Task 1a - Analysis of magazine front covers, contents and double page spreads.

Cover 1. -

NME Sept 2009 Dizzee Rascal Edition

Use of a flash – offers something to the reader

Masthead

Use a graffiti based background which reflects the artist

Pull Quote

Barcode, date and price.

Using house style colours to draw in their customer base

In the footer there are all the names of artists in the magazine, this can help entice readers.

Main image is a medium long shot, as you can see his whole body but only because he is bent down.

Use of costume that the artists is wearing also helps to draw in the reader, he is wearing a vest, gold chain and jeans typical of the genre he sings in.

Main coverline is in middle of the page, this shows the reader what the magazine is about in this issue

Has all the ‘starring’ artists in the magazine this will allow the reader to decide if they want to read about those particular artists

Has a ‘special’ 16 page tour article, this could bring in new consumers

Target audience-NME’s reader is of a teenage age between 16-19,with 72% of readers been men and 27% being female. A typical reader is

Contents masthead- uses same house style and colours as cover

Bands are listed in red with page number in black, this can help to take the reader to the bands that most interest them

Image is edited, comes from a photograph this can be relatable to the target audiences.

Byline and dropcap

This is a mini article that includes all page numbers for the different tour articles which were also advertised on the cover in a header.

Date

Subheadings are blocked out with a black background (keeps to the house style of NME)

Under each subheading there is the relating article and page numbers – easy navigation for readers

The advertisement of the subscription is on the contents, this can help to make the reader subscribe to the magazine, this is also an advert for previous editions and future editions.

Use of frame to showcase the tour special article is ironic as the tour special consists of images.

HeadlineUse of same graffiti background , to reflect the article

Byline

Dropcap

Picture creditThe person the article is on is in the image

Image reflects the story, ‘from tags to riches.’ the images are of beers and a stereo to show the contrasts.

Page numberNME titleDate

Actual text is in 4 columns, I have noticed the text wrap around the stereo image.

The article is an interview with the artist, the interview appeals to its target audience as they are talking about his life and his experiences and this will be of interest to fans.

Target audience-NME’s reader is of a teenage age between 15-25,with 72% of readers been men and 27% being female. A typical reader is one that feels music is very important in their lives and 79% of readers like to listen and follow new bands.

Of all the NME readers 34% are working full time, 18% are working part time and 26% are full time students. The social class a NME reader is B-C1, I think this because the magazine is released weekly so the audience ahs to be able to afford it, as the magazine costs £2.20.

They methods used to attract the audience are that the cover uses the house style covers used in every issue of the magazine, also the image of the artist relates to the genre of music used in magazine.

Target audience in contents – this is represented by the use of the house style colours, this will attract all of the regular buyers. The contents also has a band list contents on the left of the page this will interest all band fans as they can easily navigate through the magazine to read about the bands they want to. The image on the contents is that of a regular looking person who would maybe also buy the magazine this gives the reader someone to relate to.

Target audience in double page spread - this is represented by the use of an image that reflects the artists genre and background. The article itself is about the artists lifestyle and upbringing this will appeal to the target audience as they will probably be very interested in what he has to tell. The headline of the article is quite striking and stands out this will entice the reader if they maybe flick through the magazine in a store and may therefore buy the magazine.

Source - http://www.nme.com/mediapack/pdf/nme_media_information_full.pdf