Heat CSP case study

Introduction - Heat media pack

1) Heat offers its readers exclusive celebrity news, an all-inclusive fashion and beauty section and "Life Hacks" which includes travel, food, fitness, well-being and homes.

2) Heat keeps their readers up to date with everything going on in the showbiz world, including the lives of famous celebrities such as Hollywood A-list actors/actresses or well-known artists. It fills their readers in on what's the latest to ensure that they are aware of the things that are happening to certain people in those type of industries.

3) Aside from celebrity news and gossip, Heat provides its readers with affordable and trending clothing items and things that are a "must-buy" in the fashion industry. It offers them fashion advice, whether it is inspired from celebrities or street-style; it is also all-inclusive meaning that people of all ethnic backgrounds, body types and sizes can benefit from this. As well as this, Heat supplies their readers with life hacks which covers food, fitness, well-being, travel and homes - all along with their own "unique heat twist".

4) Heat magazine's audience profile is as follows:

• Female: 90%
• Male: 10%
• Average age: 37
• Age profile: 52% are aged between 15-34
• Segment: 50% ABC1
• Marital status: 57% married

Media Language

1) The cover lines are mostly written in a bold sans serif font, which immediately stands out to the readers. They also include rhetorical questions - for example "Is this Harry & Meghan's biggest mistake yet?" in order to fully attract a wider audience and make them want to read it to find out more. It also includes a large exclamation which reads "CAUGHT OUT!", to perhaps make it the first thing that catches the reader's eye and intrigue them, encouraging them to purchase the magazine.

2) The colour scheme on the Heat magazine cover consists of a huge variety of different bright and bold shades of pink, yellow, white and red. The use of these vibrant colours was maybe done to attract attention from audiences. There are many different images which supports the idea that gossip magazines tend to be more busy and packed with an abundance of things to make it seem as though they are bursting with a large range of stories.

 

3) The use of paparazzi photos create a sense of realism whilst also again reinforcing the gossip aspect of the magazine. Most of the facial expressions of the celebrities look neutral or straight-faced, which heavily implies that Hollywood is not all the blitz and glamour that it may seem. This is again shown through the way that most of them are not dressed in the classy or dazzling clothes that they are normally seen to be wearing, again sparking interest as it may show a side to celebrities' lives which are not usually shown through social media.

4) On the Tatler magazine, there is only one main central image as opposed to the Heat magazine which consists of many different pictures of multiple celebrities spread out across the cover. Also, Tatler is made up of a relatively pale assortment of colours, which are mostly pastel, e.g. light pink, white, light blue. However, Heat has a range of shades throughout, with many being bright and vivid colours. Tatler magazine has a central image of their model, in this case Emma Weymouth, who connotes to elegance and dignity especially seeing as her photo was taken by a professional team of photographers. On the other hand, the images on Heat magazines are of celebrities which are taken out of turn or unplanned, therefore it doesn't seem as sophisticated or refined like Tatler is, which shows the audience the clear distinction between the two and which may seem more suited to their liking as both have entirely different design choices.

Representations

1) Heat includes a wide range of celebrities, for example: Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Victoria Beckham, Liam Payne, Cheryl Cole, Dani Dyre and Giovanna Fletcher.

2) Celebrities are mostly represented in a negative light on Heat magazine, as most of the photos are paparazzi pictures which were taken without consent. Also, the cover lines again support this as they include personal parts of their lives, which are then published for all to see. This subverts the thought stereotype that all celebrities lead perfect lifestyles filled with wealth and luxury - as there is also the side to them filled with countless out-of-pocket scandals and drama which is shared with the whole world, stripping them of their privacy.

3) On the cover of Heat, women are not presented as they would usually be expected to - what with wearing a full face of make-up along with a stylish and neat choice of clothes. Instead, they are shown without an excessive amount of make-up on their faces, messy hair and wearing somewhat normal clothes, such as Victoria Beckham. However, they are shown to be bad or problematic people through the cover lines - which reveal very disreputable parts about them - from being painted as a secretive liar to being involved within an affair.

4) Tatler represents the upper class through the use of their regal and expensive design, along with their choice of model, who is a marchioness. They are presented in a graceful and poised way in comparison to Heat magazine. Although the celebrities on the cover of Heat are all wealthy and upper-class, rather than being portrayed as distinguished, they are instead shown to be improper and discreditable.