Audience Demographics are vital when launching a new media product as it is the starting point. They need to find out the impornant elements of their target audience before launching it and trying to make it successful. The vital elements of audience demographics are: age, income, type of employment, where they live and others that are relevant in determine how to get the product to the consumer. The more they find out about their target audience the more they can base their product to suit there wants and needs which will help to determine how successful the product will be. Before creating my magazine i will conduct a questionnaire on my blog to gain insight on my target audience and their preferences therefore i can design and create my magazine aimed specifically at my target audience which will help to determine the success of my music magazine.

One influential tradition in media research is referred to as 'uses and gratifications'. This approach focuses on why people use particular media rather than on content. It assumes members of the audience are not passive but take an active role in interpreting and integrating media into their own lives. The theory also holds audiences responsible for choosing media to meet its needs. The approach suggests that people use the media to fulfill specific gratifications. This theory would then imply that the media compete against other information sources for the viewer’s gratification.

Information
finding out about relevant events and conditions in immediate surroundings, society and the world
seeking advice on practical matters or opinion and decision choices
satisfying curiosity and general interest
learning; self-education
gaining a sense of security through knowledge

Personal Identity
finding reinforcement for personal values
finding models of behaviour
identifying with valued other (in the media)
gaining insight into one's self

Integration and Social Interaction
gaining insight into circumstances of others; social empathy
identifying with others and gaining a sense of belonging
finding a basis for conversation and social interaction
having a substitute for real-life companionship
helping to carry out social roles
enabling one to connect with family, friends and society

Entertainment
escaping, or being diverted, from problems
relaxing
getting intrinsic cultural or aesthetic enjoyment
filling time
emotional release
sexual arousal

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is often portrayed in the shape of a pyramid, with the largest and lowest levels of needs at the bottom, and the need for self-actualization at the top, also the needs for people. This thoery was created by Abraham Maslow.
At the bottom of the pyrimid is the basic human needs to survive then going up is turning from needs to wants with luxuries at the top of the pyrimid.
This theory can be applied to media products as magazines would be at the top a luxury item as people do not need this to survive nor is it an essential everyday item.

Q double page spread

The main image on the double page is of the artist Shakira. The image represents an independant woman at work. The setting and environment makes her look like a normal working woman and also comfortable in that environment. Opposite to the main image is a smaller one contrasting with it as she is naked and more made up and posing for the camera rather then a natural snapshot, this indicated how she can versatility change her image from business woman to performer instantly. The image of the working woman also suggeststhat we now live in a world where females are considered strong working women. The headline 'Danger! Shakira At Work' also adds to image of an independent woman. On the other hand when we look at the text it seems to have a plain essence about it a making it seem normal for a woman, been independent. This would appeal to a female audience, however, Shakira has a sexual appeal for men, the fact she is independent would also add to this kind off appeal for men. The text has been put on a white background to make it stand out much more. The title of is 'Danger Shakira at work' the word danger suggests panic. The article starts with a drop capitals, as most do as this is a main convention of articles and double page spreads. There is a small caption under the smaller picture of Shakira, "wouldn't you know it her clothes have fallen off again", this adds a hint of humor and could portray that Shakira is not just all work she also likes to "play". The article starts with a drop capitals, as most do as this is a main convention of articles and double page spreads. The text immediately starts with information about Shakira at work in the studio. You then begin to know that the text will be about her music and particularly her new song "she wolf". This requires a small amount of prior knowledge of the singer but not a lot as the article introduces what she does and gives information. If we deconstruct the text we realise the mode of address is very informal, like the article is interacting with everyday people, and particularly teenagers and Shakira fans. The article also sells Shakira as an artist; "she wolf the album is due for a 5 October release - will contain two songs recorded in both English and Spanish", this informs the reader and even impresses them to make them want to know more about Shakira and buy her album. The article discusses Shakira's recent work but then also includes quotes from her, to add a personal touch, it is not a full interview but is made to look like one, with things such as; "I used to be a shy girl", this is on a more personal level with the readers.

Kerrang double page spread

The main image is large taking up most of the left page it is also it black and white which fits the colour scheme of the pages and also represents the band as they are a rock band. The smaller images at the bottom of the page are also black and white. The double page spread is dominated my images and there is only a small amount of text on the right side of the page. The text is white to stand out from the black background and is a contrast. There is also hints of red throughout the page. The red also works well against the black and stands out. The white text box also will catch the readers eye they will probably read this first as it stands out more then anything else so this probably has the most important information on it. The headline is at a slight angle which contrasts the page as the rest of the text and images are straight. The font looks slightly worn out wich suits the punk/rock theme of the band. In the top left corner there is a little banner saying 'world exclusive' this makes it seem unique to Kerrang so the readers will want to read it.

Lily Allen double page spread

This is a double page spread of Lily Allen from NME. It is a very simple layout so the readers foucus on the text and the picture of Lily. The title is made to look like the letters have been cut out of a newspaper as it is all in upper case and is white on black writing, some of the letters appear to look lower case but they are just all different sizes as if they have been taken from different newspapers.  This could be connotating the fact that Lily Allen is always in the newspaper and not always for positive reasons.   This title is seemed quite playful and informal.  The picture of lily allen covers the whole right hand side of the page. Her clothes match the colour scheme of the feature with her dark hair and her red checkered shirt, her checkered shirt shows masculinity and that she is more masculine than feminine. She's stood with her hands on her hips, however her wrists are pointing up to show the reader her tattoo. This shows her to be quite rebellious. She is looking directly at the reader connoting that she's strong and demanding attention.  The way that she is leaning forward towards us aswell looks like she could  be trying to tell us a secret.

Kerrang contents page

Kerrang has a simple contents page even though it is quite busy and a lot is going on in the page, it is layed out in a simple way that is easy for the audience to read. Many images have been used on the page however to make it not seem to overcrowded they have been set out in seperate boxes drawing the readers attention to each individual image. They have placed the photos in squares to make them stand out. Adding to this effect their are 8 smaller photos surrounding the larger photo in effect framing it and from this it indicates that the larger image in the main sell line. The masthead is situated the top right hand corner with black background for the text contrasting with the white plain background. Yellow text is used to make it stand out. The font styles used on the contents page are quite bold and simple, the subtitles are written in yellow and have a black background behind it to make the yellow visible and stand out to the reader. The contents is split under different sub headings which are: feedback, news, live reviews, features, K! icons, album reviews, gigs, swag and famous last words. Like many conventional magazine contents pages there is a little note from the editor. The type of language used is informal and chatty helps to relate to their target audience and reach them on a more personal level and connect with them. The editor also signs their name at the bottom as it builds up a friendship.

Vibe contents page

For my second contents page i am analysing Vibe, this is one out of three contents pages within the magazine and as it is the first i have chose to do this page as it is probably more important than the other two, as i feel they descend in importance. Another indication if this is Ciara is the main feature of the page. The masthead stands out to the reader as it is in bold white capital letters and this contrasts with the black background the title 'contents' almost uses enjambment however it has no meaning as the word contents is not broken up into syllables so this gives off a sense of confusion to back up this feeling on confusion which coincides with the different nature of the page this could be linked to the fact that Ciara, the main feature is laying upside down. This could also add to the confusion. To make the audience know that she is the main feature of the magazine and an important part of it she is wearing clothes the same colour of the background of the magazine. This could also represent her sexual, seductive image as one of the main thing that draws in our attention is her bare flesh. The position she is laying in with her legs in the air add to her sexual image and the way she is looking at the camera like a deep stare. This whole image that she has been given will attract women as she is a well know r'n'b artist that women admire and attract men as well. As i said the colour of the clothes she is wearing blends in with the background so her flesh stands out, her jewellery also fit in with the nude plain colours. Her hair contrasts with the background colour, making a shadow effect like the way the background fades from black to white almost looking like a shadow too. The position Ciara is laying in creates shadows around her body and highlighting parts of it indicating she is a sexual curvy woman. Although Ciara is the main image her legs are made to be a main feature as the light is reflected off them highlighting the lighter areas, then the contrast of the dark shadows around her legs highlighting her sillohuette. At the top of the page there is a thin white outline of the letter 'V' representing vibe the white used contrasts with the black background. Ciara's feet fit in the shape of the letter helping it to be noticed more.

NME contents page

The colour scheme of this contents page is red, white and black. In the top left hand corner is the title of the magazine bold red, with a white outline defined itself as a logo so it is easily recognised. The title is kept in the left corner same as the front cover to keep the contents page similar and keep the magazine flowing. The colour scheme is the same as the front cover and contined onto the contents page to make the magazine familiar throughout all the issues and give it its own style. The design of the magazine is quite simle howeveing including alot of information and well layed out. At the top of the page besides the title, 'THIS WEEK' is in large bold font, bigger then the title. Black on white making is stand out more to remind the audience that it is a weekly magazine putting the point across more then the typical 'contents' and also to appeal more to their target audience by using less informal language. The contents is set out under different headings such as; news, radar, reviews, live! and features, all of which is located down the right side of the page acting as a column. The main headings have a black background and white writing to make them stand out and to make it clear for the reader the different sections of the magzine at a quick glance. Down the left side of the page is a 'band index' which enables the reader to easily find a specific band or artist they are looking for in the magazine, also continuing with the colour scheme they use a red background which may connotate the 'hotness' of the bands or the power of the magazine and black writing highlighted white to make it easy to read and stand out. Down the right column there are red arrows pointing towards stories, articles and features that appeared on the front cover. If the reader was particularly interested in a story that was featured on the main page, this would help them to be able to find it more quickly and easily. In between the two colums are two images and a preview of a story that will be included in the magazine. The preview of the story is like a little taster for the audience making them wanting to read on and find out the rest as you can see from the '...' at the end of the opening of the story, also including a well known band makes the audience interested and urged to continue. Below this is an advertisment that boasts their subscription offer. It is in a black box to make it stand out from the plain white page, 'subscribe today' is in bright yellow writing, this also helps to make it stand out as it is the only yellow featured on the page and is the brightest colour, this could connate that subscribing to NME is a bright idea.

Rap-Up front cover

For my third magazine front cover analysis i chose Rap up as it is different to the other two i have analysed. Unlike Q and NME the masthead is in the centre at the top of the page. It is in bold black print which attracts the reader and furthermore tells the reader the genre of the magazine and in this case, rap. To make the title more fun and to play on words the 'U' in the title has been extended up into an arrow pointing upwards. I would say the colour theme of this magaine is quite plain mostly black, white and silver with splashes of bright colours such as pink, orange and yellow. The three girls featured on the front are Keri Hilson, Solange Knowles and Teyana Taylor. They are described as ‘The R&B chicks of the moment’ which indicated to the reader that these girls are new to the R&B industry and are currently quite well known and popular. Solange Knowles is featured on the front cover this makes the reader interested to read as it is her sister Beyonce that is normally on the cover of music magazines. To help make the girls stand out they are wearing items of bright retro clothing. All of the colours they are wearing fit in with the colour scheme as Keri Hilson in the middle is wearing black and white and just one black glove tying in with the main black and white theme. Solange Knowles is wearing one leg orange and one leg yellow fitting in with the background highlighted colour of the names of Teyana Taylor and Keri Hilson she is also wearing silver which ties in with the colour theme. Teyana Taylor is wearing black, white and silver the main colours of the front cover. Also wearing hints of pink on her top and the glove which matched the highlighted background colour of Solange Knowles name and little details on the front cover such as the arrows at the top seperating the names of the artists that will be featured in the magazine, the word 'summer' and the + sign down the bottom of the page. She is also wearing orange shoe laces. The 3 main artists as we can see match the colour scheme really well making the front cover match really well. Seeing as this is a summer edition the colours used help to give it a summery and bright feel. Although bright colours have been used on the girls, the background is black white and fading to grey/silver on the right side, this emphasises the colours used on the girls helping them to stand out and attract the readers. Although the girls have been made to look similar using the same colours but are clearly all different with their type of clothing and positioning. The layout of the front cover is different to the others i have analysed as it is kept very plain and simple. It is easy on the eyes for readers and this may appeal to some readers as it is easy to read and less busy and complicated. This very simple effect could make the magazine seem mysterious to readers and want to read the magazine as they are not informed of every detail of what will be featured in the magazine. There are a few small sell lines advertising the names of the Celebrities that will appear throughout, ‘Rick+Ross, N.E.R.D, Leona Lewis, Flo Rida’. These are written in plain font just as plain as the front cover and capital letters this could be as it makes it easy to read and thats obviously what they want to acheive or it could be to make the sell lines more important and capital letters make text stand out more. Although this magazine has sell lines telling the names of the celebrities featured in the magazine, they may not be enough to make a reader want to read on. For example other magazines usually have sell lines with either rhetorical questions, unfinished advise or sentences that can only be understood properly if the reader reads the whole article inside the magazine, they usually include '...' after the end of the sentence as a teaser making the reader feel the need to continue what they started to read.