Tatler case study

Introduction - Tatler Media pack

1) Look at the Tatler Media Pack. Go to page 2: how does the editor introduce the magazine?The editor introduces the magazine as 'a fabulously, sensationally accurate rifle shot to the very richest readers in the country.'

2) Now go to page 4 of the Media Pack. Focus on the print magazine (NOT tatler.com - the website). List the key demographic details: age, gender %, ABC1 % (social class), HHI (Household Income), % of those living in London and the South East. What do these demographic details suggest about the average Tatler reader?Age: 41, Gender: Female 73%, ABC1: 83%, HHI: £261,572, London/SE: 70%. These demographic details suggests that the average Tatler reader is mostly a female audience and they are quite wealthy as well as being upper class and upper middle-class. Most average Tatler readers have a high household income and they are mainly from London and the South East of England.

3) Look at page 6. What do Tatler readers think about fashion? How much do they spend?Tatler readers think fashion is quite attracting and that they should buy fashion products if they see things advertised in magazines. They spent £843 million within the last year.

4) Go to page 10. What are the special editions of Tatler that run throughout the year? What does this suggest about the pyschographic groups who read Tatler?The special editions that run throughout the year are the Travel Guide in January, Weddings Guide in March, Beauty & Cosmetic Surgery Guide in April, Spa Guide in June, Watches and Jewellery Guide in July and Schools Guide in October. This suggests that the psychographic groups who read Tatler would be Aspirers.


Media language

Revise the 12 magazine cover key conventions and check how many feature on this edition of Tatler.

1) What different examples of typography can you find on the cover of Tatler? What are the connotations of the serif and sans serif fonts?
Serif and Sans Serif are the different types of typography I can find on the cover of Tatler. The serif font suggests a more traditional look on the cover and the sans serif font is more modern to attract younger audiences. 

2) How do the cover lines appeal to the Tatler target audience?Cover lines appeal to the Tatler target audience because it attracts them and tells them some of the things that are within the magazine, like a brief summary; linked to the rest of the magazine cover.

3) What are the connotations of the Tatler colour scheme on this particular front cover?The connotations are that yellow could show to make fashion seem vibrant and rich. The pink could possibly be a stereotype to show that this magazine is mostly aimed at females. The colour green connotes nature, also outlining the woman.

4) How is the central image designed to create interest in the magazine? Find three reasons for your answer. (E.g. Mise-en-scene such as props, costume and make-up, body position, facial expression)
The central image is of a woman therefore it creates interest for people who like fashion; she also seems to be wearing quite expensive clothes and jewellery, so it attracts audiences that are of a higher upper class and her facial expression is stern, also quite strong-looking as if to taunt the audiences to follow the lifestyle of the magazine. 

Representations

1) What different groups of people are represented on the cover? (E.g. men/women/white people etc. Look at the image and text/cover lines to help here)
There is a white woman represented on the cover and the word 'POSH' implies that she is wealthy.

2) What do the cover lines suggest about the lifestyle of rich people in the UK?The cover lines suggest that rich people hold parties and buy a lot of clothes and they might spend a lot of money on themselves which is a bad habit.

3) Are there any stereotypes being reinforced or subverted? How? Why?The stereotype of women being weak and vulnerable is being subverted as the position of the lady in the centre clearly represents her power and she looks directly with her eyes with no apprehension shown. There are no men shown in the Tatler front cover so it subverts the idea that men are strong and above women.

4) What would be the preferred and oppositional readings to this cover of Tatler?
The preferred reading to this cover of Tatler is that it is promoting fashion and influencing people to follow the lifestyle of a rich, wealthy person through the rules of the 21st century, whereas others might think it's to bring about nature due to the green background which has leaves since people might not understand the magazine front cover.

Social and cultural context

1) What aspects of British life or people are NOT reflected in Tatler? (Watch the clip above again if you need help with this - the clue is in the title 'Posh People')People of lower class and who are not wealthy people are not reflected in Tatler so they don't include other ethnicity apart from those who are of the white race; it also reflects their work.  

2) Tatler runs special issues on holidays, spa breaks, cosmetic surgery, watches and jewellery and private schools. What does this suggest about the magazine's representation of life in Britain?This suggests that the magazine's representation of life in Britain is quite relaxed and not very stressful for wealthy people.

3) What audience groups might be offended or insulted by the front cover of Tatler April 2017?
 The audience groups that might be offended or insulted by the front cover of Tatler April 2017 are those who don't have the same privileges that wealthy people do and even if the audience group is wealthy, those of different ethnicity will also feel inferior to the atmosphere the front cover gives off.

4) Find three other front covers for Tatler. What issues or problems are regularly featured in Tatler?
The issues or problems that are regularly featured in Tatler are that most of the front covers contain females who are white and mature so men might feel excluded from the magazine as if fashion isn't for them.