The new US based MINI magazine launches today and we’ve got an exclusive Q&A with its co-founders Barry Brazier and Gary Anderson:
Q: What made you decide to start a North American MINI magazine?
My decision came after my late 2004 research into the potential for a MINI Cooper magazine as a business venture. Starting a MINI magazine looked strong, so I started talking to everyone involved in the MINI hobby and business early this year. I found editor Gary Anderson in April (thanks Mike!), and haven’t looked back since then. ‘
I’ve been fortunate to make some great business and personal relationships with just about everyone involved in the MINI community, from our advertisers to many club personnel that have become our private “think tank” these last few months. It’s been an E-ticket ride, with the help of too many to list here.
Q: How did the name MC’ come to be?
Knowing from years of experience about using Trademarked or Copyrighted brand names, Gary and I were batting names for the magazine around (we had over 30 we liked), and the lightbulb went on for us both. MC’ stands for the brand, the two model heritages, and certainly tested well with friends and every miniac we had input from. Yes, we know there’s dozens of MC’ used, but they are engineering, design and other fields of endeavors, not magazine publishing. Besides MC’ is certainly memorable!
Q: What can we expect from the magazine in the first year?
From our debut issue, the editorial content of MC’ will reflect the fun, versatility, and independence that the Mini/MINI brand has always represented. Each issue will focus more than 3/4 of the pages on the new MINI and about 1/4 on the classic Mini. Within those general parameters, our features will always include a feature car that is currently owned and driven, an “over-the-top” car that shows the ultimate possibilities of the marque, at least one major event report, a technical do-it-yourself level article, a new product report, an article on some type of MINI/Mini activity, a racing article, a close-up on an interesting owner and his/her cars, a heritage article on the history of the Mini, and reports on clubs and their activities.
In addition, we’ll feature columns by Graham Robson on current happenings at MINI headquarters in England, by Cindy Shaffer on her particular slant on MINI ownership and Mini vintage racing, by the editor and by the publisher, as well as book reviews, new product announcements, MINI news and a calendar of upcoming events.
Q: When can we expect the first issue and how much will it cost per issue and annually?
Our promotionals begin with Motoring File and North American Motoring, and gain steam with several advertisers that are helping us to launch. Our website, www.MC2magazine.com is now running and able to provide information on us, along with a place to review our subscription offers. We’ll be loading some actual pages from our debut issue on to the site through November when our first issue goes to press.
MC’ will be available at private and chain bookstores throughout North America, as well as MINI dealers and private retailers/shops for $5.95. Canada will be $7.”
MC’ subscription rates will be $24.95 for six issues. The first four issues will be in the mail by the end of 2006. We accept Visa and MasterCard through our secure site. In addition, we’ll have an 800 number for accepting subscriptions using those cards, and a P.O. box for checks. The website will have all the details.
For Charter Subscribers (those with paid sub’s before we mail the debut issue), we’re designing and printing a limited edition of a few thousand MC’ t-shirts. Produced with the help of Motor Swag team, these will be mailed to Charter Subscribers shortly after the debut issue.
Wanting to offer our community the maximum value from their magazine, Charter Subscribers will be offered privileges at our planned e-zine/newsletter, interactions with advertisers for testing new products, and some ideas we’re tinkering with. It’s about relationships, so e-mails
For those wanting to review the magazine before subscribing, we’ll have pages loaded on to the website from our debut issue. In addition, your local MINI dealer will have issues available.
Canadian subscriptions will be US$32. Other foreign subscribers will be US$40 via airmail. All non-US subscriptions are payable by credit card only.
Q: It sounds like you most of the core contributors have quite a lot of publishing experience.’ ‘What are some of the publishing highlights of the group you’ve assembled?’
Gary Anderson was publisher and editor of British Car Magazine for nine years, and the founding editor of Classic Motorsports magazine. In addition, he is the co-author and publisher of “Motoring, Getting the Maximum from Your New MINI” which was published in January, and the Austin-Healey Restoration Guide. In addition, he writes for Sports Car Market magazine and Sports Car International. Graham Robson, who lives in England, has written over 100 books on classic cars, including several books on the classic and new MINI. Cindy Shaffer has written for Victory Lane magazine and is well-known in the Mini vintage racing world.
Barry Brazier has 30 years experience writing about, driving and photographing most everything from Bigfoot 4×4 to exotics, as well as two books published in Japanese and English. Since 1977, he’s written for about 91 titles in 14 languages. MC’ is his first ownership venture.
Q: Do you have any plans with regard to working with MINI clubs in the US?
We intend to work closely with the MINI clubs in the U.S. and Canada, highlighting the clubs themselves and their activities, as well as drawing on their leadership for information on what’s happening in the Mini world. Since there is no national club magazine for Mini/MINI owners, we’d like to do our part in filling that gap by publicizing this important foundation of the Mini hobby.’
Q: How do you plan working with the MINI community in terms of content?
We’ll be cooperating with the MINI websites, Mini clubs leadership, and the owner/operators of the shops that service, maintain, and develop parts for new and old Minis. We’ll be encouraging amateur and professional journalists with interests in new and classic Minis to submit material for us to publish.
Q: Are there any other automotive publications out there that you look to for some kind of inspiration?
For look and vitality, Gary likes Octane magazine, Road & Track, Automobile, and Classic and Sports Car. For its spirit of independence, he likes Sports Car Market magazine. Practical Classics is a good example of how to do good technical features.
I admire Road & Track and others Gary lists, with Britain’s Car Magazine, German Auto Motor und Sport, and the Italian Quattrouote, as I once contributed to them.
Q: How do you plan to differentiate your self and/or your approach from magazine’s such as GoMINI?
Since GO MINI ceased publication a few weeks ago, MC’ is alone. This isn’t giving us a competitor to aim for.’ We’ll not be following their example as to lifestyle and general editorial. We’re a hobby-based publication, with a focus on cars, owners, suppliers and services shops in North America. MC’ will be filled with as many facets of the hobby as we can showcase each issue.
Q: What are your goals for MC’ over the next few years?
To earn our readers trust, with complete and concise editorial content. To provide them a place to learn about their classic and new MINI hobby, and who’s waiting to help them with that process.
We’re tinkering with some colleagues about events to build up to the 50th Anniversary. Stay tuned to our website for exclusive and innovative ideas from companies with fresh MINI-related products and services, too.
Q: Finally – when and where can people subscribe?
www.MC2magazine.com is alive and well, and getting better every week!’
<p>I’m number #1022!</p>
<p>Sunshine MINIs looks forward to appearing in the magazine.</p>
<p>After the demise of gomini in the UK, will there be the chance for UK owners to buy magazine?</p>
<p>I’d like to hear him tell us what the magazine will have that we can’t already get on sites like this.</p>
<p>FINALLY, a Mini mag in the US! Hopefully it won’t be all ‘feature cars’ like GoMini magazine…I’m looking forward to seeing interesting build-ups (a la Grassroots Motorsports and European Car) and such.
I know how tough the magazine business can be, though they have an almost automatic audience with all us crazy Mini owners. Anyway, best of luck to these guys, I’m going to go sign up now!</p>
<p>I’ve subscribed!</p>
<p>I wish them luck.</p>
<p>But…</p>
<p>The publishing buiness is being hit hard by the shift of ‘info source’ from the printed media to the internet.</p>
<p>From a distribution point, the physical transfer of paper from them to me is getting more costly and less efficient.</p>
<p>From a cost factor, everything is raising. Paper, repororter’s travel, ect. Print is becomeing just a ‘re’ package of press releases.</p>
<p>What’s the option – the internet.</p>
<p>The internet offers no cost distibution, constant update, immediate response, video, links, and more.</p>
<p>I do offer my wish for MC2’s succes. </p>
<p>But they’re going to have a very hard time competing in today’s ‘high-tech’ marketplace.</p>
<p>Granted. But it’s always nice to have a magazine to pick up and read.</p>
<p>I’m number 1102…</p>
<p>Still time to get a shirt and become a charter subscriber. I figure that for 25 bucks it’s worth a shot. And it is nice to have a magazine to be able to pick up and read.</p>
<p>Hey, I’m number 1106. That was quick! Almost 100 new subscribers in about an hour. Way to go MC2.</p>
<p>Now if only I could get my money back for my 2006 subscription of Go MINI</p>
<p>I’m # 1024</p>
<p>I’m #1120 :-)</p>
<p>I can’t miss out on this one! I’m subscribed #1090. Awesome, Mean Mr. Bean v1.0 is on the front cover and at his favorite place, The Dragon!</p>
<p>I’m 1083… I wonder why they started the numbering at 1000? Perhaps they’re only really going to offer the free T-shirt for the first 500 subscribers? I guess we’ll have to wait to see if order number 1501 still gets the T-shirt, and the last one is 2500.</p>
<p>I’m in. #1157</p>
<p>I loved the quality and look of Go Mini but in the end I was tired of reading about one more tricked out MINI; after a while all the articles seemed the same, only the pictures were different.</p>
<p>I hope MC2 is able to overcome that, and it is nice to flick through a glossy magazine. But there are a lot of sources of information out there to compete with.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>he first four issues will be in the mail by the end of 2006.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I hope they mean 2005!?</p>
<p>I just subscribed: #1185.</p>
<p>I think it’ll be a great idea if they create a service for their subscribers and provide PDF version of the magazine using MC2 website (for onscreen viewing only or low resolution printing). I have a subscription to InDesign Magazine. They email a password every time a new issue comes out. I log on, download, and store them on my iPod or Mac.</p>
<p>Very few of us keep magazines for more than 1 year, but having PDFs we can create very convenient and useful electronic archive and keep it for years. Generating a PDF from InDesign or Quark is a matter of couple minutes. MC2 can provide online subscription only for half price.</p>
<p>I’m #1205</p>
<p>I’m 1216. I though GO Mini was toast? I shelled out $9.99 for a new issue yesterday.</p>
<blockquote>The internet offers no cost distibution, constant update, immediate response, video, links, and more.</blockquote>
<p>This statement is only partly true. The internet is hardly as simple (or cheap) as many may think it is. Real, reliable web hosting is not free, especially at the bandwidth necessary for a commercial site of any size. The “constant update” you mention is true, but it doesn’t happen without constant editorial staff attention. Producing a magazine’s volume of content for the web involves every bit as much work as its printed equivalent – if not more as you’re expected to have new and interesting content daily as opposed to monthly. Content preparation for print, though every bit as extensive, is less technical, especially when it comes to rich content such as flash and video. It [the prep for print] can also be less expensive – what you have to pay a creative professional for page layout is much less than what you have to pay for flash development or video editing. And yes, the response can be immediate, from form return to forums and blogs. But those modules don’t magically appear or maintain or moderate themselves. There are databases that have to be set up and server-side includes that have to be written and the never-ending security issues that must be kept in consideration. </p>
<p>Though it’s had to adjust, the printed magazine is hardly dead. There are still millions of advertising dollars landing on every other page. You can’t beat it for portability and the printed word has a far higher degree of readability (the ease at which a reader can read for an extended period of time without eye fatigue) than any computer screen. This is why eBooks on PDA’s are not going to shut down Barnes & Noble any time soon. In terms of editorial, the internet is great for quick bursts of very current information, but for most people, they don’t curl up with their laptop in bed before they go to sleep in order to widen their reading. </p>
<p>I wish them well – I’d love to roll into B&N and have something MINI to read. But don’t misunderstand this magazine as anything short of a business. We might like to think that these folks are doing a MINI magazine out of the goodness of their hearts, but it’s a capitol venture. They’re out to sell subscriptions and advertising dollars. In fact they say so in the very first line of the interview.</p>
<blockquote>My decision came after my late 2004 research into the potential for a MINI Cooper magazine as a business venture.</blockquote>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with this. More power to them and I look forward to reading it. All I’m getting at is that yes, if their sole purpose were to distribute MINI information, they’d do well to plop up a site and link over to MotoringFile, MINI2, and NAM and make whatever contribution they can. But that isn’t the focus of a magazine… and there’s nothing wrong with that. MC2 will be a place in print where MINI enthusiasts (or “hobbyists” as they so annoyingly call us) can keep current in the MINI/mini world – and in so doing, create an avenue for marketing to that group. </p>
<p>As I said, more power to them, I look forward to reading it.</p>
<p>Motor Trend = $10/12 issues
Road & Track = $12/12 issues
Car & Driver = $12/ 12 issues
Automobile Mag = $12/12 issues
Winding Road = FREE
MotoringFile = FREE
…………………….
MC2 = $24.95/6 issues…..</p>
<p>Ouch!!!</p>
<p>I didn’t get a number when I subscribed. I hope I didn’t screw it up.</p>
<p>For those of you complaining about the price, consider this. MT, R&T, Automobile, and C&D have all been around for a long time. They have hundreds of thousand subscribers, plus they have a huge advertising base. So $10-$12 /year is profitable.</p>
<p>A new magazine has no readership, little to no advertisers up front, and in this case a very focused customer base, not just car nuts in general. Therefore, there is a certain amount of cost that needs to be fronted by the readership.</p>
<p>Just my $.02</p>
<p>Steve</p>
<p>BTW #1229 :)</p>
<p>↑
Yeah, what he said. 🙂 (I’m #1139)</p>
<p>I heard the same BS about brick and Mortar business’ 10 years back, “They’ll all be gone because it’s so easy to buy stuff online”, yeah right! They [brick and mortar] seem to be doing just fine 10 years later.</p>
<p>If all you do is sit in front of your computer or laptop all day then I guess that works for some but I have a life and like having a magazine I can read where ever I want, pool, train, in a nice easy chair without having to lug this contraption around. Don’t get me wrong I love my Mac but having to archive magazines is that last thing I need to waste my time doing. Also I love the internet for the ease of use and the amazing info I have at my fingertips but archiving magazines……IDTS.</p>
<p>I have all my Communication Arts magazines starting in, I think, 1978. I can’t even imagine archiving all that info, I’ll leave that to them.</p>
<p>But whatever floats your boat!!!</p>
<h1>1166</h1>
<p>I wonder why they started numbering at 1000, but that must be the case. Which means I was #22. I subscribed late last night when I got the email from Barry. I wasn’t asked my shirt size, so I assume I’ll get something later asking for it.</p>
<p>I wish the magazine luck and I will subscribe hoping that it takes off, but I am not highly confident that it will make it (yeah call me a pessimist, sorry).</p>
<p>What is the subscriptions that they need to break even? That might be interesting. I don’t think 5,000 to 10,000 subscribers is enough. 10,000 would almost be 20% of the new Mini community which is quite high I would think.</p>
<p>I expected my posting to be miss-stated and it didn’t take long.</p>
<p>Point 1) DISTRIBUTION cost on the internet is zero. I didn’t talk about hosting and staffing by an internet content provider. But, it would almost always (notice almost) be a lot less than the staffing required for a quality montly magazine. But the cost of getting info to me is zero.</p>
<p>Point 2) I don’t consider my comments to be <em> </em>_ as stated by RB. I didn’t say that magazines would be gone – only that “they’re going to have a very hard time competing in today’s ‘high-tech’ marketplace.”</p>
<p>Perhaps the poster should read the current ad revenue figures for magazines and the revenue trend line.</p>
<p>It’s a tough world out there and I’ll repeat….they’re going to have a very hard time competing in today’s ‘high-tech’ marketplace.</p>
<p>1223 here – good luck mc2!</p>
<p>I wish we knew what the shirt’s like. I would definitely get a subscription if it’s a banging shirt. =]</p>
<p>Eh, Screw it. Order #1298</p>
<blockquote>I hope they mean 2005!?</blockquote>
<p>Looking on the advertising information, it seems like they are going to try to put out four issues a year – Winter ’05, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter ’06.</p>
<p>The fact is no one likes to read long articles on the internet. Short blog posts are much better suited. And nothing beats print and photo on paper.</p>
<p>I thinkwinding road is extremely well written and well designed, and could really give the big names a run for their money. But, I never read it. I never bother to log into yet another web site, then sit there are read a PDF. I’d rather pay for a print edition.</p>
<p>Any specialized magazine will be more expensive then a gerenal one, you cannot secure the $100,000 advertisers, so $25 is not very much to ask at all.</p>
<p>I’ve subscribed #1295 and look forward to reading the first issue and seeing how their coverage is of MinisOnTop. I would even love to contribute content in the future.</p>
<p>i’m in.</p>
<p>re: site vs. print. i take the train every day to work, and unless you have one heck of a wireless service provider for your notebook, a paper mag’s really the only way to go.</p>
<p>Road & Track? For inspiration? Eep! : )</p>
<p>I’m in – #1217</p>
<p>I also get a lot of information on the web, but there are times having a print magazine is more convenient. $24.95 is little enough to pay to give MC2 a chance at success. If they succeed, my investment will have been part of what allowed them to do so. If not, I don’t have to renew in a year. I’ve spent a lot more then $25 on MINI parts that didn’t perform as advertised and got tossed after a short time.</p>
<p>Good luck to MC2. I hope they thrive.</p>
<p>Ron in NJ,</p>
<p>I agree with you that magazines are in a much tougher spot than 10 years ago. And yes, much of that has to do with people looking to the internet as a major source of information and entertainment, and I still dissagree with you on the distribution issue.</p>
<p>Point 1) DISTRIBUTION cost on the internet is zero. I didn’t talk about hosting and staffing by an internet content provider. But, it would almost always (notice almost) be a lot less than the staffing required for a quality montly magazine. But the cost of getting info to me is zero.</blockquote></p>
<p>I understand what you’re saying. That is precisely what I am disagreeing with you on. Hosting a website, serving it to browser client requests via the internet <em>IS</em> distribution. I’ll concede that it’s cheaper by far than printing and trucking 40 pages of perfect-bound glossy magazine across the country, but it isn’t free. Even if a site’s hosting is outsourced to an ISP, it’s still an appreciable expense if you’re dealing with a site of any size at all. All I am getting at in my first post is that people often underestimate how much work and expense it takes to consistantly deliver quality web content on a large scale. Producing a magazine-quality website on any subject is a far cry from updating your posts on mySpace or Blogger. It’s cheaper than printing a magazine, no doubt about that, but the amount of work it takes to produce all the content is as much or more, and the expense of developing that content is as much or more. The editorial staff still has to send reporters and photographers or videographers out to get stories. Those stories have to be written, edited, photographs sorted, cropped, optimized, video clips edited and optimized, and content formatted to go live on the site. It’s as much or more work than prepping to print a magazine on paper. </p>
<blockquote>It’s a tough world out there and I’ll repeat….they’re going to have a very hard time competing in today’s ‘high-tech’ marketplace.</blockquote>
<p>No doubt. A magazine wouldn’t be my first choice of business to open right now – online or in print. I definately agree with you there.</p>
<p>I’m # 1114</p>
<p>Given that we’re a small, focused, readership, I don’t find the price high at all. $25 is almost worth it for the shirt alone.</p>
<h1>1345</h1>
<p>I love t-shirts!</p>
<p>Nothing beats print!</p>
<h1>1343</h1>
<p>[quote]I heard the same BS about brick and Mortar business’ 10 years back, “They’ll all be gone because it’s so easy to buy stuff online” …[/quote]
During my degree studying, back in 1982, I was told that software development would soon be obsolete with all the new auto-programming tools available ;)</p>
<h1>1367</h1>
<p>It is interesting to see the subscription count increment through the day. :D</p>
<p>It’s a heck of a lot easier to bring a magazine into the bathroom than a laptop (if you even own one)…less chance of costly damage as well.</p>
<p>Oh, and sometimes it’s nice to see pictures all high-res and glossy, you know? And if there are tech articles, the pictures are much better than anything I can print from the internet myself…</p>
<p>Oh, and I’m 1313…don’t know if that’s good luck or bad luck, but that’s how it went.</p>
<p>1335</p>
<p>Second time’s a charm.</p>
<p>How risky is a two-year subscription?</p>
<p>Risky if everybody asks the same question and no one signs up. :)</p>
<p>1209</p>
<p>Man, I love the online resources, but sometimes you just want some old fashioned paper copy… even if it’s old news. Good luck MC2!</p>
<p>1397…</p>
<p>Good Luck MC2. I have just signed on (1393).
Lot’s of banter about the pro’s and con’s of internet v paper publications. There is something to sitting down and relaxing with a magazine that interests you. GOMINI made the mistake of going monthly and didn’t have the goods to deliver. MC2 will also incorporate some original mini stuff which will appeal to many. I would like to bet there are lots of two mini families out there, one original one BMW.
Give these guys all the support you can!</p>
<p><strong>1417</strong></p>
<p>cool stuff ! !</p>
<p>1465 for me</p>
<p>1324</p>
<p>Do I get a shirt</p>
<p>It strikes me that the way for magazines of this sort to carve out a niche is to not be a MINI news oriented operation. News is best handled by an internet site, for the reasons previously stated. What’s harder to do – but ultimately more rewarding – is to forget about ephemera and focus on meatier topics. Background stories, profiles on people instrumental in design, engineering, modifying or marketing the MINI, historical articles, technical discussions, round ups and reviews of aftermarket items, etc.</p>
<p>I’M 1122. I called GoMini mag this morning and they will give a refund on the unused part of your subscription or credit it towards mini magazine, just give them a call</p>
<p>I just subscribed and I’m number 1501, I hope I haven’t missed out on all of the freebies and they have some pitty on a poor soul that was just a little too late to the dance.</p>
<p>tommyb</p>
<p>Having delivered my first UK-based material for the launch issue of the new magazine, I was amazed to see just how quickly the Subscriber base is building up.</p>
<p>When Editor Gary Anderson invited me to contribute, I was flattered – and I want to do my best for all of you. There’s such a lot going on at the British end of this enterprise that I don’t think we will ever lack things to talk about.</p>
<p>Did You Know That ? corner : The MINI is manufactured in a much-modernised factory at Cowley, near Oxford. Originally that factory was owned by Pressed Steel Co., providing body shells for cars as various as Mini, and Rolls-Royce ! Did You Know That ?</p>
<p><strong>1544</strong></p>
<p>I sure hope they honor the quote above:</p>
<blockquote>
For Charter Subscribers (those with paid sub’s before we mail the debut issue), we’re designing and printing a limited edition of a few thousand MC² t-shirts.
</blockquote>
<p>Where everyone subscribing before the first issue is mailed gets a shirt.</p>
<p>Honestly I would’ve waited to subscribe if it wasn’t for the T-Shirt offer and I had no indication they were already past order number 1500 before I paid…</p>
<p>Graham, almost everything we know about the birth of MINI comes from your fine, and oft-quoted book on the car. You’re quite a celeb around these parts!!!</p>
<p>I’d have thought the original hype surrounding the new MINI would have lessened by now, but all this good stuff going on in motorsports keeps things at a fever pitch. Good luck keeping up!!!</p>
<p>Actually, given the challenges faced by GoMINI, perhaps it’s more sustainable if the print/web enterprises worked in harmony somehow.</p>
<p>It is past exciting to be a part of this launch. I’m skimming through the comments to pull off some of the suggestions, concerns, and comments to fill the first “your words” column and there are a lot of good ideas that we’ll be keeping in mind as we put together this first issue and our plans for next year.
So keep those cards and letters coming, and in the immortal words of the wine cooler folks, “Thank you for your support.”
Cheers,
Gary</p>
<p>Wow, the last 3 days have been quite a whirlwind for Gary and I. As you can see from above, both Gary and I have read your comments. </p>
<p>There’s so much to respond to, but I’ll keep it brief. Gary and I are “ink on paper” guys. We are fully aware of the Internet, and know that’s where you get your news. We’ll never try and replace Gabe. It takes just as much time and effort to post as it does print, and I stare at this 19-inch sreen all day thanks!</p>
<p>To those that have posted some great insight into the small niche-market magazine business thanks very much.</p>
<p>Please know that you Charter Subscribers are special to us. Look for us to make contact with some of you for other ideas, and your input on your magazine.</p>
<p>And PS, a close frfiend of mine coined the phrase about dying with the most toys. His name is Bob Barnes. He coined it in the early 1980s at a street rod event. He owns one helluva chrome and plating shop!</p>
<p>We thank you for your trust and support. We’ll deliver your first issue in early December. (That’s 2005!) Then several more issues before the end of 2006 for just $24.95 in the USA. </p>
<p>The t-shirt you’ll be pleased to wear. It’s 4-6 colours, on a quality shirt.</p>
<p>Happy Motoring,
Barry</p>
<p>Oh and to answer a few more questions:</p>
<p>Yes, we’re running a business. However, it’s a business born of passion, not simply financial gain. You’ll find in our magazine that we will not sacrifice that passion. </p>
<p>We’re not R&T, C&D or part of some huge entity like those mag’s. We will respond to you the reader and you postings and inpit via e-mails thru our site. Not every one of them, but some of them, as some are being answered by other posts.</p>
<p>About the shirts. We have yet to print them, so keep the orders going as we’re watching the progress. Our site generates a sub order e-mail to my desk, so keep ’em coming, and we’ll see what develops. We will not be printing the Charter Subscriber t-shirt again!</p>
<p>I’m in… 1300 something. I’m really looking forward to this magazine. GoMINI had little substance. Roundel on the other hand, is an interesting read every time. Hopefully MC2 will be able to pull that off.</p>
<p>I’m really pleased to see that you have a lady in your writing crew. I’ve always enjoyed cars, but I’ve never been the type to “mod” my car. The MINI, however, has turned that all around. I can use all the “Dummies guide to MINI how-tos” you guys can publish. I want to understand everything from the lingo to how to inspect my brakes.</p>
<p>A suggestion I’d offer for a topic to cover… (as morbid as this sounds) Cover the MINI saving lives. As a former Volvo owner, I still love going to Volvo’s website & reading the “my Volvo saved my life” stories complete with pictures of a totaled car. I would not have bought a car this small without the safety features it has & I’d love to have more confirmation of the extremes this car is capable of.</p>
<p>I’d also like to see an article on high-mileage MINIs. I know we have one out there with 150K on the odometer. It’d be really interesting to have a mechanic look at all the major systems and talk about how the car is fairing.</p>
<p>Well, anyhow… just a couple of my crazy ideas for what I’d like to read (along with everything else already mentioned). Best of luck to you guys!</p>
<p>Ah, I think this a first for me–a Charter Subscriber. #1543. I can make myself available for any photo ops (:. Nick</p>
<p>The Q & A didn’t mention when the first issue would be out. When will the first issue be available at newsstand, bookstores, etc?</p>
<p>Also in the Q & A it’s written:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Charter Subscribers will be offered privileges at our planned e-zine/newsletter, interactions with advertisers for testing new products, and some ideas we’re tinkering with. It’s about relationships, so e-mails.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Why is it that only “Charter Subscribers (i.e those that subscribe before issue #1 is out) will get e-zine/newsletter, etc? I can understand the t-shirt thing but isn’t it kind of unfair for people who subscribe after the first issue release that they won’t be able to receive the e-zine/newsletter. </p>
<p>To me that doesn’t seem a good thing to do when a publication wants subscribers.</p>
<p>To Ralph’s specific questions:
The first issue will be mailed the first week in December (of this year) though we may spend the entire Christmas holiday recovering.
The first issue will only be available in a few select bookstores, since distributors don’t accept magazines for distribution until they’ve evaluated the content, appearance, quality to assure the mag will sell.
However, Barry plans to distribute free copies of the first issue to those MINI dealers who will accept and distribute the copies. But if you want to make sure that you will get one of those first issues, a subscription is the best way to go — same guarantee of all mailed magazines: you can cancel at any time and your remaining subscription funds will be refunded.
As to charter subscriber privileges; we want to make it as attractive as possible to sign up early, since the early response makes all the difference in how fast we can capture new advertisers, ramp up page totals, add contributors, etc. On the other hand, if e.g eZine venture, newsletter, etc look like good business ideas, they’ll be available at some cost to those who waited to see before they signed on. But be assured, you “early adopters” will always be a privileged group with lots of influence on our long-term development.
Cheers
Gary</p>
<p>1696 – Hope I get a shirt. It was still an option on the order form.</p>
<p>Just ordered my subscription! Can’t wait. Looking forward to seeing advertisements and all the products and vendors in the USA.</p>
<p>Also — I was order no 1743</p>
I just ordered my subscription. I was a reader of British Car magazine for many years. It was a top notch publication and I’m hoping MC2 will be the same. I am concerned that you mentioned MC2 will be published 4 to 6 times a year. Which is it, 4 or 6? If it’s only 4 I hope you’ll be adjusting the subscription rate accordingly. I look forward to receiving the first issue and my T-Shirt!!
Good Luck,
Ken
WELL, THE DAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED WHERE WE WRAP UP OUR DEBUT ISSUE AND SEND IT TO THE PRINTER. DURING “TURKEY WEEK” WE’LL PROOF IT FOR LITTLE BOO-BOO’S, AND THEN THE LAST FEW DAYS OF NOVEMBER IT WILL BE ON PRESS. IT’S IN THE MAIL THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF DECEMBER.
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE YET TO SUBSCRIBE, WE ARE SHIPPING 20-30 COMPLIMENTARY ISSUES TO EVERY MINI DEALER IN N.AMERICA. AFTER THAT, THEY’LL BE AVAILABLE AT YOUR FAVORITE MINI STORE AT US$5.95.
FOR CANADIANS (EH?), CHECKOUT YOUR LOCAL HASTINGS, INDIGO OR LOCAL MAGAZINE SELLER. FOR THE US, WE’RE STILL WORKING WITH BORDERS, B&N AND OTHERS ON DISTRIBUTION.
IN ADDITION, WE’LL BE SENDING COPIES TO AS MANY CLUBS AS WE HAVE CONTACT WITH.
THE T-SHIRT ART IS NOW FINISHED AND WILL BE UP ON OUR WEBSITE (WWW.MC2MAGAZINE.COM) SOON. IT’S A 5-COLOUR INK DESIGN (NOT AN IRON-ON TRANSFER!) ON A QUALITY SHIRT. THEY WILL BE SHIPPED VIA THE POSTMAN TO ARRIVE UNDER YOUR TREE.
GARY AND I ARE GOING TO HIDE FOR A FEW DAYS NOW AS WE’RE POOPED!
THANKS FOR ALL YOUR WELL WISHES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. IT’S BEEN VERY REWARDING TO SEE SUCH SUPPORT,
BARRY