Soap magazine analysis

Types of Soap Magazine:• ‘Trashy’ soap magazines.• ‘Classy’ soap magazines.

‘Classy’ Magazine

Masthead•Familiar to reader.•Encourages Brand Loyalty.•Visible from afar•Trusted & recognised brand.•Extends beyond border image.

Features• Extra content for audience.• Clearly visible.• Similar to main feature.

Banner/Strip(Top)•Upper –case text•‘Freeview’ shows that the publisher understands the audience.•Offers audience exclusive information.•‘Best for Freeview & Iplayer’ Caters for audiences’ changing habits.

Date•Tells the audience they are reading the correct issue.

Barcode & Price•Tells audience the price of the magazine.

Main Feature•Linked to star image.•Instantly engages audience interest.•‘Eye catching’.•Large enough to see from afar.•Correct case (Not all in Capitals).

Caption•Gives audience alternative feature.•Associates with other features.

Image of Star•Eye contact with reader. (Direct address).•Appeals to specific audience.•Linked to Main Feature.

Website Reference•Placed directly above masthead•Gives reader alternate brand access.•Promotes magazine.

Colour Scheme•Recognisable to audience.•Part of brand.

Star Opinion•Engages audience’s interest & curiosity.

‘Classy’ MagazineMasthead•Familiar to reader.•Encourages Brand Loyalty.•Visible from afar•Trusted & recognised brand.•Extends beyond border image.

‘PLUS’•Makes audience feel as though they have been catered for, pleases them.

‘NEW’•Makes content appear more exclusive.

Banner/Strip(Top)•Upper –case text•‘SKY & VIRGIN’ shows that the publisher understands the audience.•Offers audience exclusive information.•‘Best for SKY & VIRGIN’ Caters for audience’s changing habits.

Main Feature•Linked to star image.•Instantly engages audience interest.•‘Eye catching’.•Large enough to see from afar.•Correct case (Not all in Capitals).

Button•Engages audience interest.•Offers exclusive content.•Usually situated in page corner.

Images of Soap stars•Engages audience interest.•Facial expression suggests intention.•Represents the show itself.•Recognisable to audience.•All stars are from the same T.V show.•All giving Direct Address.

Questions•Forces audience into suspense and anticipation.•Doesn’t reveal too much of the feature.

Date•Tells the audience they are reading the correct issue.

Barcode & Price•Tells audience the price of the magazine.

Website Reference•Gives reader alternate brand access.•Promotes magazine.

Features• Extra content for audience.• Clearly visible.• Similar to main feature.

Programme promotion•With image and clever play on words.

Star name•Attracts certain readers.

Organised Colour Scheme

‘Classy’ Soap magazines tend to have a much more professional layout than that of a ‘Trashy’ soap magazine. The front page is well-organized and easy to navigate for the reader. The main image is also taken by the magazine photographers. This type of Soap magazine appeals to a higher class audience who are interested in the storyline of a Soap opposed to the scandalous affairs which take place within Soaps. These magazines are usually issued weekly

‘Classy’ Magazine

‘Trashy Magazine’

Confused Colour Scheme•Eye catching.•Represents the magazine as ‘trashy’,•Brand reinforcement.•Vibrant.

Self promotion•Makes magazine appear superior.•Visible amongst clutter.

Soap names•Makes content easily accessible for audience.

Sub Heading•Summarises feature.•Simplifies things for reader.

Multiple main features•Displays a large amount of content•Suggests ‘Value for money’.•Appeals to a wider audience.•Related to separate Soaps.

Button•Engages audience interest.•Offers exclusive content.•Usually situated in page corner.

Masthead•Bright Colour (Eye catching).•Large enough to be seen from afar.•Quite basic.•Easily recognisable to audience.•Blank background (makes masthead stand out).

Use of punctuation•.Directly asks audience questions, making them wish to discover the answer.•Exclamation marks emphasise scandal.

Images of Soap stars•Engages audience interest.•Facial expression suggests intention.•Represents the Soaps themselves.•Recognisable to audience.

Barcode

Price•Tells audience the price of the magazine.

‘Trashy Magazine’Price•Easily affordable for working class readers.•Suggests great value for money.•Easily visible in two separate areas.

Masthead•Unusual style makes Masthead recognisable.•Overlapped by Soap star.

Website Reference•Placed directly below masthead•Gives reader alternate brand access.•Promotes magazine.

Main Feature•Linked to star image.•Instantly engages audience interest.•‘Vibrant colours (Eye catching).•Large enough to see from afar.•All upper-case.

Scandalous Feature(S)•Engages audience interest.•Easily visible in the middle of the page.•More than one on front cover.•Specific to audience interest•Realistic problems that the reader can likely relate to.

‘Trashy’ Soap magazines tend to appear much more cluttered than ‘Classy’ soap magazines. This effectively displays a ‘Value for money’ effect on the magazine’s audience. There is no solid colour scheme for these types of magazine, colours used are usually vibrant and eye-catching. The images on the front page are usually stills taken from actual footage of a Soap. The audience of this type of magazine are working class and are highly interested in the scandalous stories of Soaps.

‘Trashy Magazine’