Chp. 5: Magazines

Question 1

Early Magazines

Answer 1

•What is a magazine?
–A publication of lasting interest targeted at a specific audience. A collection of articles
•1704: Daniel Defoe founds The Review; commonly considered first magazine
•1740: competition between Ben Franklin and Andrew Bradford to launch first American magazine; Bradford wins by three days

Question 2

The Saturday Evening Post

Answer 2

• First published in 1821
• Contained essays, poetry, obituaries, and a column called “The Ladies’ Friend”
• Iconic covers by Norman Rockwell in mid 20th century helped define middle class America
• First truly national medium
• Post remained important until coming of television
• Described as “a magic mirror that not only reflects us but creates us”

Question 3

Birth of Photojournalism

Answer 3

• Photographer Mathew Brady first became famous for portraits, Civil War photography team
• By 1864, Harper’s Weekly was reproducing his team’s photos
• Promoted idea that photographs could be published documents preserving history

Question 4

Types of Magazines

Answer 4

•Consumer magazines Publications targeting an audience of like-minded consumers
•Trade magazinesMagazines published for people who work in an industry or business
•Literary magazines
Publications that focus on serious essays and short fiction

Question 5

Literary and Commentary Magazines

Answer 5

• Atlantic, New Republic, NationSerious publications with progressive orientation published since the 1800s
• National ReviewConservative response to New Republic and Nation by William F. Buckley
• The CrisisPublished by NAACP to give voice to African Americans

Question 6

The Muckrakers

Answer 6

• Progressive investigative journalists writing in the late 1800s, early 1900s
• McClure’s Popular reform-oriented muckraking magazine featuring work by Lincoln Steffens and Ida Tarbell
• Teddy Roosevelt coined the term “muckraker” as a sign of contempt for their work

Question 7

Women’s Magazines

Answer 7

• Service magazines–“Seven Sisters” and others, how to do things better. Health, cooking, employment, fashion
• FBL – fashion, beauty, lifestyle–Vogue, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar
• Cosmopolitan–Global magazine for young women, focus on unmarried women

Question 8

Men’s Magazines

Answer 8

• 1933: EsquireLiterature, pinups, and fashion for an intelligent readership
• 1953: PlayboyPictures and a lifestyle. First issue featured nude Marilyn Monroe centerfold
• 2010s: Men’s HealthContent targeted at men that looks a lot like content from women’s magazines

Question 9

Magazines and Body Image

Answer 9

• Critics charge that magazines and ads present excessively thin models
• Dove reacted in 2005 with “Campaign for Real Beauty” featuring models of a variety of sizes
• Magazines now occasionally featuring differently-sized women in photos
• In 2016, Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue featured covers with traditional model, plus-sized model, and a former UFC champion
• Controversy over levels of photo manipulation

Question 10

Advertising vs. Editorial Control

Answer 10

• Conflict between advertising and editorial departments (it’s normal)
• SynergyMagazines, models, and sponsors work together to match ads with stories about models and the products they endorse
• Blurring of ads and editorial content“Native ads” are ads that look like editorial content

Question 11

Current Trends in Magazine Publishing

Answer 11

• Targeting narrower audiences
• Presentation matters; layout and graphics critical
• Articles are short; busy readers with short attention spans

Question 12

Magazines in Digital Age

Answer 12

• Numerous magazines, like U.S. News and World Report are now digital-only •The Atlantic has become profitable by adopting a digital-first strategy
• Atlantic now owned by charitable organization