Generating Ideas (P1, M1 U21)

Learning Outcome 1(U21): Be able to generate ideas for an original media product based on a client brief

Brief

The brief states I need to produce a 'new online and print based magazine for North London' for The London Magazine to show the 'vibrant music scene developing locally' as 'people need to know about it' (explicit). I can explore different artists, music genres or musical locations in North London (implicit). I need to create a front cover and a double page spread as sample pages in addition to creating a pitch (explicit). For this I will 'produce original content' and edit it (explicit) which I will do by taking photos and editing them (open to interpretation). I need to show my planning by using 'documentation' (explicit) which I will do by taking photos and writing down my process (implicit & open to interpretation). The genre, topic, content, price and target audience is open to my interpretation. 

Possible ideas

One idea I could do for the magazine is make it artist based. I could focus on new, unknown artists. The artists featured on the magazine each week could perform in North London so readers who have an interest on the artist featured on that issue can engage with the artist as a fan. The double page spread can be an interview and exclusive information about the artist. 

Another idea for what I could do for the magazine is make it genre based. This could reflect the most popular genres in North London such as pop, hip hop or grime. The double page spread would include new music for the genre, interviews with artists who produce music in the genre and upcoming events in North London relating to the genre.

One more idea for a magazine I could create a venue based magazine. I will write about venues in North London, giving reviews, information about upcoming shows and top tips for each specific venues. I can include artists that have performed at the chosen venue and information about transport nearby. A unique selling point for this magazine could be that every issue, a free ticket to the next show is included. 

Idea one: artist based magazine

This magazine will be about artists, some who are new and unknown and some who are widely known. Each magazine will focus on one main artist per copy but there will be some information and news on other artists which means readers who are not fans of the main artist featured will still purchase. This will act as cross promotion because it promotes artists as well as the magazine. This is because the artist reaches new audiences in the magazine and will gain new fans. The main genre of the artists featured will be pop and hip-hop because these are the most popular genres in North London. Readers have the option to buy the magazine weekly or they can decide to subscribe on the magazine's website. This means they can either pay a yearly fee or for six months and they will automatically get the magazine sent to their chosen address. Each issue, the featured artist will do a live performance in North London. Subscribers will have a 24 hour priority time to buy tickets to the show by entering a unique code, before it gets released for the public. This will be my unique selling point because there is no other magazine that does this. This promotes the magazine as not only does this appeal to readers who want to learn information about artists, but it also appeals to people who enjoy going to live shows. Furthermore this promotes North London venues as they well get a new audience of people who wouldn't usually go to live shows, but purchase the magazine and decide to start going, meaning venues would want to work with the magazine.

I will feature artists of all races and ethnicities so readers will feel represented and have someone to look up to who they can relate to. This reflects the diversity and multi-cultural demographic of North London. The target audience will be all genders to reflect how North London is overall quite accepting of everyones identity and very diverse. Additionally, the artists featured will be all genders as their music appeals to everyone. The target audience's class will be B (middle class) as north London has a range of social classes. This will be reflected in the price for individual monthly magazines will be £3.99, however the yearly subscription fee will be £45. The target audiences age will be 15-25 because this is the age that is most likely to keep up with new artists and be loyal fans of known celebrities. Also, this age demographic is most likely to be fans of the pop or hip-hop genre. The target audiences ethnicity will be English as this is where it will be sold.

The front cover will have the main artist on the front. It will be photos from a photoshoot, with colours reflecting the genre and artist. The double page spread will feature interviews, exclusive information about celebrities and links to music. There will be around 150 pages. The cover will be printed glossy so it allures potential buyers however the inside will be matte so light does not reflect onto the pages and it is easy to read.

Possible names: vibe, iconic, aura, it!, classic

Idea two: genre based magazine

This magazine will be about the grime and hip-hop genre. This is because these are very popular genres in North London. Each magazine will feature interviews with grime and hip-hop artists. It will include links to the artists music, such as their Spotify or Apple music account. This promotes the artists, meaning they will want to work with the magazine. There will be information about new songs and albums in the genre, including reviews, recommendations and top hits. Furthermore, there will be a section of upcoming events in North London that relate to the hip-hop and grime genre. The unique selling point for this magazine would be if you purchase this magazine, the reader can have an exclusive log in to the magazine's website where they can access even more information about artists, music and drama that you cannot find in the magazine. Not only does this promote the magazine as a USP, but it can generate a new source of income from the website. Moreover, each issue will include a competition where the reader has to 'Guess the Freestyle', meaning a secret rapper will come up with some lyrics, and readers have to guess who it is. Readers submit their answers on the website. One random selected person who guessed correct will receive £50 off a concert of their choice. 

The target audience will be those of all races, reflecting the wide range of races in the hip-hop and grime genre. This also reflects the diversity and acceptance of North London. Often in media, black people are presented negatively. Therefore, black people and people from other minorities who read this magazine will feel positively represented and look up to the artists as it is shown how they can be successful. The target audience's gender will be all genders because the genre appeals to all genders. The target audience's age will be 16-30 year olds because hip-hop and grime lyrics are often explicit and mature. Also, this age group are likely to listen to modern music. The target audience's class will be ABC because (upper middle, middle, lower middle class) because the genre is for all classes. This is reflected in the price: £2.99. The target audiences ethnicity will be English as this is where it will be sold. 

There will be around 100 pages. The front cover will be printed glossy so it allures potential buyers however the inside will be matte so light does not reflect onto the pages and it is easy to read. 

Possible names: The real/For real/, keep up 

Idea three: venue based magazine

 

This magazine will be venue based. Each issue will focus on one particular venue in north London. This will act as a cross promotion for the venue and for the magazine. There will be information about the venues history (including when it was built, artists who have been and notable people who have attended). There will also be advice for the venue such as how early you should attend your show, what type of tickets you should purchase (seating or standing) and how you can get to the venue (public transport nearby, local carparks). Furthermore, there will be a section on upcoming shows in that venue. This attracts an audience of people who enjoy going to shows and people who are interested to learn more about the community and location they live in (north London). The unique selling point for this magazine will be that in one random issue, a free ticket to the next show in the featured venue will be included in the magazine. However if you do not receive the free ticket, there will be a code readers can redeem on the venues website meaning they will get 48 hours priority time to purchase tickets to the next concert, before tickets get released to the general public. 

The target audiences gender will be all genders as concerts and live shows are enjoyed by all genders. The target audiences race will also be for all races as concerts and live shows are enjoyed by all races. The magazine will be inclusive to reflect the diversity and acceptance of north London. The target audiences age will be 18-30 as in most live events, you must be accompanied by an adult if you are under 18. The target audiences class will be AB (upper middle/middle class) because regularly going to live shows can be expensive. This is reflected in the price of £4.50, which can be justified, not only to reflect the disposable income of the target audience, but also because it includes items and discounts (such as money off concert tickets and priority time) that fans of going to live shows will want. The target audiences ethnicity will be English as this is where it will be sold.

There will be around 200 pages. The front cover and inside will be matte. This is so it look sophisticated and classy to appeal to the target audience.

Possible names: Live!, moment, spontaneity

Conclusion

Ultimately, i've decided to produce the first idea for my magazine which is the artist based one. This is because it showcases the vibrant music scene by featuring new and upcoming artists as well as well known celebrities who are performing in in North London. This allows me to create original content that showcases hidden talent and strengthens the community of North London which also fits the brief. It also showcases venues in the area as the artists featured perform live in North London. There will be a mass audience as the pop and hip-hop genres are very popular in North London, it will attract people who enjoy going to concerts and people who are fans of the artist featured. Additionally, there is a gap in the market for an artist based magazine in North London which the magazine will fill. With the second magazine idea, although it had many strengths such as the competition, it is not as interactive as the artist based magazine where you can see the artists live. Additionally, with the third magazine idea, although there are also many strengths, the target audience is very niche and the price point is high.