Sex, Scandal and Self
Module 1, Activity 8.1 - Introduction to Magazines
Student Page
(teacher lesson for this lesson)

Introduction:

Whether people realize it or not, they are being targeted. Industries, such as the magazine industry, look for ways to lure people in to buying their product. In this lesson, you will be introduced to the ways in which magazines are targeting teens and other key demographics.

Activities:

Task One - Wide Range
The first thing to realize is that there are several potential target audiences. This means there are hundreds of business opportunities for magazines and advertisers.

With a partner, brainstorm a list of possible target audiences.

• Try to come up with at least 10 different audiences.
• Combine your list with the class list to see how many you were able to come up with as a class.

Having identified possible audiences, you must now determine the ways in which magazines are able to target specific groups of people. As a class, discuss what attracts teens to certain magazines.

Resources:

- magazines
- magazine handout
- scanner
- access to computers
- data projector
- planet S cover
- planet S handout

Now you will have the chance to look at concrete examples of targeting.

Using the magazine that you or your partner brought to class, or one that the teacher has provided, you must complete the tasks on the magazine handout.

After you finished analyzing a cover and an ad from a magazine, you will present your findings to the class.

Want to see an example cover with target audience information? View the planet S cover page and read the corresponding handout.