Research: Magazine Advert Textual Analysis (Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3)

JAY-Z BLUEPRINT 3 ALBUM MAGAZINE ADVERT

I chose to analyse this magazine advert because I found it a very interesting design, and would like to create something similar to it.

In this magazine advert, there is a hierarchy of information; the most important info to the top, getting less and less important as you read downwards. This is evident in size of text. There is a hierarchy because the main objective of the advert is to sell the album, and when someone is reading they see the top first and bottom last. Having the most important thing at the top ensures maximum exposure to the audience.

At the top, we see the artist name and album title, “Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3” accompanied the 3 horizontal lines logo, used to represent the number 3. This is displayed in bold black text to appeal to be eye catching.

Further below we see the centrepiece of the advert, artwork identical to the one featured on the cover of the album. This is because it creates a theme and consistency throughout the body of work. It helps consumers identify the album in stores/websites, driving up sales for the record.

Next we see the line where it states some singles included in the album, this is to help persuade people to buy the album. If they have heard the singles and liked them, then it is likely they will enjoy the rest of the album. This too will help drive sales. Directly below that we also have the release date for the album, as consumers will need to know exactly when the album will become available. Albums are usually judged by how popular they are by the first week of sales, therefore if people know when it is released they are more likely to buy it that first week, therefore improving its popularity and encouraging others to buy the album too.

Nearer to the bottom, we see in fine text the URL address for Jay-Zs website, this is to get more people to access the website and sign up an account, which will keep them updated with albums, records, concerts/tours, and merchandise. This increases the artists fanbase and keeps the fans in touch with the artist, which results in more profitability for the record label.

Finally, we see the logo for the RocNation record label that is headed by Jay-Z, this is to promote the branding and image of the label. Other artists signed to the label can benefit from this because if people like this album they may like other albums produced by other RocNation artists. Placing the logo on the magazine adverts increases public awareness of the label.