Why is the Front Cover So important?

The Front Cover of a magazine is so important because it works as a main attraction to the target audience. As it is the first part of the magazine which is seen when displayed in shops, it has to be the most worked on part of the magazine, through the style and attraction of imagery and how attractive the articles appear to be, as they let the reader know if they appeal to them before purchase.
The use of "freebies" are also an incentive to purchase, as they are used to entice the reader the buying the mag. Usually this depends on its value, as a key chain wouldn't attract a reader as much as a CD would.
The front cover is stressed as the most important thing due to the fact that it is not possible for someone to read the magazine or even flick through before they can contemplate on buying it. Which is why the front cover of a magazine must be one of the most worked on things in order to anticipate successful purchases of it.

Researching Publishers

Bauer:
The Bauer Publishing Group was founded in Hamburg 1875 by Johann Bauer. Under the management of four generations of the Bauer family, The Bauer Publishing Group has grown from its humble beginnings as a printing house into a worldwide publishing empire comprising 282 magazines in 15 countries with 6,600 employees worldwide and annual turnover of 1.79 billion Euros.

Bauer entered the U.K. scene with Bella magazine in 1987. Bella made a significant impact on the women's market. The company gained attention again in 1990 with the launch of Take a Break magazine. These magazines have since then continued to be major successes in the UK continuing to appeal to a female audience due to the content they contain, particularly celebrity gossip and fashion tips.

Magazines endorsed by the company:

• Bella
• Take a break
• Eat in
• That’s Life
• TV choice
• Twist

Jennifer Lopez Magazine Analysis- 4: People

People Magazine is a rather relaxed and casual every day magazine at a more universal audience.

Setting and Positioning- This Image of J-Lo and her new born twins are set indoors and has a more casual, serene and calm feel to it. This is a close-up shot of her and focuses more on her 'bliss' with her new born twins. The use of white in the background has a bright effect on the audience making us seem happy for J-Lo.

Body Language and Facial Expression- J-Lo has a big bright smile here emphasizing her euphoria. Her head is slightly tilted with the babies neatly placed in front of her as though advertising her children and kind of forcing the audience to share her happiness with her. Despite this, she seems very content with her happiness.

Costume- Although there is a more relaxed feel to the magazine, J-Lo still wears clothing here that reveal parts of her shoulder area, so we can see she is keeping in touch with her glamorous lifestyle as well as being a caring mother.

Camera Shot- The camera shot used here is a close-up. It focuses more on J-Lo's facial expression and twins rather than her body. The type of shot is most appropriate because the closeness adds a feel of security and comfort towards J-Lo.

Lighting- The lighting here brightens up J-Lo's face perfectly and emphasizes her big smile. The lighting also enables us to see her twins to a greater extent here making them look as fantastic as J-Lo herself.

Jennifer Lopez Magazine Analysis- 3: FHM

FHM is a magazine aimed at a male audience. FHM being an abbreviation for "For Him Magazine"


Setting and Positioning- In this mag J-Lo has been put in revealing clothes here to entice the male audience. She is placed in front of the Title to emphasize that she is the main priority and why people are drawn to the magazine.

Body Language and Facial Expression- J-Lo is crouched down with her hand on her hip to show off her sex appeal. She is facing the audience here giving a direct mode of address enabling the audience to engage with her more. She is also keeping a straight face here keeping the 'sexy' look fresh and serious.

Costume- J-Lo's costume is very enticing here as she is only covering her private areas, leaving the rest of her body visible to the audience. This enables her to work the audience into a frenzy with her wonderful shape and curves.

Camera Shot- The camera shot used her is a full bodied shot. It shows off J-Lo's whole body making her fully engaged with the audience.

Lighting- The bright lights used here emphasize more detail to her body structure and tone. The light makes her body glisten here adding to her glam and sexy pose and look.

Jennifer Lopez Magazine Analysis- 2: Cosmopolitan

Cosmopolitan magazine focuses on tips relating to Sex, Beauty and fashion for women.

Setting and Positioning- As You can see J-Lo is placed in the middle of the mag with her head even further forward that the mag title which emphasizes her importance to her issue and enables the audience to relate to her star status.

Body Language and Facial Expression- J-Lo has a very interesting sexy pose here. She is enticing the audience here with a rather open body stance baring her perfect shape for the audience to see. She also has a straight face here and almost lets her eyes do the talking. This shows the audience that she is rather flirtatious.

Costume- J-Lo is wearing a rather revealing dress here that shows her cleavage off very well. As she is directly addressing the audience, this helps make the image seem more sexy and the flash of her thigh also helps this.

Camera Shot- The camera shot chosen here lets J-Lo Show off her dress and stance perfectly as it is a mid-shot. This enables her to show off her body to ultimate advantage.

Lighting- The lighting here is rather bright which helps bring out the bright colours of her clothing and her bright face.

Jennifer Lopez Magazine Analysis- 1: In Style

In Style magazine is a successful magazine published in the UK. It focuses on Fashion and Beauty.

Setting and Positioning- Jenifer Lopez has been placed on the front of the magazine. This emphasizes her importance to the magazine issue. It is important for an audience to be aware of the magazine title to help it's distribution. However, because In Style managed to get her glamorous image published on the mag, she is even placed in front of the title, which shows the impact her appearance alone means to the mag.

Body Language and Facial Expression- Jenifer is standing slightly to the side with her hand on her hip which gives her a dominating effect towards the audience. Despite this however, the stance also gives her the ability to show off her curvy body and overall beauty which is clear to see. She is also showing off a perfect smile which lets her address the audience as a friendly person.

Costume- Jenifer's Black and White dress here, emphasizes her glamor and beauty. The area which she rests her hand purposefully wraps her body to help show off her curves.

Camera Shot- The camera shot used here is a mid-shot which ensures that the audience gets a clear view of Jenifer showing off her curves and facial beauty.

Lighting- The lights used are very bright here to help give an air-brushed effect to the image which makes her glow. This helps add to her status as a glamorous star.