CD Advertisement Research

In a CD Advertisement, there are certain elements that must be included in order to ensure it is successful and draws people in. These are as follows:

• Artist name
• Album/single title

These are both included as it helps the company to promote the artist or the album itself. It is important as it allows the audience to recognise the artist and name of the album.

• QR code
• Main image

The main image is an important aspect as the audience will need to know the artist for them to be able to purchase the album, however not all albums have the artist's image on the album but the artists name will still get the audience to buy it. It is also done to promote the artist. This also links with brand identity because it will have to link to the digipak. 

• Tour dates

The tour dates information is important because it lets the audience know when they should book their tickets for so that they can watch the audience perform, it is basically quick and free advertising and distribution of information for their tour so that they can make more profits that way. 

• Release date (out now/pre-order)

This is important because the audience will want to know when they will be able to purchase the album or single. The purchase information is important because it lets the audience know when, how and where to order the album from. For example, a website, release data, HMV, iTunes and Amazon. 

• Ratings or reviews

These are very important as it tells the audience how good the album is so that they can make a decision on which album(s) to purchase. However, most artists only put good reviews and not the bad reviews and ratings so that their reputation and product name is not tarnished. 

• Brand identity (fonts/images/texts)
• Available on iTunes/amazon
• Record Label
• Formats available on
• Websites

Having a website on your magazine is very important because it helps the audience gain more information regarding your albums and singles. Depending on your target audience, websites are very good. For example, pop music's target audience is usually teenagers and teenagers are stereotypically very good with technology and things to be on the internet.

• Includes... (the single/the video or 'exclusive'/'featuring')

These are included so that it can also promote the artist to show that artists latest single or exclusive, or who they have featured in  order to intrigue the audience to buy their album and encourage fans of other artists to buy their album too.

• Logo

Magazine Advert #1

This is a print for an album advertisement for the artist Plan B's second album, 'The Defamation of Strickland Banks'. This advert would have likely been printed after the release date of the album due to the ratings on the left hand side, and the phrase 'the multi-platinum album of the year'. The message of the typography is clear in this album advert, the artist's name Plan B and the quote 'The multi-platinum album of the year' are highlighted in red and bold. This makes the two most important pieces of the advertisement stand out among the rest of the information and easily draws the audiences attention. Also, the ratings under the quote gives the audience a good idea of where the album stands, constistent 4 star ratings can sway the  potential customer to go out and buy the album as opposed to choosing against it. The main image is the actual artist which adheres to the typical pop/hip-hop conventions. However, the saturation level and the clothing of the artist insists a sense of elegance and class - expected of a soul/jazz album. This could attract a massive audience as these genres are largely mainstream and the ratings suggest that the artist is able to combine these styles cohesively and effectively. The target audience that this album advert is attempting to appeal to would be young males for the alternative hip-hop aspect and young females for the pop/jazz feature. Particularly working class/lower class, however it could spring up to middle class teens in some cases due to its elegance. 

Magazine Advert #2

This is a print advert in a magazine for Wretch 32's album 'Wretchrospective' released on 6th October 2008 (which means that the advert was printed some time before this or close to its release). The typography in this advert adheres to the general stereotypical view towards the 'Grime' or 'UKRAP' genre. The title is spread out across the middle of the page, making it difficult for audiences to keep their eyes from it. The text underneath is almost displayed in a 'rave' advertisement style which is a viable approach to promotion as a lot of grime/UK rap artists go to raves to promote their music. This style may be familiar to that audience, therefore, attracting them to read on and possibly buy the album on release. The main image mixes its style, keeping some UKRAP elements while slightly straying into the popular music category. It sticks to its urban style by having the artist as the centerpiece and the clothing being that of a working class or lower class man. Also, the buildings to the left of the artist suggest that the music is urban and the paint dripping from it also signifies this because it is linked instantly to graffiti. However, while a lot of urban UK artist' albums adverts have serious tones with the artist generally looking angry while this advertisement is bright and has a cheerful aroma. This cheerful sense can be exemplified through the blue shaded rainbow behind the artist or the bright sky above him, signifying happiness which is what popular music tends to do. The target audience for this album advertisement would be lower class male youths aged 12 - 19 from underprivileged areas.