Media Language (the language of print)
Narrative and Genre
Representations
The fact the man has muscles and has a stern look on his face is an example of signification as it suggests that all men should look like this.
This magazine is reactionary as it confirms dominant ideas that all men should look like this.
The conventions of the product are indexical and are definitive of a typical magazine front cover
The dominant signifier of the man is positioned in the middle of the page to attract the audience to the magazine and encourages them to want to read it
The typography is in all different fonts, again to attract the audience’s eye
The fact that Vin Deisel is on the magazine is also attracting audiences as he is a well known celebrity
Constructed sign of reality
Media products are made from a heterosexual viewpoint
4th Oct
David Gauntlet:
- Explored different types of identities
- Fluidity of identity, constructed identity, collective identity, negotiated identity
- He believes that while everyone is an individual, people tend to exist within larger groups who are similar to them
‘The school of life’ present a video called how to be a man. In it, they present the cool and warm man. While not an academic theory, it s possible to identify these two representations in men’s health.
Warm man– article page- man running- he’s got a smaller build and is half smiling/looking sort of proud. The photo looks like he’s not posing and it’s more of an action shot. Isn’t looking at the camera, keeping to himself.
Cool man– front page- man posing- specific lighting to enhance areas of the body and most likely photoshopped. Man looks serious and is looking at the camera (or audience).
5th Oct
Hearst communications
Hearst, is an American multinational mass media and business information conglomerate based in Hearst tower in mid town Manhattan, New York City.
George Hearst– mining entrepreneur and U.S. senator
In 1887 George Hearst turned the Examiner over to his son, William Randolph Hearst, who that year founded the Hearst Corporation.
Hearst are the makers of Men’s health magazines
Hearst, owner of men’s publication Esquire, has agreed to acquire the magazine and book businesses of Rodale, a global health and wellness content company based in New York and Emmaus, Pennsylvania. The selling of Rodale to Hearst started happening in October 2017 but eventually it was bought in January 2018 for $225 million.
Rodale is a trustworthy magazine publishing company with a 4-star rating.
Hearst started doing memberships whereby for $20 a year, members get the web site, print magazine and newsletter, as well as various deals. Without a digital subscription, readers will be able to access four free articles a month.
Hearst magazines (men and women’s health) hire celebrity models to increase their audience capacity and to get them more popularity. Models include: Vin Diesel, Alexandra Daddario, Shay Mitchel, Chris Hemsworth, KSI and many more.
Women’s health gained approx. 7 thousand more buys than men’s health and is therefore more popular.
6th Oct
Go to mens health media kit (link on post).