As part of my preliminary research tasks it was important for me to engage and understand the intentions, perceptions and thought patterns of my audience more thoroughly as this would be vital in creating a successful music magazine product that could be regarded as authentic in nature when compared to mainstream ones. In essence the easiest way I could identify with my readers is to employ the use of popular media theories in aiding me from a professional viewpoint deconstruct the personality of my audience.
In this section I will be focusing upon what genre of things my target audience will be intrigued/interested in and how I can apply this to the three components of my task (cover, contents and double page spread of my music magazine) To execute this I will be referencing and applying Blumer and Khatz's 'Gratification' theory
Personal Identity - This enables my audience to relate to the content that is present in my magazine - some may be able to identify with the music artists within the content as they could consider them role models - from a psychological mindset they would be able to relate to these 'models' due to similar interests (in this instance the same liking towards a particular genre of music, indie/alternative), a similar appearance (clothing style, hair and makeup) and most importantly if the artist is detailing some personal life events then some of the issues explored could be generalised back to the readers themselves as they may have experienced a complementary situation (such as the expression of depression). These characteristic could lead the audience to believe they are not alone, that they have a friend who they can compare themselves with, in this instance my product will therefore be more successful in publisising.
Diversion - Reading the articles within the music magazine allows the audience to 'escape' from their daily life by viewing the content - it can act as a distraction from their daily lives, this is heightened if the topic it revolves around is unique, exciting or that they are intrigued by it (in this case around the style of music, indie/alternative rock). It may aid as a respite for those individuals who need a deterrence or a distraction from their every day lives, provide some distance from their workplaces, student lives, families and relationships in offering them the opportunity to get involved with someone else (the music artist), so therefore provides that temporary removal from their own personal ordeals
Personal Relationships - The articles and features within my magazine may offer a connection with specific groups of individuals. Those interested in indie/alternative rock music form a relationship with the artists present as they can relate to their choice of music to focus upon, but maybe also the events that surround their everyday lives as some experiences the composer may have dealt with could be similar to what the audience member has - this could strengthen that personal connection further as they could contend they are much more alike then what first presumed.
Surveillance - The audience will be informed of the latest news being generated within the music industry (such as which artists are most dominant in the genre at the moment in terms of the singles/albums they have released, gigs that are upcoming in the proceeding few months and reviews of albums/live performances which could encourage the reader to attend or be deterred from atending)
In essence one of the most vital and critical foundations of creating a successful media product and selling it to the general public involved taking into perspective the thought processes and expectations of the typical target audience you are appealing to. Audience theories are reknowned for offering that valuable insight into ensuring a media orientated production does well when released mainstream as it should have taken into consideration the desired outcomes the potential readers anticipate to receive from the product. Ultimately this can allow us to manipulate the audience in such a way that they are susceptible to believing and incorporating information broadcasted to them as the 'norm', implying they can be effected by 'modeling' what is seen placed in front of them/ A key theory that applies to my music magazine within the audience sub section is the 'Hyperdermic Syringe Theory'
Hyperdermic Syringe - This particular theory generates its main arguments from the notion that the mass media itself seems to have a very submissive influence on large groups of individual people, it directly and uniformly effects them by 'injecting' them with appropriate messages which are designed to trigger a desired response due to a powerful and direct flow of constant, relevant information. These messages are hereby 'injected' straight into the cognitive processes of the intended audience who then become instantly influenced by the information they have just recieved. The 'Hyperdermic Syringe' can be implied is present within my music magazine as I aim to inform the readers overtly and immediately of the news and stories surrounding artists working in the indie/alternative rock genre, what music they are currently producing, up to date album reviews and essentially information regarding the promotion of gig/live staged events. This way the audience will instantly be immersed in the world of music my publication has created, with all of this new and exciting knowledge been directed at them from every angle its unlikely they will not be guided in some way - many may go out to buy the albums that were positively criticised, others may purchase tickets to the festivals being advertised and yet some could potentially research an artists more thoroughly after reading an interview so they can find out additional essential information about them and the possibility of new music products currently in production by them. If my magazine is successful as I pine it to be then hopefully these responses and reactions will be witnessed within my target reading range, suggesting that they have been directly influenced as this particular theory prominatly suggests.
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