Maxim Magazine- A Study of Media...and Models!

Image Courtesy of Maxim.com

Thesis
Maxim Magazine is an international men's magazine that is geared to entertain all interests of their readers such as new gadgets, cars, movies, and of course scantily clad women on the beach.


Five Facts about Maxim

1. Maxim is based out of the United Kingdom and has a circulation of 2.5 million which is enough to outsell competitors like GQ or Esquire.

2. Maxim online was created in 1999 and boasts original content, videos,as well as articles that are included in the print issues

3. In 2005 the magazine released plans to build a casino in Las Vegas, however the plan failed because residents complained the casino would ruin their view.

4. Maxim is published and run by Alpha Media Group, and in 2009 they teamed up with Cerberus Capital Management who is now the majority share holder.

5. In 2007 Maxim did a photo shoot in Israel of near naked models who were former female officers in the Israeli army. The shoot sparked controversy and drew criticism from lawmakers and diplomats.

Brain Stuff!

Maxim magazine appeals to all three major parts of the brain- Neocortex, Limbic, and Reptilian.

The Reptilian brain is the most instinctual brain and is mostly concerned with eating, fighting, flighting, and mating. Maxim is all about mating.

The limbic brain is the emotional one, and Maxim's humor section is extremely funny and can make anyone feel good.

The Neocortex is the part of the brain that does all the thinking and smart brain stuff. When Maxim has in depth interviews, or other articles it requires the reader to read AND think about the material.

Eight Shifts in our 21st century media culture and how that affects women in swimsuits

Maxim magazine is a medium that is undergoing several shifts in its effort to continue to transmit its messages and remain relevant in a fast paced and mass communications influenced society.

In order to remain relevant and be able to reach people Maxim has taken an Aeshetic Shift as it moves from different media platforms. It started off as a magazine, but now has an online website, mobile devices can get alerts anywhere and anytime. As well as an annual TV special on VH1 for the "Maxim Hot 100".

As it has grown and expanded it has also undergone an Economic Shift and become a hyper commercialized company. Maxim now has sister magazines (such as Blender) and has international editions all around the world including countries like Brazil, France, Algeria and Japan.



7 Principles of a magazine that is about "beer and babes"

Maxim constructs a reality that there are just beautiful models taking their clothes off everywhere.
Some of their value messages are that you should dress in the best fashion, best cars, eat the best food, drink the best drinks, and just be the best. As my annoying roommate from last year would say Maxim is about "balling out and being boss".
Maxims emotional transfer is its ability to distract you from the other things in your life. While some magazines like Rolling Stone or GQ, or even Playboy have articles that are serious and provide some sort of intellectual stimulation- Maxim really is about girls in bikinis.

Persuasive Techniques

Big Lie- they sell a glamorous lifestyle where any guy can get the most beautiful girl. (Not true)

Flattery- often compliment or assume the reader is cool enough to buy the products when its usually just fat guys buying the magazine at a gas station while the wife and kids wait in the car.

Humor- they have a humor section. Explains itself.

Beautiful People- Obvious

So that's Maxim Magazine. The end.