From analysing the Top of The Pops magazine, I found a range of different articles and features which were included throughout the magazine. For example, advertisements, celebrity pages, soap opera gossip pages, competitions and discount offers, “Your Oops!” pages- where readers can send in their embarrassing stories, “Oops!” celebrity pages- where celebs are caught ‘slipping- up’ on camera, celebrity interviews, celebrity posters, real life articles and many more. All these different connotations of a magazine really engages their particular audience of which the magazine is aimed at.
I decided to look at a particular article which is featured in the magazine; an interview of Cheryl Cole (an established member of pop group Girls Aloud and a judge on popular TV show X Factor) which is shown below:
From the specific colours chosen for this article and the type of font used for the text and imagery we can clearly see who the target audience is. The feminine colours of pinks, purples and whites let us know that it is aimed at young “girly girls”- maybe aged in their teens. The interview captures the interests of Cheryl Cole fans, as well as those who are interested in X Factor or Girls Aloud, as Cheryl Cole almost acts as a representation for both of them, as questions involved in the interview not only pin point Cheryl, but also her career and the media that she is involved with, such as the ITV show- X Factor. For example, the interviewer asks about the band 'Do you girls ever argue?' and 'Back to the show- is it true you said "Yes" to everybody in auditions first?'. This shows the different topics the interviewer asks to get personal information as well as just asking general questions. Interviewers always aim to get at least a piece of information no other journalist has or any other media, therefore its unknown and almost secretive. This then engages a wider audience as this specific magazine only has this information from Cheryl, for example. The page is structured in a really neat and clear way to be more inviting for the audience, it also seems more gripping and could tempt the audience into reading it, rather than skipping to the next page of the magazine to find something more interesting. Imagery has also been used throughout the article which makes it seem more exciting and visual, rather than quite boring and just text which could lead away the audience.
From the specific colours chosen for this article and the type of font used for the text and imagery we can clearly see who the target audience is. The feminine colours of pinks, purples and whites let us know that it is aimed at young “girly girls”- maybe aged in their teens. The interview captures the interests of Cheryl Cole fans, as well as those who are interested in X Factor or Girls Aloud, as Cheryl Cole almost acts as a representation for both of them, as questions involved in the interview not only pin point Cheryl, but also her career and the media that she is involved with, such as the ITV show- X Factor. For example, the interviewer asks about the band 'Do you girls ever argue?' and 'Back to the show- is it true you said "Yes" to everybody in auditions first?'. This shows the different topics the interviewer asks to get personal information as well as just asking general questions. Interviewers always aim to get at least a piece of information no other journalist has or any other media, therefore its unknown and almost secretive. This then engages a wider audience as this specific magazine only has this information from Cheryl, for example. The page is structured in a really neat and clear way to be more inviting for the audience, it also seems more gripping and could tempt the audience into reading it, rather than skipping to the next page of the magazine to find something more interesting. Imagery has also been used throughout the article which makes it seem more exciting and visual, rather than quite boring and just text which could lead away the audience.Certain criteria used throughout this interview have been included, again to capture the audiences’ interests. For example in the figure shown to the left, taken from the article, we can see a competition feature to win tickets to the X Factor. Particular words and phrases within it have been used such as, 'Grab your best outfit and make a banner, quick! One lucky reader will get VIP access to the X Factor studios'. This straight away grips the audiences attention and really makes them imagine themselves winning the competition which makes them more enclined to enter it. This is also to bring in the targeted audience to get them more involved within the magazine by giving them the chance to win gifts. It is also promoting the ITV programme, as well as a previous winner of the show- Leona Lewis. Leona Lewis is a music artist like Cheryl, and is well established within the public and media. However, this could promote her music even further by giving readers the chance to see her perform live for free. It could also get her even more established within the general public.
From this image shown to the right also taken from the magazine interview. It captures the audiences’ attention by highlighting in bold “CHERYL COLE” which lets the reader become even more interested in the article as they are given an insight on what the interview will be about. Furthermore where it says “opens up about... her secret struggles” this again entices the audience as they are told they will hear maybe some exciting secret celebrity gossip. In the image shown below it also welcomes the audience by bringing in some comical aspects to the interview. The conflict between Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole in speech bubbles, in the image also relates to X Factor viewers as they know the characteristics between these judges on the show.
In the figure shown to the right, shows Cheryl Cole and fellow Girls Aloud member Nicole Roberts, performing in Radio 1’s Live Lounge. This image not only promotes the girl band by also showing their website, but also Radio 1 which could let the radio station become more popular as they engage the Top of the Pops magazine readers.
Also the synergy of a BBC magazine promoting a BBC radio station! Good analysis not only of content but also of presentation and imagery.
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