KERRANG! MAGAZINE

• Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on 6 June 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper and was edited by Geoff Barton. Named after the onomatopoeic word that derives from the sound made when playing a power chord on an electric guitar, Kerrang! was initially devoted to the New Wave of British Heavy Metal and the rise of hard rock acts. In the early 2000s it became the best-selling British music newspaper.

• Angus Young of AC/DC appeared on Kerrang!'s first cover. Launched as a monthly magazine, Kerrang! began to appear on a fortnightly basis later, and in 1987 it went weekly. The original owner was United Newspapers who then sold it to EMAP in 1991 and EMAP was later taken over by Bauer Media Group.

• Kerrang!'s website is dedicated to finding out more information to do with the magazine and also the latest information on the current bands and upcoming events. The website hosts Kerrang!'s online shop, podcasts, message board, TV and radio segments ensuring even more opportunities to sell associated merchandise and products.

• In 2001, Kerrang! launched its own online forum with the "rants and raves" section taking up most of the traffic. Though initially extremely popular, the number of users began to peter out around 2005 with the number of people online dropping to as low as 10 when previously it had been closer to the 100 figure.

Kerrang! Awards

• Since 1993, the magazine have been holding an annual awards ceremony to mark the most successful bands in the interests of their readers. The awards became one of Britain's most recognised award events by the now defunct Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, often listing some of the winners in their annual round-up of the previous year. The event is always presented by major music celebrities, with many others outside the industry who attend the event.

Kerrang! Radio• In 2000, EMAP launched Kerrang! as a digital radio

station, across the United Kingdom. This was principally a 'jukebox' station, playing a back-to-back sequence of rock and alternative music. On 10 June 2004, Kerrang! 105.2 was launched as a regional radio station in Birmingham with an advertising campaign by London-based creative agency ODD.The radio has a number of specialist programmes dedicated to the many subgenres of rock music. The radio output includes interviews with those affecting popular culture and society as well as those involved with music.

Kerrang! TV and Tour • In 2001 EMAP launched Kerrang! TV. As with the radio

station, the television channel covers the more mainstream side of the rock music as well as classic rock bands like Aerosmith and AC/DC, and classic heavy metal bands such as Guns N' Roses and Metallica. Kerrang TV is now a joint venture between Bauer Media Group and Channel 4.

• Kerrang! Holds tours of rock music concerts around the United Kingdom. The tour has featured bands such as Bullet for My Valentine, Good Charlotte, Sum 41, and Coheed and Cambria among others.

The Official Kerrang! Rock Chart• In March 2012, Kerrang announced a new rock chart for the

UK which is based upon airplay across Kerrang Radio, Kerrang TV and sales figures from the Official Charts Company. Charts are announced on Saturday mornings and feature twenty tracks. The latest chart can be viewed on Kerrang! every Saturday at midday.

• International editions• Emap launched Kerrang! Australia in the late 1990s. Unlike

its weekly counterpart in the UK, the Australian edition was published monthly due to stiff competition from free local music publications. Kerrang! is also published in Spanish and German.

Reader Profile• "Kerrang! is actually really young with a median age of 22. Having a younger profile is a

big advantage as traditionally this age group is exclusive (and expensive) to reach. As well as music releases this makes Kerrang! Perfect to promote films and games, and also mobile technology and government messages."

"Kerrang! readers are the heaviest music consumers purchasing over 6 albums per month on average (53% more than the national average) and 8 times more likely to spend over £200 a year on albums. the readers are also 5.5 times more likely to attend a rock gig."

Kerrang has to be able to appeal to its audience. But maintaining a consistency to the magazine keeps its buyers coming back. Kerrang has to appeal to its younger audience because they make up 69.5% of its sales. The Female/male audience is fairly equal so Kerrang makes sure that it appeal to both genders.

•It talks to its reader – its content is based on what its audience talk about; it provides information and knowledge; people like to be seen with the magazine; the audience feels it can trust what it reads. It has 55,589 twitter followers and 12,208 facebook fans

• Circulation• 42,203 (Jan-Jun '12)• Readership• 378,000• 87% of its readers buy every issue.

It's price is £2.20 per issue, this is affordable for younger people

• Advertisingfull page

• £5,005• double page spread • £9,510• half page

£2,752

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COVER ANALYSIS

Eye FlowThe eye flow of this cover follows the conventionseen generally on magazine (music) front covers,employing the “reverse-S” shape for the eye flow of the cover, as represented by the curved blue line on the cover to the left. The eye flow begins at the top left, where the masthead, which is in capital letters, large, bold and in a colour that contrasts the background (white font against dark background), captures the reader’s attention. The obscuring of the masthead on the right side of the cover by one of the cover people, leads the reader to concentrate on his face. The eye flow that continues to the main coverline, as a result of its large font, boldness and the use of a red layer for its background, to emphasise the words “PARKWAY DRIVE”. It then continues through the explanatory text below the coverline, due to the contrast of the yellow brush and the black large, capital font. The bright colour of yellow captures the attention of the reader’s eyes. Afterwards, the eye flow continues through to the bottom right of the magazine, to the end of the kickers on the right.

LanguageThe “access all areas” phrase is something that is usually seen on music magazines to suggest a certain exclusivity or at least full coverage of a particular event or band. This part of the strapline clearly entices the reader as it suggests that they will receive an complete, fully rounded glimpse into this event/artist.

This explanatory text is an example of the direct address to the audience that the front cover employs. With the use of the personal pronoun “you” Kerrang! create the effect that the reader is part of the magazine, and draw the reader into the magazine.

The use of exclamation marks is found throughout the cover, in order to symbolise something as exciting, and therefore make it seem more exciting to the audience.

Being a band magazine, artists and bands are mentioned throughout. If a reader sees that a band they like is in the magazine’s content than they will be more likely to purchase the magazine.