General
Which Company produces the Magazine?
IPC Media produces and publishes NME magazine
Target Audience
In their media pack, NME describe in vast amounts of detail who their target market is. The general reader base are described as being:
73% Male
27% Female
The target market is stated as being Men aged 17-30. Along with this, they provide a detailed analysis of typical NME readers:
The figures above are taken straight from the pdf file of the NME media pack and clearly show an in-depth analysis of the readers of the magazine.
How much does it cost?
NME magazine costs £2.40 an issue or for an annual subscription of the weekly magazine to your door for a year, it's £78.00.
What is its circulation?
The circulation of NME is approximately 56,284. This is much lower than the readership which stands as 411,000.
"In the first half of 2010, the magazine's circulation was
33,875, 53% down on a 2003 figure of 72,442" (Wikipedia)
Compared to previous years it seems that half year circulation is above the approximate average (28,142) standing at 29,020. This is still 14.3% less than last year for NME and can partly be blamed on the increase in e-reading (such as that used with kindle) and a preference to read articles on various music websites. In comparison to Q's 10.1% drop in circulation, it seems that this is quite a substantial drop.
"In the first half of 2010, the magazine's circulation was
33,875, 53% down on a 2003 figure of 72,442" (Wikipedia)
Compared to previous years it seems that half year circulation is above the approximate average (28,142) standing at 29,020. This is still 14.3% less than last year for NME and can partly be blamed on the increase in e-reading (such as that used with kindle) and a preference to read articles on various music websites. In comparison to Q's 10.1% drop in circulation, it seems that this is quite a substantial drop.
Approximate Monthly Revenue streams from advertising and circulation
Circulation: £540,326.40
Advertising for this issue: £16,767.75
It can therefore be assumed that a good estimate for the monthly revenue stream of advertising is £67,071
This information shows that the majority of NME's monthly revenue comes from circulation. This differs from Q where a large amount of the revenue comes from advertising.
The Cover
The title
The magazines title being NME, stands for New Musical Express. The abbreviated form of the name is more commonly said than New Musical Express and has now become more iconic and recognisable than the real name as well. It has almost come to a point where the abbreviated term has become the brand identity, being used for the NME website as well as many other types of media, take NME Radio or the TV channel for example.
The title NME (New Musical Express) suggests the magazine provides a service to readers, telling them about new music. Along with this the abbreviated term connotes that it is chic and memorable, making it better to use as a title of the magazine than the long winded New Musical Express.
Masthead/Title Logo
The masthead for NME uses only white lettering. With no background or any effects it can be described as being simple, I for one though feel it is very effective, much like Q, and stands out from the green / grey background colour. The font appears to be close to Avant Garde Gothic Bold.
Strapline
There does not appear to be a strapline on the front cover of the magazine. In my opinion however, this is not such a bad thing. Whereas Q's strapline "Discover Great Music" compliments the abbreviated Q term, NME is describing the magazines contents in a much simpler manner and being a magazine mainly focused on indie readership, as well as being a weekly publishing, the audience is mostly aware of the full length name and therefore, to add to the house style presented by the magazine.
Main Image Analysis
The main image this issue is of lead singer of Florence & the Machine, Florence Welch. Her direction of gaze is looking straight out to the reader posing with her hand pulling the sleeve of the opposite arm. Apart from her hair and hat, which stands out from the cover with a vivid, dark shade of red, there is no real outcasting colours. This coincides with the unified house style the magazine is trying to achieve. Her facial expression similarly to Marcus Mumfords on Q, is fairly vacant allowing the reader to appreciate her for the pureness she brings to the front cover and not any dramatic poses, bringing the simplicity element back into context.
What other images appear on the cover?
Only one other image appears on the cover. It is of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. This features on the cover as there is a free poster inside the magazine. This may entice the readers interest in the magazine and persuade them to buy it as their target market (aged 17-30) would consider something free with their magazine to be an added bonus and providing added value.
Although there are no further images, there is much more text visible on the cover. The various cover lines are almost giving a preview into what is in the magazine. First to note is the one about the tragic passing of apple founder Steve Jobs. NME show their confidence in knowing their TA by publishing such a story and shows that their opinion of the man is similar to that of their readers. Followed is "The Greatest Track of the Last 15 Years Revealed" Greatest is highlighted in black to exaggerate the importance of the word and indeed the story.
Lastly is an album review given from Noel Gallagher, his name once again highlighted in black indicating that NME consider this an important part of the headline.
On the right hand side of the cover is what I believe to be a battle (or at least thats what NME are trying to get you to think!) using vs to perhaps indicate that Wu Lyf (a band) aren't liked very much by the three bands listed. Colloquial language (er, quite a lot more) is used to indicate that these aren't the only bands that are a little bit "miffed" with Wu Lyf. It's also trying to suggest humour which would appeal to most of the 17-30 target audience.
The most prominent text on the cover is that describing just who is actually featuring in the main image and therefore, who is the centre of focus. Obviously I'm talking about "FLORENCE" being placed across her picture in bright red lettering. This allows an unknowing passer-by to know exactly what is going to be the main story in this issue and is helped with "World Exclusive Comeback Interview" above, describing the importance of this along with a brief description of what the interview will feature with "On ghosts, Amy Whinehouse and her fear of messing up" underneath.
All the typefaces are similar and are white with the major points on the cover lines in black. Mentioning various bands names on the cover allows people to know just what the magazine is about. This is done in a unified font on the cover in Avant Garde Gothic Bold.
The language on the Cover is fairly normal with no obvious literary devices used apart from the colloquial language I mentioned earlier. To sum up the language used I suppose you could say it is used in an informal fashion.
NME is unique in the sense that compared to competitors, it's simplicity makes it stand out and therefore it can be said it does not conform with the style of any other music magazines. There is a similarity between it and Q, both having the title logo (Masthead) in the top left hand corner of the magazine. The rule of thirds is in place much like other magazines however this can be considered the only similar feature.
It can therefore be assumed that a good estimate for the monthly revenue stream of advertising is £67,071
This information shows that the majority of NME's monthly revenue comes from circulation. This differs from Q where a large amount of the revenue comes from advertising.
The Cover
The title
 |
The title NME (New Musical Express) suggests the magazine provides a service to readers, telling them about new music. Along with this the abbreviated term connotes that it is chic and memorable, making it better to use as a title of the magazine than the long winded New Musical Express.
Masthead/Title Logo
Strapline
There does not appear to be a strapline on the front cover of the magazine. In my opinion however, this is not such a bad thing. Whereas Q's strapline "Discover Great Music" compliments the abbreviated Q term, NME is describing the magazines contents in a much simpler manner and being a magazine mainly focused on indie readership, as well as being a weekly publishing, the audience is mostly aware of the full length name and therefore, to add to the house style presented by the magazine.
Main Image Analysis
What other images appear on the cover?
Only one other image appears on the cover. It is of Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division. This features on the cover as there is a free poster inside the magazine. This may entice the readers interest in the magazine and persuade them to buy it as their target market (aged 17-30) would consider something free with their magazine to be an added bonus and providing added value. Lastly is an album review given from Noel Gallagher, his name once again highlighted in black indicating that NME consider this an important part of the headline.
All the typefaces are similar and are white with the major points on the cover lines in black. Mentioning various bands names on the cover allows people to know just what the magazine is about. This is done in a unified font on the cover in Avant Garde Gothic Bold.
The language on the Cover is fairly normal with no obvious literary devices used apart from the colloquial language I mentioned earlier. To sum up the language used I suppose you could say it is used in an informal fashion.
NME is unique in the sense that compared to competitors, it's simplicity makes it stand out and therefore it can be said it does not conform with the style of any other music magazines. There is a similarity between it and Q, both having the title logo (Masthead) in the top left hand corner of the magazine. The rule of thirds is in place much like other magazines however this can be considered the only similar feature.
Inside
How many pages are there?
Inside this issue of NME, there are 66 pages not including the inside of the covers either side.
Album Releases
Clothing (JD appears twice in the magazine)
Mobile Phones (technology)
Features
On Repeat - Popular songs at NME
Upfront - Musical news
Versus - Interview & 'The NME Chart'
Radar - Future stars, Breaking scenes, New sounds
How many pages of adverts?
In this issue, there are 17 full pages of adverts including the back cover.
Advertised Product Categorization
Clothing (JD appears twice in the magazine)
Mobile Phones (technology)
Toiletries (Deodorant & hair gel)
Alcohol
Chat (phone lines)
NME Brand (TV & Radio)
Features
Upfront - Musical news
Versus - Interview & 'The NME Chart'
Radar - Future stars, Breaking scenes, New sounds
Interviews
Reviews
Live - Gigs
On the road - Touring band interview
Booking now
Gig guide - Where/When are the latest gigs
Fan mail
Braincells - Quiz
Reviews
Live - Gigs
On the road - Touring band interview
Booking now
Gig guide - Where/When are the latest gigs
Fan mail
Braincells - Quiz
Introduction to Florence Welch interview
Interview with Florence Welch
Interview with Wu Lyf
Interview with Orlando Higginbotham
"Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs
NME's best song from the past 15 years
Joy Division poster
Gig info for the Foals
On the road interview with Slow Club
Gig guide - 2 double page spreads
Fan mail
NME's best song from the past 15 years
Joy Division poster
Gig info for the Foals
On the road interview with Slow Club
Gig guide - 2 double page spreads
Fan mail
Are there any advertorials in the magazine?
There appears to be one sole advertorial in this issue of NME. It is for a new sony ericsson phone which is insisted to be able to "Capture your gig memories in flawless quality" Showing why it should be in this magazine and the relevance to it.
How does the magazine achieve a unified house style and why is this approriate to the TA?
The magazine clearly shows its unified house style throughout. As mentioned earlier, the colours are fairly similar and continuous throughout the magazine, using mostly simple, plain colours. Maybe using the word plain is not A-level standard....more conventional (thats better!) The fonts used are always bold as the headings to stories and, getting back to the colour scheme, only greens, blues and reds are used. The simplicity would appeal to the mainly "Indie" readership as simplicity is key to the style they possess. Finally, being simple, it's easy to look at and read, something which I personally feel is a big selling point for the 17-30 year old market as...well...lets face it...they don't like exerting to much energy anyway!
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