Kerrang Contents Page Analysis

In my media lessons we have been talking about the effect of magazine contents pages as this is what we will have to produce in both our preliminary task and our final production.

KERRANG

This contents page- unlike Glamour- has some self-promotion- a puff. At the bottom of the page there is a box that advertises a subscription deal: “Get a K! Subscription for £15”. This shows that the editors want more readers and want to attract more audience. The deal will be appealing to potential audience or the audience they have already as it will appear that it will be cheaper for them. This could also potentially bring in more money for the magazine institution as it attracts more audience.

Again, unlike with the Glamour magazine, there is a secondary image as well as a central image. The central image is intriguing to the audience as it is a direct mode of address. The models in the central image are the band All Time Low. Then there is a vacant space where the editor has put “THIS COULD BE YOU!” This appeals to the readers as it makes them feel that they could be part of the group and it intrigues them as it making them want to read about how they could be there with that band. The editor has superimposed a puff onto the central image to advertise a competition so that the readers can actually be there with All Time Low. This again makes the audience want to read on as they want the chance to be there with the band. The secondary image looks like it is an image of the editor. It is anchored by a letter from what looks like the editor. This is another way in which they have used a direct mode of address. The editor is personally addressing the audience which makes them feel special as they think the editor is personally addressing them and that magazine is meant just for them. This could make the audience feel compelled into buying and reading the magazine bringing more readers and money to the magazine institution.

Like the Glamour magazine, the majority of the page is split into thirds. The editor’s letter is separate from the rest of the contents page and that little box is split into thirds as well. This all makes it look very organised and professional and makes it much simpler for the reader to find the article headings that they want to read.

This contents page has a general colour scheme of black, red, white and yellow.  These colours all stand out and even though they aren’t particularly bright and lively, they are still quite eye-catching to readers and will attract a wider audience. This is probably because the black, white, red and yellow all contrast but at the same time go together. If it was purely black and white, it wouldn’t be very eye-catching meaning a loss in audience.

Like Glamour, the editors of this magazine has included the masthead on the contents page, to just ensure that the readers are aware of the magazine they are reading and maybe to familiarize them with the masthead so they can pick up the magazine again.

The wide range of headings provides a variety of content for the readers meaning there may be something for everyone. Again, this could attract a wide range of audience and bring in more money for the institution.