The gentlewoman: Audience and Industry

 1) Media Magazine feature: Pleasures of The Gentlewoman

Go to our Media Magazine archive and read the article on The Gentlewoman (MM84 - page 34). Answer the following questions:

1) What does the article suggest is different about the Gentlewoman compared to traditional women's magazines? 

Its minimalist covers are so completely different that it’s actually shocking. The

only text is the title, subtitle and name of the person in the photograph,

2) What representations are offered in the Gentlewoman?  

Plays with ideas of gender performativity and stereotypes. Occasional

oddities, subjects that you simply would not get in other women’s mags. There are women

from Africa and Asia, as well as Black and white women from the UK and North America.

3) List the key statistics in the article on the average reader of the magazine. 

85% women. 61% 28-46. 47% are A or B. 

4) What is The Gentlewoman Club? 

An ‘international society’ of ‘sophisticated women and men who demand quality

and originality from their agenda of cultural happenings’

5) What theorists does it suggest we can apply to the Gentlewoman's club?

Clay Shirkey, Henry Jenkins, Gauntlett.

6) What does the writer of article suggest they are getting out of their relationship with the magazine?

It creates a ultra-modern ‘reality’ for its readers – a simulation.

7) Who are the team behind the magazine?

Gert Jonkers and Jop van Bennekom, Penny Martin.

8) How does the Gentlewoman use their website and social media to promote the magazine? 

The gentlewoman’s liberal use of cross- platform social media helps deepen readers’ relationship with the brand,

9) What are the 'creative collaborations' in the magazine? How do they 'spill over into real life'?

Brands use the gentlewoman’s own writers and photographers to market their products

to the gentlewoman’s audiences. With special events for club members.

10) How does the article sum up the audience pleasures of the Gentlewoman? 

A sort of cult appeal – exclusivity.

2) The Gentlewoman Media kit

Look through The Gentlewoman's Media Kit and answer the following questions:

1) How does the Media Kit introduce the magazine?

Intelligent, opinionated and entertaining. Celebrates modern women of style and purpose.

2) On the 'Digital' page, what different sections of the website are there and how do these offer opportunities for audience engagement and interaction? 

Library: profiles of women of great renown

Club: questionnaire w/ club members, q&a w/ club members.

Magz

Shop

3) What are the audience demographics for The Gentlewoman?

Older woman in Europe, Usa etc

4) What is The Gentlewoman Club and what does it offer readers?

Events doing various things - reading, tours, previews, soirees.

5) What is Creative Collaborations?

Communicates brand message through distinct editorial voice. Cross platforms - photography, films, inserts.

3) D&AD Award Winner feature

Read this short D&AD advertising agency award feature on The Gentlewoman. Answer the following questions:

1) How is the magazine described?

Offers an intelligent perspective on fashion through ambitious journalism and photography. Speaks to its audience as readers not consumers.

2) What does it say about the content and design of The Gentlewoman? 

 Brings together in its pages modern women of great renown and distinction. The editorial design continues its evolution with the introduction of new typographical and layout elements

3) How are the readers described?

Confident, intelligent and stylish.

4) Business of Fashion website feature 

Read this Business of Fashion feature on The Gentlewoman - the magazine that is also a club. If you don't want to sign up to the website (free) then you can access the text of the article on Google Drive here (you'll need your Greenford Google login). Answer the following questions: 

1) Why does it suggest the magazine has managed to 'cut through the clutter'?

With intelligent takes on fashion/culture aimed at smart tasteful woman.

2) How are Gentlewoman Club tickets given out? 

Free to website subscribers.

3) What does the article say about The Gentlewoman's relationship with its audience? 

They feel part of something and sincere.

4) Why are Club events valuable from a digital perspective? 

Engages readers between annual issues. 

5) Website and social media research

1) Visit The Gentlewoman's website. How does it promote the magazine? 

Through the women that it features and pictures of renown women they celebrate in their magazines. 

2) Visit the magazine page of the website. How much of the magazine is available to view online? Is this a smart marketing technique to sell print copies or is it giving content away for free? 

I think it's smart it gives people a feel of that issue and so if they like they would be more confident in buying it.

3) Look at The Gentlewoman's Twitter feed. What content from the magazine or Club events can you find on there? 

4) Go to The Gentlewoman's Instagram page. How does it encourage the audience to engage with the magazine? 

5) What representations of fashion and gender can you find on their Instagram page?