Front cover analysis 4

The music magazine ‘Classic Fm’ is published every month and specialises in the classical genre. The magazine is followed on from the well-known British Classical commercial radio station, Classical FM. The magazine targets the older generation, this is suggested through the pictures and use of language. An example of where the target audience is suggested though pictures is at the bottom right hand corner of the magazine where we  see a male casually dressed in a suit, and the key image of Myleene Klass who is represented as a sophisticated woman.

The copy is written in a mature font, this reinforcing the target audience of this magazine. The name of the magazine ‘Classic Fm’ is written in an elegant font in the colours; black, white and red. These three colours are the three main colours used on the front page, this allowing the information to look neat. The name of the magazine is repeated on the front cover of the magazine, once within the masthead and twice on the cover of the free classical music CD. This makes the name of the magazine stick in the readers mind.

The key image is of Myleene Klass. She is a well-known respected woman who works in many different industries from being a musician, to a designer, model and TV and radio presenter. Unlike Ciara in the R&B magazine ‘RAP-UP’ Myleene Klass is represented as a mature woman, allowing the target audience to refer to her. The picture is kept very natural and simple and this again reinforces the target audience who are generally older and can relate to the simplicity. The magazines unique selling point is Myleene Klass, as she’s a guest editor for this edition; the main image enables the audience to relate to her. This may also persuade audiences to buy the magazine.

The sell lines inform the reader of some of the content included inside the magazine. The use of alliteration “My Musical Mission” makes the information stick in the readers head, this sell line also draws in the audience as they will be wanting to find out about the mission. “100 CD’s, books, DVD’s rated” suggest there’s reviews of these three things inside the magazine. This makes the audience aware and attracts the audience. If the magazine is purchased the consumer will receive a FREE CD! This may be used to pull in buyers of the magazine, because there’s a decrease in sales of magazines; due to the load of people using internet to view magazines online for free.  This draws in the audience as they will be getting a ‘two for one’ offer – purchasing the magazine and receiving a free CD. When purchasing the magazine, the CD is not the only free gift as it states on the right hand corner besides the CD “Plus FREE best live music guide!”. People tend to view the magazine from the left hand corner at the top and read across, looking at the right hand corner last. This could again draw in the target audience as when they purchase the magazine they could again get another free gift, which is the ‘best’ guide, another unique selling point for the magazine. The image of the suited male in the right hand corner represents the age of the target audience. The sell line in front of the image states “Fiddler on the surf” this is a pun of the film Fiddler on the roof, people who have an interest in classical music (generally older people) would be able to identify this.

Usually the masthead is behind the key image, however, the name of the magazine ‘Classic Fm’ is placed in front of the main image. On the top left hand corner “FREE CD” is written in bold place on a red background, this allowing the copy to stand out. As it’s usually the first thing a reader sees, this connotes it’s important for the audience to know there’s a free CD, and encourages the audience to purchase the magazine. The word “favourite” is written in red, however, the rest of the wording is written in grey, this making the word stand out. This connotes that “Classic FM” is the most popular magazine of its genre and will draw in more consumers.

The front cover of Classic FM sticks to the typical conventions seen on the front cover of a magazine. The audiences are attracted to the magazine, by reading sell lines and the masthead, and also being able to connect with the key image. However, also have other conventions such as; the issue (October 2007), a barcode and the price (£4.25) which the target audience are willing to pay, as they are of an older generation and can afford to buy a magazine at this price.