Explore the links between articles and adverts in a magazine (Guitar Magazine)

Total Guitar’s reader’s media consumption is made up of various music magazines/ channels and most of this will be guitar related. Also as a male teenage audience we tend to read a lot of FHM, Nuts etc. whatever takes our fancy.

The lifestyle that Total Guitars audience is mainly that of a wannabe rock star. We play a lot of guitars; we try and get alcohol and its all girls, girls, girls. From the perspective of the media we aren’t considered a nuisance but nor an inspiration. Our values are at the core... honest. We are good people and are willing to pay some of our disposable income for a good value magazine.

In terms of songs they tab (show you how to play) the choices range from the classics to the modern. By doing this is appeals to both older and younger audiences, giving the teenagers a rare history lessons, and the more mature audience a rare feeling of being up to date. In terms of there own articles they often refer to parties or gigs they had the night before, this makes you feel one of the family and also allows you to identify with the writers. Also the interview style with bands is fairly relaxed, often referring to current events, which interest the readers.

The articles also sometimes impose adverts into the articles, as sometimes bands will be asked questions by the magazines such as “What guitars do you play”, by replying enthusiastically it gives the object some desire with the potential buyer

The articles that appear close to the adverts appear close for a reason. If there is a guitar review a guitar advert appears near it. The articles often represent sexual stereotypes to appeal to the young audience. The mise-en-scene of the posters often places the instrument as the main focus, using anchorage text to attract the audience.

Also after an interview they may be posters advertising tours. The poster creates a strong desire by showing the band in a direct mode of address and showing numerous ‘sold out’ dates. The links between the adverts and articles are relative in terms of subject.

These links are agreed for the purpose of self gain. The advertisers plan to put there adverts in TG because it has already captured the target audience they wish to address.