MAGAZINE ESSENTIALS making the most of magazines Compilation Of Information Most Requested By Media Planners 2 Contents 3 4 5 6 7 8/9 10/11 12 13 14 15 16/17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 Contents Definitions: Starch Tested Copy Digest vs. Standard Page Size Bleed vs. Non-bleed Colour vs. Black & White Left-hand vs. Right-hand Ad Positioning Position within the Magazine Inside Front Cover (IFC) Positioning Inside Back Cover (IBC) Positioning Outside Back Cover (OBC) Positioning Cover Spreads Ad Recall Norms by Ad Size Impact of Competitive Ads Ads Facing Edit vs. Other Ads Product Specific Ads vs. Ads for a Range of Products Teaser Ads Multi-page Ads in Direct Succession Multi-page Ads in Alternate Page Succession Multi-page Ads in Separated Run-of-Book Positions Multi-page Fractional Ads in Alternate Page Succession Sideways Ads vs. Traditional Ads Business Reply Cards Response to Ads in Business/Professional Magazines Inserts Interactive Inserts Advertorials Special Sections/Supplements Scent Strips Bound-in or Glued-in Booklets Gatefold Covers Gatefold Inserts Pop-up Ads 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47-48 49-54 55-57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67-69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 Ads with Coupons Non-traditional Ads Acetate Overlays Ads with Premium Offers Ads with Recipes Glued-on Product Samples Product Samples Sampling: Shampoo Case Study Polybag Ads Ad Clutter Advertising Wearout Creative Considerations Long vs. Short Headlines Length of Headline Headline Position on Page Headline Colour Headline background Headline Type Size Positive Headlines Image Size Photos vs. Illustrations Long vs. Short Copy Humour in Ads People in Ads Celebrity Ads Number of Brand Mentions in Copy Size of Product Name Size of Product Shot Logo Positioning Creative Dos Ad Analysis Chart Contact Us 3 Definitions: Starch Tested Copy Noted Score: A measure of the size of the audience that remembered seeing the ad Associated Score: A measure of those who looked at the ad long enough to learn what brand is advertised Read Most Score: A measure indicating whether interest in the ad was strong enough to pull the reader through most of the ad 4 Physical Size of the Magazine Page Does Not Affect Readership 100 99 Digest Size Standard Size Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 1. No. 12 5 Bleed Ads Increase Readership 111 115 100 Non-Bleed Ads Page B/W Bleed Ads Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 1. No. 5 Page 4C Bleed Ads 6 Colour vs. B/W 153 145 100 Page B/W 100 Page 4C DPS B/W Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 1, No. 1 DPS 4C 7 Left-Hand and Right-Hand Positioning has Equal Impact Ads on Right-Hand Page 100 Ad Pages on Left-Hand Page 105 103 106 Noted Associated Read Most Index (Differences are not statistically significant) Source: Starch Research 8 Left-Hand vs. Right-Hand Positioning by Ad Category 100 104 100 100 102 106 100 100 95 F o o d Left-Hand Page 4C T o i l e t r i e s A u t o m o t i v e C o m p u t e r s O T C D r u g s Right-Hand Page 4C Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Research A p p a r e l F i n a n c i a l C o s m e t i c s 9 Position Within the Book is Not an Issue 100 100 103 100 All P4C Ads* Front Third Middle Third Back Third of of of Magazine Magazine Magazine * Excluding covers Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Research 10 Ads are Effective Throughout the Book VISTA STARCH Index Action Taken Index Action Taken Full Issue 100 100 100 100 1st Quarter 103 100 104 100 100 100 100 98 100 102 98 100 97 96 96 98 Total Recall of Magazine 2nd Quarter of Magazine 3rd Quarter of Magazine 4th Quarter of Magazine Sources: Affinity’s VISTA Service (P4C), 2010; Starch (P4C) Index Noted Index 11 Do Inside Front Cover Positions Increase Impact? 121 100 Inside Pages 2nd Cover (IFC) Index of Noted Scores Source: StarchMetrix 12 Do Inside Back Cover Positions Increase Impact? 117 100 Inside Pages 3rd Cover (IBC) Index of Noted Scores Source: StarchMetrix 13 Do Outside Back Cover Positions Increase Impact? 123 100 Inside Pages 4th Cover (OBC) Index of Noted Scores Source: StarchMetrix 14 Do Cover Spreads Increase Impact? 134 100 Inside Pages Cover Spreads Index of Noted Scores Source: StarchMetrix 15 Recall of Magazine Ad by Size (in descending order) Ad Type Recall Index Page 4C Advertisement 100 P4C + 1/3 Page 4C 120 Inside Spread 4C 115 P4C + 1/2 P4C 112 1/2 Spread 4C 88 1/6 Page 4C 85 1/2 Page 4C 80 1/3 Page 4C 76 1/3 Page Square 4C 71 1/4 Page 4C 71 Double ¾ Column Page 4C 68 1/2 Page B/W 64 Guide Page 4C 54 1/3 Page 2C 54 Source: Starch Research 16 Ads are Effective Throughout the Book Impact of Magazine Ads (%) TYPE/SIZE OF AD Ad Size Multiple pages (excl. spreads) Gatefold ads Double-page spread Full page Half-page spread Half-page Third page Less than full page Colour Four colour B/W Premium Position Inside front cover Inside back cover Back cover Opposite table of contents Total Sources: Affinity VISTA (P4C); Starch (P4C) VISTA Total Action Recall Taken STARCH Action Noted Taken 65 58 68 61 70 63 59 57 48 48 49 58 54 53 58 51 51 51 61 58 53 52 45 43 53 60 58 59 63 62 63 54 60 57 54 48 53 42 60 58 66 60 66 54 51 50 76 60 64 58 59 59 62 53 60 59 59% 54% 53% 60% 17 Impact of Competitive Ads in the Same Issue 100 0 102 102 103 101 1 2 3-4 5-8 Number of Competitive Ads Index of Recognition Scores Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch 107 9+ 18 Ads Facing Editorial or Other Ads have Similar Impact 100 102 Ads Facing Full Editorial Page Ads Facing Editorial + Fractional Ad Index of Noting Scores Source: Starch Research 95 Ads Facing Full Ad Page 19 Ads Work for Single or Multiple Products 100 104 108 P4C Ads Product Specific Ads Range of Products Index of Recognition Scores Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch 20 Do Teaser Ads Work? Teaser Ads 120 100 130 105 All Ads Recognition Attribution Effectiveness Index Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch 21 Multi-Page Ads in Succession* Increase Impact 127 100 * A series of ads in direct succession Noted First Ad Page Index Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2. No. 25 Noted Any Page of Ad 22 Multi-Page Ads in Alternate Succession* Increase Impact 141 100 * A series of ads (2, 3 or 4) on alternating following pages Noted First Ad Page Index Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2. No. 25 Noted Any Page of Ad 23 Multi-Page Ads in Separated Runof-Book Positions* Increase Impact 148 100 * A series of page ads (2, 3 or 4) run in widely separated positions within the issue Noted First Ad Page Index Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2. No. 25 Noted Any Page of Ad 24 Multi-Page Fractional Ads in Alternate Succession* Increase Impact 113 115 Two Alternate Pages Three Alternate Pages 100 * A series of fractional ads (1/2 page or less) in alternating succession Page 4C Index Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2. No. 25 25 “Sideways” Ads Don’t Measure Up to Traditional Full Page Ads Men Women 100 100 86 Full Page 83 2 Horizontal Half Pages Index Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 3, No. 9 Full Page 2 Horizontal Half Pages 26 Business Reply Cards Increase Readership 129 100 All Ads Ads With BRCs “Remembered Seeing” Index Scores Source: Cahners Advertising Research Report, No. 114.2 27 How Readers Respond to Ads in Business/Professional Magazines % of Time 55% 44% 1% Contact Advertiser Directly Source: Canadian Business Press Use BRC Contact Publication Directly 28 Inserts Increase Impact 188 144 100 ROP Page 4C All Inserts 136 Inserts (up to 6 panels) Inserts (8+ panels) Index of Read Most Scores Inserts = Supplied pre-printed materials, excluding Business Reply Cards (BRCs) Source: Starch Research 29 Interactive Inserts are a Sure Way to Involve Consumers Total Male Female Starch Norm (7-10 out of 10) % % % % Interesting 71 78 64 54 Innovative 72 68 76 50 Visually Appealing 84 80 88 60 Eyecatching 75 72 78 60 Average Scores 76 75 77 56 Interactive inserts are a great way to catch attention and demonstrate product benefits. 30 Source: Exploration of Magazine Advertising Formats, Starch Research Advertorials Deliver Details and New Ideas % Agree Strongly (7-10 out of 10) Total % They are a good way for advertisers to communicate info about their products 76% They generally provide me with more information than a regular advertisement 68% It should be made clear that these are advertisements or promotional messages and not part of the magazine’s editorial content 66% Advertorials are sources of new ideas and ways to use products 62% 31 Source: Starch Research Special Sections - Supplements This study suggests that ad scores for “special sections” versus ROP ads are quite similar. However, it is believed that that readers most interested in the topic/category are most likely to opt-in resulting in a higher percentage of those who are of greatest target value. 100 P4C Ads 94 Recognition Attribution Index Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch 90 32 Do Scent Strips Make Sense? 123 125 100 P4C Ads Recognition Attribution Index Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch 33 Do Ads with Bound-in or Glued-in Booklets Perform? Ads With Booklet 243 100 Ads With No Booklet 118 115 Noted Associated Index Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2, No. 23 Read Most 34 Cover Gatefolds...Unfolded All Ads Auto Ads 159 144 100 P4C Ads 100 Gatefold (IFC) Page Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2. No. 10 Gatefold (IFC) 35 Gatefold Inserts Gatefolds – No Cover Position 121 114 100 P4C Ads Recognition Index Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch Attribution 36 Magazine Pop-Up Ads Increase Readership Positive Attitude Towards Ad Pop-Up Ads 566 117 100 230 Regular Spread Pop-Up Spread 196 100 Regular Spread Noted Associated Index Source: Starch INRA Hooper Inc. (Dr. D. Morgan Neu) - Reported in Inside Print Read Most 37 Coupons Influence Ad Awareness Coupon Offer 100 109 110 No Coupon Noted Associated 129 Read Most Index 38 Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 1, No. 13 Non-Traditional Creative Ads Deliver Strong Reader Impact Total Male Female Starch Norm (7-10 out of 10) % % % % Interesting 59 57 60 54 Innovative 58 56 60 50 Visually Appealing 64 62 65 60 Eyecatching 66 64 69 60 Average Scores 62 60 64 Non-traditional creative concepts (consecutive fractionals, pop-ups, product samples, booklets, clear acetates and interactive inserts) were shown to reach a high proportion of readers of the issues in which they appeared. Source: Exploration of Magazine Advertising Formats, Starch Research 39 Acetate Overlays Involve Consumers Total Male Female Starch Norm (7-10 out of 10) % % % % Interesting 79 73 84 54 Innovative 77 73 81 50 Visually Appealing 84 82 86 60 Eyecatching 86 85 87 60 Average Scores 82 78 85 56 Clear acetate overlay ads generate extremely high levels of interest and appeal, proving to be eye-catching and innovative. Source: Exploration of Magazine Advertising Formats, Starch Research 40 Premium Offers Increase Impact Premium Offer 157 123 100 No Premium 113 Noted Associated Read Most Index Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 1, No. 13 41 Recipe Ads Increase Impact Recipe Ads 179 138 100 112 No Recipe Noted Associated Read Most Index Source: Starch Research 42 Glued-on Samples Deliver the Goods Total Male Female Starch Norm (7-10 out of 10) % % % % Interesting 78 74 82 54 Innovative 72 76 68 50 Visually Appealing 75 78 72 60 Eyecatching 75 74 76 60 Average Scores 75 76 75 56 Glued-on product samples are an impactful, eyecatching way to put brands in the hands of prospective users. Source: Exploration of Magazine Advertising Formats, Starch Research 43 Product Samples Samples 141 152 100 P4C Ads Recognition Index Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch Attributed 44 Sampling in Magazines Works (Case Study – Shampoo) Did you receive this sample of _______? Yes No 78% 17% Have you or do you intend on using this sample of _______? Have used 37% Intend to use 42% Have/intend to use 79% How likely are you to purchase this product? Very likely Somewhat likely Very/somewhat likely 15% 30% 45% How interested are you in receiving samples for various products in future magazine issues? Very interested 48% Somewhat interested 19% Very/somewhat interested 67% 45 Source: Starch -- Reader’s Digest (Canada), Shampoo sample Magazine PolyBag (Case Study – Automotive) Do you recall seeing this advertisement? Males Yes 61% Females 32% Did you know who this advertiser was? Males Yes, knew advertiser 49% Females 25% Did you read any of the print on the ad? Males Yes, read print on ad 31% Females 14% 46 Source: Starch -- Reader’s Digest (Canada), Automotive Polybag Ad Clutter Not an Issue Ad Noting Indices # Pages < 126 126-175 176-225 226-275 276-325 325+ Business 101 101 101 94 104 96 Note: Unit measured is Page 4C. Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 5, No. 5 & No. 6 Women’s Service 101 101 100 100 98 N/A Women’s Fashion N/A N/A N/A 109 104 96 47 Ad Clutter Not an Issue Noted Indices # Pages in Magazine Full Page DPS < 200 101 102 200-249 101 101 250+ 98 97 48 Source: Roper Starch Worldwide Inc. Creative Wearout (Case #1) Index of Noted Scores (Three or more successive insertions of the same ad in the same magazine) # of Insertions # of Campaigns Measured Successive Insertions 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 3 91 100 103 103 4 28 100 101 101 109 5 11 100 112 103 112 102 6 6 100 102 89 115 107 98 7 4 100 97 104 99 101 100 Source: Exploration of Magazine Advertising Formats, Starch Research 7th 101 49 Creative Wearout (Case #2) Exposure Level 1st Exposure 2nd Exposure 3rd Exposure 4th Exposure 5th Exposure+ Index 100 100 75 25 10 50 Source: Exploration of Magazine Advertising Formats, Starch Research Creative Wearout (Case #3) Johnson’s Baby Oil 22 measured ad insertions over 3 quarters Q1 Q2 Q3 Average Recall 43% 43% 51% Plan to Purchase 20% 21% 20% No wearout was evident in ad recall or the percentage of readers who indicated they planned to purchase the advertised product. 51 Source: Affinity’s VISTA Views. Actions based on readers recalling specific ads Creative Wearout (Case #4) Ambien CR 35 measured ad insertions over 4 quarters Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Average Recall 58% 61% 61% 59% Plan to Ask Doctor about the Product 12% 13% 14% 15% No wearout was detected in ad recall or the percentage of readers reporting that they planned to ask a doctor or other medical professional about the advertised product. Source: Affinity’s VISTA Views. Actions based on readers recalling specific ads 52 Creative Wearout (Case #5 & 6) For Toyota and Target, full-year magazine campaigns support existing evidence that neither ad recall nor actions taken over the course of the campaign declined. Magazine advertising wearout was not evident. Toyota 495 measured ad insertions over 4 quarters Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Average recall 55% 52% 50% 53% Actions taken (net) 39% 38% 39% 40% Target 344 measured ad insertions over 4 quarters Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Average recall 67% 63% 64% 67% Visit a store 35% 32% 35% 32% Source: Affinity’s VISTA Service. Base: Actions taken based on readers recalling specific ads 53 Creative Wearout (Summary) • • • • Of six case studies, five suggest that ad wearout is not a concern. Even after multiple exposures, ad recall and intent to purchase/learn more remains strong. Considerations: o Research suggests that the ‘active process of reading’ plus the ability to spend as much time as the reader wishes with an ad, helps ensure communication of detailed ad messages rather quickly o Creative dependency (good creative generates a life and longevity of its own) It is recommended that multiple creative executions within a campaign remains a good idea to enhance communication momentum. As ever, the creative idea is king. Great creative generates a life and longevity of its own, including a strong ROI. Source: Affinity’s VISTA Views. Actions based on readers recalling specific ads 54 Creative Considerations 55 Great Creative is often about “breaking the rules”, creating the unexpected 56 Know the rules before you break them 57 Long vs. Short Headlines Headline Word Length 100 105 107 16+ Words 10-15 Words 4-9 Words Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 4, No. 6 115 1-3 Words 58 Length of Headline Headline Word Length 100 90 86 58 16+ Words 10-15 Words 4-9 Words Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 4, No. 6 1-3 Words 59 Headline Position: Is the Top the Best? Position of Headline on Page 100 100 105 100 Top of Page Middle of Page Bottom of Page Split Position Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 4, No. 6 60 Headline Colour: Is Black the Only Choice? Colour of Headline 100 102 Black White 109 100 One Colour Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 4, No. 6 Mixed Colours 61 Headline Background Positioning Headline Background 112 110 100 White Plain On Picture Solid Light Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 4, No. 6 105 Solid Dark 62 Headline Type Size: Is Bigger Better? Size of Type in Headline 100 100 Medium Huge Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 4, No. 6 105 Tiny 63 Positive Headlines Pull Best 135 100 Negative Headline Positive Headline Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 1. No. 8 64 Picture Size Matters Percent of “Best-Read” Ads, By Picture Size 42% 15% 2/3 Page or Larger Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 1. No. 12 1/3 Page or Less 65 Photos Pull Better Than Illustrations Women Men 118 113 100 100 Drawing Photograph Drawing Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2, No. 30 Photograph 66 Long vs. Short Copy Noted Scores 70 60 50 40 30 20 Automotive Travel Financial “It’s not how long you make your copy, it’s how you make it long.” 10 0 5-50 51-100 101-150 151-200 # of Words Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2, No. 11 201-250 251+ 67 The Less Body Copy, the Greater the Impact Percent of ad area devoted to body copy 100 93 88 0-33% 34-66% 67-100% Index of Recognition Scores Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch 68 Information is a Plus, if Handled Properly Perceived Informativeness Interest in advertising Stimulated purchase interest Association with the advertiser Low High Moderate 65 56 40 58 49 50 45 35 63 69 Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2, No. 11 Does Humour Work? Humour in Magazine Advertising Involvement Conviction 100 100 100 100 NonHumorous Humorous NonHumorous Humorous Index Source: Poole-Adamson Research Consultants, Notes From The P.A.R.C. Bench, Release # 8 70 Impact of People in Ads 100 No Person in Ad 107 Person in Ad Index of Recognition Scores Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch 71 Do Celebrity Ads Work? Women Men 115 100 100 Non-Celebrity Ads Celebrity Ads Non-Celebrity Ads Index of Noted Scores Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2, No. 5 110 Celebrity Ads 72 The # of Brand Mentions in an Ad has Little Impact on Recognition 100 101 102 0-2 Brand Mentions 3-5 Brand Mentions 6+ Brand Mentions Index of Recognition Scores Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch 73 Size of Product Name in the Ad Can Make a Difference (Height Scale in Centimeters) 100 103 109 Small < 1 cm Medium 1-1.5 cm Large >1.5 cm Index of Recognition Scores Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch 74 Size of Product Shot has Minor Impact (Percent of ad area devoted to the product shot) 100 100 104 0-33% 34-66% 67-100% Index of Recognition Scores Source: Medialogue, Stop/Watch 75 All Segments of the Page Offer Strong Logo Exposure Associated Score ÷ Noted Score (%) (by position of logo) Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2. N0. 4 87.8 89.4 86.7 88.8 92.5 87.3 86.4 86.3 86.1 76 Creative Dos • • • • • Make the Most of the Medium: The most effective magazine ads are created specifically for magazines. Create Visual Interest: High visual appeal maximizes stopping power and consumer involvement in the ad. Keep it Simple: While magazines are great for communicating a long or detailed message, do not confuse detail with clutter. Visual simplicity aids interest. Interactivity: Magazine ads have staying power because they are used as information sources -- they are read, reread, clipped and saved. Consider web addresses, 1-800 numbers, reply cards, etc. when developing creative. Out-of-the-Box Ideas: Consider inserts, supplements, advertorials, distinctive paper stocks, special inks, die-cuts, poly-bags, etc. to increase interest. 77 Ad Analysis Chart Evaluate ad on each characteristic: check (√) appropriate box + Moderately Moderately Definitely Neither Definitely - 1. Dominant focal centre 1. Confused, cluttered, no focus 2. Attractive, pleasing layout 2. Displeasing, unattractive layout 3. Action in picture 3. Static, no action 4. Multiple sections 4. Continuous, unbroken text 5. News, curiosity, freshness in picture 5. Dull, flat picture 6. News, curiosity, freshness in headline 6. Dull, flat, over-worked phrases in headline 7. Follow-through, continuity in text 7. Unexciting, stuffy, routine 8. Sharpens reader needs, wants, problems, benefits, solutions 8. Trivial, unimportant, irrelevant 9. Specific, concrete, factual information 9. Generalities, meaning unclear 10. Believable, persuasive 10. Unbelievable, dubious, blatant Source: Starch Tested Copy, Vol. 2. No. 17 78 Contact Us www.magazinescanada.ca adinfo@magazinescanada.ca 416-596-5382 79