Cover Page Analysis- Rolling Stone

Rolling Stone is a US- based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks.The Rolling Stone’s masthead uses the same font style in every issues creating its house style, which is the style of font, colour or layout which is unique and consistent with that particular magazine, helping readers to identify the brand. The title of the magazine is in red, which is very eye- catching, this helps to attract the audience. This front cover relies almost entirely on the main image to sell the issues with just the masthead, a lead article and a sky line. On the image is Jay Z ( famous hip- hop singer and producers) who is known world wide. The size of the image is certainly a close up,with the face big enough to stand out at the news stands, with the singer making eye-contact with the audience to draw them in. ( even though Jay Z is wearing a pair of sunglasses). In comparison with other magazines which I have looked at,Rolling Stone does not advertise any freebees or giveaways in this issue, relying totally on the quality of the content of the issue and the recognition of a known name brand. As we can see, there is a wide range of articles which the magazine covers, not only music. Rolling Stones highlights political and eco- friendly issues in the article sequence. With the masthead in  red allowing the branding of the magazine to help with the sale. The main image is very picturesque and classic, appealing to a more sophisticated target audience. Giving the magazine much more of a intellectual, academic and serious context then other music magazines like NME. This view is intensified by the cover article on the oil spillage, which ads a level of maturity to the magazine. This gives an understanding  about the target audience of the magazine, I would say both sexes between the ages of 20-35, due to the tone and more formal language being used, the age boundaries differ in comparison with Mixmag or Vibe. 


Editor Jann Wenner


First Issue November 1967


Company Wenner Media LLC