Magazine Morons

[ChatOff]

AIBU to ask who these covers actually appeal to? I'm talking about the likes of Chat Magazine where there is always some inane looking woman with her mouth gaping open in the most alarming and unnatural fashion. Usually the photograph is accompanied by some horrific headline.

In terms of marketing they must work because these toilet paper alternatives are still selling but what is the thinking behind these photographs?

I'm trying to imagine the directions from the photographer..."Face forward. That's great now smile. No that doesn't work. I know, try smiling like there are fishhooks in both cheeks then open your mouth as wide as the Joker following a full lobotomy".

I am genuinely intrigued what galvanised you to start this thread this morning?

I was answering an online competition and saw one of these covers and it reminded me how I've loathed this concept forever. It occurred to me that this would be an original topic for once on MN.

Was it a magazine online competition? Which one?

Several actually, via Loquax.

You might enjoy this thread in Classics, OP

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/mumsnet_classics/3175616-BRIDES-AGONY-Bum-Torn-Apart-By-Wedding-Dress

I’d be less embarrassed taking a copy of Razzle (not sure they do that any more?) to the counter than Chat 😂.

The covers are entertaining in though, and those “smiles” next to stories of something gruesome and grotesque. 🤣🤣

The reason why these mags will be advertising on a competition website is because absolutely loads of people going on Loquax will read shite like “Chat”!!

They don't advertise on Loquax. That's not how it works.

So how did you see the mag?

THANK YOU 🤣🤣🤣

That is epic.

Somebody posted a link they found to a competition on Loquax which is a competition website. It's actually not in the interests of the magazine because people can just enter the competitions without having to read any of the guff.

But you know they will have done plenty of market research on shelf appeal over the years for their purchasing demographic - I think it says much more about the consumer than the publisher!

I get annoyed with how they advertise cars for the same reason - slick and sexy - show me how easy it is/isn’t to parallel park on Ffordd Pen Llech… or whether it can handle Abergwesyn Pass in second gear stuck behind a camper van…

Me now.

So I’m still intrigued how you saw the magazine if Chat wasn’t advertising?

I'm not sure what's difficult to understand?

I followed this link...(Obviously without the gaps)

https :// www.loquax.co.uk /forums/threads/chat-magazine-cas h-up-to-%C2%A31001-is sue-37.1210013/

Exactly! 😆 I wanted to know if these photographs actually appeal to people and if so what people and why? I just want to fill all their mouths with gravel.

I used to work in a couple of local shops - the demographic is elderly men and women. Everyone who bought Chat was in their 80s.

Same as the people wot buy Asda slogan clothes for their children saying ‘little princess’ and such like and also Halloween/Christmas bedding…

I think you live near me! 😂
TBH I think that fashion magazines are more infuriating and damaging than the types you speak of, OP. Costs more than a book and is a format designed to make you feel that you're unworthy and that spending £££ on shit you don't need is the way out. It's immoral. I'm always amazed at how the beauty industry has gaslit millions of women to think they need to buy loads of lotions and serums for their faces.

I followed the link op

but no where is Chat mentioned!!

I used to work for one of those mags. It’s the only job I’ve ever left without another to go to. I was sobbing on my doorstep and my then husband just said fuck it, don’t go back and we’ll work something out. It was utterly soul destroying.

I love those adverts for face creams where they always come up with some new scientific buzzword.

"Now with Seripeptinite and Tricophyliates, essential to maintain skin elasticity"

Oh wow, in what way? I would have thought it would have been the opposite... loads of fun in the office writing absolute dribble and sifting through photographs like the one Joan sent in where she'd stuck her body puff on her head to use as a fascinator.

Yuck, it looks as though one of them is ecstatic because “he bought my innocence for 50p”.