Studying different types of media communication is a way to become more knowledgeable and aware of the many ways in which to connect with a target audience through the written word. After analyzing three unique types of media communication, it is clear that there are multiple ways in which writers identify with their readers.
PsychologyToday.com
The online form of Psychology Today magazine contains a wealth of information on any imaginable topic. After reviewing this website, reading several of the articles and blogs within, and analyzing the advertising and graphics, I have determined that the target audience consists of college-aged adults through adults in their 50’s, who are educated or plan to be, and have a desire to better understand themselves. I was very surprised to find that about 90% of the total ads were those for colleges. This shows that they assume their reader is over 18 years old, is intelligent, and would be interested in furthering their knowledge. I do not feel that this matches up with their character depictions in photos, as all of the people pictured are at least 30 years old, so it somewhat contradicts itself. There seem to be conflicting views of who the target audience is.
Cosmopolitan.com
The online form of Cosmopolitan magazine is intended as an extension of the magazine, not a replacement. This means they feature more information, different than what is in the magazine, and include a wider variety of topics. Upon reviewing the ads, pictures, layout, and articles, I determined that the target audience is young, professional women who want fashion, health, and current female trend information. I based my assumption on the bright colors used, the way the words “Fun Fearless Female” seemed to be placed at least once every page, and the nature of the topics that were used. Also, the writing within the articles is very casual, often using slang or slightly inappropriate references that women in this group would find interesting and amusing. After reviewing, I found the online media kit for the website, and was extremely impressed by the way they have the information set up. They actually use comparison charts, and even show information for specific groups, like college students, housewives, and professionals. They compare their statistics against those of other leading women’s magazines, giving potential advertisers a great source of intelligent information. I feel, based on the content of the site, as well as the manner in which the articles and ads are conducted, that this effectively reaches the target audience.
RCReader.com
This is a local paper that is published every other Thursday, and focuses heavily on arts, entertainment, and politics that affect my area. Based on the ads, topics, layout, and writing voice, I determined that the target audience includes college-aged students through mature adults, especially professionals with an interest in business and the community. The tone of the articles, even the A&E articles, is extremely professional and well-written. These articles are obviously aimed at people who have background knowledge of the topics, and use a lot of intelligent verbiage and references. The ads are for local businesses that cater to arts, music, or services that a successful adult would utilize. There is a large section for local events, especially music, so I assumed that the readership base is very involved with the local music and art scene. The not-so-artful design makes me believe that the target audience is more interested in the information within the site than the way it looks. Overall, I feel that the RRC is effective in reaching their intended audience.
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