Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Insider X on June 14, 2006, 09:11:05 AM
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There it is - AMI is now selling Muscle & Fitness and Flex Magazine. You don't think I am serious. Then check today's Wall Street Journal. This was leaked out. This will be the last year with AMI and the Olympia.
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NEW YORK (Reuters) - Publisher American Media Inc. said on Wednesday it is exploring the sale of five of its 16 magazine titles, including Muscle & Fitness, as part of a strategy to refocus on its celebrity weeklies and lifestyle magazines.
The publisher of celebrity-focused Star and The National Enquirer said it is looking to sell Flex, Muscle & Fitness, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Country Weekly and Mira!. American Media said it has hired JP Morgan Securities Inc. and Bear Stearns & Co Inc. as advisers.
The company said the five titles generated an estimated $84.0 million in revenue for the 12 months ended March 31, and operating income plus depreciation and amortization of $29.6 million.
Separately, American Media is likely to take a trademark impairment charge in its fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, 2006 of about $134 million to $160 million, to reflect the declining value of its assets including The National Enquirer, it said in a filing.
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American Media to Sell
Five of Its Magazine Titles
By DENNIS K. BERMAN and SARAH ELLISON
June 14, 2006; Page B3
American Media Inc. is putting five of its 16 magazine titles on the auction block, as the publisher tries to find the right mix of businesses during months of tumultuous reorganization, people familiar with the matter said.
The titles for sale include Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, country-music magazine Country Weekly and Spanish-language celebrity title Mira! The five titles produced revenue of about $84 million in the 12 months ended in March, and operating income plus amortization of around $30 million.
New York-based American Media is hoping to fetch anywhere from 10 to 13 times the operating income, the people familiar with the matter said, giving the titles a target price of at least $300 million. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Bear, Stearns & Co. are handling the sale, according to the people familiar with the matter.
Private-equity firms Evercore Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners bought American Media in 1999 with an eye to transforming the tabloid publisher into a legitimate consumer media concern. Three years ago American Media and its chief executive, David Pecker, embarked on a strategy to diversify away from the National Enquirer and Star, its two big celebrity-focused magazines. The company spent $350 million to buy Weider Publications, owner of seven magazines, including Shape and Men's Fitness. At the time, Mr. Pecker called the move one that would "transform" American Media "into a major media company."
While American Media will retain Shape and Men's Fitness, it's clear that those ambitions are being throttled back amid tepid financial results. Earlier this year it shuttered three money-losing magazines and scrapped a plan to bring in a flock of London tabloid journalists to reinvigorate the National Enquirer. After delaying financial reports for accounting restatements, the company fell into technical default of lending agreements with banks.
In the six months ending in September 2005 -- the last for which public financial statements are available -- American Media reported a net loss of $13.2 million on revenue of $266 million. Long-term debt stands at around $862 million.
Ad revenue for the National Enquirer fell 15% in May versus a year ago. At Shape, ad revenue dropped 3.4%. Ad revenue was up 14% at Men's Fitness and up 4.4% at Country Weekly, according to data from Publisher's Information Bureau.
Among other problems, the 2002 takeover of Weider has been hampered by government crackdowns on the advertising of dietary supplements. Diet pills and other weight-loss remedies promised to be a major source of ad revenue for the health and fitness magazines but have been whittled away in recent years as the Federal Trade Commission has tightened its restrictions on the often outlandish claims diet companies make in ads. Maintaining an infrastructure for one Spanish-language title also proved costly.
American Media is hoping it can better cross-sell advertising among its remaining titles, which include Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health, according to people familiar with its thinking.
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There it is - AMI is now selling Muscle & Fitness and Flex Magazine. You don't think I am serious. Then check today's Wall Street Journal. This was leaked out.
Nah, when this was announced here months ago, the IFBB Toolbox denied it.
I'm sure the Wall Street Journal is mistaken.
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There it is - AMI is now selling Muscle & Fitness and Flex Magazine. You don't think I am serious. Then check today's Wall Street Journal. This was leaked out.
This is toatally true. I read the Wall Street Journal. Flex, muscle and fitness, country music mag. Mira! and one other.
300million for all.
I suspect they will be sold in pieces.
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Rob sell off your investment homes and put in an offer.
Country Weekly would be interested in those vintage 240 shots you have. ;)
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Rob sell off your investment homes and put in an offer.
Country Weekly would be interested in those vintage 240 shots you have. ;)
'Better Trailers and Garden' does sound like it might find a nice niche!
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'Better Trailers and Garden' does sound like it might find a nice niche!
LOL. ;D
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This was a press release late last night on AMI looking for a buyer for these magazines. Should be interested on who will bid on them...
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This was a press release late last night on AMI looking for a buyer for these magazines. Should be interested on who will bid on them...
Are you selling GetBig?
Cause I read on musclemissions that you were Joe Weider ;D
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Nah, when this was announced here months ago, the IFBB Toolbox denied it.
I'm sure the Wall Street Journal is mistaken.
Didn't you call this one? ???
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This was a press release late last night on AMI looking for a buyer for these magazines. Should be interested on who will bid on them...
Very interesting indeed..... i don't think they will be sold as a group, only an idiot like pecker would spend that kind of money on that collectively.
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Didn't you call this one? ???
Arnold could buy it, but he won't b/c is would be a poor investment. but if he did imagine a magazine that has bb, mixed martial arts armwrestling etc.........
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yes, i also announced they'll be unloading the O right after the 2006 production.
that was doubted too. time will tell ;)
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yes, i also announced they'll be unloading the O right after the 2006 production.
that was doubted too. time will tell ;)
Okay, now I know how to get on the cover of Flex...I will buy the magazine, and put myself on the cover(LOL).....
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Arnold could buy it, but he won't b/c is would be a poor investment. but if he did imagine a magazine that has bb, mixed martial arts armwrestling etc.........
That might be kind of cool. Unfortunately, people who bought magazines primarily for contest coverage might never regain interest in them. :-\
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They're keeping Shape and Men's Fitness, though, eh?
The current cover of Muscle & Fitness is very pretty. I won't buy it, but it does have a pretty cover.
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That might be kind of cool. Unfortunately, people who bought magazines primarily for contest coverage might never regain interest in them. :-\
Yeah, those 10-15 people will be really pissed off!
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I offered them $29.95 for Flex Magazine, but I also agreed to throw in two free issues. I'm waiting on a reply from Bear Stearns.
I will keep you all posted.
Special "Moneybags" Ed
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Rob sell off your investment homes and put in an offer.
Country Weekly would be interested in those vintage 240 shots you have. ;)
His parents has expressed a willingness to help him :D
The Beef
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Maybe MuscleTech will buy the mags...and then they could fill the whole thing with ads for their products...oh...wait...t hat's already being done ::)
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Poor AMI is in such dire straights, they've had to stop publishing Shape en Espanol :-\
Funny thing is MD en espanol is stronger than ever
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why don't we start a paypal account to buy it and make a REAL, LEGIT bodybuilding magazine. Seriously... it would be interesting... if not really feasable at least.
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Don't say I didn't tell you....
Wall Street Journal
American Media to Sell
Five of Its Magazine Titles
By DENNIS K. BERMAN and SARAH ELLISON
June 14, 2006; Page B3
American Media Inc. is putting five of its 16 magazine titles on the auction block, as the publisher tries to find the right mix of businesses during months of tumultuous reorganization, people familiar with the matter said.
The titles for sale include Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, country-music magazine Country Weekly and Spanish-language celebrity title Mira! The five titles produced revenue of about $84 million in the 12 months ended in March, and operating income plus amortization of around $30 million.
[Muscles]
One of the titles that American Media plans to sell.
New York-based American Media is hoping to fetch anywhere from 10 to 13 times the operating income, the people familiar with the matter said, giving the titles a target price of at least $300 million. J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. and Bear, Stearns & Co. are handling the sale, according to the people familiar with the matter.
Private-equity firms Evercore Partners and Thomas H. Lee Partners bought American Media in 1999 with an eye to transforming the tabloid publisher into a legitimate consumer media concern. Three years ago American Media and its chief executive, David Pecker, embarked on a strategy to diversify away from the National Enquirer and Star, its two big celebrity-focused magazines. The company spent $350 million to buy Weider Publications, owner of seven magazines, including Shape and Men's Fitness. At the time, Mr. Pecker called the move one that would "transform" American Media "into a major media company."
While American Media will retain Shape and Men's Fitness, it's clear that those ambitions are being throttled back amid tepid financial results. Earlier this year it shuttered three money-losing magazines and scrapped a plan to bring in a flock of London tabloid journalists to reinvigorate the National Enquirer. After delaying financial reports for accounting restatements, the company fell into technical default of lending agreements with banks.
In the six months ending in September 2005 -- the last for which public financial statements are available -- American Media reported a net loss of $13.2 million on revenue of $266 million. Long-term debt stands at around $862 million.
Ad revenue for the National Enquirer fell 15% in May versus a year ago. At Shape, ad revenue dropped 3.4%. Ad revenue was up 14% at Men's Fitness and up 4.4% at Country Weekly, according to data from Publisher's Information Bureau.
Among other problems, the 2002 takeover of Weider has been hampered by government crackdowns on the advertising of dietary supplements. Diet pills and other weight-loss remedies promised to be a major source of ad revenue for the health and fitness magazines but have been whittled away in recent years as the Federal Trade Commission has tightened its restrictions on the often outlandish claims diet companies make in ads. Maintaining an infrastructure for one Spanish-language title also proved costly.
American Media is hoping it can better cross-sell advertising among its remaining titles, which include Fit Pregnancy and Natural Health, according to people familiar with its thinking.
Write to Dennis K. Berman at dennis.berman@wsj.com1 and Sarah Ellison at sarah.ellison@wsj.com2
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could be true...fact is, the numbers for flex and M&F are horrible
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Flex sucked ever since they changed their format and included more aesthetic pros. Trying to appeal to mainstream killed them - real fans want to see the freaks - that's why MD rules.
Just look at their "Top 20 Shouders". Alves, Dugdale, and MISHKO?? They didn't even have MArkus RUHL!!!
If they want to turn their backs on the real fans and recycle the same training articles then fuck em - the magazine deserves to die
(http://www.capricorn007.com/halloween2005/gallows.gif)
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Ok Md, and Steve time to step up and put the final nail in their coffin, buy the sucker and change the name ;D
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No one should bid on it - Let it go and let the other magazines split the market and keep it moving.
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All the muscle mags suck. The way they insult your intelligence by trying to pass off ads as articles sickens me. They won't get money from me while they have SHIT for editorial content.
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who do i make the check out too ;D
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could be true...fact is, the numbers for flex and M&F are horrible
Not really. Fact is, the numbers are great. That's why the asking price is high.
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All the muscle mags suck. The way they insult your intelligence by trying to pass off ads as articles sickens me. They won't get money from me while they have SHIT for editorial content.
No argument there.
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All the muscle mags suck. The way they insult your intelligence by trying to pass off ads as articles sickens me. They won't get money from me while they have SHIT for editorial content.
The magazines aren't trying to insult your intellegence. The advertisers create those ads designed to look like edit. Your beef should be with them.
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The magazines aren't trying to insult your intellegence. The advertisers create those ads designed to look like edit. Your beef should be with them.
I understand what you're saying, but the previous poster's point was that he isn't going to support that practice or the recycled training articles.
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The magazines aren't trying to insult your intellegence. The advertisers create those ads designed to look like edit. Your beef should be with them.
There should be clear line drawn between commercial content and editorial content.
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I'll give them a $100 for the whole lot. 8)
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The advertisers create those ads designed to look like edit. Your beef should be with them.
Isn't Muscle Mag International and Muscle Tech supplement or whatever its called the same entity? The Muscle Tech ads are pawned off as "real" articles.
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No argument there.
Completely agree as well. Plus they have the same old boring people in the magazines every month. How many articles can you read about Ronnie's 23 inch guns and to get them you do this training routine ::)
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Isn't Muscle Mag International and Muscle Tech supplement or whatever its called the same entity? The Muscle Tech ads are pawned off as "real" articles.
But that's Muscle Mag, NOT Muscle & Fitness, NOT Flex. MD has the same problem. Why do the Weider/AMI titles get slammed for the same thing their competitors are dealing with?
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But that's Muscle Mag, NOT Muscle & Fitness, NOT Flex. MD has the same problem. Why do the Weider/AMI titles get slammed for the same thing their competitors are dealing with?
I meant all of them, namely the AMI mags.
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Completely agree as well. Plus they have the same old boring people in the magazines every month. How many articles can you read about Ronnie's 23 inch guns and to get them you do this training routine ::)
For the past 20+ years, they've done a poor job of making and marketing new stars.
Consumers tend to dislike stale products.
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AMI is keeping Men's Fitness. That formula obviously works. Too bad they couldn't apply a similar formula to more hard core bodybuilding.
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the ads are awesome
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Boss Blechman just told me that he purchased Flex. ;D
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Boss Blechman just told me that he purchased Flex. ;D
should be interesting.
Manni, how many more AMI athletes do I have to demolish before you guys give me a column? Sheesh.
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The magazines aren't trying to insult your intellegence. The advertisers create those ads designed to look like edit. Your beef should be with them.
Exactly. If you feel some company is making BS claims, dont buy their products and also tell to your friends to avoid them.
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should be interesting.
Manni, how many more AMI athletes do I have to demolish before you guys give me a column? Sheesh.
Actually we will give your a MD column. However, you are not the author and its called "240 is Punk" :D
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Actually we will give your a MD column. However, you are not the author and its called "240 is Punk" :D
I see you're the funny one on the MD staff.
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And after AMI totally devalued the products in two short years, old Uncle Joe Weider swoops in and picks them up for a song, thus making a huge profit from the sale and re-purchase of his franchise!
Actually, as little as these magazines are worth now (does anyone still buy Flex and M&F anymore?), I'd think we could pass the hat here at GetBig and come up with enough to purchase them ourselves. I'll chip in the first $5.00. ;D
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You could have seen this coming from a mile away. Nice going AMI.
McGough, speak on this. we know ur reading this!
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Exactly. If you feel some company is making BS claims, dont buy their products and also tell to your friends to avoid them.
It has nothing to do with that. It is the habit of trying to pass off paid ads as editorial content. These magazines and supplement companies are in bed together. They deliberately try to blur the line between what is a legit article and what is just a infomercial type article with no intent but to hype a particular product.
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Ok - lets get somethings straight.
The Olympia Weekend this year will be the biggest yet, with more booths and more people than ever before. There is no problem with the Olympia Weekend, nor the promotion of the Olympia Weekend, nor the sponsors of the Olympia Weekend. They will be doing just fine. Even the title sponsor is new, pumping in a lot of monies for more prize money, and more excitement.
Now, as for AMI, Weider Pubs is doing just fine, and Pecker has much bigger problems to take care of then deal with the profitable side of things.
So yes - many of us, including myself - have already booked the rooms, time and plan to support the Olympia, the athletes that participate in it, and everything else associated with it. Like it or not, the Olympia is the biggest bodybuilding event of the year (Arnold is smaller for bodybuilding only). The die hards and the purests and the peopel that enjoy bodybuilding come to the show. And that is that.
Nothing is going to beat it right now. Plain and simple.
Hey Ron, ready to come back to planet earth yet? ;)
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Not really. Fact is, the numbers are great. That's why the asking price is high.
oh really, chairman roger altman, former united states secretary of treasury says the numbers suck.
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And after AMI totally devalued the products in two short years, old Uncle Joe Weider swoops in and picks them up for a song, thus making a huge profit from the sale and re-purchase of his franchise!
if he was 10 years younger, perhaps.
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And after AMI totally devalued the products in two short years, old Uncle Joe Weider swoops in and picks them up for a song, thus making a huge profit from the sale and re-purchase of his franchise!
Actually, as little as these magazines are worth now (does anyone still buy Flex and M&F anymore?), I'd think we could pass the hat here at GetBig and come up with enough to purchase them ourselves. I'll chip in the first $5.00. ;D
AMI didn't devalue the products. Not these anyway (the same couldn't be said of Men's Fitness and Shape). M&F and Flex still sell strongly (inspite of what the haters on this board think) and generate a ton of revenue.
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AMI didn't devalue the products. Not these anyway (the same couldn't be said of Men's Fitness and Shape). M&F and Flex still sell strongly (inspite of what the haters on this board think) and generate a ton of revenue.
shape has great numbers so does men's fitness. the other two blow. stop telling lies.
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shape has great numbers so does men's fitness. the other two blow. stop telling lies.
I'm not the one telling lies here.
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I read somewhere on here that what made a big difference was when the government put the regulations on advertising for supplements. Did this happen right after the sale of the mags by Weider. If so I wonder if he knew it was coming and wanted to dump the mags before taking the obvious loss in revenue heading his way for the mags. If so shame on AMI for not doing the research or knowing what Weider knew.
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Flex and M&F are boutique ego booster magazines. they'd worth be nothing without weider advertisements
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Horton's meal ticket just got punched.
He'll be calling DeMilia within the hour just to "catch up with an ol' buddy!"
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I though David Pecker went bye-bye ?
Man they lost alot of money in this deal
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Flex and M&F are boutique ego booster magazines. they'd worth be nothing without weider advertisements
Let's all just agree that you clearly have no idea what you're talking about.
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Wow, wouldn't be odd if PDI interest bought the magazines? Where would the IFBB be in two years then???
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Let's all just agree that you clearly have no idea what you're talking about.
i have a legacy MBA from harvard where's yours from?
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Wow, wouldn't be odd if PDI interest bought the magazines? Where would the IFBB be in two years then???
Perhaps the IFBB Theme song should be that Celine Dion song from Titanic.
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i have a legacy MBA from harvard where's yours from?
Your degree doesn't matter. It doesn't give you insight or access to anything that goes on inside AMI, M&F or Flex.
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It has nothing to do with that. It is the habit of trying to pass off paid ads as editorial content. These magazines and supplement companies are in bed together. They deliberately try to blur the line between what is a legit article and what is just a infomercial type article with no intent but to hype a particular product.
Such BS tactics wont work in our magazines. In fact, if some punk will even try it I will _personally_ kick his fatty acid enriched behind...
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These [bodybuilding and fitness] magazines and supplement companies are in bed together.
Can you tell me how our (ie Blechman) magazines are in bed with supplement companies? Well, since I PERSONALLY write most of the supplement-related article for our flagship publication (ie MD), I can assure you that your assumption is clearly fallacious (unless we exclude Kennedy´s BS publications.. well, nobody take them seriously anyway :) ).
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(unless we exclude Kennedy´s BS publications.. well, nobody take them seriously anyway :) ).
I guess that makes you the Lee Harvey Oswald of the BBing mag racket.
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Well, Flex and M&F's and almost all magazine's circulation has been declining. That doesn't mean that the bottom line has. In fact, it will be interesting to see when a serious buyer comes up, if AMI wil release the figures on a per magazine basis or on the lot as a whole.
It will be interesting to see, and probably that Flex Magazine may be one of the more profitable of the bunch, that is has a core audience, and a steady stream of advertisers. M&F's numbers are still strong too, and judging by the way the investers want some profit in the company, selling profitables parts of the company might do well.
The question arises what happens now that AMI has publically showed its intent to sell off the more hardcore bodybuilding parts of the Weider magazines (M&F and Flex vs. Mens Fitness and Shape), you need someone with an active interest who cares about the sport to continue.
And if AMI does sell these, the big questions is once they are out of bodybuilding, who will be the promoter of the Olympia next year and where will it be. Unless, of course - the new buyers want to keep it. And is the AMI deal with being the promoters of the Olympia included in the deal of selling the two magazines?
Never the less, will the Olympia this year be affected. I don't think so. The budget is done, the contracts are signed, and I still think that this year will be a great Olympia, and that many fans will attend, partly to see Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, Dexter Jackson, Gunter Schlierkamp and others, and partly because it is fun and the expo is cool.
Of course I will be there, as will Isaac from Lift Studios, as will many others who do care about the sport, and want to come and have a great time.
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I read somewhere on here that what made a big difference was when the government put the regulations on advertising for supplements. Did this happen right after the sale of the mags by Weider. If so I wonder if he knew it was coming and wanted to dump the mags before taking the obvious loss in revenue heading his way for the mags. If so shame on AMI for not doing the research or knowing what Weider knew.
The vitamin and supplement regulation train has been chugging for well over a decade, but only in the last few years did it really gain any steam.
The negotiations were mainly secretive and well above our pay grade, but the mag sale was more than just a cash grab for the Weiders. As I understand it, AMI came into the industry with more cash and collective newsstand exposure than had ever been seen in fitness/bodybuilding. I don't know who first contacted whom, but as the story goes, AMI was expected to provide all the necessary PR support and to provide a great deal of the lobbying power necessary to keep the federal government for clamping extensive regulations on the supplement industry.
The industry has held them off for years, but we have every reason to suspect that federal regulation will eventually become a way of life around here.
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PECKER PROSPECTS ARE PETERING OUT
By KEITH J. KELLY
June 15, 2006 -- By putting the muscle magazines on the block, embattled American Media CEO David Pecker gained some breathing room, but several industry insiders think his time atop the tabloid empire may be nearing an end.
In the wake of American Media's announcement yesterday that five titles - including Muscle & Fitness, Flex, Muscle & Fitness Hers, Country Weekly and Spanish-laguage title Mira - the far-flung publishing giant he was trying to assemble now looks like it will proceed with downsized aspirations.
"It looks like a major-league collapse of the Pecker empire," said one industry executive.
At the very least, the dream of a major expansion and eventually going public with an IPO appear to be over for the foreseeable future.
In fact, sources tell The Post, in recent months some board members from the Thomas H. Lee investment team have been so worried by the deteriorating financial picture at AMI that they had quietly been sounding out publishing executives to replace Pecker as CEO.
The board stopped short of a seeking an ouster, and now appears to be giving Pecker a final chance to right the listing ship.
It faces a crucial restatement of its earnings on June 28 covering an 18-month period that includes all of 2005 and the first two quarters of the current fiscal year.
Ousting Pecker would be costly. His contract extends to April 2008 and he is the largest individual stockholder, with 4.9 percent of the Class A voting stock and 52,726 shares of the nonvoting B stock.
If he is axed without cause, AMI must pay Pecker a $4.8 million one-time bonus plus $3 million for the last two years of his salary, according to SEC filings.
"David Pecker is leading AMI as its CEO. There is no change in his status," said a spokesman for Thomas H. Lee of the prospects for a CEO search.
Still the company faces a host of financial problems, and the shuttering of Celebrity Living and two other titles this spring were not enough to solve the company's woes.
Newsstand sales of the glossy Star, one of the vehicles tagged to power growth, have been slumping, at fewer than 700,000 copies a week.
A year ago it was selling more than 850,000 on newsstands.
Lost in all the commotion is the still unsigned contract of Editorial Director Bonnie Fuller, once hailed as a newsstand genius. Her three-year deal expires June 30.
The five magazines on the block, which are being peddled by J.P. Morgan and Bear Stearns, had revenue of $84 million and total operating profit of around $30 million in 2005.
The company hopes to fetch $300 million or 10 to 13 times earnings. That may be difficult.
"Other than the private-equity guys, I don't see a lot of conventional publishers doing it," said Mark Edmiston at investment bank AdMedia Partners.
The planned sale pleased holders of $550 million in junk bonds. Yesterday, the 101/2 percent bonds were trading at $93, up from $91, while the 8¨ percent bonds traded at $87.50, up from $85.
"Bondholders are pleased he is addressing the debt issue," said Ken Meehan, of Debtwire, which tracks highly leveraged companies.
"It seems pretty consistent that the proceeds will be used to de-leverage the company and improve its credit profile," said Meehan. He did not expect the funds to be reinvested in new projects.
keith.kelly@nypost.com
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no wonder my messages got deleted overnight :)
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Pecker's looking limp.
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One humorous element is that all his supporters on GetBig seem to be pretty silent right now.
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One humorous element is that all his supporters on GetBig seem to be pretty silent right now.
Who were his supporters?
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Who were his supporters?
You are! This is your bread and butter (literally). I thought you took pictures for these magazines. Am I wrong in assuming that. Pleae fill me in. So you not support the magazines you supposedly sell pictures to and get checks from (however small). You are the biggest suckass on Getbig, everyone but you ses it. Learn to blink a little, you'll see more clearly.
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Horton,
Flex and M&F are getting sold. Your big show, the O, just lost all superfluous funding for this year's show. Next year's show is already condemned, on the selling block Oct 2nd.
You've crapped on MD, you've crapped on the PDI, and you've danced and sang for the IFBB, even to the point of childish insults.
(This is when you start denying you ever bashed any of them, delete your old posts, and demand proof. Then you wait 6 hours, and return with some positive comments on the PDI/AMI sellout/latest MD, which you ask a friend to bump with a fake convo with you, so that industry insiders will always think that K. horton was always on board).
But he wudn't. :)
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Horton,
Flex and M&F are getting sold. Your big show, the O, just lost all superfluous funding for this year's show. Next year's show is already condemned, on the selling block Oct 2nd.
You've crapped on MD, you've crapped on the PDI, and you've danced and sang for the IFBB, even to the point of childish insults.
(This is when you start denying you ever bashed any of them, delete your old posts, and demand proof. Then you wait 6 hours, and return with some positive comments on the PDI/AMI sellout/latest MD, which you ask a friend to bump with a fake convo with you, so that industry insiders will always think that K. horton was always on board).
But he wudn't. :)
Monster reality...........
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You are! This is your bread and butter (literally). I thought you took pictures for these magazines. Am I wrong in assuming that. Pleae fill me in. So you not support the magazines you supposedly sell pictures to and get checks from (however small). You are the biggest suckass on Getbig, everyone but you ses it. Learn to blink a little, you'll see more clearly.
Zing!
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Horton,
Flex and M&F are getting sold. Your big show, the O, just lost all superfluous funding for this year's show. Next year's show is already condemned, on the selling block Oct 2nd.
You've crapped on MD, you've crapped on the PDI, and you've danced and sang for the IFBB, even to the point of childish insults.
(This is when you start denying you ever bashed any of them, delete your old posts, and demand proof. Then you wait 6 hours, and return with some positive comments on the PDI/AMI sellout/latest MD, which you ask a friend to bump with a fake convo with you, so that industry insiders will always think that K. horton was always on board).
But he wudn't. :)
Yet more unfounded statements. Show me one post where I've 'crapped" on any other magazine, writer or photographer?
What do you find so odd about the magazines being sold? Fact is, AMI need cash quick, so they are going to sell off some very profitable titles. They need $300M now, rather than have the long term investment income.
THe Olympia's future is secure. You don't attend so what's your problem?
As for the PDI. I still don't see how pointing out facts is crapping on something but call it what you want.
You seem to be the expert on "fake convo's". Didn't you use one to announce your tragic illness?
Oh, and didn't you then have Ron delete them?
I'm not as fragile as you.
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Yet more unfounded statements. Show me one post where I've 'crapped" on any other magazine, writer or photographer?
What do you find so odd about the magazines being sold? Fact is, AMI need cash quick, so they are going to sell off some very profitable titles. They need $300M now, rather than have the long term investment income.
THe Olympia's future is secure. You don't attend so what's your problem?
As for the PDI. I still don't see how pointing out facts is crapping on something but call it what you want.
You seem to be the expert on "fake convo's". Didn't you use one to announce your tragic illness?
Oh, and didn't you then have Ron delete them?
I'm not as fragile as you.
Businesses don't sell "very profitable" titles. They sell those that they can't manage well, are having circulation issues, or lower growth opportunities.
If they saw growth coming from these areas, they wouldn't be for sale. It looks more to me like they caught a falling knife (so to speak). Kind of like buying high and selling lower in the stock market - when you buy a hot stock that you don't fully understand, then it trends lower...
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Businesses don't sell "very profitable" titles. They sell those that they can't manage well, are having circulation issues, or lower growth opportunities.
If they saw growth coming from these areas, they wouldn't be for sale. It looks more to me like they caught a falling knife (so to speak). Kind of like buying high and selling lower in the stock market - when you buy a hot stock that you don't fully understand, then it trends lower...
Check out the article. AMI were not looking for long term investment, they wanted to widen their portfolio before going public. IPO in the US?
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Check out the article. AMI were not looking for long term investment, they wanted to widen their portfolio before going public. IPO in the US?
You gotta admit kevin they paid WAY too much for the weider titles though...
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You gotta admit kevin they paid WAY too much for the weider titles though...
Exactly. There are other titles that would have expanded their selection. They made a poor business decision though and now own mags with declining popularity - and will most likely not get 10x earnings for them. I think they will get about 6-7x at best, maybe 4-5x for Flex.
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Exactly. There are other titles that would have expanded their selection. They made a poor business decision though and now own mags with declining popularity - and will most likely not get 10x earnings for them. I think they will get about 6-7x at best, maybe 4-5x for Flex.
Doesn't take a brain to know the sport is dominated by the internet now. I haven't bought a FLEX for 5 years
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Maybe they'll ask me to run everything
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Yet more unfounded statements. Show me one post where I've 'crapped" on any other magazine, writer or photographer?
What do you find so odd about the magazines being sold? Fact is, AMI need cash quick, so they are going to sell off some very profitable titles. They need $300M now, rather than have the long term investment income.
THe Olympia's future is secure. You don't attend so what's your problem?
As for the PDI. I still don't see how pointing out facts is crapping on something but call it what you want.
You seem to be the expert on "fake convo's". Didn't you use one to announce your tragic illness?
Oh, and didn't you then have Ron delete them?
I'm not as fragile as you.
Horton, the fact that you're a professional IFBB protographer who is bringing up 18-month old m*ltdowns to win an argument on AMI/IFBB futures undermines your credibility. It really does.
Kevin, do you believe the sale of these magazines will affect your work with them at all?
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Horton, the fact that you're a professional IFBB protographer who is bringing up 18-month old m*ltdowns to win an argument on AMI/IFBB futures undermines your credibility. It really does.
Kevin, do you believe the sale of these magazines will affect your work with them at all?
another question is who the hell is going to buy ALL 5 of these titles as a package like they are hoping to sell them (according to the article I read...)
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Horton, the fact that you're a professional IFBB protographer who is bringing up 18-month old m*ltdowns to win an argument on AMI/IFBB futures undermines your credibility. It really does.
Kevin, do you believe the sale of these magazines will affect your work with them at all?
I'm not an IFBB photographer. I never applied for the badge.
How can you question my credibility when it's you who insults everyone, lies about their health and threatens peoples wives?
You complain about posts being deleted but you begged Ron to delete your ones. I can see why though, they do make interesting reading ;D
Now do you want to continue in an adult manner, or lower oursleves to "Onlyme's" level and continue posting abuse about one another?
If it's an adult debate.
NO, I don't have any concerns that the sale of the magazines will have any effect on my work.
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another question is who the hell is going to buy ALL 5 of these titles as a package like they are hoping to sell them (according to the article I read...)
No one. Not a chance in hell. AMI is desperate for cash and will end up dumping what they can to whoever is willing to pay. If any of these titles were profitable they would keep them. There is no line forming at AMI's door with publishers waving checks for the lot. What main line publisher in their right mind would want Flex? Pecker proved they don't understand BB. At 3 -4 X earnings Flex is worth 2 - 3 million tops - if it was viable. With it down over 1/3 from where Pecker bought it it is going to be a fire sale item. I don't think Bleckman should buy it. I think they should just let it die and let what's left of the industry absorb the readership.
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No one. Not a chance in hell. AMI is desperate for cash and will end up dumping what they can to whoever is willing to pay. If any of these titles were profitable they would keep them. There is no line forming at AMI's door with publishers waving checks for the lot. What main line publisher in their right mind would want Flex? Pecker proved they don't understand BB. At 3 -4 X earnings Flex is worth 2 - 3 million tops - if it was viable. With it down over 1/3 from where Pecker bought it it is going to be a fire sale item. I don't think Bleckman should buy it. I think they should just let it die and let what's left of the industry absorb the readership.
You mean with all of today's media converage, there aren't a slew of bidders for magazines that feature roid users and peddle snake oil :D
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I don't think Bleckman should buy it. I think they should just let it die and let what's left of the industry absorb the readership.
I agree. There is no reason for an existing bodybuidling mag publisher to buy these magazines. There is little loyalty of magazine readers to a specific brand. There is no value to the names Flex or Muscle and Fitness. Sure if you were trying to start a new mag, they'd be worthwhile to buy just to get the space on the magazine racks. But if you already have that, they have nothing to offer.
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These titles are profitable, that is why they are trying to sell them. They need to free up cash and pay down some debt. The biggest issue if they sell will be distribution. AMI has great distribution.
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No one. Not a chance in hell. AMI is desperate for cash and will end up dumping what they can to whoever is willing to pay. If any of these titles were profitable they would keep them. There is no line forming at AMI's door with publishers waving checks for the lot. What main line publisher in their right mind would want Flex? Pecker proved they don't understand BB. At 3 -4 X earnings Flex is worth 2 - 3 million tops - if it was viable. With it down over 1/3 from where Pecker bought it it is going to be a fire sale item. I don't think Bleckman should buy it. I think they should just let it die and let what's left of the industry absorb the readership.
The Weider family will probably buy it back for a song...
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I agree. There is no reason for an existing bodybuidling mag publisher to buy these magazines. There is little loyalty of magazine readers to a specific brand. There is no value to the names Flex or Muscle and Fitness. Sure if you were trying to start a new mag, they'd be worthwhile to buy just to get the space on the magazine racks. But if you already have that, they have nothing to offer.
Flex had better writers than any other bodybuilding magazine.
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Flex had better writers than any other bodybuilding magazine.
Their ostentatiously delivered drivel left me cognitively stigmatic.
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These titles are profitable, that is why they are trying to sell them. They need to free up cash and pay down some debt. The biggest issue if they sell will be distribution. AMI has great distribution.
Profitable now is one thing. Growth (of lack thereof) is another.
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These titles are profitable, that is why they are trying to sell them. They need to free up cash and pay down some debt. The biggest issue if they sell will be distribution. AMI has great distribution.
They're trying to sell them now before the mags' profitability becomes a distant memory.
Two years ago, a lot of the company men talked about how AMI was going to 'save' or 're-vitalize' M&F and Flex and it never happened.
Are those brands a little bit tainted now? I dunno, but I'd check flexonline.com 100 times before reading Flex Magazine even once. Maybe others feel similarly.
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I dunno, but I'd check flexonline.com 100 times before reading Flex Magazine even once. Maybe others feel similarly.
Don't give them a reason to have online subscription service. ;)
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I wonder what Chick will do now that his employer no longer controls the IFBB...
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IMO, the IFBB is in cruise control because they're in the milking stage of the product life cycle. They're no longer interested in new opportunities and growth. You see individuals like Solomon doing their things, but in general, the IFBB is content in letting things just ride, AS IS.
FLEX is in the milking stage. the higher-ups are restructing their deals and prepping their resumes, and of course planning their spin-offs. It'll be split, restructured, resold, everyone will get rich, and FLEX will get new ownership. They'll try to keep content the same, but with the PDI taking a bigger piece, they'll slowly get locked out of more and more coverage and more importantly, athletes. You see...
MD is planning ahead- signing all the up and coming pros, and making nice with the PDI.
Think about it: Vic M. Branch. DHenry. Melvin. Dexter. Cormier. Cook. Priest. Gustavo. These are all MD athletes. Tell me that lineup wouldn't look good on a PDI stage. And suppose 8 or 10 top MD pros decide to go simultaneously? It would GUT the IFBB O lineup. Jay, Gunter, and Coleman will likely be done inside 3-4 years. MD is going to be the PDI's best friend. We already heard J Romano brekaing rank and telling Pro Bbing weekly that he thinks the PDI will be quite strong in 3 years.
Anyway, that's what I would do if I was MD. Treated like crap at IFBB events. Unable to speak with Cutler, Coleman, Gunter. Locked out of all the top guys for so long. Tell me they wouldn't love to become the next powerhouse with PDI- where FLEX is now with the IFBB. Where the athletes go, the fans go. And if MD can make sweet enough deals with the SuppCo's, even if it means taking an initial financial hit, they could come out on top for the next decade :)
For the 20 or less people who benefit from cutting costs at the O, it is going into their pockets as income. Horizon problem- they are not worried about the longterm effects on fan retention. They are looking at THIS year's numbers, and their paycheck, THIS year.
A smarter group would sign a longer term PPV deal to lower the costs, and take a hit, if it means retaining that hardcore audience that ALWAYS gets the PPV. Why? Cause this same loyal group also buys FLEX, attends closer shows, etc. But hey, they're in the milking stage. More of these cost cutting moves will continue to become evident as the end comes nearer...
It's happening now.
What will happen without FLEX or M&F? Can anyone HONESTLY say that MD (which openly supports the PDI) taking control of FLEX/M&F won't hurt the IFBB?
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Flex had better writers than any other bodybuilding magazine.
so hire better writers, don't buy the whole magazine
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let it die a natural death .. don't try to reinvent it. don't dump more cash into that titanic. let the market absorb it
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The Olympia will more than likely (if no one steps in to buy it) will go back to the IFBB. And just when you thought it couldn't get worse..................
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Flex magazine is an institution - if it dies, a big part of the sport will too; the IFBB just won't be the same without it
I blame the magazine's death on its recent direction. On PBBW, Lonnie Teper said that the people who run Ironmag magazine wanted to move away from contest coverage and whatnot to cater more towards begginer training articles. Flex magazine did much the same and lost the hardcore audience who follow the sport. Not to mention they moved towards endorsing more "aesthetic" physiques like Dugdale and Alves.
Remeber how great Flex used to be in the mid/late nineties? Tonnes of contest coverage, tonnes of articles about the pros, and plenty of hardcore information. Now you can't find any mention of AAS in Flex. They used to do huge articles on Insulin when it first became popular. They actually talked about the dark side! Now they expect us to belive that Ronnie Coleman got big from creatine and BCAAs? Come on! Only MD keeps it real and that's why people buy it. I only buy Flex becuase I have for soooo long.
Flex abandoned its real fans in favour of a more mainstream appeal. There's a lesson there for the future direction of this fine sport. Changing bb just to attract Joe Blow will kill the sport as surely as it killed Flex . . .
(http://new.thegreenrose.com/discworld/chars/images/Death1.jpg)
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....FLEX isn't pro bodybuilding....someone will buy it and that person will make money.
I think the aesthetic turn with FLEX is a good thing. Let MD deal with the freakomutanauts.
If this is FLEX's swansong, oh well. I like it. I won't buy any bbing mags once it's gone...but I have like the recent interviews in the latest MD's....it's just the rest of the mag that sucks ass.
I'd like to think Blechman could buy FLEX, and somehow turn it into THE magazine...but he believes his magazine is already the best, so go figure.
But like I said, someone out there will buy it and it'll do fine....if Musclemag and Ironman can survive, so can a newly acquired FLEX....whether it'll stay the NUMBER ONE bodybuilding magazine is another thing altogether.
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Gloss Glechman couldn't AFFORD to pay the contracts of the Weider athletes....he's just as concerned with profits as Pecker! He gets off paying the atheletes for their photo's, but shit...he shoots them once a year? Or just 12 folks for the cover?..hey, it's better than nothing but Weider athletes get money whether they get coverage or not.
Fleckman doesn't need to buy and shutdown FLEX...but you can bet your ass that he and Romano will have a hoot hollering about how THEY brought down FLEX in MD....wait for it!
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Or he could combine the two and finally legitimatley have the biggest bodybuilding magazine - all 700 pages!
....you know, they could blend the two styles and truly have something special, but that'll never happen. You can't make FLEX about hardcore bodybuilding no holds barred like MD pretends to be because they won't keep their markets.
Instead of covering bullshit drug articles and crap, how bout this....INTERVIEWS! REAL articles FROM THE bodybuilders, MINIMALLY ghostwritten to eliminate grammar and spelling errors....talk about drugs, but don't print pages of crap about some designer drug that I could care less about....talk training! have babes from the sport! Write and talk about the past, keep up with the future, and give great contest coverage! Offer REAL reviews of supplements...from the streets AND from the mag! Are they so greedy that they won't do that, for fear of losing advertising revenue?....OF COURSE THEY ARE!
See ya later, FLEX..it was fun while it lasted.
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Flex and M&F are getting sold. Your big show, the O, just lost all superfluous funding for this year's show. Next year's show is already condemned, on the selling block Oct 2nd.
The Olympia this year will be graet, many concerns that the athletes and fans had were addressed, and when released, the prize money will make all who compete in the Olympia happier. Also, there is a choice of where to stay, and a few other changes that will make many happy. All funding and more has been budgeted by AMI a long time ago - it will be a great show.
Businesses don't sell "very profitable" titles. They sell those that they can't manage well, are having circulation issues, or lower growth opportunities.
Are you serious on this one. The best way to get something sold fast are with profitable titles. Flex and M&F are very profitable.
another question is who the hell is going to buy ALL 5 of these titles as a package like they are hoping to sell them
Now this is a good question. I see it being split up into two various sales, or one company who handles a myriad of magazines.
At 3 -4 X earnings Flex is worth 2 - 3 million tops - if it was viable.
I laughed at this one for a few minutes, but no, you are so off, it isnt funny. Much, much higher.
There is no reason for an existing bodybuidling mag publisher to buy these magazines. There is little loyalty of magazine readers to a specific brand. There is no value to the names Flex or Muscle and Fitness.
Really - tell that to the hundreds of magazines that start up and die a very quick death or are losing money each time they are published. Flex and Muscle & Fitness is extremely valuable worldwide. Extremely.
What will happen without FLEX or M&F? Can anyone HONESTLY say that MD (which openly supports the PDI) taking control of FLEX/M&F won't hurt the IFBB?
First, MD doesnt openly support the PDI. They are independent who take a look at all sports of bodybuilding news, and the PDI is in the news at the moment. As Steve said - the IFBB is the best federation for bodybuilders in the world with the best athletes. As for what will happen without the two magazines, since they are not going anywhere, it is a mute question.
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Are you serious on this one. The best way to get something sold fast are with profitable titles. Flex and M&F are very profitable.
Again, let's not mix up profitable with growth. If the mags aren't growing and the industry has a black eye from the media coverage of roids - the chance of getting even a decent price are slim. Profitable - yes, but which way are the profits going...
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There is no reason for an existing bodybuidling mag publisher to buy these magazines. There is little loyalty of magazine readers to a specific brand. There is no value to the names Flex or Muscle and Fitness.
Really - tell that to the hundreds of magazines that start up and die a very quick death or are losing money each time they are published. Flex and Muscle & Fitness is extremely valuable worldwide. Extremely.
read what I said again. an exisiting mag publisher. Flex and M&F are valuable because they already have the distribution and shelf space. But for the owners of MD or Ironman or MMI, they already have that.
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He gets off paying the atheletes for their photo's, but shit...he shoots them once a year? Or just 12 folks for the cover?..hey, it's better than nothing but Weider athletes get money whether they get coverage or not.
you know, I really don't need to see Ronnie or Jay or Gunter on another magazine cover. I do want to see the up and coming stars.
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so hire better writers, don't buy the whole magazine
the "Flex" name/trademark is worth a whole lot (relatively speaking) . . . the writers really aren't. just being honest. the public has some dim awareness of "Flex,"and "M&F" b/c of their association with schwarzenegger and the amount of time they've been around . . . Muscular Development does not have that recognition and is trying to buy it.
When RJR Nabisco sold, 90-95% of the 25 odd billion dollars were paid for the trademarks. not for factories/buildings . . . just trademarks.
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Gloss Glechman couldn't AFFORD to pay the contracts of the Weider athletes....he's just as concerned with profits as Pecker! He gets off paying the atheletes for their photo's, but shit...he shoots them once a year? Or just 12 folks for the cover?..hey, it's better than nothing but Weider athletes get money whether they get coverage or not.
Fleckman doesn't need to buy and shutdown FLEX...but you can bet your ass that he and Romano will have a hoot hollering about how THEY brought down FLEX in MD....wait for it!
There will be allot of non-renewel of contracts this year. And what athletes do get to sign will not get as much money as before. Bank on it.
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First, MD doesnt openly support the PDI. They are independent who take a look at all sports of bodybuilding news, and the PDI is in the news at the moment. As Steve said - the IFBB is the best federation for bodybuilders in the world with the best athletes. As for what will happen without the two magazines, since they are not going anywhere, it is a mute question.
I would say they do. Considering Flex and M&F and any other Weider (AMI) publication will not feature any of their atheltes to date or allow advertising in their mags. Wayne has tried to purchase ads and was rejected. MD MM stepped up and said no problem.
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yes- MD even RUNNING the PDI ads was a huge, ballsy move. It would be like hanging up a picture of your ex within eyeshot of the bed upon which you cornhole the new girl. Or maybe that's something else i'm thinking of...
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you know, I really don't need to see Ronnie or Jay or Gunter on another magazine cover. I do want to see the up and coming stars.
....well then you should be happy that FLEX has featured nothing but up and comers on the recent issues...save Dorian this month and the swimsuit issue (i NEVER get bored with Timea!)....
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....well then you should be happy that FLEX has featured nothing but up and comers on the recent issues...save Dorian this month and the swimsuit issue (i NEVER get bored with Timea!)....
wow, someone defending us...what a shock
C
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wow, someone defending us...what a shock
C
Probably your co-worker.
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....well then you should be happy that FLEX has featured nothing but up and comers on the recent issues...save Dorian this month and the swimsuit issue (i NEVER get bored with Timea!)....
Let's see, according to my records at http://musclememory.com/mags.php?fl (http://musclememory.com/mags.php?fl), during the last year they had Troy Alves, Jay Cutler, Phil Heath, Gunter Schlierkamp, Darrem Charles, a female model, Branch Warren, another female model, and Dorian Yates. Only Phil Heath counts as an up and comer. However, I am missing Jan, Feb, and March. If you know who was on those covers, please let me know. (also if you have a scan, send it to me.)
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Let's see, according to my records at http://musclememory.com/mags.php?fl (http://musclememory.com/mags.php?fl), during the last year they had Troy Alves, Jay Cutler, Phil Heath, Gunter Schlierkamp, Darrem Charles, a female model, Branch Warren, another female model, and Dorian Yates. Only Phil Heath counts as an up and comer. However, I am missing Jan, Feb, and March. If you know who was on those covers, please let me know. (also if you have a scan, send it to me.)
January...Olympia recap, Ronnie Coleman
February...Johnnie Jackson (up and comer)
March...Dennis Wolf (up and comer)
July...Dave Henry (up and comer)
The new creative team art wise started with the Phil Heath cover
C
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January...Olympia recap, Ronnie Coleman
February...Johnnie Jackson (up and comer)
March...Dennis Wolf (up and comer)
July...Dave Henry (up and comer)
5 years in the IFBB is not an up and comer, so cross off Jackson. Henry with 3 years is border line. Heath and Wolf are certainly up and comers.
While Flex is the magazine of the pro IFBB (although that might change when they are sold), it's understandable that all the bodybuilders on their covers are IFBB pros. But if I were editing another mag, in a year I'd aim for 3 covers of US amateurs, 3 of non-US amateurs, and no more than 6 covers of pros. Of course, any could be women bodybuilders or figure competitors.
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You could put an Andreas Frey on a cover and ppl would do a double take 'I don't recognize that guy, but I'd sure like to look like that'...
(http://www.beepworld.de/memberdateien/members60/andreasfrey/ungarn200424ccc.jpg)
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Any word on interested people in buying the mags?
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You could put an Andreas Frey on a cover and ppl would do a double take 'I don't recognize that guy, but I'd sure like to look like that'...
(http://www.beepworld.de/memberdateien/members60/andreasfrey/ungarn200424ccc.jpg)
Great physique, but too small to qualify as having a pro-level body. At his height he needs to be at least 350 pounds.
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frey kinda looked like ben afleck on gear.
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5 years in the IFBB is not an up and comer, so cross off Jackson. Henry with 3 years is border line. Heath and Wolf are certainly up and comers.
While Flex is the magazine of the pro IFBB (although that might change when they are sold), it's understandable that all the bodybuilders on their covers are IFBB pros. But if I were editing another mag, in a year I'd aim for 3 covers of US amateurs, 3 of non-US amateurs, and no more than 6 covers of pros. Of course, any could be women bodybuilders or figure competitors.
Then I guess Valerie Waugaman could be considered an up and comer also from our May issue...and Phil Heath was an amateur when he ran on our cover (or at least when the issue was produced, I think by the time it hit stands he may have won the USA's, the shoot was done the day after he won the Jr Nationals)
We have no problem with featuring amateurs if they have the right physique to carry a cover. We want to show the future of the sport as well as the present.
C
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We have no problem with featuring amateurs if they have the right physique to carry a cover.
C
Ini that case, I'm looking fwd to seeing the Rhino on your cover! i was hoping you guys weren't going to let musclemag or planet physique scoop you on it ;)
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and so ends some legitimate conversation on GetBig...
and it only took 240 2 posts before he took a shot at FLEX, that's some serious self control you got there.
I'll try and find out about Orville BurKe for you Matt C
C
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and so ends some legitimate conversation on GetBig...
and it only took 240 2 posts before he took a shot at FLEX, that's some serious self control you got there.
argh... i'm sorry. deleted. I just have such a bad habit of quick shots like that. In all fairness, one could argue that given the advent of message boards and even Flexonline.com, the actual Mag is really not a good resource for updated or recent information.. but I digress :)
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....I don't know who the scribbler is but trust me, I'm no co-worker...my adjectives aren't, how shall I say, RIGHTEOUS enough.
That being said, I still think the latest format of FLEX since the cover with Phil Heath is pretty good. And I also think that having he and Dennis Wolf is about as 'new comer' as it gets even if Wolf has been around a while in Europe. It beats Ronnie 3 times a year interspersed with Nasser, Flex, Ray and the like. Even Gunter, other than that one cover with the Big 3, I can only recall him on the cover 3 or so years previous after he upset Big Brubba No Trubba.
Compare that to MD where you've got, what, Lee Priest, Martinez and 'new' guys to the MD team....although to give Lee credit at least they slapped him up there when he won shows, props deserved.
If FLEX is listening, I'd like to see more historical articles like the Dave Draper ones of late. I'm talking Golden Age of the 70's but also the Reg Park, Bill Pearl (even though I don't think he was an IFBB guy) and even Steve Reeves. Hell I still like reading about Arnold, no problems there. I'm sure there's tons of material that can be dug up even from the early days of FLEX that would make interesting reading.
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Then I guess Valerie Waugaman could be considered an up and comer also from our May issue.
I'd like to see Phil Heath and Evan Centopani similarly posed (http://musclememory.com/magCovers/fl/fl2403.jpg), please.
oh, wait. I keep forgetting: implied lesbianism ok; male-male gayness not.
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....I don't know who the scribbler is but trust me, I'm no co-worker...my adjectives aren't, how shall I say, RIGHTEOUS enough.
That being said, I still think the latest format of FLEX since the cover with Phil Heath is pretty good. And I also think that having he and Dennis Wolf is about as 'new comer' as it gets even if Wolf has been around a while in Europe. It beats Ronnie 3 times a year interspersed with Nasser, Flex, Ray and the like. Even Gunter, other than that one cover with the Big 3, I can only recall him on the cover 3 or so years previous after he upset Big Brubba No Trubba.
Compare that to MD where you've got, what, Lee Priest, Martinez and 'new' guys to the MD team....although to give Lee credit at least they slapped him up there when he won shows, props deserved.
If FLEX is listening, I'd like to see more historical articles like the Dave Draper ones of late. I'm talking Golden Age of the 70's but also the Reg Park, Bill Pearl (even though I don't think he was an IFBB guy) and even Steve Reeves. Hell I still like reading about Arnold, no problems there. I'm sure there's tons of material that can be dug up even from the early days of FLEX that would make interesting reading.
I'm the Creative Director at FLEX and M&F. (most people here already knew that)
We work in the classic guys where we can for all the old school fans out there.
The Dorian cover was a throwback to the old school guys (though not as far as you are looking for), but the staff at FLEX definitely have serious respect for the history of the sport as well as where it is now. Shawn Perine is an authority on that classic age of BB, and Peter McGough knows pretty much all ther is to know about BB since the beginning.
We like to mix up the covers with new guys and established bigger name guys, as well as major contest winners etc...
Trying to get something for everyone is tough, but hopefully we are close each month.
C
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argh... i'm sorry. deleted. I just have such a bad habit of quick shots like that. In all fairness, one could argue that given the advent of message boards and even Flexonline.com, the actual Mag is really not a good resource for updated or recent information.. but I digress :)
wow...didn't expect that-thanks dude.
I do understand-there will always be a delay in the net coverage versus the printed page, but we try to keep the news items in the mag as fresh as it can be (taking into account printing times distribution etc). The training articles and other editorial I feel will always be better in the printed form because of the interaction between the words and the images that you just don't have online. We will also continue posting recent news and contest coverage on Flexonline.
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wow...didn't expect that-thanks dude.
I do understand-there will always be a delay in the net coverage versus the printed page, but we try to keep the news items in the mag as fresh as it can be (taking into account printing times distribution etc). The training articles and other editorial I feel will always be better in the printed form because of the interaction between the words and the images that you just don't have online. We will also continue posting recent news and contest coverage on Flexonline.
C
plus it's unsanitary to take a laptop into the restroom with you, but a magazine works great.
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The circulation of all bodybuilding mags has suffered quite a bit since the internet gives you more and better material. A lot of the mags keep their circulation up by free subscriptions, but that does not keep the advertisers happy.
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We will also continue posting recent news and contest coverage on Flexonline.
it would be great if that included amateur events outside the US, even if you are limited to the IFBB
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I'd like to see Phil Heath and Evan Centopani similarly posed (http://musclememory.com/magCovers/fl/fl2403.jpg), please.
oh, wait. I keep forgetting: implied lesbianism ok; male-male gayness not.
I don't know Tim...all the gym shots of men in short cut-off jeans and sunglasses sometimes comes off as pretty gay .
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Good
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I'd like to see Phil Heath and Evan Centopani similarly posed (http://musclememory.com/magCovers/fl/fl2403.jpg), please.
oh, wait. I keep forgetting: implied lesbianism ok; male-male gayness not.
...that view is society in general, not just bodybuiding....back when it was considered improper to pose 2 women together in such a format bodybuilding mags weren't doing it either. It's cash, and since heteros outnumber gays, then it's simple mathematics. You can't blame nature for that.
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Why does every single thread on this board have to start with gay-this and and gay-that?
Oh, yeah. Right.
(http://media.bodybuildingpro.com/mrolympia2002f/2002mrof_cicherillo01.jpg)
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Why does every single thread on this board have to start with gay-this and and gay-that?
Oh, yeah. Right.
(http://media.bodybuildingpro.com/mrolympia2002f/2002mrof_cicherillo01.jpg)
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Why does every single thread on this board have to start with gay-this and and gay-that?
Oh, yeah. Right.
(http://media.bodybuildingpro.com/mrolympia2002f/2002mrof_cicherillo01.jpg)
i'm sorry but that's a fruity picture if i ever seen one LOL
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i'm sorry but that's a fruity picture if i ever seen one LOL
sued
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This would make for a good " Caption This" picture :D
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Tim - the images may not necessarily be male-male, but M&F and Flex have done a lot of gay (or gay-friendly) covers over the years. The current issue is M&F is the latest such example.
They're giving equal time without necessarily pushing any particular socio-political agenda. ;)
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how in the world is the current issue of M&F gay ? show me any cover of any bodybuilding mag that shows one or more males in a sexually provocative way? on the other hand, the MD and Flex covers that I showed are quite explicitly showing the women in a provocative way. MMI have been quite explicit too.
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how in the world is the current issue of M&F gay ? show me any cover of any bodybuilding mag that shows one or more males in a sexually provocative way? on the other hand, the MD and Flex covers that I showed are quite explicitly showing the women in a provocative way. MMI have been quite explicit too.
Not necessarily the cover of many mags but the photo shot lay-outs of many have gay over tones...short cut-off jeans...sunglasses...top button of shorts undone.It's seems that MuscleMAg likes to print a lot of these photos...not too long ago they did a shoot with Chris Cook with the short shorts on and with mud smeared all over him...I know that Chris is not gay but that photo lay-out was.
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Not necessarily the cover of many mags but the photo shot lay-outs of many have gay over tones...short cut-off jeans...sunglasses...top button of shorts undone.It's seems that MuscleMAg likes to print a lot of these photos...not too long ago they did a shoot with Chris Cook with the short shorts on and with mud smeared all over him...I know that Chris is not gay but that photo lay-out was.
you're talking about bad fashion sense (but now how is that gay?)
the examples I gave were of women being sexually provocative. and the Flex cover shows two women being sexually provocative with each other, ie implied lesbianism. I don't believe they've ever shown a male athlete being sexually provocative, but if they did, how is that by itself gay? they've certainly never shown two males being provocative together.
now, I believe being sexually provocative has no place in any bodybuilding mag. stick with showing athletic talent.
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implied lesbianism ok
Seconded.
(http://www.fitplus.cz/allpic/mf/f_161.jpg)