Hearst communications is a multi-media, multinational, conglomerate and mass media business, that was founded in 1887 by William Randolph Hearst. Hearst own magazines, newspapers, television channels and stations, and publish a wide range of genres and content ranging from fashion to gardening.
Examples of some magazines Hearst own include:
- Cosmopolitan
- Elle
- Good housekeeping
- Harper’s Bazaar
- Women’s health and men’s health
- Country living
- Esquire
Hearst readership has grown from 15,000 to over 28 million since 2020, reflecting to popularity and success of the company. They have 800+ dedicated people, 5+ million event attendees (2020) and a revenue of US$ 11.4 billion (2019) which continues to show the growing success of Hearst.
They have a personal aspiration to offer ‘innovative, positive and ambition in stride.’
General codes and conventions of Hearst magazines
- Use of bold and large mastheads.
- Main focus of the magazine is usually a celebrity, there is often a main, dominant image, a direct mode of address.
- Page furniture and cover lines and extra information are usually positioned around the outside towards the edge of the page, around the main image.
- Theme of consumerism across all magazines.
Hearst- Cosmopolitan media pack analysis
