Sunday, 23 December 2012

Company Magazine Analysis

I have decided to analyse front cover, contents page and double page spreads for the same magazine, as then I will be able to see how house-style is continued throughout a magazine and how the cover and the content draws in the selected target audience. Company magazine claims it is 'for your freedom years' which suggests it is for women aged between 18 and 25 who are just starting out in their careers and haven't yet settled down into their future adult lives; marriage, children ect. 
This cover really sums up the content of the magazine, it lists the best features inside the magazine and probably the ones that will best attract their reader. Such as 'obsessed with hair' with bullet points underneath expanding on what will be found within the feature. The cover star, Jade Thompson, had just won BINTM, a show heavily supported by the magazine throughout its showing as Company's editor worked closely with the show and probably watched by the reader, this means they would be interested in her feature. Especially as Company were the first magazine to get a photo shoot and interview with the model.

I could not get a good picture of a Company magazine contents page, however I had analysed one from my own copy of company. This was a more recent version of company so the house style was slightly different as the magazine was re-launched at the start of 2012. The contents were spread over two pages, the first had a background featuring a model and Rizzle Kicks from a photo shoot used within a fashion feature in the magazine. Along the right-hand side is a pink box listing the contents. On the next page the contents list is continued, along with photograph with page numbers in them, referencing them to different articles listed on the page. This is good as when deciding whether or not a magazine is worth buying the potential buyer might flick through and look at the contents page, a picture supposedly speaks a thousand words and when in a rush you are more likely to take notice of pictures.


This is a Company double-page spread. Most of the space is take up by the picture, but this is along with the caption 'attitude? what attitude?' looks really good and gives the feature character and oomph. There is a column of writing introducing the interview which carries onto the next page. The picture has obviously been taken for the purpose of the article rather than just snapped by the paparazzi outside a club or while the celeb is doing their own day to day activities. This shows the star is in favour of the magazine, even though she was paid to be their, it gives the magazine a edge and encourages the reader to be a part of their readership.

targeting a audience

My style model is Grazia magazine which is aimed at middle-class women, aged 25-44, who are interested in fashion and celebrities. This audience is targeted in many ways, firstly by the content; celebrity gossip, current fashion, beauty tips and real-life stories. However there is more to it than that. Celebrity gossip is very specifically chosen, the magazine features stories about Victoria Beckham, Brangelina, Kate Moss, Kate Middleton... A list celebs the readers aspire to be like. You wouldn't see the likes of Kerry Katona or Snooki or the cover, as they just don't fit the classy, successful demographic posed by Grazia to the reader. Fashion pages won't be filled with primark and George @ Asda clothing, brands that frequently pop up are ASOS, Topshop, Whistles and Kurt Geiger. These names fit with the target audiences bank balance and give off a classier look than Primark. Similarly with beauty pages, you are more likely to see MAC cosmetics, Max Factor and Clarins than 17, Collection 2000 or Boots Own Skincare range. Competitions within the magazine offer bundles featuring accessories from the likes of Louboutin, Chanel and Stella McCartney which will appeal to the target audience as it's the kind of brand they would like to be seen with however it may be a stretch on their budget.

Another way the audience is targeted is by the new technologies used, such as the GRAZIADAILY.CO.UK site, that is updated everyday with the same kind of 'news' stories featured within the magazine. It also gives a sense of belonging to the readership if they are able to check a site everyday. Having a website also appeal specifically to their demographic as typically many of them will have very busy lifestyle, with new technologies readers will be able to quickly browse the site at work or get it their smartphones whilst on the go.

research

I have until 8th Jan to complete my research and planning. The research I have decided it will be necessary to complete are as follows;

  • Audience demographics, I will look at style models and how they target their preferred audience so their magazine appeals to them and they will buy it.
  • Front covers
  • Contents pages
  • Double-page spread
I will research the features of a magazine cover, contents page and double-page spread on existing style-models and how they could be effectively used for my own work.