Research on music magazines.

By: Ahmad Sheikh

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Introduction.

Billboard is an American music magazine, headquartered in New York and owned by Prometheus Global Media. It was first published on November 1, 1894, and is distinguished as being among the oldest trade magazines in the world. The magazine originally focused on bill posting bill  and outdoor amusements before specializing in the music industry in the 1960s. Billboard maintains several internationally recognized record charts, which track the most popular songs and albums across several categories on a weekly basis. Its primary charts, the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard 200, respectively rank the top songs and albums regardless of genre, and are based on digital downloads, radio airplay, and internet streaming. Its data is largely based on the Nielsen tracking system, which it has used since 1991.

Brief on magazine.

Billboard is a chart magazine with a varying target audience and genre, depending on what is in the charts at that time. Overall it is aimed towards both genders, usually depending on the cover star and the age range for the target audience is around 22-53 years old.

Target Audience.

71% are between the ages of 22-53

82% are college graduates

27.5% post degree graduate

65% director level or above

Cover Page

Content

Double spread page.

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Introduction.

The Rolling Stone Album Guide, previously known as The Rolling Stone Record Guide, is a book that, along with its sister publication Rolling Stone magazine contains professional reviews of popular music. The guide can be seen at Rate Your Music, while a list of albums given a five star rating by the guide can be seen at Rocklist.net.

Target Audience.

Audience of 11,899 in which 60% are male and 40% are female. They target an age of 18+, and 27% of the readers are between 18-24. Another 27% are aged from 25-34, 20% from 35-44, 14% from 45-54 and a small 13% from the age of 55 and above.

This is similar to my magazine, however I plan to make mine 50% male and 50% female. I chose this as a lot of the indie genre magazines are more male than female. My age range is also slightly different, as I want to start mine from 16 rather than 18.

Cover Page

Content Page

Double spread page.

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Introduction

Ibe is a music and entertainment magazine founded by producer Quincy Jones. The publication predominantly features R&B and hip-hop music artists, actors and other entertainers. After shutting down production in Summer 2009, Vibe was purchased by the private equity investment fund InterMedia Partners and is now issued every-other month with double covers, with a larger online presence. The magazine's target demographic is a predominantly young, urban follower of hip-hop culture. As of April 2013 Vibe is currently owned by Spin Media.

The magazine owed its success to featuring a broader range of interests than its closest competitors The Source and XXL, which focus more narrowly on rap music, or the rock & pop-centric Rolling Stone and Spin. As of June 30, 2012, Vibe has a circulation of 300,943, of which 202,439 was paid, and 98,504 was non paid.[2] Advertisers ran the gamut from record labels to fashion houses to various cognac brands.

Target Audience.

The magazine’s target demographic is predominantly young, urban followers of hip hop culture.

Cover Page.

Content Page.

Double Spread Page.

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