Magazine Cover Review

    When I passed magazines at the grocery store, I never realized how much thought was put into just the illustrations on the cover pages, much less the advertisements and articles it must contain inside. In the article by Michael Scherer, Chances are you won’t bother to read this article... , November-December 2002 (Vol.41, Issue 4) it stated an interesting fact that, “editor Ed Needham admits that he doesn’t even bother to read long articles in magazines.” This piece of information indicates how important it is that authors relate to different demographics accordingly in order to sell any magazine.   

      In the Oprah Magazine her cover page is warm and inviting. Her feature article titled “Joy in the Mourning” entices people to learn what she has to say, due to the article having a contradicting title because "Joy" is the exact opposite of "Mourning". It makes people question how someone can find happiness in times of grief. The feature article discusses how to find Joy when trying to cope after a loved one has passed, due to the pandemic or other reason. She did a great job at discussing this touchy subject, so plenty of people would want to read it especially her older demographic who are scared of the pandemic and need to be steered in the right direction when it comes to coping during this difficult time. The cover page contains vivid orange tones to symbolize happiness as well as other bright fall colors to catch your attention. Her wardrobe choice is more on the conservative side because Oprah targets more of an older demographic. The selling line is obviously just Oprah, due to the fact that she can sell anything through her name. Oprah does not need a sales pitch because people who like the message she sends to the world they will grab her magazine and want to read about the important issues she wants contain or talk about in her magazine.  The magazine shows cover lines including one about Lady Gaga titled "ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE...", but it is in small print due to wanting the magazine to be stay strictly on brand by making Oprah the focus.  There is also another cover line titled "Oprah Talks to Voters" and "An O List", which display that her magazine focuses on issues she actually discusses with others, cover lines others might interest people, and cover lines she specifically wants to be included.

      In the VOGUE magazine it illustrates a striking woman such as Rihanna as their main cover page. The demographics for this magazine would be people who are professional and or fashion oriented. The magazine is fierce due to Rihanna's compelling appearance and her feature page titled “REBEL!” The magazine consists of attempting to sell designer high end brands to their readers. The wardrobe choice is a clean white suit and tie, with a white masthead: Vogue in its distinctive lettering it symbolizes 
how Vogue is elite and so is Rihanna. They also chose for her to wear a white tux because it ties in to one of the cover lines, which discusses current fashion trends, such as the: "luxe white tux." There is again no selling line for this Vogue magazine because just about everyone by now knows who Vogues demographic is and what it tends to discuss. The feature article discusses how she is a multibillion-dollar businesswoman, but also has a desire to become a mother to 3 or 4 kids someday. The magazine has a distinct audience, so having a celebrity who is a style icon who some people might look up to her on the cover of their magazine was definitely intentional in order to sell their magazine. The magazine stays loyal to their brand by advertising designer brands as well as relating to those who are interested in fashion and lifestyle.  

       In the Better Homes and Gardens magazine targets moms looking for inspiration in order to spice up their homes. The cover
displays colorful pumpkins and ghost cookies that would interest a mom who likes to do arts and crafts and or bake. It is obviously a October issue, due to containing the word "Halloween" in the feature article as well as the illustrations. There is again no selling line because this magazine has overtime made a name for themselves and it is obvious to tell what they are getting across by just simply glancing at the cover page. It could also advertise home design for even younger people to decorate their bedroom to give the magazine a larger demographic.  The feature article titled Halloween tricks & treats 186 frightful clever ideas, which would teach moms how to decorate and bake in a festive way. The magazine contained just that: creative illustrations to excite readers, such as costume, carved pumpkins and halloween house decor, which all relate to what occurs during the month of October. The magazine stayed on brand by relating to those interested in home decor, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living and entertaining.  

        In the Rolling Stone magazine it illustrates the rapper Lil Baby on a graffiti filled brick wall.  They titled the feature article “Lil Baby’s Uprising” and decided to center the cover around the riots, due to the graffiti saying "Black Power" these riots were occurring because of African Americans being treated unfairly. The article is centered around how he got in
to the music industry. It also discusses how he wrote a song regarding what happened to Breonna Taylor and how he protests in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. The cover page would draw in any reader, due to it being centered around the riots and possibly wanting the information on how it impacted this certain individual. There is again no selling line because people know what the Rollingstone magazine entails, such as hot artists and current issues that teens are also aware about. The magazine stayed on brand by strictly discussing music, pop culture and politics.  

       In the COSMOPOLITIAN magazine it captures wondering eyes of men due to the sex appeal on the cover page. Targets men who are interested in the “sexy” women displayed on the pages, as well as middle aged women and teen women wanting to read about entertaining articles, fashion and beauty. The actor Joey King is on the cover, with a dark purple tight cut out dress to symbolize her power. The feature article was called “The Joey King
Interview That Literally Broke Zoom”, which discussed her upcoming movies, her life in quarantine as well as an embarrassing Zoom call. The magazine would appeal mainly to teens because she has been in a lot of teen oriented movies recently, leaving teens excited to see what she has to say. The audience appeals to middle aged women due to the cover lines, such as "sex toy boom", fake a mani and "put on heels again?" The magazine stayed loyal to the brand by featuring articles on sex, entertainment and fashion. Also, stayed on brand by advertising health and beauty products.   

         I would certainly have to disagree with myself after choosing film as my portfolio project originally. In the article by Michael Scherer, Chances are you won’t bother to read this article..., November-December 2002 (Vol.41, Issue 4); it stated that “when on the radio, the thing that a lot people were staying was ‘I don’t have time to read.” The information informs the reader that people are choosing to not read at all, which will lower people’s comprehension skills. I want to be the person that creates a magazine that people couldn’t wait to purchase.