Media music Magazine presentationBethany Wilcock

Metal Hammer Magazine Blender Magazine

The main target audience for Metal Hammer Magazine would be people who are into heavier more death metal music, than someone who is into pop or hip hop music. This magazine is more likely to be purchased by people who regularly go to concerts and rock festivals that feature their favourite bands such as ‘Megadeath’. Metal Hammer magazine is also more aimed at a male audience than a female one as it uses quite manly features to attract its target audience . Metal Hammer would be more aimed at people between the ages of 20 and 40 who are most likely to buy it for it’s contents and other features.

Who do you think the target audience is for this product?

The lifestyle of the people who would buy metal hammer would be very music orientated. They would regularly attend concerts and festivals to watch their favourite bands play. They would also most likely spend a lot of their time out with friends and have an avid social life. The buyers of metal hammer may also play an instrument themselves such as guitar or bass. They may also be in bands and use the influence they get from the bands in magazines like metal hammer to get their inspiration. It is also very aimed at the male population as it features motorbikes and flames which are more associated with men than with women

What can you learn about the lifestyles & interests of the target audience from the cover?

Metal hammer magazine fits in very well with the gothic metal genres. You can tell this because of the dark colours used on the background and on certain fonts which has been contrasted with the bright colours used on the titles such as red and yellow to draw your attention but still look gothic. Another feature is the front man of the band ‘Mega death’ shown to have long hair and look very scruffy and angry which goes well with the heavy metal genre and portrays it well.

What genre codes and conventions can you identify?

Metal Hammer Magazine uses a lot of dark colours of their magazines such as blacks dark blues and purples. These are usually contrasted with brighter colours such as yellow to attract attention to certain articles that might interest the buyer. They also all include a mid shot or long shot of the main band or artist that is featured in that issue centred in the middle of the front cover, the name of the main band featured in that issue is also always cross the middle of the page in the house style of the band such as ‘mega death’ In this issue. These make the magazines house style recognisable for frequent buyers and people who are familiar with the brand.

What elements of house style can you identify?

Metal Hammer Magazine Blender Magazine

Differences Similarities

- Metal Hammer has a dark scene/background whereas Blender has a bright plain white background.

- Blender has the features and articles that are inside on the front cover of the magazine whereas Metal Hammer just has a single quote from the main article.

- Blender magazine is very well set out and has a sophisticated stylish look about it whereas Metal Hammer has a more messy everywhere look.

- They both feature a midshot of the main artist inside on the front cover

- The both feature the names and the artists of the people that are inside on the cover.

- They both have the artist on the front looking at the reader which gives the magazines a direct mode of address.

- Both magazines feature ‘freebies’ inside that would appeal to the target audience and make them buy it

Blender Magazine has a very sophisticated and stylish layout where everything is strategically placed around the artists midshot on the front cover. This gives blender a neat modern look which will appeal to it’s target audience being cutting edge. The front cover of Blender also has a white background to make the artist featured on the front stand out more than it would on any other colour, drawing the audience to it more. Whereas Metal Hammers Magazine front cover has a more busy look to it with everything of centre and more messy than Blenders front cover which features straight text and symmetrical articles on both sides. Although they do have their differences Blender and Metal Hammer magazine both have very simple fonts used on the front of their magazines which makes it clear and easy to read.

The style of language that is used on the cover or Metal Hammer is similar to the one that is used on the front cover of Blender. They both use very casual language on their front covers and slang words such as ‘babe’ which will make them appeal more to the target audience as they will feel as if it is directed at them and no one else. This will make them want to buy the magazine as it seems appealing.

Layout & Style of Language

Metal Hammer magazine appeals more to a target audience of people who are into heavy metal or rock music, this is shown because the magazine usually features artists who fit into the heavy metal genre, they are always shown wearing dark gothic clothing, with dark messy hair and usually a beard looking ungroomed and care free compared to artists of other genres, they’re also shown in a care free pose as people in the music industry are shown to be quite care free and wild.

This is different to Blender because this magazine features a well dressed well groomed artist in bright and eye catching clothing shown to be looking amazing and have the perfect celebrity image that everyone wants to have they are also shown in a sexy sort of pose showing that they are at the top of their genre and well known by everyone.

Music artist & the genre they appeal too

The overall techniques that are used in both Metal Hammer and Blender include free items such as Metal Hammers CD’s or Blenders MP3 downloads this is so that the target audience are more likely to buy it than another magazine that has no free items with it because they feel they are getting more for their money.

The use of friendly language on the front of both covers gives the magazine a more direct mode of address this adds to the appeal and makes the buyer feel as if it is tailored just to them and their need in a magazine and in articles this makes the more likely to buy either Metal Hammer or Blender so it acts as a positive selling point for them both.

Overall techniques to make you buy the magazine?