I have to agree with most posts here. I have all the back issues for MC2...started the collection when I bought my JCW. The writing, editing, delivery and support has been consistently poor but I love having a magazine dedicated to the Mini. I don't know Barry but publishing a pub like this is very difficult and I'm sure they're not well capitalized for it. Building any business on organic growth is tough.
I'll keep buying it and keep hoping they'll get access/support from a good editor someday.
I subscribed last year and then got a bunch of back issues because I have an R53. The older issues had more material.
I saw Subie Sport start, over extend and die. I nitch mag is tough. I would recommend the following to Berry:
Stop trying to sell products, it's a waist of time and money. Although I did benefit from great deals on the stuff you couldn't sell.
Don't worry about the "news" because the internet has you beat.
Keep up and improve the event coverage (but get the dates right)
Do more features like installs, product reviews, how-tos, and mod ideas.
The MINI crowd is tech savvy and we're online all the time, so you need something different.
I have noticed that there is a new generation of MINI owner coming. It's the 20 something crowed buying 1st gen cars. The people that can cater to them with information, as in a publication, e-zine, or website, or inexpensive products are going to benefit from the new group.
When my renewal comes due I'll make a decision between MC2 and the UK mag. MM is the same price in e form.
Not defending Alta's product but there are tons of vendors who re-tag items to sell. Wasn't TSW doing that 5 years back with their engine damper. Check out Johson Controls. They manfuacture all kinds of stuff, car batteries being just one of them but they market nothing, everybody else puts their name on it..
I also am grammatically & spellzing challenged. That being said anyone who puts out a magazine with those errors is doing something very wrong. Just my .02. :wink:
Back to Barry...I didn't realize he's a "ferner". That makes the mystique of the MC2 even better for me...seat of the pants business...english second language...he's taken by my favorite car...trying to make a living doing something he enjoy's and some other folks want. Cool.
Still needs an editor.
Alta...they do at least support the AccessPort which I bought directly from Cobb Tuning who no longer supports new releases for MINI due to the small market for it in the MINI community.
I personally would like to see more about the cars that we already have. Sure I want to hear about what is coming out each year but do more features on readers cars, and get more into the dretails on said car. Tells us what brand wheels they have along with size of wheel and tire combo, Are they on lowering springs, which ones, how much drop, camber plates? what settings, different brake combo what where why, kinda stuff. Help the reader decide what they may or may not want to do to their car... Do more "How To" stuff.. and yes cover the clubs more since we are the ones buying the mag to start with. Joe Smo MINI owner isn't reading any way even if it is in their local book store..
MC2 launches our first e-zine sites...Late December we took our first leap into the paperless cyberspace with our e-zine on Apple's iTunes newsstand system. The global subcription cost for for 6 issues of MC2 through our MC2 app is just $15. Surf on over to http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mc2-magazine/id554053550?mt=8 for your app and paperless downloads of MC2 now...
Carping over unrealistic expectations running headlong into reality is what made Aesthetic Creations decide to quit being a MINI buddy. If you don't believe it, just keep raising a ruckus because the publisher doesn't return your call when YOU think he should because he's busy writing a column to meet deadline and see how fast he decides the B.S. isn't worth the hassle.
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