Target Audience

I have studied three artists/bands to understand the marketing and promotional techniques behind different genres attracting their own target audiences.

The first i have looked at is JLS. JLS are a British boy band, who were runners-up on the ITV reality talent show The X Factor in 2008, coming second to Alexandra Burke. JLS have been very much so in the public eye since day one as their rise to fame was in the public's control on the talent show. The talent show showed the boys popularity from the start and gave them a base to start their career. The band appeal to a teenage market,
specifically young girls. The current teenage market have been brought up in a world controlled by the media and the Internet. Teenagers regularly use social networking sites such as twitter and facebook. so therefore JLS have tried to keep a consistent popularity through accessing their audience in a very informal way. the band use both twitter and facebook, promoting their album, gigs and adding personal comments. They also have a very professional website, providing fans with regular news updates and an online shop of merchandise. With huge popularity and public access to start with, JLS have successfully kept this consistent.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/JLSofficial?v=wall&ref=ts
http://twitter.com/JLSOfficial
Following JLS's success on The X Factor, they signed a record contract with Epic Records of Sony Music UK.
JLS released their debut album JLS on November 9th 2009. The album debuted at #1 on the UK Singles Chart, selling over 1 million copies and named the sixth best selling album in the UK during 2009, only being released for 8 weeks before the list was compiled. Their debut single "Beat Again" went to number one on the UK Singles Chart on 19 July 2009. Their second single "Everybody in Love", released on 2 November 2009, also topped the UK Singles Chart. Their third single One Shot, peaked at number six despite a physical release, however it did stay in the charts for a number of weeks despite the drop.
Due to the success of their album, the group went on their first headline tour, with twenty-five dates around the UK and Ireland. The group also became the first X Factor contestants to win a BRIT Award in 2010, winning the British Breakthrough and Best British Single for "Beat Again".
In the beginning of 2010, the group signed with Jive Records, for an American deal, while continuing to remain with their native signing on Sony Music UK's Epic Records.
Mumford & Sons is a folk rock band which formed in London. The band formed in late 2007, rising out of London's folk scene with other artists such as Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn, Jay Jay Pistolet and Noah and the Whale. The band has often supported Laura Marling at concerts, while their association with Noah and the Whale can be traced back to St Paul's School, Barnes and King's College School, Wimbledon. Band members attended King's College School alongside Noah and the Whale bassist Matt Owens, while Marshall, another member attended St Paul's School along with Charlie Fink, lead singer of Noah and the Whale.
The band's debut album, Sigh No More, was released in the United Kingdom in October 2009, and February 2010 in the United States. Mumford and sons didn’t consider themselves contenders in the pretty daunting London music scene. There was never any idea of competition, just pure enjoyment. They loved live music so much that they would practise their sets on pavements outside the venues, and also act as backing musicians for the peers with whom they played.
Eliza Doolittle is a 22 year old, British song writer. She is signed with parlophone records and she released her first album earlier this year in July. Her most famous song so far is 'Pack Up' which features on the self named album 'Eliza Doolittle'. Eliza has so far appeared at gigs in London and supported acts like Alphabeat and Jamie Cullum, these supporting gigs allow her to sing and promote her self at a lower cost. Bands often do this to kick start career, when they have low publicity and want to seek more fans.
Eliza's first single 'Skinny Genes' was released in April. This song was used for the 'Very' advert. This is called cross promotion. It allows Eliza's music to get out there, and by promoting another media, it becomes recognisable for the audience. She has also used this promotional technique by recording the song 'Running For Life' for the film Adulthood.
Eliza is at the beginning of her career and has made a running start with promotion. She is focusing on her young target audience by featuring her sound in popular films this year such as Adulthood. She has also performed on Big Brothers little Brother, this is a tv programme which hits the age range for her target audience. Eliza has cleverly promoted herself by gaining as much publicity as possible. Before entering the charts, Eliza toured the Uk to gain recognition for her band. She is set to support Paloma Faiths tour later this year, once again getting her sound heard.