Market Research: RockSound

Front Cover

Language: The housestyle of this magazine is blue and grey, so it has quite an icy feel to it. Then there is a headline that relates to the photo of the front cover. It is in red, which is quite firey and stands out. I think they chose red as it says that "30 Seconds To Mars, back with a vengeance" which is quite a strong, maybe threatening, choice of words. All the writing on the page, again, is in capital letters, which gives off quite a strong, bold impression of the magazine. The photograph is of Jared Leto (from the band 30 Seconds To Mars, which relates to the red headline) the way they've placed the headline in relation to the photo, is almost as this he is pointing his finger toward the headline - they are using the photo to direct the readers attention to it. Which backs up the point that the main feature will be about this band. Another thing about this picture that I noticed, which relates to the headline - is that his expression is quite cold and serious; relating to the "back with a vengeance" as he wouldn't be all smiling and happy as that wouldn't connect and relate to the headline. Other features that appear on this cover are competitions, barcode, a quick snappy tagline "new music first", freebies, date, price, issue number and website.

Institution: The institution of Rock Sound is the French publisher, Editions Freeway.

Ideology: From this particular cover, the Ideology of this magazine comes across as a lot more serious and grungey and maybe aimed are the more hardcore, metal genre of the alternative rock scene. I think the message for this is very "don't mess" which is kind of expected from this genre as, its very loud and bold most of the time.

Audience: For Rock Sound, I think the audience is broader in terms of age - I'd say 14 - 35 years old. But then it's smaller as I think it's more select with the genres. To me, from this cover, it seems to feature more darker bands which will appeal to a smaller audience.

Representation: This magazine represents, from this cover, maybe a more serious audience which is interested in bands which are more near the knuckle and edgey. On the front cover, Jared Leto of 30 Seconds To Mars, is an older man and has more life experience so his music and lyrics are stereotypically about more grown up, serious matters. So, I think this magazine is using him to represent everybody who has serious issues with the world and, therefore, he is their voice.

Contents

Language: This contents has the name of the front cover(in the same font as the cover itself) in the top left hand corner. It is quite bold and, as it is white on black, it contrasts really well. There is also a bit of extra information smaller and underneath the title. The picture in the background is a medium close up that fills the page. The actual contents of the magazine has been grouped into a section called "Main Features" which is red and white on black. The little mini heading of what is featured on the page is in bold and capital letters. The information is in normal, smaller writing underneath. There is also a quote relating to the photograph in the bottom left hand corner.
Institution: The institution of Rock Sound is the French publisher, Editions Freeway.
Ideology: The contents page shows the magazine in a less serious way. This person in the photograph is messing around pulling faces. The fact that he's not taking himself seriously makes it easier for the audience to relate to him as a person rather than someone famous.
Audience: I still think this is for a broader audience still 14-35.
Representation: The contents represents the audience in quite a non serious way, showing that they know how to have fun. The fact that he has a shirt and tie on maybe represents that they can be good and take things seriously too. But the hat, facial expression and the fact his tie is loose shows a more laid back side. By using these factors on the man in the photo, it reflects what the audience will be like.