Task 4

1- What types of magazines and target audiences has Times Inc. (formerly IPC) been associated with over the years?

Times Inc. have made magazines predominantly for white males with a wealthy lifestyle who have extra money to spend and time away from work to actually sit and read a magazine. The types of genres revolved around personal interests such as gardening, fishing, cycling etc. which were all male activities during this period of time (1800s-1900s) However, over time society changed their views on the differences between males and females and magazines for females began to come on the markets; these magazines still promoted a domestic lifestyle for women and a working lifestyle for males (1920s-1940s) Weekly magazines for females were about homes and gardens; this was heavily influences by the context – the magazines consisted of post-war content. This was stereotypical as the magazines that females were reading were significant to the roles of their gender as were men’s magazines. After the 1940s there was more of a variety of magazine genres for females; as society was changing, the way people thought about differences between genders. Gossip magazines began to stock the shelves and these tended to be bought by working class females. Times Inc. also began to produce Music Magazines, Lifestyle Magazines and Sports Magazines. The change in the magazines and target audiences which Times Inc. have been associated with has constantly changed depending on the context of the time.

2- Why might Times Inc. be an appropriate publisher for a new music magazine?

Times Inc. would be an appropriate publisher for a new music magazine as they clearly have a lot of experience in the magazine sector. They have a wide range of and are not confined to one type of audience. Times Inc. have been publishing magazines from different genres for a very long time and so have an excellent understanding of the market and publishing. They are renowned publishers and so sales are guaranteed.

3- What sorts of music genres/magazines are they likely to publish?

The types of magazines a publisher produces depends on their target audiences. As for music magazines; they are likely to produce music magazines for fresh music genres which are trending such as pop, rap, hip hop and rock. These are heavily known genres which would gain a wide range of audiences who are interested in those type of genres. As they are big genres, the number of people the publishers will reel in is high. E.g. NME is a music magazine published by Times Inc. which features trending music genres which is youthful music; this will attract the majority of audiences as there are more working class people than wealthy people. A female would be more interested in pop music and bands like Justin Bieber or One Direction whereas males would be more intrigued by rock music as well as rap and would like artists like Tinie Tempah or Pink Floyd. The types of music magazines that Times Inc. might publish depend on the audiences (gender, age, social class, sexuality etc.)