Evaluation

In what ways does your media product use, develop of challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

When first researching the music magazine genre I found that there were many magazines that were genre specific, and largely targeted at a specific audience. Therefore I decided to challenge this convention when creating my final product, in creating a magazine that would cater for a variety of tastes, music and audience expectations. 

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

My product represents the social group of teenagers + ranging from 17-24 years. There is no set gender of whom my product is targeting as, as part of my unique selling point I aimed to create a music magazine that was suitable for a range of different readers.

What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

After completing my industry research I have decided that to distribute my product i would use a media institution such as Bauer Media. As it is an extremely successful institution and publishes a wide range of magazines, many similar to that of the product I have created. Bauer Media also consists of radio, TV, online and digital businesses which would then create more entertainment for my target audience that they could associate with my magazine, therefore expanding the audience.

How did you attract/address your audience?

I addressed my audience firstly by creating a questionnaire to allow me to gain an insight into what my target audience were interested/looking for in a highly satisfying music magazine. I then showed a focus group a rough flat plan of what my final product was going to look like, to see if they had any recommendations as to what I should amend/add to the front cover.

Looking back at you preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

When looking back at my preliminary task of a Sixth Form magazine, I feel that my photography skills/images I have chosen to use in my Music Magazine are of a lot higher standard and appear more professional in general. I feel this has improved due to more experimentation through lighting and editing of the photographs. I have also developed my presentation skills, again creating a more professional looking product.

Final Product

Subcultures

Subcultures are meaning systems, modes of expression or lifestyles developed by groups in subordinate structural positions in response to dominant meaning systems. There are many Subcultures in our society, and they form through recognition of similar interests, music, rituals and fashion which are different from the mainstream culture. Subcultures have expanded their ways of interaction onto the Internet since the Internet became a useful tool for communication. Through blogs, members in subcultures can easily find other members and interact with each other within the blog community. Other features that act as social elements in subcultures include the same tastes in music, use of colours, and their display names or icons that show their characters of being a part of the culture. For members to communicate effectively with other members in the blog community, their choice of music, fashion and interests are limited to those that are acceptable in the subculture.

Fanzines

A fanzine is a nonprofessional publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon for the pleasure of others who share their interest. Typically, publishes, editors and contributors to fanzines receive no financial compensation. Fanzines are traditionally circulated free of charge, or for a nominal cost to defray postage or production expenses.

By the mid 1960s, several fans of active science fiction and comics recognized a shared interest in rock music, and the rock fanzine was born. Paul Williams and Greg Shaw were two such fans turned rock zine editors. Williams 'Crawdaddy' and Shaw's two California-based zines, 'Mojo Navigator' and 'Who put the bomp?' are among the most important early rock fanzines.

The punk subculture in the UK spearheaded a surge of interest in fanzines as a countercultural alternative to established print media. The first and perhaps still best know UK 'punk zine' was 'Sniffin Glue', produced by Deptford punk fan Mark Perry. 'Sniffing Glue' ran for 12 photocopied issues.

In the UK, there were also fanzine that covered the local music scene in a particular town or city. Mainly prevalent in the 70s and 80s, all music styles were covered, whether the bands were playing rock, punk, metal, futurist, ska or dance. Featured were local gig reviews and articles that were below the radar of the mainstream music press. They were produced using the technology of the time, ie typewriter and letraset. Examples included 'Bombsite Fanzine' and 'City Fun'.

I have found that the diverse content of fanzines is one of the most striking features. There is a perception that fanzines deal with one particular band or personality, however the majority of fanzines are exactly the opposite of this. In fact, the majority of music fanzines do not even limit themselves to just covering a variety of music. Fanzines also commonly include articles on films, books, short stories and pieces on the zine producer's life. Art and drawings are also commonly an important part of many fanzines.

Reader Profile/Mood Board

For my music magazine task I intend to create a magazine aimed at both males and females. As a feel there is a gap in the market for music  magazines aimed at both genders. As the majority after doing my research I found are aimed at males for example NME. Therefore I feel this would be the unique selling point of my product. My target audience would vary between the ages of 16-24 years.

After carrying out my research I have found what my target audience are interested in and what I need to cater for in my music magazine. I found that the audience would rather a product based on a whole variety of genres of music rather than just the one. Therefore I aim to include this aspect when creating my product so that it caters for a wide audience. 

My ideal reader is interested in a wide range of genres of music and enjoys typical teenage activities as shown in the mood board opposite. Readers are particularly interested in the well known music festivals for example V Festival and Glastonbury. I am to feature this in my product, by promoting the festivals and giving the readers priority passes to get tickets for these big music events. My branch audience are interested in new music, and particularly newcomers to the charts(like featured in NME). Therefore I have also decided to feature new-comer artists on the front page of my product as this is one of the key features of my new music magazine. I also aim to include free CD's of new music that may not have reached the charts yet, or even unsigned bands. 

Questionnaire Results

After carrying out part of my research via a questionnaire, I was able to come to some general conclusions what will help me in carrying out the task of completing my final music magazine product. I collated the results so that I could use the feedback wisely making sure I take it on board when creating my product so that it caters for my audiences needs, therefore making it successful.

One of the results I found was that over 90% of the participants that carried out the questionnaire stated that they would prefer a magazine that was not based solely on one genre of music. This was what I was planning to achieve before carrying out my research, so I was particularly happy with the result that my audience agreed with this feature. I feel this would be a unique selling point in my product, as most music magazines in the market today are based solely on one genre of music. 

Another key question I asked the participants was what other music magazines they currently read, 85% stated that they read NME and Q magazine. Therefore I have decided to do further research into these particular magazines, so that I can clarify what my audience find appealing in these particular music magazines, and then create similarities in my final product. 

When asking my audience what they find is most important as a consumer I came to some general conclusions that what they find most important is the layout/design of the magazine, as after all the front cover is what attracts them to buying the magazine. However some also stated that the general content would also have to be appealing otherwise it may stop them from buying the magazine again. Therefore I concluded that I needed to focus mainly on the front cover and what image it is portraying to the audience, making sure it is an appealing one. Whilst at the same time concentration on creating entertaining content in each issue, so that the audience continue to buy further issues. 

I was disappointed with the results I got from suggestions for a title of the product. As I did not receive very much feedback. Which lead me to come to an assumption that as most of the participants stated they read magazines like Q and NME, I should choose a title that would fit in with this style of magazine. 

Also from my feedback I found that 100% of the participants stated they would rather one single image on the front cover of the magazine rather than a selection, due to the fact they stated it is more eye-catching with one bold, strong image. Rather than a mixture of smaller images. I will take this into consideration when laying out the design of my final product.

I also found that the audience would prefer more slang type language rather than formal, as they can relate to it due to the fact they use it in every day life. Rather than a more formal approach in terms of interviews etc. I also found that the audience would prefer just music content inside the magazine, rather than including sport and news etc. The feedback received also supports the idea that the readers would like the chance to interact more with the magazine, therefore having the chance to take part in competitions/input towards the magazine - for example perhaps a website they can submit ideas on to.

To conclude my collated results from this part of my research, I found that I received a large amount of useful feedback which will help/inspire me when creating my final product. I received lots of pointers as to what appeals to my particular target audience, therefore helping me to create a successful product.

Questionnaire

1) Would you read a music magazine based solely on one particular genre of music?

The reason I chose to ask this particular question was to see if my idea of creating a magazine to cater for a variety of different music genres would be successful, or whether my target audience would prefer a set genre music magazine.

2) What ( if any ) music magazines do you read on a weekly/monthly basis?

I put this question together to see what types of music magazines my target audience find appealing, so that I can then research them and find pointers as to what to content to include and what style of layout they find appealing. 

3)What is most important to you as a consumer?

I asked this question in my audience questionnaire, so that I can put together some ideas as to what my target audience look for when buying a product that appeals to them most. This will then allow me to include appropriate content which will appeal to them as a consumer, and make my product successful. 

4) Do you have any suggestions to the title of the magazine?

I asked my components this question to allow them to have an input into creating this new music magazine product. Also to allow me to gain an idea as to what type of titles they find appealing and appropriate for this product.

5) What features attract you as a consumer to a product?

I chose this question as again it gives me an insight as to what my target audience find appealing in a product and therefore will help me to determine that I cater for the audiences needs when I am producing the final product. It will also give me a target to aim for by hopefully completing what my audience have asked for when analyzing  my final result. 

6) Would you prefer the main image featured on the front cover of the magazine to be a single, or a selection of images?

This question I felt was crucial to ask as it would determine what style of layout/design I would be using. I would then be able to come to some general conclusions from the feedback I have received and then make a final decision on the layout I should be using, in regards to what my demographic find most important in the layout of the magazine. 

7) In terms of a music magazine do you feel more 'slang' type language is more relatable for you as a reader, or a more formal approach?

This question I asked in relation as to what type of language I should address the readers with, in terms of the content inside the magazine. For example when writing interviews and reviews etc. Also in terms of the front cover of the magazine, whether slang type words of formal words would attract my target audience. 

8) What do you feel is a suitable price for a new released music magazine?

I asked this question to help me determine a price to make the magazine, so that I knew what price range my target audience would be willing to pay for the product.

9) Would you like the chance to participate in competitions, music quiz's etc. inside the magazine?

I asked this question to help me with the general content of the magazine, so that I could decide whether my audience would find the change to interact with the magazine appealing. For example use of competitions, write-ins etc. Or if they would be satisfied without these features. 

10) Would you prefer more of a variety of content in the magazine other than just music?

This question was also related to the general content of my magazine, in helping me determine what features I should include in my magazine. Whether the audience would be more satisfied with a strictly music based content inside the magazine. Or whether they would find a mixture more appealing for example including: News, Film etc.

Industry Research - Bauer Media Group

As part of my research I have decided to look in more detail at the music industry and the companies behind the music magazine genre. To allow myself to gain more of an insight of the music industry itself.

"Our business is built on influential media brands with millions of personal relationships with engaged readers and listeners. Our strategy is to connect audiences with excellent content through out broad multi-touch point branch platforms, where and whenever and however they want. Our wide portfolio of influential brands gives us advantages over pure play magazine or radio competitors."

Bauer Media is a division of the Bauer Publishing Group, Europe's largest privately owned publishing Group. The Bauer Publishing Group is a worldwide media empire offering over 230 magazines in 15 countries, as well as online, TV and radio stations. 

Bauer Media joined the Bauer Publishing Group in January 2008 following acquisition of Emap plc's consumer and specialist magazines, radio, TV, online and digital businesses. Collectively, the Bauer Publishing Group employs some 6,400 people and has a 2007 turnover of 1.79 billion Euros.Bauer Media is a multi-platform UK-based media Group consisting of many companies collected around two main divisions - Magazines and Radio - widely recognised and rewared as being industry innovators.

The company's radio business started in 1990 with the acquisition of London dance station Kiss FM, followed by the acquisition of Radio City and later by TWC and Metro Group. Then came the acquisition of Melody FM which was transformed into todays market-leading Magic FM. In 1994, the company bought a small magazine called For Him Magazine which is now the core of the best-selling international multi-platform brand FHM. In 1996, the company then acquired digital music TV channel The Box, as a route into the small screen business, which has grown into Box Television, a seven channel joint venture TV business with Channel 4. Continuing the growth of its magazine launches the company then launched Closer in 2002 and Britain's first weekly glossy, Grazia, was launched in 2005.

Today, Bauer Media spans over 80 influential brand names covering a diverse range of interests. Bauer Media is a sister company of H Bauer UK, publisher of the UK's biggest TV listings, Take a Break and Bella. With the the new addition of previous Emap Consumer Media titles, Bauer is now the largest consumer magazine publishing company in the UK. Playing a dominant role in the magazine markets for Women's weeklies, Women's lifestyle, Women's Interest, Tv Listings, Puzzles, Men's Lifestyle, Music & Film.

Magazine Case Study: NME

The 'New Music Express' (more known as 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 14th November 1952 edition. In the 1970's NME became the best selling British music magazine. The paper's first issue was published on 7th March 1952 after the 'Musical Express' and 'Accordion Weekly' was bought by London music promoter Maurice Kinn, and relaunched as the 'New Musical Express'. It was initially published in a non-glossy tabloid format on standard newsprint. NME features agenda-setting news, the UK's most comprehensive gig guide, definitive reviews of the week's hottest gigs, tracks and albums, and fiery comment from the nation's most opinionated writers, it's the essential guide to the week in music. NME comes out every Wednesday, is priced £2.20 and is available in all news-agents. 

From the issue of March 21, 1998 onwards, the paper has no longer been printed on newsprint, and more recently it has shifted to tabloid size: it has full, glossy, colour covers and has developed into more of a magazine format closer to the weekly teen-pop magazines it may be seen to have more in common with.

Launched in 1996, the award-winning NME.com has grown to become Europe's most successful music website, with 16 million page impressions each month and 1.6 million unique users from across the globe. Famous for its ground-breaking music news, breadth of reviews and in-depth features, NME.com is the digital archive of the NME with over 15,000 news stories, reviews and features in its database.

NME is published by IPC Media. IPC Media is a leading UK consumer magazine publisher and digital publisher, with a large portfolio selling over 350 million copies each year. Almost two in every three UK women and over 45% of UK men read an IPC magazine. Almost 27 million UK adults. IPC was formed as International Publishing Company in 1963 from the rationalization of the holdings of three companies; George Newnes, Odhams Press and Fleetway Publications.  IPC Media groups titles under fives magazine divisions: Connect (Women's weeklies such as Now Magazine), Insprire (leisure and specialist), Ignite! (men's lifestyle and entertainment), SouthBank ( women's lifestyle and home interest) and TX (portfolio of television titles). In addition, there is Marketforce, the UK's leading magazine distribution business.

NME's reader profile is predominantly male with a 65% male audience, at an average age of 23. The target reader is described as an 'active music purchaser, particularly single tracks' and is also a 'music completist, must have live versions and B sides'. Therefore  suggesting that the 'enthusiast' label is applicable to the NME purchaser, in keeping with the historical image as a 'serious' music publication. According to market research the NME reader regularly downloads music, whilst also purchasing from high street music retailers. An enthusiasm for live gigs is highlighted in the profile, again dictating the editorial coverage of gig reviews, tour dates etc. This however is also apparent in NME's own presence at renowned festivals like Reading and Glastonbury ( with their own stage) and NME sponsored tours and events across the country. 

The cover of the magazine as shown above consists of a main image accompanied sometimes by smaller photos an and array of content headings. Featured artists and articles illustrate the publication's approach to music and references to gigs, festival and related competitions are designed to appeal to the specific target audience of the magazine. On some occasions free posters and CD's are given out in particular issues. This is an effective promotional device that introduces the reader to new music, rare and live tracks and often offer a combination of current and also sometimes older tracks. All of which have an outcome of reinforcing the profile of a reader interested in developing their enthusiasm for new music. 

The image used on this particular issue shown above is of a new band that has recently released tracks in the UK. The facial expressions shown on the faces of the artists are extremely serious, and each individual has direct eye contact with the camera which adds effect to the negative glare they appear to be giving off. This particular shot I feel was staged due to the fact that the magazine is advertising a negative article with the band. This is suggested by the negative quote shown just below the image "People think we're on the gravy train?Give a f***!"By showing a new band on the front cover of the issue suggest to us that they are trying to attract the target audience to listening, buying and downloading new music in particular. This is also made clear by the idea that the title of the magazine NME stands for 'New Music Express'. The use of colour is contrasted through the background of the magazine, as the background colour chosen is black, in contrast with the bright coloured fonts that have been used to create an eye catching effect. NME continually uses red and white as font colours, creating a ongoing feature of the magazine. Therefore allowing you to instantly recognize those particular colours as an NME colour scheme. Use of slang and sometimes expletives are shown throughout the pages, and genre-specific terminology like 'emo' speaks directly to a familiar teen/20-something music fan.

The NME is associated with less mainstream pop music. It is created for the music enthusiast who listens to contemporary music, attends gigs and festivals and wishes to keep up-to-date with established bands and new artists.  Profiles and reviews of singles available to buy on CD or downloaded off the net reflect  a youth market who consume new material in different formats. The reader profile also suggest that 91% attend gigs on a regular basis and that is reflected in a weekly gig diary and substantial advertising of tour dates. The NME is attractive also to music fans who are musicians themselves with Free Ads full of artists of the future.