analysing nme music magazine
TRANSCRIPT
Analysis of magazine front coversCover 1.NME Sept 2009
Dizzee Rascal Edition
FRONT COVER ANALYSISTHE MASTHEADThe bold masthead in the top left is important because it helps with brand recognition and its position means it will be easily seen on the shelf making it more seen. On top of this, the bold colours will catch the audiences eye drawing them in to buying.
THE HEADERShows a big feature of the issue because people read from top to bottom so will see this straight away and it could be an USP of it
THE SELL LINES/COVER LINESThese mention other key parts of the issue and help sell the magazine because if they are not interesting potential customers may not buy the magazine
THE MAIN IMAGEThis suggests that Dizzee Rascal is a fun person because is pose is very different and unique. The large image could also mean that people see him before the words and if they like him they’ll buy the magazine
THE MAIN COVER LINE Tells you who the main featured artist is which could be a selling point Barcode-
date/issue/priceA part of all magazines so that customers know the price and can buy the magazine
THE FOOTERHighlights other artist featured which could draw in other types of people if they like the band/musician
USE OF A PULL QUOTEGives an idea of what the cover star is like as a person and by having “man” at the end it makes it informal which would make it appeal to a wider audience as most of them would not speak in formal english
BACKGROUNDThe urban background fits in with the cover star as rap is seen as very much urban music
USE OF A FLASH-(offering something extra to T.A)This helps to highlight a news feature that a different audience may be interested in due to the band
TARGET AUDIENCE OF THIS MAGAZINE
METHODS USED TO ATTRACT THIS TARGET AUDIENCE ARE:Informal language is key because the target audience is fairly young meaning that informal language will be seen as more attractive and readable to them.
Bold text and bright colours are used to make the magazine stand out and be eye catching on the shelf which could help draw in a new audience for buying it. These will catch young peoples attention because this is what they focus on but older people will focus on the layout.
Target audience I believe the target audience is mostly males which is shown by the stats; Men 66%, with an average age of 23.
Also I think that they are interested in different genres of music as rap stars such as Dizzee Rascal are featured but also rock bands like Paramore and music that is in the charts during the time of the specific edition
Further more I think that they are not necessarily that well off because the magazine is cheap ( £2.20) so it can be bought by most. Which fits in with the target audience of students as they will be on a tight budget.
STRETCH AND CHALLENGEACTIVITY-
USE THE HYPERLINK FOR DIRECT ACCESS TO NME
http://www.nme.com/magazineThe editor of NME is Conor Mcnicholas and it is published weekly by IPC media.
Circulation: 23,924 Readership: 289,000
The New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a popular music magazine in the United Kingdom which has been published weekly since March 1952. It was the first British paper to include a singles chart which first appeared in the 14 November 1952 edition. The magazine's commercial heyday was during the 1970s when it became the best-selling British music magazine. During the period 1972 to 1976 it was particularly associated with Gonzo journalism, then became closely associated with Punk rock through the writing of Tony Parsons and Julie Burchill.
NME target their audience by understanding they are keen with mobiles and therefore having their own app, chances to get involved with the magazine by forums etc.Products they offer:Music, fashion, gadgets and more.
The masthead “VIBE” is very large and bright which would help catch the target audiences eye and encourage them to buy the magazine.
The header highlights a feature in the magazine and because its at the top people will read it first. This may sell them the magazine if it is an interesting point. Furthermore, it talks about the making of a film called ‘Notorious’ and it says ‘B.I.G. secrets’, this is important because it is a hip hop magazine and Notorious B.I.G. is a very famous rapper.
The first selling like tells the audience who the cover star of the issue is and in this case it is Kanye West, his pose is stereotypical of the rap genre in the fact is does not look bothered and is very relaxed. If someone is interested in this star it may encourage them to buy the magazine. On top of this, The quote ‘I am rap’ suggests what kind of person he is and what his interview was like which could further bring in an audience.
On the right there are cover lines mentioning other people included in the magazine which could interest a new audience leading to a new customer base and more sales.
In the bottom left it has the issue date, and the vibe website which could encourage people to go onto and see what it is like.
In the bottom right there is a puff saying “Celebrating the best music in history” suggesting that they only feature the best music that there is which could encourage audiences to buy because they will want the best around.
Front cover analysis: VIBE
There is no barcode on this cover which is different to the usual but could be an USP of the magazine.
The colour blue is a masculine colour and pink feminine showing that the magazine is multi gender and will appeal to all of the target audience.
The masthead is bright and bold but simple which will give a familiarity and make it stand out on a shelf. Also its positioning means people will see it first and it will stay in their memory.
The flash used is eye-catching because it is white text over a gold background, suggesting celebrations, it says it is the 300th Issue which shows the magazine has been successful.
The cover lines have the other features and the names are different to the subtext which helps to highlight the band/person featured. Furthermore it is short and concise meaning the target audience are more likely to read it.
Front cover analysis: Q
There is a barcode that has the date and issue above it so customers know what they are buying.
Adele is Doing a sensual pose that could draw in a male audience that are new to the magazine.
The main cover line indicates to the reader who t he article is about which could draw in Adele fans. Also because the writing is so big its hard not to notice and would stand out on the shelf
The line ‘Blows us away’ is in bold red writing but it also links into the main image as it shows Adele's hair being blown back by what we can presume is a fan.
A pull quote is used that suggests the idea of being attractive which further links into the main image of a sexual pose.
Underneath Q there is a selling line that suggests this magazine has the greatest music around which could bring in the target audience as they want only the best.