Magazines appeal to their target audiences. Something I thought I understood but did not really until I analyzed them further. They have an almost manipulative technique to get the target audience interested, magazines also have a theme, and despite all the changes they made to appease their audience and there dying.
Magazines that target teenage girls for example, picture a model or actor in perfect shape. The idea is to make you want to be like whatever famous female is “it.” They also appeal to girls' insecurities, little tabs on the side might say, “10 weight loss techniques that celebrities use” or “15 ways to please him,” Men’s magazines, however, might feature big bold lettering and the front page will feature their opinion on whatever controversial topic is hot. the magazine directed at men in the sense that young boys are brought up to be, almost controversial or to cause arguments and fights whereas girls are often told to be quiet and not to cause a scene. It goes further than just naïve girls and young men though. The rolling stones magazine for example, appeals to a more scholarly person or active reader and not just any one specific gender. Unlike some of the less formal magazine articles, the rolling stone features longer articles with a more professional set up. It is not as in your face. But the setup of magazines makes me feel like society is being manipulated. As if our mindsets are controlled by however the media chooses to present them.
You open it up further to reveal a theme. The text on the front page was bright pink and bold? Expect to see that again throughout the rest of the magazine. In Operas magazine, there was a fall theme. Everything was in fall colors, shades of orange. Even opera was featured on the front page in orange. The content is nothing new either, everything is angled at happiness and finding joy. It appeals to middle aged white women, just like her T.V show. Similarly, Forbes never strays from a theme of wealth and luxury. Vogue contains a theme of high-end brands and fashion. Even the advertisements are angled at fashion or expensive brands.
Magazines work hard to stay relevant and keep their readers interested, still they are dying. According to, “chances are you probably wont bother...,” “Magazine consumers may still have a great appetite for reading, and more time than is generally realized, but they also have far more choices.” Also, a study presented in this article showed that many people still have a significant amount of free time, more then they realize for reading. Magazines even changed they layout to better suit readers interest and despite all that there still dying! I think I can see why. Everything you will ever need to know, from fashion trends to which celebrities are it, to popular diets are all readily and easily available (also completely free if I might add) on social media. While neither of the articles really state social media as the cause, from what I have gathered it is the only reasonable explanation. In fact, according to “Chances are you won't bother...," magazines more closely resemble movie posters now with huge colorful headlines and pictures and small pieces of long text. Yet another change in the style of magazines. Again, the number of young readers continues to decrease, only proving my point further.
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