GQ, August 2019

When was GQ launched?

1931

How did GQ start?

-GQ began its life as a quarterly publication called Gentleman's Quaterly

-aimed specifically at fashion industry insiders

When did GQ rebrand?

-Its popularity with customers caused its rebranding in 1967 to GQ

Who is GQ produced by?

Conde Nast

How is GQ a multi-platform brand?

-Each issue is published in print and digitally; it has its own acclaimed website and apps

Who is GQ aimed at?

-GQ is aimed at ABC1 men aged 20 and 44

What are the statistics behind GQ?

-has a 212,000 monthly print readership

-online boasting over 2 million monthly unique users

-more than 2 million social media followers

How is GQ funded?

-Funded by magazine sales and advertising

-GQ says that 88% of its audience have bought or plan to buy products they've seen in GQ

-93% of GQ's audience own designer fashion

How is the masthead conventional?

-The branded masthead is conventionally placed in the top left-hand corner (Z-rule)

-and stands out with the choice of gold font, connoting luxury and exclusivity (traits the brand associates with)

What does the colour palette suggest?

-The limited colour palette of black, white, gold and orange create a sense of cohesion to the design

-whilst also reinforcing the magazine's message of luxury, sophistication and masculinity

How does the magazine use star appeal?

-There is a long shot of footballer and celebrity Raheem Sterling, ensuring the magazine has star appeal for the audience

What does the cover price establish?

-The cover price further reinforces this is a print magazine aimed at an ABC1 audience with disposable income

How is direct adress used?

-Sterling is looking directly at the audience, seemingly making eye contact.

-This is a common convention of magazines and helps to add to the more personal approach of this format

What does Sterling's gaze connote?

-His cool, relaxed gaze and slight smile looks down at the read, suggesting he should be admired, looked up to

What does Sterling's clothes suggest?

-Sterling's leather combat trousers and boots are more high fashion than practical

-connote luxury and masculinity

-also an indication to readers that GQ is a lifestyle magazine

How is Sterling's occupation shown?

-Sterling's professional role as a footballer is anchored in the main cover line "Guardian Angel. How Raheem Sterling saved Football from itself"

What does the anchoring text under Sterling suggest?

-GQ calls Sterling a "Guardian Angel", which has multiple connotations, including a sense of guidance and protection

-suggests he is looking after players and the values of the game by rooting out racism

How is Sterling presented as moral?

-The idea that he is doing morally good work is reinforced through his black angel wings and cross tattoo

-also frames him as a Proppian Hero, which is conventional for magazine cover stars

Why are the top cover lines significant?

-The top cover lines, "How to wear a broken suit" and "Why it's finally OK to own a belt bag" is significant for the magazine's target audience

-In today's competitive society, which focuses heavily on aesthetics and where having the "right" look is apparently very important

-the reader begins to rely on this magazine as a "how to" guide when it comes to being a fashionable man

How does the cover tease the reader?

-At the top right of the page, there is another cover line advertising a picture special from "GQ heroes"

-"All the sizzle" implies gossip and celebrity intrigue, while the term "exclusive" suggests the reader won't be able to find it anywhere else and they need to purchase the magazine to be in on the secrets

How are the topics varied?

-On the right-hand side of the page the reader is offered some politics, "Westminster has become a living nightmare. Andy Burnham's Manchester masterplan"

How can the political coverline be analysed

-This hyperbolic language is a reference to the elected Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham, who is calling for more devolved power to be given to cities rather than held by the government in London.

How does the magazine broaden its offering for its audience members?

-By including some serious journalism, as well as entertainment and fashion advice, the magazine is broadening its offering for its audience members

How is enigma used?

-Barthes' theory, enigma codes can be applied, teasing the reader to want to read certain stories, for example "Speak no evil, inside the most brutal dictatorship you've never heard of"