Research Notes

To understand the different target areas of different magazines, their front covers and what is included in the magazines.

Magazines and Newspapers difference in quite a lot of ways:
- Magazines come in a wide range of sub genres
- Magazine coverage is often more detailed but with less timely information
- More likely to find features than hard news in magazines
- Newspapers cover the day to day story
- Magazines are weekly, fortnightly or monthly whilst newspapers are daily
- Newspapers cover topics of general interest for a specific geographical area
- Newspapers are ephemeral, but magazines are more permanent
- Magazines are more specialised and focused on a target market
- Magazine consumers appreciate information which is specifically aimed at their needs and interests

Analysing a magazine cover:
- The magazines title, are there any hidden meanings?
- The strap line or tag line can be linked to brand identity
- The fonts and colours used, what do they suggest about the titles brand identity and target audience?
- The main image, we need to recognise how this appeals to a specific target audience
- The anchorage and cover lines, these will reveal a great deal about the titles ideologies and target audience

Analysing a magazine: between the covers:
- The contents pages usually offer an overview of the features
- The editors letter which is usually part of the magazines brand identity
- The two page spreads are still the primary unit of design.
- The advertisements are usually precisely targeted

The magazine industry:
-IPC- American owned and part of the biggest media conglomerate in the world.
-EMAP- previously a major played in the industry, but sold its magazine business to Bauer in December 2007
-Bauer- A German company whose titles include FHM, New Woman, Empire, Closer etc..
-Conde Nast- in the UK, Conde Nast titles include vogue, Easy Living, Glamour, Talter, GQ and House and Garden
- The National Magazine Company- Owned by Hearst
- BBC magazines- A good example of commercial intertextuality or synergy.