The Liverpool Echo: Analysis.

Liverpool Echo.

I am analysing the ‘Liverpool Echo’ Main Extra from Wednesday, September 8, 2010. I have chosen this paper as it is very popular and local in Liverpool. As my local area of interest for my own paper will also be Liverpool, this paper is a very good example to analyse.

The ‘Liverpool Echo’ displays its usual masthead, situated at the top of the front page. Its location allows it to be clearly visible in blue and red, which makes it recognisable for readers and also draws attention. The logo situated on the right of the masthead is the Liver bird, a local symbol of the city and another form of attracting local residents of Liverpool.

The paper displays necessary information such as release date and the price which stands at 49p.

Directly below the masthead, to the left, is the papers usual slogan:

“News/Sport/Life. It’s Happening”

displayed in the Echo’s conventional colours; blue and red. On the current paper, an image from a nearby sub-heading covers the tagline which suggests that current readers of the Echo already understand the contents of the paper, which the slogan indicates.

The headline TUNNEL HORROR is probably the most eye catching title on the front page and will be seen instantly by readers with its bold face and vast font. Below the headline, is a reasonably sized image which shows a chaotic traffic jam directly reflecting the headline’s content. Also below, is a smaller sub-heading providing very little, but informative detail, surrounded in a blue box for another eye catching effect. It then provides a minor black on white column lead to the story, displaying only fourteen lines as it is not essential to cover the full news story for the front page in its attempt to attract readers, it contains a ‘Turn to Page 3’ line to direct readers from the front page to the full news story.

On the right of the front page, displays a black box with BOMB SQUAD ALERT in a yellow font. This colour contrast effect provides an eye catching appearance however; its size composes it as a secondary lead, or aftermath after viewing the main headline and story.

The advert located at the bottom of the front page is in full colour for recognition and is advertising local pawnbroker/jewellers. It effectively targets older readers; mainly adults aged over twenty five. This is evident due to the cost and style of the jewellery being advertised, it does not appeal to a younger audience.

Next I will look at a free local newspaper, such as the Merseymart.

Questionnaire

I have completed my first questionnaire, it focuses on audience's views on local newspapers, such as whether they read them or not or what they would prefer to be included as articles. The questionnaire is suitable for readers and non-readers of newspapers. Here is a copy of my questions and their multiple choice answers.
__________________________________________________

1) What is your age?

2) What is your gender?

3) What would / does attract you to local newspapers?

News / Sport / Entertainment / Lifestyle / Events / Adverts / Gossip / Film+TV / Other

4) How do you receive current local news?

Newspaper / Internet / Word of Mouth / TV / Radio / Other / No Interest

5) What price would you pay for a local newspaper?

FREE / 10p-25p / 35p - 45p / 45p - 60p / 60p+

6) Where would be a suitable location to access a local newspaper?

College / Newsagents / Delivery / Social Areas / Other

7) Do you read any local newspapers?

Echo / Merseymart / Daily Post / Metro / Knowsley Challenge / None / Other

8) If you do not read newspapers, why?

Unable to access / Price / No suitable areas / No interest / Other

___________________________________________________

This questionnaire should provide enough information and views to then begin planning my own newspaper, which should then match my target audience's preferences. I will hand the questionnaire out to the age range; 16-24 which should provide average results.

When I receive my results, I will transfer them into graphs for better visual analysis.

Whilst I dispatch and wait for the results, I will begin analysing current local newspapers for a better understanding of how they present their articles, layout, codes & conventions and style to help create my own project.

Sending Emails

I sent emails to four people concerning how the articles presented in newspapers are chosen to suit the target audience. For my research and planning, I have chosen to analyse the Liverpool Echo, the South Liverpool Merseymart and the Metro. I have sent emails to the executive editor and newsdesk of the Liverpool Echo, one to the newsdesk of the Merseymart and one to the newsdesk of the Metro.

Here are the emails that I have sent;

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(Liverpool Echo, Exectuive Editor: Andrew Campbell)

Andrew,

I am currently an A2 Media Studies student in Roby Sixth Form College and have been assigned the task of studying newspapers. As part of my task, I must research and produce my own local newspaper.

I have chosen the Liverpool Echo to research into and analyse and would like to ask you what the target audience is of the paper? Also, how are the front page articles chosen to suit this target audience?

Any information provided will be a great help,

Thanks, Craig.

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(Liverpool Weekly Newspaper Group inc. South Liverpool Merseymart, Newsdesk)

Hello,

I am currently an A2 Media Studies student in Roby Sixth Form College and have been assigned the task of studying newspapers. As part of my task, I must research and produce my own local newspaper.

I have chosen the South Liverpool Merseymart to research into and analyse and would like to ask what the target audience is and how the front page articles are chosen to suit the target audience?

Any information provided will be a great help,

Thanks, Craig.

___

(Liverpool Echo; Newsdesk)

News desk,

I am currently an A2 Media Studies student in Roby Sixth Form College and have been assigned the task of studying newspapers. As part of my task, I must research and produce my own local newspaper.

I have chosen the Liverpool Echo to research into and analyse and would like to ask how the front page articles are chosen to suit the target audience?

Any information provided will be a great help,

Thanks, Craig.

___

(Metro: Newsdesk)

Hello,

I am currently an A2 Media Studies student in Roby Sixth Form College and have been assigned the task of studying newspapers. As part of my task, I must research and produce my own local newspaper.

I have chosen the Metro to research into and analyse and would like to ask what the target audience is and how the front page articles are chosen to suit the target audience?

Any information provided will be a great help,

Thanks, Craig.

____

I hope to recieve replies as soon as possible to help construct my research. Whilst I wait, I will begin to construct a questionnaire to despatch to my chosen target audience, which is 16-24.

Emails

For the process of research and planning, I have decided that I would email various local newspapers as this will evidently provide valuable information which will be useful for my own project. Using the Internet, I managed to gather several emails, these included:

Liverpool Echo

Executive Editor- Andrew Campbell
andrew.campell@liverpool.com

Head of Content- Maria Breslin
maria.bresline@liverpool.com

Newsdesk
news@liverpoolecho.co.uk

Liverpool Weekly Newspaper Group (Inc. South Liverpool Merseymart)

lwng.newsdesk@liverpool.com
terry.owen@liverpool.com

The Metro
news.liverpool@ukmetro.co.uk

I have chosen these newspapers as I am a current resident in Liverpool, therefore, I can use any information provided to help shape my own project and to fully understand the types of stories used in the local area. By emailing, I can look into how the various articles are chosen and also consider asking about statistics such as target audience.
I also looked into finding contact details for the 'Liverpool Daily Post', however, the contact details were very similar to that of the 'Echo'. My target for my next lesson is to construct a suitable email and send it to the contact details above.

Research and Planning Schedule

13^th September – 11^th October

Below is a brief schedule for myself to use for the next four weeks. I can use this plan to construct my research and to ensure that I remain focused and organised.

· Send emails to local newspapers, questioning them about any queries I might have such as how they decide what is useful to present in their newspapers and how they aim at their chosen age range.

· Create a questionnaire and distribute it to my target audience asking various questions about their interests and preferences in current newspapers and what they would like to see in an upcoming paper for their age. Also, I will evaluate the results and graph them for use in construction.

· Analyse Local Newspapers, looking at style and layout, researching typical codes and conventions to use or develop in my final project.

· Using a variety of local newspapers, choose a target audience to aim my paper at, maybe what is ‘missing’ from the market.

· Decide on a suitable name for my newspaper and begin thinking about possible articles and images suitable for my target audience. Also thinking about price, colours, language and style.

· Do some 'initial' research into newspapers

· Hold Focus groups containing members of my chosen age range, researching likes an dislikes of my favourite fonts and layouts for my newspaper.

Brief

For my A2 Media Studies coursework, I will produce the front cover and first page of a local newspaper, along with its own poster campaign and radio advert. I aim to research for, and plan my newspaper before construction, looking at current local papers and receiving audience's views. This will help produce ideas for my own project.

After the main text is completed, I will begin working on the ancillary tasks, using similar research into posters and radio adverts. I will begin to create a schedule to help me plan out my stages of construction.