Rolling Stone is a New York based magazine that was founded in 1967 by its current publisher Jann Wenner. It is issued bi-weekly - unlike other music magazines - by Wenner Media LLC, who also publish other American magazines such as Mens' Journal and US Weekly. The magazine costs $5.95 and has a vast circulation of 1.4million. Rolling Stone also has a very popular website and also a MySpace page, which contribute to a lot of its readership.
Although the magazines reader profile is more likely to be adults,in the 1990's it changed its format to try and appeal to a younger demographic, by focusing on younger musicians and actors. Rolling Stone is also known for its political coverage as well as its music and this could appeal more to middle-class adults who have strong political views. Although it is categorised as a music magazine it also involves many other aspects in its content and on the front cover. Whilst a musician is usually customary for gracing the front cover of music magazines, Rolling Stone tends not to conform. Although it has had musicians from Jay-Z to Britney Spears, it has also included 'The Hills' cast and also Brad Pitt. On the front cover that I have chosen Jay-Z has a very powerful facial expression which suggests how he perceives himself. His clothing also seems to give the impression of wealth and power which is what Jay-Z epitomises, and the font colours used match that of his suit. I have also used a Rolling Stone cover featuring the popular MTV series 'The Hills' cast. The series is very popular, especially with a younger audience so this will draw in a younger demographic that Rolling Stone are trying to appeal to. The girls body language is quite free and laid-back, but also looks extremely staged and their facial expressions echo this. The use of Jay-Z who appeals to a wide demographic and 'The Hills' cast, suggests that Rolling Stone are evidently trying to appeal to a younger audience, as apposed to many other issues of their magazine where they have used older actors or musicians such as Pink Floyd, Sting and Keith Richards.
Rolling Stone has a very recognisable typeface which is easily memorable for the consumer. The front cover is full of simplicity with only one photograph used, and three fonts with a small enough amount of writing so not to distract the consumer from whoever appears on the cover. The font colour will often change along with the cover model(s). This is obvious when you compare both magazine covers that are shown. On the first cover featuring Jay-Z, the font colours are black and silver, which reflect his image visually. Whereas on 'The Hills' cover, the font used is pink which connotates a more feminine and girly image for the consumer, which is reflected by the girls' facial expressions also. The layout tends not to change issue to issue. The cover story usually takes the main focus, with featured stories running along the side of the cover.
Inside the magazine it has a diverse content ranging from music, to films to politics which differs to many other music based magazines. Many of the advertisements in Rolling Stone are advertising alcohol which would suggest that the magazine is intended for anyone over 21, as that is the legal drinking age in the US. Although the magazine is mainly about music, the other topics included are very broad and have as much conent as the music articles which suggests that the magazine feels it should inform its audience about other areas besides music.
