1. Research Summary
Task 9. SECTION A,B,C –STARTING PLANNING by SUMMARISING
RESEARCH FINDINGS
Most significantly the magazines market must be aware of AIDA, which is:
A – Attract Audience - use of bright colours, image and text
I – Interest - articles and sell lines should entice the audience.
D – Desire - lure the reader by adding competitions, posters or give freebies
A – Act – people to buy your product, motivate them into purchasing, for example, creating
a sense of urgency with a limited-time offer or limited supply.
A. Summary of Research done into general information about music magazines
SUMMARISING ALL OF MY TASK FINDINGS AND HOW THESE WILL INFLUENCE MY MAGAZINE
• Music magazines often reflect the times that they are written in, when the musical
world changes, magazines must change with it, in order to survive and be successful.
• I must give the audience what they want, in order for my magazine to sell, this can
be done by asking my target audience what they want, also by doing background
research which I have completed.
• There must be good articles which reflect the tone of the magazine, other
magazines which contain a similar genre, can help to understand the basic
conventions.
• My own magazine must contain its own individual style, which most importantly
makes it stand out from others.
• They need to deliver a story, which could contain gossip which might interest the
reader and entertain them.
B. Research into real music magazines (summary of findings)
generic conventions of music magazines
Front covers must have:
• Masthead at top
• Sell lines/Cover lines
• Possibly a flash
• Barcode/price/date
• Striking image (consistent with genre)

2. • House style
Contents pages have:
• Word “contents” at top
• Date/issue number
• Range of images all anchored with text and page number
• Use columns for text with subheadings such as features/gossip/gig guides etc
• Title of magazine is to be found somewhere on page
• Contents clearly links with cover in terms of style and genre
The Double Page Spread Article:
• Very image dominated with image anchored with text
• Written article has dramatic main heading (short and snappy) with subheading
(summarising what article is going to be about)
• The copy/text is written in paragraphs (generally between 2-3)
All 3 parts of the magazine are clearly connected using a range of elements including:
• The same font choices throughout (generally around 3 types)
• The same colour scheme/themes
• Magazine title/slogan is on all 3 pages
• Info on front is carried through into contents and then onto article
• Contents are consistent with the chosen genre i.e. R&B magazines would feature
R&B bands/music/scene/gigs etc.
• The same style of language/attitude throughout i.e. R&B is breaking the
rules/rebellious attitude
Summary of Research into genre:
My chosen genre is R&B and Pop and I found that:
• It is popular amongst teenagers and young adults
• These people often like to party and drink alcohol
• They are passionate about this genre of music as they can relate to it through the
situations in their lives
• The music of that genre seems to be quite fast and electronic and has some
references to the rap/hip-hop genres which R&B originates from.
Summary of research into my chosen style model for my magazine

3. FRONT COVERS WHICH I MIGHT LIKE TO EMULATE:
CONTENTS PAGES I WOULD LIKE TO EMULATE:
ARTICLES I WOULD LIKE TO USE AS STYLE MODELS:

4. Types of images found in Billboard/Vibe magazine linked to the R&B/Pop genres:
• UPBEAT
• FUN
• CRAZY
• MODERN
• ROMANCE
• SEX
• DRUGS
• ALCOHOL
• SMOKING
• ATTRACTIVE MALES AND FEMALES
• R&B/POP STARS-POSITIVE MESSAGE AND VIBE
C. Target audience research
Overall conclusion of my target audience research using questionnaires.
I can conclude the following and will summarise how this will affect the making of my
magazine:
1. THE COVER SHOULD BE:
• Bright but stylish and classy
• Feature images of top R&B/Pop bands/artists (the most popular artists were
Rihanna and Black Eyed Peas so I will base my fictional characters/band on
them)
• Images should stand out and be serious as well as sexy
• Use informal language to make reader feel as if the magazine is a friend
• Offer freebies such as large posters
• Have gossipy sell-lines as well as directly music related cover lines
• Include unusual shots and images
2. THE CONTENTS SHOULD INCLUDE:
• Gossip such as any major break ups in the R&B music industry (Rihanna and Chris
Brown for example)

5. • Band/Artist info
• Lots of variety of R&B/Pop culture images
• Be rebellious/with attitude
• Gig guides
• A main image which relates to the article on the double page spread
• Several images in-between the texts to keep the reader focused
3. THE ARTICLE SHOULD BE:
• Informal and chatty
• Include questions and answers
• Have a very large image/several images
• Use sub-headings to break up writing
• Be about the music but interesting – so possibly with relations to fashion etc.
4. GENERAL INFO
• None of my potential target audience have ever bought a music magazine, but
would consider it if the price was right and was more focused to them. The
majority thought around £2.00 was acceptable and most felt the current
magazines were targeted more on Males who were in their twenties and thirties.
• I also have to work on attracting the audience in the first place as there is a real
gap in the market for a magazine which targets females/males (aged 15-25) and
interested in R&B/Pop music. I will analyse my target audience questionnaires and
focus groups in more detail so I can work hard on giving the audience what they
want and therefore attract them to buy the magazine.
Having summarized these results I am now ready to complete my
formal proposal and start my own music magazine.