Photoshoot for contents page

Problems facing the magazine industry

Magazines typically have a difficult task in adapting to the modern technology of the 21^st century; they face great competition from other forms of modern media such as the internet. Many people feel it is easier and cheaper to receive their ‘fix’ of information about their hobbies with their computers and tablets than to go out and buy a magazine from the shop. This would be a problem because the demand for the magazine will drop, so the revenue from sales will consequently decrease, which could lead to long-term problems, such as failure to pay bills and production costs. Another problem is that there is an issue of oligopoly, it is hard for new magazines to break out and create a fan-base due to major names dominating the market, and these include the likes of The Radio Times and New! There is little room for new names in the magazine stand. Many magazines have been forced to devote to being an ‘online magazine’ which breaks the trend, this would be an issue because the structure of the company would have to be re-designed to incorporate the fact that you cannot advertise in the same way, there’s no printing required (meaning money spent on the required technology would be wasted). Overall, I think the modernisation of media is the biggest problem as many steps must be taken to adapt to the new market for magazines which can be very difficult.

Double Page Spread Inspiration

This double page spread has inspired me because it is very effective in making an immediate impression on the reader, the male covers half the screen to emphasise how his 'cool' persona. He is shown to be a unique and interesting through his haircut, piercings and tattoos, this would make the reader want to read on to find out who this person is. I want to emulate this in my magazine to make it more appealing. I also like the layout of the text, the variation in background colour is effectively used to help the reader identify which text is a question from the producer, and which is the interviewee's answer in the Q&A format

Vexx Cover

Photoshoot 2

Contents Mock Up

Rate Card

Potential advertisers:

• Hugo Boss
• Armani
• Ralph Lauren
• Nivea men
• Lynx

Media Pack Example: Q

The media pack of a magazine shows important information to potential advertisers, this includes information about the readers such as circulation, readership, ABC1 Profile, median age and percentage male/female. The rate card shows the price of different advertisements along with what exactly you get for your money. Advertisements in magazines are often very expensive (especially with the most popular magazines)  therefore it is only fair to provide exact information.

How magazines make money

On the left is the structural triangle, it shows the shows the system of which magazines make their income. It is known as
Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

 The most popular common and popular way magazines make money is through advertising.  Different sizes and types of advertisement cost different amounts.

Most of the money earned from magazines is through advertisements, for this reason they are extremely important. Statistically, 80% of the money made is from advertisements. The remaining 20% of money comes from magazine subscriptions and sales from newsstands.

Magazines often have a loyal following who completely trust what is written, this is created as the readers believe the magazine is particularly useful in helping them enjoy their hobbies, this is done by the use of 'exclusive content', readers know they won't be able to find the information anywhere else.

The structural triangle shows the how people are motivated to do certain things by the rewards which lurk for them to capture, after we, as humans achieve one thing, we move on to the next objective. This can be shown through the triangle starting from the bottom, basic things in life which we search for, such as food and water have basic rewards, but the complexity increases moving up the triangle. This links to magazines as they must attempt to appeal to the emotions of potential readers, they can do this by offering a motive such as exclusive and important information.

Furthermore, magazine publishers must find an even balance when choosing a price for their magazines, this can be shown with a commercial media structural triangle. The fundamental idea is that as a consumer and a potential advertiser, pricing is a marking point of quality, for example a low price magazine may have a perception as being cheap and low quality, where as an upmarket, high quality magazine is priced more highly.

Results of questionnaire

Most of my target audience buy 6-12 magazines per year.
Most of my target audience attend 4-8 rock concerts per year.
Most of my target audience buy 1-4 rock albums per month.
Most of my target audience listens to 2-4 hours of music per day.
Most of my target audience own 1-3 pieces if rock music merchandise.
Most of my target audience have more than 50+ rock songs on their ipod/music player.
My target audience likes a variation of rock bands such as AC-DC, Sex Pistols and The Who.
Most of my target audience would prefer to be a drummer in a band.
Most of my target audience's favourite music genre is rock.
My target audience spending varies depending on the individual
Most of my target audience said a mid-shot would be most effective in portraying the theme of anger.
Most of my target audience liked the choice of colour and said it was effective in portraying the theme of anger.
Most of my target audience said that I should keep the composition of the cover lines the same.
Most of my target audience said my masthead is effective in creating an impact on the reader and creating a house style.

Overall, the answers to the questionnaire are similar to what I expected, they show that as it stands my cover is effective in creating the theme of anger. I will make sure the central image I use is a mid-shot in light of these comments in order to make an effective front cover which will create the values I want to emphasise.

Lifestyle Questionnaire

Lifestyle Questionnaire

1.)  How many music magazines do you buy per year?

None           1-5              6-12            13+

 

 

2.)  How many rock concerts do you attend per year?

None           1-3              4-8              9+

 

 

3.)  How many rock albums do you buy per month?

None           1-4              5-7              8+

 

 

4.)  How much music do you listen to per day? (Hours)

None           0-1              2-4              5+

 

 

5.)  How many pieces of rock music merchandise do you own?

None           1-3              4-8              9+

 

 

6.)  How many rock songs do you have on you iPod/music player?

I don’t own a music player   None           1-20            21-49          50+

 

 

7.)  Who is your favourite rock band of all time?

Led Zeppelin       AC-DC        Sex Pistols        The Who        Other (specify)

         

 

8.)  What would you pick if you could be any member of a rock band?

    Vocalist             Bassist        Guitarist       Drummer        Other (specify)

         

 

9.)  Is Rock your favourite music genre?

Yes                   No               Not Sure

 

 

10.)               How much money do you spend on fuelling your music interest?

No money     0-£10 a month     £11-£19 a month       20+ a month

 

 

11.)               Look at my music front cover, which style of cover photo do you think would be most effective in portraying the theme of anger?

Close up               Mid-shot              Medium Close up         Longshot

 

 

12.)               Do you like the choice of colour in my magazine cover? How effective is it in portraying the theme of anger?

Yes              No               Explain

 

 

13.)               What do you think of the composition of my magazine front cover? Should I reconsider the position of the cover lines?

Yes              No               Explain

 

 

14.)               Do you think my masthead is effective in creating an impact on the reader and creating a house style?

Yes              No               Explain