No matter what type of media product, weather it be a newspaper, TV program, Website or Magazine, they are aimed at a specific audience. Depending on what type of audience they are aiming their product at does effect how the product is designed and presented to the consumer as well as the content within that product.
In order to fully understand who their target audience is VALS and Demographics are used. This gives them a detailed idea of what they audience want and need when they look for these products.
VALS and Demographics can be based on factors such as age, sex, and social class. For an example if a new magazine was going to be aimed at 15-25 year olds (age factor) then that magazine company/designer would make sure that it would suit there needs...therefore it wouldn't be too expensive as younger people may not have a lot of money to spend and they may make it more images than text because younger people don't want to be reading big long full articles about something.
Overall I would say that VALS and Demographics play an important role in the production of a magazine as they ultimately effect everything about the product.
During the planning stages of my music magazine I produced a readership profile for the type of reader that would buy my magazine. Ultimately it was to show the type of person that would fit in my target audience.
Below you can see my music magazines readership profile.
Summarising My Target Audience
Demographics:
My music magazine is aimed at 15-25 year olds both equally male and female. The social class of these is classed as ABC which means that it is suitable for all social classes.
VALS:
The VALS for my magazine which is basically 'What type of person is my typical reader?' and that is a 'Reformer' and 'Explorer'
Reformer = This type of person is young and really has no huge responsibilities and is usually in education. This does match my demographics and planned target audience.
Explorer = Again matching my demographics this person is a younger person and is interested in trying or listening to new bands which is what my magazine contains.
My target audience is also part of a music sub-culture. This is because my music magazine is a 'indie mag' and has music and bands in that are not really heard of and it is usually only real intimate music lovers that go to festivals for example that would buy my magazine. This is reflected in my colour choice which is quite dark and mysterious.
My music magazine could actually be targeted to an even wider audience in theory but that would depend on the specific person looking at the magazine on a shelf. What I mean by this is my magazine could appeal to tradition rock or even pop music follower if they were looking for a new magazine to try. I say this as I planned my music magazine to be affordable for anyone to buy which does increase the chances of people buying this product because it is not too expensive.
Overall to conclude who my target audience is, it is both male and female in the age range of 15-25 who perhaps may not be able to afford expensive products and it is they type of person who is young and wants to try new band and music. Indie music follower would also be my main target audience.
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