
magazine in the first place. Content therefore is king. There are two major ways that content can be gathered for a magazine.
The first is through in-house staff writers and the second way is through external writers that are commissioned to write on
topics that are specialist in nature. It is at this stage that artwork and graphics are also worked on. The artwork is defined as
illustrations and pictures that are going to be placed in the magazine. Graphics are the pictures or images that are designed
with a computer program.
30. Production process continued
Sub-editing:
• Checking of the accuracy of all facts in the articles
• Making sure that words are properly spelled
• Making sure that grammar and punctuation are used correctly
• Making sure that all articles follow the house-style
• Working on the page layout
Page Layout:
In big publications, there is a special team responsible for page layouts called the layout
staff. Their job is to typeset and layout the various pages that come together to make
the magazine. In performing this task, they use very powerful Desktop Publishing (DTP)
programs such as InDesign or Pagemaker to get the job done. It is at this stage that
adverts from advertisers are placed into the content.
LINK: http://hosbeg.com/the-magazine-production-process/
31. Synergy
• Mojo magazine use various social media accounts such as Facebook, Twitter
and YouTube. This is important because all of these are further ways of
promoting their magazine. Furthermore, on Facebook they give updates on
who may be on the next issue and information on a number of artists. This
may include upcoming tours or perhaps new albums. This is important
because people may buy tickets and their magazine in the future.
• You can also subscribe to Mojo magazine. This is good as it supplies the
subscribed with early magazine and extra information about music playlists
and upcoming issues.
Social
media
http://www.mojo4music.c
om
32. Market position
• Mojo magazine is one of the best selling rock
magazines in the UK. It is also produced by Bauer
media who are the market leader in terms of the
magazines they own. Furthermore, it also states on
Bauer medias website that Mojo is the UK’s largest
music magazine. Mojo has a circulation figure of
70,667.
http://www.bauermedia.co.uk/brands/mojo