Hate to bug you with this, but I wanted to make sure I got my subscription
started with the first issue. I recall telling you that I'm in--did I send
you a Visa number or can you use what you've already got. I have a good
memory, it's just short.
I read your editorial in the latest issue of GRM--great job though I
disagree completely with your notion that starting a second magazine
doesn't make "business sense" because you haven't optimized distribution
of the magazine you already have. That's certainly in the MBA rulebook,
but most of the guys that ran companies like that are back living with
Mommy now that their business failed. I get to see the inside of a lot of
companies, deep into the guts of their marketing operations. The deep
secret is that most of the 'rules' are bullshit, made up on the spot, just
like statistics (did you know 90 percent of statistics are made
up--including this one), and then given permanence because other fools
repeat them.
By the time you made GRM a monthly you and your staff would probably be
burned out, doing the same thing over and over, trying to fill those
pages. The passion would slip, the quality might suffer. A new toy, a new
plan, a new venue is much more of what the doctor ordered. Furthermore,
one magazine can't be everything to everyone. As you roll your coverage
window forward, you'll leave audience behind. Acquiring customers is
expensive. You can spend a lot to keep them and still make money.
I can make up reasons like this off the top of my head all day--I'm a
professional at creating bullshit rules. But one I really believe in is
that doing something with a passion is just as valuable as doing it by the
book, and just as likely to succeed or fail. One of the most successful
toymakers in Japan was brought nearly to bankruptcy by the MBA-style son
of the founder, and was rescued by the neer-do-well son who simply loved
the products and had a passion for making them fun.
Your enjoyment of the things you do shows in every copy of your magazine,
and though I buy dozens of car and bike mags it's one of the few that I
truly read. Success in your new venture.
I wish you well
Bill
-----Original Message-----
From: GRMTim@aol.com [mailto:GRMTim@aol.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2003 8:04 AM
To: fot@autox.team.net
Subject: Tim Suddard checking in.
Hey guys,
I've been slammed lately, but wanted to check in. From a personal
standpoint,
JK and I have gotten the GRM TR-3 just about ready. We plan on testing in
May
and running VIR June 7-8 with our new engine, trans, rear axles, and
myriad
of other improvements. We also plan on making Mosport. I am about to
source a
new radiator. What is the current "list" thinking on radiators? Does
anybody
make a good, light, effective radiator that fits a TR-3? if not, who best
to
custom make one?
>From a magazine standpoint, we are launching Classic Autosport soon. The
first issue will get mailed in early May. Coincidentally, (naturally, I
have
no influence) Jay Leno will be on the cover of the first issue with his
Triumph TR-3! If you go to our website, you will see that charter
subscribers
get a really cool T shirt, that again, coincidentally, features a Triumph
TR-3. The first issue will also feature a nose bleed level technical piece
on
wire wheels. How to add them or subtract them, maintain them, etc. I think
you guys will like it. Circulation for this first issue will be over
60,000
and will be all color, perfect bound and over 100 pages. Yes, we are
spending
money on this like drunken sailors, but want very much to impress you
guys.
Anyway thanks for your help on the radiator issue and look forward to
seeing
you at VIR and Mosport.
Tim Suddard
Publisher, Grassroots Motorsports/Classic Autosport
www. GrassrootsMotorsports.com www.ClassicAutosport.net
Phone (386) 673-4148 Fax (386) 673-6040
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