GQ Magazine Presentation

GQ Magazine

THESIS:

GQ is the authority on men. For over 50 years GQ has been the premier men's magazine, providing definitive coverage of men's style and culture. With its unique and powerful design, the best photographers, and a well of award-winning writers, GQ reaches millions of leading men each month. GQ is the only publication that speaks to all sides of the male equation. GQ is simply sharper and smarter.

http://www.gq.com/

FIVE FACTS:

1) GQ has two main sections; intelligence and fashion.

2) The majority of the magazine is clothing advertisements.

3) Appeals only to men.

4) Driven by advertising.

5) Claims to be a “complete guide to men’s style”

http://www.condenastmediakit.com/gq/index.cfm

BRAIN:

GQ contains mainly limbic and neocortex content. There are many articles that make you think, but the first ¼ of the magazine is all pictures, and throughout the rest of the magazine there are scattered full-page ads for men’s style clothing.

TRENDS:

Epistemological: from word to image.

Economic shift: hyper commercialism and corporate consolidation.

PRINCIPLES:

Trade-offs: how accurate is it. On page 133 there is an article about the 12 most important things that matter this month. There is a trade-off for determining what matters. The 12 important things they list are interesting, but may not exactly be the most important dude to subjectivity.

Production techniques: camera angles, lighting, editing, symbols

Ownership: GQ publishes ads from designer brands. By advertising in GQ, the clothing is considered to be “in style.”

Emotional Transfer: pg234. Sad story that draws emotion from the reader.

TECHNIQUES:

Symbol: Terrell Owens on pg 82, Usher on page 147, Jersey Shore on pg222

Flattery: pg139. “Inspired by You” section is saying that YOU deserve a better lifestyle. It says you can afford to gain weight, be in style, eat nice food, drink good wine, go on vacation, go shopping etc.

Bandwagon: pg94. “The Suiting World Just Got Younger.” Article claiming that more and more young people are wearing nice clothes everyday.

Simple solution: pg132. Claims that you will be a better runner by buying this shoe.

Testimonial: pg155. Uses popular DJ group, MSTRKRFT, to sell new media platform.

Plain Folks: pg92. “Mr. Outdoorsy Adventure Man Finally Loses the Backpack.” Selling designer brands to outdoorsy everyday people.

Beautiful people: GQ is full of models.

Humor: pg 200. There is a political cartoon that has an important message, but is humorous in the way it is presented.