ASMediaStudies: My L.I.I.A.R. Analysis of Three Magazines

Number Three

AP (Alternative Press)

Language – Front Cover – AP is written at the top in large letters in the centre of the page. The issue number and publishing is in blue and is within the ‘P’ in the masthead. Underneath the actual masthead the full title of the magazine is written in a smaller font. Hayley’s head covers some of the title but as it is a well established, American magazine it’s okay because the readers will still recognise the brand. As the cover of each issue changes so does the colour of the masthead to fit in with the picture. The word ‘paramore’ starts orange (like the colour of Hayley’s hair) and fades into yellow (like the masthead). The colour of the masthead usually carries on to the headline, and inside on the contents page, this helps show consistency, On the actually photo all the band members are looking directly in to the camera so it appears that they are looking towards the readers. In the picture Hayley is wearing a red tie, and Zac is wearing a red top and Josh is also wearing a blue and red tie, this colour links through the magazine as some parts of the contents and double page spread are also in red. The barcode would usually appear in the lower left hand corner, but as this is an ‘Exclusive subscriber-only cover’ it doesn’t need one as it would be sent through the post, and this makes people want to subscribe as they get an exclusive cover that is not for sale on shops or published online.

Contents Page – In AP they usually have two different contents pages.

The first one is on top of a black and white photograph of paramore and shows there full bodies but only one is looking into the camera, this contents page features the cover stories, and the special features.

The second contents page follows the pattern as the previous, with the same style, font and colour scheme (red, orange and yellow) just like the cover. There is a colour picture of the band Coheed and Cambria, they are sat at the bottom of the page with the text above them, containing the rest of the magazine contents.

Double Page Spread – The double page spread is a full photo of the band they all have dark clothing on against the light blue sky and sunny surroundings. In both of the lower corners there is text following the same font and colours as the cover and contents, On the left hand it says the award that paramour won in the ‘AP readers poll 2007’ and in the other it has a quote of paramore lyrics and has a short article on them, the next couple of pages carry on with the full article and two full page photo’s, One shows them live on stage and the other shows a black and white image of them on a truck that is feature on the first double page spread.

Ideology – The magazine started in 1985, They provide people with the latest trends and they believe that they are always feature the ‘latest’ thing. They believe they show the hottest bands first. They think that they extend beyond the music and it is now becoming a lifestyle. AP state they have embraced new technologies and have extended their network to the web and radio.

Institution – The magazine is published by Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. This is there only magazine they publish, how ever it is one of the most read music magazines in America. The company put on a festival every year, of bands that have been featured within the actual magazine throughout the year.

Audience – AP’s audience is mostly male orientated like NME, it targets 16 – 30 year olds, people who are still very involved with music, and more likely to splash out on gig tickets. Every month the conduct a poll were the readers can answer random questions from other readers or answer questions that are set by the magazine they get featured in the next issue, they also help influence the next issues actual content, so in the magazine the readers see who they want to see.

Representation – Within AP everybody who is featured or mentioned on the cover is usually voted for by the audience, they help influence the content, so as they have requested for them to be on the cover they have to be represented positively just simply to keep the readers happy. On the first contents page the band are seen to be linking arms and laughing with each other, this shows the readers that the band are still strong and linked together, as at the time of publishing the band were reported to be splitting up.