Question 2

‘HOW DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT REPRESENT PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS?’

WHICH SOCIAL GROUP DOES MY MAGAZINE MOST CONFORM TO?An underlying social group of which my magazine actually appeals to is ‘hipsters’.

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WHY DOES MY MAGAZINE CONFORM TO THE SOCIAL GROUP OF ‘HIPSTERS’?

The key intention of my magazine, specifically this edition, was to show the development of reggae as a genre. I wanted to develop the stereotypes of reggae, and connote the genre in a different, more diverse, light.

This perfectly conforms to the desires of ‘hipsters’ as what socially groups them, is their need for change of which has not yet been recognised by the majority of the public. In the modern day of predominant pop and indie music, reggae would be something of which society does not deem the norm for someone to have in their playlist, and therefore being of fan of reggae separates you from the social norm. As an example, being a fan of Bob Marley would not appeal heavily to ‘hipsters’ as Marley is recognised as one of the most prolific artists of all time, and is very mainstream in the grand scheme of music – consequently, being an avid fan of him would not appeal to hipsters as it is not original and new. My artist from my magazine, Steelux, is not well known (he is young, not developed as a major artist, not a manufactured ‘chart’ musician) and so brings something new to fans. A need for change is what ‘hipsters’ are know for, and my magazine manipulates this to create a new range of young reggae fans.

EXAMPLE OF HOW I APPEALED TO SPECIFIC SOCIAL GROUP: CHOICE OF COVER ARTIST

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EXAMPLE OF HOW I APPEALED TO SPECIFIC SOCIAL GROUP: CHOICE OF COVER ARTIST

Steelux, my chosen cover artist, is a complete countertype of the origins of reggae. Unlike the archetypal reggae artist, in this example – Bob Marley (the penultimate representation), Steelux is young, white and has short hair. These are minor features of the model, but allow for the first visual aspect of the magazine to jump out to ‘hipsters’ and sell itself as different and original. Despite this outlined originality, the content of which dominates the content listing on my constructed contents page, and consequently the pages of the magazine as well, doesn’t actually range too far from the origins of reggae. This is because once I entice the ‘hipster’ social group of which I am targeting, I want to teach them about reggae, and give them knowledge of which would help them ‘fall in love’ with reggae. I wanted to bring new fans to reggae, not change reggae for new fans.

EXAMPLE OF HOW I APPEALED TO SPECIFIC SOCIAL GROUP: CONTENTS PAGE

My contents page is not like the typical contents page of modern day magazines. The largest factor of which demonstrates this is my use of modern, manufactured images. It has become the social norm for magazine readers to see artists on pages, and read magazines full of studio shots and poses. ‘Hipsters’ will have realised that this has become what is expected, and will seek something new and original. I took advantage of this by using Adobe PhotoShop to create clearly digital edits of which would be used to visually list content. This adapts the norm of which I am conforming to, and once again, brings something new to the table of which ‘hipsters’ will be persuaded by,

EXAMPLE OF HOW I APPEALED TO SPECIFIC SOCIAL GROUP: ARTICLE

In my written article, there was a level of humorous pragmatics of which only a specific sociographic would understand. Most modern magazines write to inform their readers and give information to avid fans. Due to the fact that my magazine appeals to an audience of which would not be considered avid fans, I included a level of entertainment in my writing to keep them enticed. Although they do want change, ‘hipsters’ are not going to become fans of something that does not intrigue them. I also wrote in a personal tone, and directly addressed my reader (“you”). This also included the reader more and made them feel as though reggae is a genre of which will accept them. With social media holding such a heavy aspect of modern youth’s lives, one new fan can become many through one post, tweet, etc.

“(other than Snoop Lion, I think he just came for the... you know, add ons?)” Example of humour from my article.

EXAMPLE OF HOW I APPEALED TO SPECIFIC SOCIAL GROUP: DIFFERENT FROM MAJOR MUSIC MAGAZINES

EXAMPLE OF HOW I APPEALED TO SPECIFIC SOCIAL GROUP: DIFFERENT FROM MAJOR MUSIC MAGAZINES

I didn’t want my magazine to conform with everyday expectations. Much like the genre, I wanted the edition to range from normality and create something for readers of which wasn’t entirely mainstream, and wasn’t dominated by manufactured chart toppers. I did conform, however, to the typical iconography of magazines, and my layouts and furniture did conform to what the industry would expect. As I have consistently stated, this would make my magazine seem like a breath of fresh air and appeal to the social group of ‘hipsters’.