Evaluation - question 5

WWW.VIPOPMAG.CO.UK

BY GEORGIA LEAPER HAYDON SCHOOL

My Audience FEMALE 12-14 years old

HOW DID I APPEAL TO THEM??

n o i t a u l

EXC

a v E

E

IV S U L

Question 5: How did you attract/address your audience?

READ MORE

£12 £9.99

£11.99

INSIDE

NO 972013 13TH Issue DEC 2013 13th ISSUE December 102

During construction, I used a number of elements to attract my audience of young girls, aged 12-14, who are interested in the genre of pop music. Firstly, and most obviously, I ensured my front cover was eye catching and appealing, and would make my audience purchase my media product. To do this, I followed a very bright and outgoing house style of blue, grey and white. As well as denoting the pop genre, the colours have connotations of my young audience (white=innocence, baby blue=freedom). As well as this, I have linked my model to the colour scheme through MES by clothing her in a blue skirt. This would attract my audience as they may really like the artist photographed and therefore by seeing her wearing my magazine’s colours they would want to be like her (following the Uses and Gratifications theory of personal identity) and buy/support my magazine as well.

I know my model would appeal to my audience as I have created a typical representation of my model in the pop genre. This is seen as she appears to have a “girl next door” image, and is presented as very smiley and down to earth. This again is furthered through MES

as I have clothed her in simple white converses, which are an inexpensive brand of trainers which many of my audience may already own. Again, this follows the Uses and Gratifications theory of personal identity as the audience would be able to relate to my artist and practice her values on their own lives.

By using direct address, my

model is presented as submissive as she is conforming to the Male Gaze. This is a theory from Laura Mulvey, who believes media products are seen through a male perspective in the camera lens. By following the theory, it is

suggested that my model is happy to go with the flow and is not trying to rebel from the hegemonic norm. This is complimented through her stereotypical “girlie” appearance of long, almost princess like hair, and pink, flowery top. Furthermore, this would appeal to my target demographic of mainstreamers as they would feel confident reading my media product as it does not push them outside of their comfort zone by portraying edgy or contemporary styles.

However, the audience are aware of my model’s celebrity status as a typography for her is used throughout my magazine. This is seen as very swirly, and again stereotypically girlie, writing which has connotations of femininity.

It could also be suggested that “Cherish” has personally signed the magazine herself or put her own stamp on the magazine. This would appeal to my audience who could use my magazine to gain information (uses and gratifications theory) and learn about Cherish and her new famous lifestyle.

From my questionnaire discovered that many young people in my audience range used social networking, particularly Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Considering this, I ensured I promoted my magazine’s profiles as part a new media method, which will allow my audience to be updated and access new information 24/7. As well as this, it is a great way for my audience to share their thoughts and opinions on pop artists with others who also read my magazine. This would appeal to my audience as they may read my magazine to improved personal relationships (following the uses and gratifications theory).

block of text, and therefore would appeal to my audience. As well as this, I have used jargon specific to my audience such as “OMG”, “tenner” and “’Enders”, which creates more of an informal and laid back tone, as well as making the text sound more conversational and less of a task to read. This would appeal to my audience who may read my media product as a form of escapism from homework or school work, and therefore the easy-to-read text would help them to relax.

When constructing my magazine I was constantly considering my audience. As I have tried to appeal to a younger audience I decided my magazine should not be too wordy and therefore have tried to break down the text by using two box out texts and a number of pull quotes and images. Because of this, there looks like less writing on the page as opposed to a

I have also included pull quotes from the article, including the very shocking quote “the thought of losing my baby sister petrified me”. As the pull quote is talking about death, the audience’s attention is immediately drawn towards the quote, and makes them want to read the article and find out what she is talking about, therefore generating interest towards my article/magazine.

“As the pull quote is talking about death, the audience’s attention is immediately drawn towards the quote”

WHAT I USED TO APPEAL TO MY AUDIENCE: ON THE FRONT COVER: - Bright/attractive house style - Range of topics/sell lines which would interest my auidience - Well-known names of pop artists - A range of typographies to look more attractive - A typical pop genre representation for my model INSIDE MY MAGAZINE: - Use of social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - Gripping pull quotes - Use of box out texts to break down the amount of text on the page - Specific wording which my auidence will understand/connect with. e.g. “OMG”.