Cosmo: A well known feminen magazine that brings attention to sex and beauty, and more recently has sections that appeal to male readers as well. This magazine is targeted towards increasing a womens sex appeal in both beauty aspects ie: make up, clothing tends, body style fitting, etc., plus confidence and understanding with the opposite sex both inside and out of the bedroom. There is a combined amount of material in this magazine, from heart warming pieces of girls overcoming bullying, to short confessions of the naughiest thing they had ever done. Ads bombard the artical with an overwhelming 178 in the April's issue. However, that may seem like alot, but the products that are being adveretised are ones that women reading this magazine would want to buy. Cosmo, as well as the ads, articals, and "facts", are all colorful and interesting. The biggest difference between http://www.cosmopolitan.com/ and its paper version is that online the reader can read about anything, as opposed to the focus of this month; which the headlines display on the magazine.
Cosmo sets itself apart from the rest by putting less focus on celebrities, and more on the reader, and how to improve themselves, and definently its openness towards sex. The attitude towards this artical is open for intertation, but the sex and beauty is what its all about. It always has on the front cover advertizing the new sex position of the month, and this month specifically: 75 sex moves men crave, guys confess naughty desires they never had the balls to tell thier exes. Look sexy, those are the two largest prints on the front cover. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/ . The Plus to having the print version of the magazine is its easily carried, and the reader is physically able to flip through the pages, usually with no knowledge of whats on the next page; and its much easier on the eyes than a computer screen. Online however, you can read about almost anything they have ever published, theres even a search section at the top, and the most valuable feature online is that the reader is able to engage with the site, for example, you are able to take mulitpul quizzes, play game, shop, and much more. Downfalls towards print, well it costs 5 dollars an issue when online is free, and there are more ads then anything else in the magazine. Online dowfalls are having to sit at a computer to read instead of the mobility of a magazine, and its entirely too busy.
Quiz: Test Your Sex IQ
The primary target for this magazine is females, and anywhere from my guess around 12 to well about 40. The ads in Cosmo enhance the message they are trying to send, you have this body type, this is the swimming suit for you, oh look... theres an ad for swimming suits by whoever. It works. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/hairstyles-beauty/tiptool/swimwear-for-body-shape?click=cos_more#/category1
I personally prefer the paper version, i like to lay on the couch and flip through the pages, however, there is so much more information online that if i was looking for something specific i would use online instead. Most of the time though when i am looking through the magazine its to kill some time while im tanning, or on a long car ride, not so much for information or to take quizzes. I think that what the audience is trying to gain from reading the magazine depends on whether or not they should use online or print, but mostly the articals are interesting, and a little improvement tips never hurt anyone; i dont think anyone soley relies on the Cosmo for sex and beauty though so print should be quite sufficent for most readers.
I cant say that i actually engage with this magazine much more than reading it, i do however, try some of the products they advertise if its something that i am needing or wanting. Theres helpful tips, and ideas in there, and its always nice to relax and flip through the magazine.
After doing this assignment i dont think that my opinion or how i look at reading Cosmo has changed, its pretty self explanatory, and most people take it for its face value; tips on sex and beauty, and a relaxing flip through. Not everyone find those things appealing, but there is a large enough majority of people, and females especially, that will read and continue to do so.
Blog Roll: Cosmo Blogs
About Melissa: Im a 22 year old mother of a two year old little girl, Alison, shes awesome. My degree in criminal justice is just about finished, i go to both LBCC and OSU. Im currently in the National Guard and i very much enjoy silly girlie magazines. Favorite bands are Motion City Soundtrack and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and i love hockey and stand up comedy.
About Nick: Hey hey! Im an art student from Portland planning on transferring into Applied Visual Arts at OSU. I moved to Corvallis this year, after transferring from Souther Oregon University. Corvallis is pretty fun, sometimes too fun, but I do miss living in the city. I work at Les Schwab on 9th street and it's a pretty sweet part time gig, so stop on by sometime and Ill check your tire pressure. Although it's a solid job, I plan on getting out before the benefits and bonuses suck me in for life. I recently started screen printing in my closet, where I hope I can start a little T shirt business selling my logo. Ideally, I would one day love to start my own shop, design company or clothing line, but I figured selling T's and stickers is a good way to start out. I love the outdoors, skateboarding, snowboarding, working on my chevelle (what little I can) and just kickin' back with a brew and my buds.
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