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Genres & Target
Audiences
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| All media produce a variety
of genres, which refers to a particular type of style or content.
Mass media genres can be divided into four
basic types: |
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informative media - such as news shows,
newspapers, informative Web sites, etc.
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educational media - such as books,
educational video, or educational software programs.
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persuasive media - such as all types
of advertising, television infomercials, newspaper editorials, or Web sites
that attempt to persuade.
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entertainment media - such as entertainment
magazines, movies, novels or entertainment related Web sites.
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| Television offers all types
of programs to the American public, including comedies, dramas, documentaries,
news, soap operas, talk shows, advertising, and so on. Each of these programs
can illustrate more than one genre. For example, an educational television show
can also be entertaining. |
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All media work to identify specific groups
as target audiences. These are groups of people who are most likely
to be receptive to a particular type of program, movie, article, idea,
genre, etc.
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Target audiences can be identified by demographics
such as profession, age, race, income, or locale. They may also be identified
by zip codes, or telephone polling. Target audiences are used so that the
media can present information in a way that would gain or guarantee an
audience.
Examples of the use of target audiences:
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The most popular television shows are usually
shown between 7:00pm and 11:00pm, at a time when most people are at home
and available to watch television.
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Advertisements for acne medication and sneakers
are more likely to be found in Seventeen magazine than U.S. News
& World Report magazine.
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Toys are more likely to be advertised on children's
television shows than on other types of television shows.
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A search of the word Nike on the Yahoo
search tool will likely bring up banner advertisements about shoes or sports
equipment.
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