Preliminary Task

Introduction

For AS Level Media Studies, as part of our coursework we had to produce our own music magazine, however, before we started creation on our music magazines, we had to complete a preliminary task so that we had experience and learnt new skills for the creation of the music magazine; this meant making a school magazine aimed especially for sixth form students at my school, Douay Martyrs. For my school magazine, 'Saved By The Bell', I wrote a target audience profile, a mission statement, produced a mock up front cover and contents page and created the front cover on photoshop using my own original pictures. I thoroughly enjoyed this task, and it made me extremely excited to start creating my music magazine!

Target Audience Profile

The reader(s) of ‘Saved by the Bell’ would be 16 – 19 year old girls and boys who are in full time education in the Douay Martyrs Sixth Form. They are sociable, cheerful, enthusiastic, friendly individuals who are intellectual and keen to learn. Some of their hobbies and interests would include sports, shopping, sleeping, visiting social networking websites, listening to music, reading other magazines and possibly, a keen interest in film. Fully aware of the importance of education within their lives, the target audience of ‘Saved by the Bell’ values the time they spend in school and understands the necessity of succeeding in their studies. They understand that education is a means to a better future and they are determined to do well. At the same time, however, they care wholeheartedly about other things within their lives such as family, friends and their ever-blossoming social life. As my target audience is at the teenage age range, they have a huge variety of different needs; they may feel the need to be socially accepted/to make friends, the need to choose a good quality university that suits them, the need to be good-looking, the need to study effectively and among many others, the need to relax and distress (to escape from the serious side of sixth form). As the editor of this magazine, I hope that ‘Saved by the Bell’ satisfies my target audience by fulfilling these needs. ‘Saved by the Bell’ is a magazine designed to be read by my target audience during a rare free period in the common room and they will use the magazine to satisfy their key needs, such as the ones stated above and/or self actualization and social needs (linking with Maslow’s pyramid theory).

Mission Statement

My magazine will be called ‘Saved by the Bell’ and will be aimed at 16 – 19 year old Sixth Form students who attend at the Douay Martyrs Sixth Form. ‘Saved by the Bell’ has a unique and snazzy style; it is smart yet slightly kooky due to its use of bright colours but convential front cover layout. I believe this eye catching front cover would appeal to my target audience and make them want to read it. The values which ‘Saved by the Bell’ prides itself upon is the belief students need support and guidance; ‘Saved by the Bell’ believes that students need to care about their studies and most importantly their future, whilst also believing that Douay Martyrs’ Sixth Form students have the potential to do the best and be the best. Among many of the goals ‘Saved by the Bell’ aims for, they believe the most important goal is to successfully appeal to its target audience and satisfy their key needs. The magazine will be distributed monthly and the place of distribution will be in the common room/the entrance of the common room. ‘Saved by the Bell’ promises to deliver stable guidance, advice and support for students, entertainment and fun, whilst also updating them on school activities/trips, room changes; the target audience’s variety of needs such as the need for social acceptance, the need to achieve their potential and the need to look good will all be met via advice and articles within ‘Saved by the Bell’. Every month the magazine will cover a range of different topics through feature articles including fashion, job hunting, universities, making friends etc. In conclusion ‘Saved by the Bell’ will benefit its target audience through satisfying their needs whist also managing to entertain them.