Conventions of a magazine cover

Prime Living

Country: U.S.A.

Language: English

Frequency: Bi-monthly

Genre: Lifestyle

Founded: 2008

Website: http://www.prime-living.com/index.htm

Conventions

• Pictures - There’s only one picture on the cover taking up most of it. The image of the Texan with his suit, cigar and drink make him appear rich and show who the magazine is being aimed at. Uses direct mode of address; looking straight at the reader sharing their luxury lifestyle with them.

• Masthead – The title of the magazine connotes a higher class, suggesting readers will only be finding out about the best things. The slogan does the same, implying that the lifestyle and magazine are high quality.

• Teasers - Give a variety of the content and tell which famous people featured. The subtitles are done in a fancy font to imply higher status again. “Only in Texas” captures intended audience by showing pride in their state.

• Colours – white, yellow and brown are used to look warm which implies a comfortable life.

Sales

Prime Living has a very specific audience: the richer residents of the greater Houston area, so they sell only 40,000 copies with a lot going to hotels and restaurants.

Now

• Country: UK

• Language: English

• Frequency: Weekly

• Genre: Celebrity, gossip, entertainment

• Founded: 1997

• Website:http://www.nowmagazine.co.uk

Conventions

• Pictures – Central image of Jennifer Aniston relies on the audience knowing she was in a relationship with Brad Pitt. Her expression is quite stern which suits the anchorage text which talks about a warning and she’s not looking at the camera, as if we’re looking in on a secret and she doesn’t know. All the images are linked by the theme of celebrities and their love lives and assume the reader knows who the people are, because they only use their first names, and that they’re interested in them.

• Masthead – The title of the magazine connotes an immediate feel, implying readers will be reading the latest news. The slogan tries to convince readers it’s doing something new. The price is quite small as if to hide it, suggesting that it’s more expensive than similar magazines.

• Teasers – Use quotes from people or buzzwords like “First Ever” to imply they have an exclusive story or opinion from someone involved.

• Colours – Pink, yellow and white are bright to catch the eye.

Sales

• In contrast to Prime Living, Now targets a much larger audienc, aiming itself at females who are interested in celebrity gossip and selling around 540,000 a week.

FourFourTwo

• Country: U.K.

• Language: English

• Frequency: Monthly

• Genre: Sport

• Founded: 1994

• Website: http://fourfourtwo.com/

Conventions• Pictures – One main image of 3 players relies on you knowing who they are if

not by face then by name, as they’re given underneath. Uses direct mode of address, staring at the reader with serious faces, sharing their determination.

• Masthead – The title of the magazine refers to a specific football formation, connoting that the makers are knowledgeable. The formation is also seen as simple and dependable, implying the same things about the magazine. The statement below uses the buzzword “special” to make it seem special, especially that particular issue. The price is kept small because it’s more expensive than other magazines at £4.50.

• Teasers – gives the reader a taster of big names who feature in the list.• Plugs – Quite vague about what they’re actually about but feature big names in

football making the reader want to find out. One word mentions could be a small story or a big interview.

• Graphic feature – Star adds interest to the cover and connote fame to go with the big names they accompany.

• Colours – black, yellow, red and white. Bright and contrasting, making it stand out.

Sales

• FourFourTwo targets a niche audience with its subject: football, and sells 111,000 copies a week. It’s the best selling football magazine, selling 5,000 more copies than second placed Match magazine.