Summary of all findings(Preparing for the formal proposal)

Initial Tasks: These tasks consisted of finding general information about music magazines and what kind of general features they use, also the effects of these in order to sell. Music magazines reproduce copies that alter depending on the year or even month, and what is happening in the music scene during this time. In order, to be a successful, well known and selling magazine, the producers have to consider that music society is always changing. Agreeing on a specific target audience, what they want by taking part in background research. Within the magazine, there are good articles that link to the theme to give extra information and understanding but still ensuring that the particular copy has its own individual style. And importantly, the magazine company need to provide a gossip story that would entertain the reader.

Market awareness (considering AIDA): A: audience attraction – bright colours, image, text I: interesting the audience – articles, sell lines D: Desire, drawing in the reader – competitions, posters, freebies A: Act – motivate buyers, creating something buyers want

Research into real music magazines (generic functions): Front Covers must have a masthead, barcode/price/issue, and a dominating or striking image, whether one main or a couple, but ones that link to the genre and interest the reader. Contents pages must have a title mentioning it is the contents, date, range of images, page number, subheadings and information in columns (features, gossip, events, gigs, interviews) and a theme that carries on from the front cover in terms of style and genre. Finally, the double page spread uses anchored text, images, text in paragraphs and a dramatic head line and subheading. All these three parts should connect by using similar elements throughout like font styles, colours scheme, information on front is detailed within, consistency with theme/genre/features, and same style of language and attitude.

Summary of research into genres: My choose genre is pop/dance and slightly electric because I already have background knowledge on this, as I enjoy listening to it myself. I have being influenced by artists like Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, who are female artists that fit with this style, it reflects my interests. Even though, I do not personally buy music magazines, I am a fan of this genre.

I would like to include quite a range of selling lines, bright but yet quirky colour scheme, with a female artist yet a dominating male twist that connotes equality in the industry and creates a new funk style.

Target audience research: My target audience is females between the ages of 16 and 20. I am using a admirable image on the cover that female readers may seem to be influenced by. I am using a girl with eccentric style, quirky attitude but in quite a sexualised way which will attract my audience strongly. The pop/dance genre also develops this toughened woman image and this has an impact on their music choices and stylish trends, having the ability to maybe stand out or to rebel cheekily.

Concluding: My concluding research shows defined styles and images preparing me for my magazine, and the affects of these choices on my target audience:

The title of my magazine is going to be Elettrico because this is Italian for Electric, it’s a womanly word but with a strong twist similar to my theme. Electric and pop/dance are my overall genres as well so it has connotations to my choices.

The cover should be bright with a twisting attitude factor, feature an image of a sexualised female that seems to illuminate power, offer gossipy sell lines that mention an interview, fashion and news, gigs and events that fit with my music scene, a masthead/header (summarising magazine), and look attractive with my chosen theme.

The contents should include a column with subheadings saying gossip, artist information, various images, quirky theme, gig guides/events and interviews.

The article should include an interview with an artist that fits my genre, quite informal and chatty, include questions and answers, subheadings to break up writing, and have an overall theme of music with added fashion connotations.

I have also realised that none of my target audience buy music magazines at the moment so I need to take this into consideration, the majority of my target audience would pay around £1-£2. I need to think about all the possibilities of how to attract my reader and general information for my magazine. I used a developed focus group to gain knowledge on aspects of my magazine so I now know exactly what they want.