Print Media: Good Housekeeping (Research)

'Good Housekeeping' is a similar magazine to 'Country Living'- both of which are produced by the same institution. However it covers different aspects of Lifestyle to 'Country Living', as well as having a different style and audience. This research may give me new ideas for my print production.

Good Housekeeping

Content Type
'Good Housekeeping' covers a variety of aspects of the Lifestyle genre. These are: food, money, fashion, health and beauty, as well as a news section. It also has a section named 'Lifestyle' which contains ideas for things from home interior to holiday destinations. Unlike, 'Country Living', the content of this magazine focuses on cheaper ways of living and provides articles such as 'Spend a Little, Give a Lot'. Each issue also has a large focus on health and often features real life stories. Images relating to an article accompany the text, which often feature people, unlike 'Country Living'.

Readership/ Target Audience
The target audience for this product is females with the age ranging from 30 to 60. This is because the focus of the topics in predominantly on matters which concern or interest this age range. For example the issues regularly focus on health techniques and how to master food recipes- both of which  someone from the age of 30-60 is likely to be more interested in because it is at that age that females are cooking for families, have a house (which relates to the title of 'Good Housekeeping') and focus on their health. A teenager or young adult is more likely to be interested in music or celebrities than food ideas and healthy living and are less likely to own a house. Also the front cover mostly features a 'homely' dressed female which suggests the magazine will hold more interest to females than men. However a male occasionally features on the front cover which may have an attractive appeal to a woman and give the magazine a more masculine look which may attract a male.
The demographic category which the magazine is likely to be aimed at is C and above. This is because the magazine features a 'Money' section which may appeal to those in the lower category because they will live on more of a budget that those in a higher category. The fact that the 'Good Housekeeping' often features a celebrity as the cover image connotes wealth and admiration. This may attract those in the A and B category because they are well paid professionals which are likely to want to display their wealth and buying the magazine will give inspiration of how to do so. Also the featuring of celebrities may attract other people that are fans of a particular celebrity. For example Miranda Hart is featured in one issue which may appeal to a fan of hers, rather than a fan of the magazine.

House Style
The main focus of the issue is always in bold text that is larger, and often darker, than the other text on the front cover. Also, a lot of text is placed on the front cover which tells the consumer what they will find in the magazine. The background colour of the articles is often white and the text dark which makes the text and images stand out to the reader, and the article easier to read. This may be a selling point of the magazine because consumers are more likely to purchase easy to read magazines than those that require close attention because magazines are often for leisure purposes. Furthermore the magazine uses a range of layouts. For important or large pieces of information, such as health or interviews, a newspaper format is used with a minimal amount of images. However for the fashion and beauty sections, the layout consists of a placement of images and short sections of text (which can be seen in the image). Subtitles and headings are always a different colour to the rest of the text. Images are a main feature in 'Good Housekeeping' and are responsible for adding colour and appeal to a page.

Industry & Where Its Fits In
'Good Housekeeping' is is part of the fashion and health industry because it provides information on the latest trends in beauty and clothing and inspiration for food ideas, as well as incorporating the balance of a healthy lifestyle into the content. It fits in the present climate of the recession because of the 'Money' section which offers tips and ideas on how to save and prevent overspending. It also fits in with the recent large interest in what celebrities wear with the 'Fashion' and 'Beauty' sections, which is a large demand of the print industry. Furthermore 'good Housekeeping' fits in with social activism. It prohibited the advertising of cigarettes in 1952 in the magazine and advocated the pure food in 1905 whilst supporting the 1906 'Pure Food and Drug Act'.  Many people including the Federal Trade Commission complained about the 'Seal of Approval' saying that it was misleading and products were regularly chosen from the companies which sponsor the magazine. However this didn't affect the magazines popularity.

History/Traditions

Good Housekeeping is an American Lifestyle magazine .The first issue was published on the 2nd May 1895 and has been published ever since monthly. Occasionally there are special editions which are exclusive to members. In 1909 the 'Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval' was established- which is now a traditional part of the magazine and marks products which have been tried and tested by the GHRI (Good Housekeeping Research Institute). In 1922, Hearst Corporations published the first UK edition, which has much the same content as the US version, both of which are part of the 'seven sister's- a group of woman's service magazines. There are two individual websites dedicated to both versions (UK and US).

Evaluation
This research into 'Good Housekeeping' allowed me to see how the magazine caters for the target audience. This is important because I have a similar audience in mind as the one for 'Good Housekeeping'. Also I found the idea of the traditional 'Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval' interesting and it has given me an idea that I could incorporate something similar to feature in my magazine. The fact that 'Good Housekeeping' has partaken in social activism also advocates that the magazine works with society in mind. I think that this is important and as I produce my magazine I should consider current social issues. Furthermore I like how the colours on a page are subtle but the images add the extra colour which the page needs. I could use this in my production.