ANALYSIS OF BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

COVER.The masthead is situated within the top row of thirds.

This connotes importance as it is across the whole

magazine ensuring it is the first thing the readers

attention will be. The name “billboard” could link to The

two most notable charts are the billboard top 100 which

ranks the top 100 songs regardless of genre and is

based on digital sales, radio airplay, and internet

streaming data; and the billboard 200, the

corresponding chart for album sales. Also billboards

are used to promote things and are frequently changed

which could link to the idea of new music. It is quite a

simple font which could link to the idea that it’s easy to

read. It’s also white which could have connotations of

fresh and now which could link to the genre of the

magazine; new music. The main image is situated over

the masthead which could symbolise importance of her

and give the idea that she is important within this issue

of the magazine.

The main image is a medium close up of Lily Allen.

The main image is in your face, with its size it could

connote importance. It goes over the name of the

magazine and with being the largest thing on the cover

page it connotes both importance and dominance. Lily

Allen is looking directly at the audience with quite a

serious facial expression, by looking directly at the

audience she is inviting them in. The seriousness of

her expression could represent the fact she wants to

be taken seriously as an artist; and not taken as a pop

artist but seriously it could suggest she is serious about

music. She is also wearing a white headband which

again could represent new and fresh which is how the

music could be described.

The cover lines on the front cover I think portray the idea

that this is a serious magazine. They are also simple and

follow the simple housestyle of the colours pink and white.

The main coverline is “Lily Allen” showing the importance of

her story within the magazine; it obviously being the main

attraction. Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Ludacris are also

mentioned portraying the genre of music to be quite wide;

yet mainstream maybe a more serious portrayal of the top

40. “What apples new pricing means for music” is also

used which I think could connote the idea this could be for

a slightly older audience, it also shows the magazine is

mainly based on music however has other elements within

it.

ANALYSIS OF CONTENTS PAGE

The layout of the contents

page is using the rule of thirds.

This makes it look like a

professional magazine and

ensures everything is in

proportion.

The ratio of images to pictures are that there are more images that text. I think

this is quite stereotypical of billboard magazine as it is mainly image based.

It is apparent this is a Christmas issue with the use of the

bauble and the use of the red which connotes the idea of

Christmas giving it a Christmassy feel.

The use of the date and the name of the magazine show the idea of the housestyle.

The date line is consistent throughout each magazine. Also both backgrounds on both

the contents and cover page show the housestyle as they are both quite dark and

simple.

The main photograph is a long shot. The woman looks quite happy and

energetic which could link to the fact that this is a Christmas issue and

that Christmas has connotations of happiness. She is also wearing red,

which again is a symbol of Christmas.

The overall style of the magazine is popular music and up and coming

artists so the style is very plain with just one or two colours used. This is

done so that the main cover images can be the main attraction.

The 3 other images connote the idea that the genre of the magazine is very wide. This

is because it shows a range of other styles of music. the images mise-en-scene have

the same backgrounds a music theatre background or of a musical instrument included

within the image, linking to the main theme of a music magazine.

The page numbers are in white. Which again is keeping the housestyle as white is

used throughout (on the coverlines on the front page) this could connote the idea of

fresh and new music as that is what white has connotations of.

The housestyle is also shown

through the copy (text). This is

because the font is again quite

simple and easily legible. The use

of black font is also used

throughout/

ANALYSIS OF DOUBLE PAGE SPREAD.

This page-spread is neatly

broken up by image and text.

Reinforcing the idea that

billboard is a mainly image

based magazine. This structure

is which is shown throughout

billboard with the simple fonts,

layouts and pictures- simply

including three columns of text

with two images. To break up

the overall layout, the use of

pink text has been used to

signpost a specific area and

draw the readers attention in.

The medium close shot of the

artist- Alexandra Burke, could

show connotations of both

power and dominance. This is

because it is a slightly low angle

shot; making the readers look

up on her. Which could also

show she may be seen as a

role model and people have

respect for her.

Her wind swept hair is quite messy. It could

have connotations of release and freedom

which maybe could link to the quote on the

page in pink stating how she’s gone from living

with her mum to how her life is now.

She is also making direct

eye contact with the reader

by looking directly into the

camera. This immediately

creates a direct relationship

with the reader and draws

them in.

The text is quite simple again following

the housestyle of the font. There are

three columns of text which make it look

professional.

The use of the quote in pink follows the housestyle for this

particular magazine, it is also used on the cover page. The

quote is used to draw the readers in. It is in a quite bold colour

in comparison to the other colours enabling it to be the first

thing that the readers look at.

The background of both pages again follows the housestyle for

this particular magazine. It is again plain and simple which is used

on both the contents and cover. It enables the main focus to be

upon the images and text in comparison to the background.

HOUSE STYLE OF BILLBOARD MAGAZINE

The conventions of a billboard cover include: often the photo of the main featured artist goes

over the masthead

The main attraction of the issue e.g the artist is always in the largest font.

Often sans-serif fonts are used which looks quite modern and could connote freshness

and youth.

The conventions of a typical billboard contents page include:

Simple layout structure often the rule of thirds is used.

The left column is often used to represent all the pages within the magazine.

The contents title is often in bold.

The image often works around the text. Emphasising the fact that the magazine is mainly

image based.

The conventions of a typical billboard double page spread include:

The main image often links in the with the text.

Quotes from the text are often used to draw the reader in.

Other colours are often used from the main image are often used.

A small serif type font is often used which looks quite sophisticated and could be seen as

reliable.

BACKGROUND OF BILLBOARD. Billboard is an international news weekly magazine devoted to music and the

music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It

maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most

popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis.

Billboard was founded in Cincinnati on November 1, 1894, by William h.

Donaldson and James Hennegan.

Originally titled Billboard Advertising it was a trade paper for the bill posting

industry, hence the magazine's name.

Within a few years of its founding, it began to carry news of outdoor

amusements, a major consumer of billboard space. Eventually Billboard

became the paper of record for circuses, carnivals, amusement parks, fairs,

vaudeville, mistrels, whale and other live entertainment. The magazine began

coverage of motion pictures in 1909 and of radio in the 1920s.

The editor of billboard is Danyel Smith. The frequency of the magazine is

weakly. The circulation figures are: 16,327. The company is: prometheus

global media.

Lastly Billboard is intended for music professionals, such as record label

executives, artists, music retailers, and radio DJs.