• Billboard is a weekly American music magazine that

maintains music charts that track the most popular songs

and albums in many different categories. One of the

oldest trade magazines in the world (founded in

1894), Billboard is internationally recognised.

Billboard Magazine Background Information

• Billboard is popular for it’s exclusive charts and therefore

focuses on reporting the latest news / trends in the music

industry.

• Consequently the main magazine features are the latest

music related stories and record sales of the week.

Magazine Focus / Features

• Billboard music magazine’s target audience is any person

interested in music as it does not focus on a specific

genre of music and therefore isn’t restricting to any

audience. Despite this, the magazine focuses on popular

and commercial music, so consequently it is more

interesting to a person who likes popular “mainstream”

chart music so generally the teenage and young adult

generations.

• The main target audience is based in the US, as Billboard

is an American music magazine, however it is accessible

to those in other countries although the popular music is

generally different in other countries i.e. the UK.

Target Audience

Billboard Music Magazine Front Cover

Use of coloursThe use of black adds to the

dramatic effect and makes

the cover look dark and

“sinful”.

The white masthead stands out from

the black background and makes the

cover appear more professional.

The use of red and yellow

adds warmth to the otherwise

black cover. The red makes it

appear exciting and also

adds to the effect of sin or

danger.

The name Beyoncé is written

in gold which makes it seem

important as it is the main

focus of the magazine. The

colour gold also implies rarity

or preciousness.

Position or Point of View

The head-on position of

Beyoncé's silhouette

makes her appear

challenging and rebellious.

This coincides with the

dramatic effect of the

colours creating a sinful or

dangerous image.

Standing in a dominant stance

in the centre of the page, which

draws the attention of the

reader.

Layout & Organisation Conventional placement of masthead

The cover doesn’t look overly busy, making

it more professional and not overloaded

with information.

Use of typography behind the

silhouette makes the cover more

artistic and giving a more classy

impression.

The fonts and typefaces used stand

out and are clearly presented, making

it clear what the magazine is about.

The layout of the contents page is similar

to that of Billboard’s website

(http://www.billboard.com/)

Contents Page

Black: The use of black is powerful

and sophisticated. It contrasts with

the other colours used on the page

and denotes authority.

White & Grey: The colours grey and

white look simple and clean, they

contrast well with the black used and

don’t detract attention away from the

pictures and information on the already

busy contents page.

Blue: Strongly associated with

trust, calmness and

sincerity. Adds brightness to the

page as mainly grey, black &

white are used otherwise.

Yellow: Contrasts well with the

black, white & grey and makes the text

stand out.

Contents Page Colour Connotations

Double Page Spread

Double Page Spread Colour Connotations