GQ - Audience & Industries

 Audience

Look through the GQ Media Kit and answer the following questions: 

1) How does the media kit introduction describe GQ?

The media kit describes GQ as a leading men's lifestyle brand that covers fashion,culture,entertainment,politics,sport and grooming

2) What does the media kit suggest about masculinity? 

The media kit suggests that GQ embraces a "New Masculinity" that is more inclusive and progressive

3) Look at page 3 - brand highlights. What special editions do GQ run and what do these suggest about the GQ audience?

Special editions include Men of the Year,style and fashion issues and New Masculinity-themed content.These suggest that audiences are interested in celebrity culture,fashion,achievement,status and contemporary social issues

4) Still on page 3, what does the video and social series section suggest about how magazine audiences are changing? 

It suggests audiences increasingly consume content through social media,video platforms and mobile devices rather than only through print magazines.

Media Magazine feature: GQ

Go to our Media Magazine archive and read the article on GQ (MM82 - page 12). Answer the following questions:

1) What are the elements that go into choosing a cover stars for GQ? 

-Current popularity and cultural relevance

-Appeal to GQ's target audience

-Their ability to represent success,style and aspiration

-Their potential to generate media attention and sales

2) How is the magazine constructed to serve the target audience? 

GQ combines fashion,grooming,culture,politics,sport and celebrity interviews 

3) What does the article suggest about GQ's advertisers and sponsorships - and what in turn does this tell us about the GQ audience? 

GQ attracts luxury advertisers such as designer fashion brands,watches,cars and grooming products.This suggests the audience could be middle class people who are highly interested in luxury brands

4) What is GQ Hype - and how does it reflect the impact of digital media on traditional print media?

GQ Hype is GQ's digital-first platform featuring celebrity interviews,fashion stories and exclusive online content. It reflects how magazines now produce content specifically for digital audiences rather than relying only on print editions.

 

5) Finally, what does the article say about additional revenue streams for print magazines like GQ?  

-Digital subscriptions

-Sponsored content

-Events and awards ceremonies

-Video content

-Brand partnerships and advertising

Industries

Your industries contexts are divided into three areas - Conde Nast, GQ's website and social media content and the impact of digital media on print industries.

Condé Nast

Read this Guardian news article on editorial changes at Condé Nast and answer the following questions: 

1) Who was previously GQ editor for 22 years? 

Dylan Jones

2) What happened to the 'lads' mag' boom magazines such as Nuts, Maxim and Loaded? 

Many declined due to falling circulation and changing attitudes towards gender representation.Nuts and Maxim closed while Loaded eventually moved online after significant circulation losses.

3) What changes have been taking place at Condé Nast in recent years and why? 

Condé Nast has been streamlining operations,restructuring editorial teams and focusing more heavily on digital content.These changes were made in response to declining print revenues

Read this Press Gazette article on Conde Nast. Answer the following questions:

1) What does the article suggest about Condé Nast's recent strategy? 

Condé Nast's strategy has focused on becoming a global multimedia company rather than simply a print publisher

2) How does chief executive Roger Lynch describe Condé Nast and why? 

Roger Lynch describes Condé Nast as a modern global media company because its brands now operate across print, digital,social media,events and video platforms

3) What does Adam Baidawi say about Condé Nast, GQ and culture? 

Adam Baidawi argues that GQ is not simply reporting on culture but actively shaping conversations about style,

masculinity and contemporary society

Read this FIPP feature on Condé Nast diversifying into video and streaming content. Answer the following questions: 

1) How is Condé Nast moving away from traditional print products?

The company has expanded into video production,streaming content,podcasts,social media and digital journalism

2) What examples are provided of Condé Nast's video and streaming content?

Celebrity interview series,fashion videos,lifestyle content 

3) What does the end of the article suggest modern media audiences want? 

Modern audiences want content that is immediate,interactive,available on multiple devices and delivered in a variety of formats including video and social media

GQ website, video and social media content 

Visit the GQ website, Instagram and YouTube channel. Note that some of these may be blocked in school. Once you have looked over GQ's online content, answer the following questions:

1) What similarities do you notice between the website and the print edition of the magazine?

Both focus on fashion,grooming,culture,celebrity interviews and lifestyle advice

2) Analyse the top menu of the GQ website (e.g. Fashion / Grooming / Culture). What do the menu items suggest about GQ's audience?

It suggests the audiences are interested in personal appearance,health,entertainment,current trends and cultural issues

3) What does GQ's Instagram feed suggest about the GQ brand? Is this appealing to a similar audience to the print version of the magazine?

The Instagram feed focuses on fashion,celebrities,luxury products and contemporary culture.It appeals to a similar audience as the print magazine but is designed for a younger more digitally engaged consumer

4) In your opinion, is GQ's social media content designed to sell the print magazine or build a digital audience? Why?

In my opinion it is designed to build a digital audience.Social media helps GQ reach millions of users who may never buy the magazine while also promoting articles,videos and brand partnerships which helps with GQ revenue

5) Evaluate the success of the GQ brand online. Does it successfully communicate with its target audience? Will the digital platforms eventually replace the print magazine completely?

GQ has successfully adapted to digital media through its website,social media channels and video content.It communicates effectively with its target audience by offering content across multiple platforms.However,i believe in some ways print magazines are unlikely to disappear completely because they still offer prestige,collectability and a premium reading experience that digital media cannot fully replicate.Furthermore older audiences may not be able to understand the use of technology so they would most likely rather prefer to use print media than digital media.