Department - Author 1

Graphic Communication Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Graphic Communication

Date

2011

Primary Advisor

Lorraine Donegan

Abstract/Summary

This study will show how magazines and their advertisers are using print to send their readers to digital sources of information. Placing URLs, QR codes, promoting Facebook/Twitter and mobile/iPad apps are becoming very popular ways to advertise products and services. Print magazines are utilizing these trends to link their readers from the print to the digital world and are reaping the benefits.

Seven different magazines were analyzed in this study. In studying the trends from 2008 to 2011, it is obvious that magazines and their advertisers want readers to expand their scope of knowledge by visiting their digital counterparts for additional information. While URLs have been popular for many years, 2010 shows the introduction of mobile apps and social media, and 2011 shows the recent boom of QR codes. There is no question that these digital references are successful at driving readers to outside sources of information. By providing the reader with multiple platforms to view content, a unique interactive experience is created.

All the magazines analyzed for this study use slightly different methods to provide their readers with supplemental information. One thing they all have in common is the increase in digital references overall. Today, it is very uncommon to find an advertisement without any sort of link to a digital platform. It is also expected to see more QR codes, more references to Facebook and Twitter accounts and more mobile app advertisements in future magazines.

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