Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: abz on June 14, 2006, 06:52:04 PM
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Word is it that Steve Blechman of Muscular Development is going to put an offer for Flex Magazine only - none of those other magazines - and that the offer would be looked at in a serious thought. Can you imagine Steve Blechman having both titles under his belt promoting bodybuilding. Wow.
Any more comments on this?
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that would make Blechman the 2nd most powerful person in the bodybuilding world . . . after 240 (of course)
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LOL... awesome...
now, are guys like ronnie, dorian, jay, and others that only write for FLEX under contract now without an avenue to reach the fans?
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that would make Blechman the 2nd most powerful person in the bodybuilding world . . . after 240 (of course)
What makes you think 240 isn't a Blechman alias, planted here to bring down the IFBB?
Would make some sense.
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What makes you think 240 isn't a Blechman alias, planted here to bring down the IFBB?
Would make some sense.
Because you would have threatened to "rip my arm off and beat me with it" again if you were really blechman.
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. . after 240 (of course)
Heh heh ;D
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What makes you think 240 isn't a Blechman alias, planted here to bring down the IFBB?
Would make some sense.
240 is back,
Once we have finalized that Flex deal, we will certainly offer your a colums in MD and/or Flex. :)
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Because you would have threatened to "rip my arm off and beat me with it" again if you were really blechman.
If he had seen your arms, he would have threatened to beat you with spaghetti, a much thicker and sturdier weapon of choice.
Once we have finalized that Flex deal, we will certainly offer your a colums in MD and/or Flex. :)
Cool. I trust you'll need a new website too, right?
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Because you would have threatened to "rip my arm off and beat me with it" again if you were really blechman.
Feel free to share more details ;)
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If he had seen your arms, he would have threatened to beat you with spaghetti, a much thicker and sturdier weapon of choice.
Ha Ha.
Mr. Blechman eloquently informed me at the New York Pro, if I didn't put my "fucking arm down" he would "rip it off and beat me with it". Why? Because while in the pit photographing, FLEX Wheeler was behind me in the first row of seats photographing and my elbow was getting in his shots. Instead of asking me to move to the right or left Steve pulled a tough guy act. Flex didn't bother to mention anything either before Blechman had a meltdown. It was actually quite amusing to witness; ask Kevin Horton who witnessed it as well. So if you see an elbow in any of the MD New York Pro shots - it's yours truly. ::)
There goes my chances of photographing any shows for FLEX if this Blechman purchase rumor comes true. DAMN IT! ;D
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Kevin Horton who witnessed it as well.
Are the rumors true that Horton reeks of strawberry perfume?
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Mr. Blechman eloquently informed me at the New York Pro, if I didn't put my "fucking arm down" he would "rip it off and beat me with it".
boss blechman,
240 would like to work for you for free.
all i ask is that you finish what you started with lift.
that is all.
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Are the rumors true that Horton reeks of strawberry perfume?
Wrong photographer/wrong magazine.
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Wrong photographer/wrong magazine.
i smell a bombshell hint about an MD photog with sugar in the tank.
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boss blechman,
240 would like to work for you for free.
all i ask is that you finish what you started with lift.
that is all.
Come on Robbie - do you really want to become yet another person's "bitch" this week?
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Come on Robbie - do you really want to become yet another person's "bitch" this week?
I'm liking this side of you, lift!
How did you react to blechman? Did you employ the legendary 240/Coca-Cola move?
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I know some of you hate on Lift for other reasons, but you cannot down the guy for being out of shape.
It may not mean much to some of you, but he's definitely the most in-shape photographer/writer out there.
I'm striving to get back to that level, although I must admit, my obliques were never as sharp as his.
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I'm liking this side of you, lift!
How did you react to blechman? Did you employ the legendary 240/Coca-Cola move?
I laughed and said I'd like to see that.
While I'm not familiar with the "legendary 240/Coca-Cola move" - I can only assume this means calling one's legal team and asking legal advice, in which case... No, I did not.
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I know some of you hate on Lift for other reasons, but you cannot down the guy for being out of shape.
It may not mean much to some of you, but he's definitely the most in-shape photographer/writer out there.
I'm striving to get back to that level, although I must admit, my obliques were never as sharp as his.
Thanks Tre but Ron Harris has me beat in the "in-shape" department and if you want to call what FLEX Wheeler does photography he has me beat as well. ;D
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While I'm not familiar with the "legendary 240/Coca-Cola move" - I can only assume this means calling one's legal team and asking legal advice, in which case... No, I did not.
nah, the coke move is a little more sugary. You trip and spill your coke on the camera/fannypack/girlfriend/car/face of a person who you would like to entice into swinging upon you.
You apologize profusely, then give them a nice wink as the crowd gathers.
Hothead swings, you clean up, and he gets carted off in bracelets.
Sure, kind of a bitch move, but it beats a night in the Graybar Hotel!
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I know some of you hate on Lift for other reasons, but you cannot down the guy for being out of shape.
It may not mean much to some of you, but he's definitely the most in-shape photographer/writer out there.
I'm striving to get back to that level, although I must admit, my obliques were never as sharp as his.
Gotta mention that guy Ron Harris.
No, not the porn site RonHarris.com Ron Harris.
But the BB writer Ron Harris. He's in pretty good shape.
YIP
Zack
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I know some of you hate on Lift for other reasons, but you cannot down the guy for being out of shape.
It may not mean much to some of you, but he's definitely the most in-shape photographer/writer out there.
I'm striving to get back to that level, although I must admit, my obliques were never as sharp as his.
Well I don't know about that. I was just with David Paul and he is in awesome shape. So maybe Issac is in 3rd place. Which we all know is okay.
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I was just with David Paul and he is in awesome shape.
We accept you for who you are and whatever lifestyle you choose Kieth. ;)
3rd place schmoe. WOO WOOO :o
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We accept you for who you are and whatever lifestyle you choose Kieth. ;)
3rd place schmoe. WOO WOOO :o
Issac I don't consider you a schmoe. I want to know what Kevin is going to do if Blechman buys Flex. WHo willhe shoot for. Since they will be a huge supporter of the PDI. And he has swore never to shoot a PDI event or competitor.
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I know some of you hate on Lift for other reasons, but you cannot down the guy for being out of shape.
It may not mean much to some of you, but he's definitely the most in-shape photographer/writer out there.
I'm striving to get back to that level, although I must admit, my obliques were never as sharp as his.
Are u kiddin me?Did u forget about DAVID PAUL?I'm gonna have to agree 1000% with onlym on that one.Not that i have anything against other photographers
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Is David Paul still in good shape?
You guys are right about Ron Harris - among the writers, he's ace.
But since Lift provides both photography and commentary, he's the top-rated dual threat. :D
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Issac I don't consider you a schmoe. I want to know what Kevin is going to do if Blechman buys Flex. WHo willhe shoot for. Since they will be a huge supporter of the PDI. And he has swore never to shoot a PDI event or competitor.
Thank you for the concern but my future is secure.
If any photographer had to rely on shooting PDI shows to make a living they'd be broke.
Where is the evidence of the huge support from MD?
You've once again chosen to misquote me. I am happy to work with any athlete - ask Rhino - but I will not shoot at anything other than IFBB/NPC shows.
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WOW - GREAT - WHO CARES
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Where is the evidence of the huge support from MD?
You're nervous! I knew it!
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ya guys forgot Alex Ardenti, he's in great shape.
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You've been "keeping it real" for the most part and calling Kevin out for his baseless defenses of the IFBB up until this point, but you are an intelligent guy and should hopefully be able to realize that MD is in no position financially to buy FLEX.
Can you show me a post where I've shown my "baseless defense of the IFBB"?
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Can you show me a post where I've shown my "baseless defense of the IFBB"?
Accoding to your post count, you've done it 548 times.
wait... 549....
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You badmouthed the PDI for seemingly no reason at all.
Since when has pointing out facts been badmouthing?
The PDI failed before.
The PDI lied about their medical benefits.
The PDI have cancelled 5 shows.
Prove me wrong on one of these points.
I hadn't realised that we all had to agree on everything so from now on, I'll wear my PDI T-Shirt with pride. The one I got in 2004.
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Ha Ha.
Mr. Blechman eloquently informed me at the New York Pro, if I didn't put my "fucking arm down" he would "rip it off and beat me with it". Why? Because while in the pit photographing, FLEX Wheeler was behind me in the first row of seats photographing and my elbow was getting in his shots. Instead of asking me to move to the right or left Steve pulled a tough guy act. Flex didn't bother to mention anything either before Blechman had a meltdown. It was actually quite amusing to witness; ask Kevin Horton who witnessed it as well. So if you see an elbow in any of the MD New York Pro shots - it's yours truly. ::)
There goes my chances of photographing any shows for FLEX if this Blechman purchase rumor comes true. DAMN IT! ;D
You should have knocked his little punk ass out! The guy is tiny.
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Would you badmouth a dying man? ???
I just don't see why talking about the PDI is necessary at all if it is as pathetic as you've said it is.
I did have some faith in the PDI until Wayne was proven to be a liar about the health coverage issue.
If he had 2 months to live but said he was running 6 shows in Europe next year I'd certainly say he was delusional ;D
I've never said the PDI or anyone part of it is pathetic, I've just reported some facts which their supporters have taken umbrage to. We've then traded insults and had fun. If we all agreed this place would be pointless.
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If he had 2 months to live but said he was running 6 shows in Europe next year I'd certainly say he was delusional ;D
I've never said the PDI or anyone part of it is pathetic, I've just reported some facts which their supporters have taken umbrage to. We've then traded insults and had fun. If we all agreed this place would be pointless.
Kevin you are so full of shit. You are a photgraher. What the f**k do you know. Are you that stupid. You are at the bottom of the totem pole in any aspect of BB. Do you realize that. Not one of your facts you have ever gotten first hand. You bring nothing to the table in these discussions. You take pictures. That's it. And soon you won't be taking many. Has Wayne ever called you to tell you anything "inside". NO. You are wishing so bad that Wayne fails. And to be an idiot up front like you are constantly bringing up negative remarks about Wayne and the PDI just proves what kind of man you are. Face it, the PDI is here and it will be a HUGE pain in the ass to the IFBB. And when that happens you will be back in the soup line. You are a loyal IFBB stooge and you are hanging on by a thread. Face it.
And lets say the PDI like you said failed in 2004 (even though no shows were everr scheduled under the PDI). And nothing else has happened since, except Wayne getting all his shit together and now is ready to go. That is just 2 years of combined screwups. And so far not one athlete or promoter has lost money. So far not one ticket holder has been screwed out of money. So far not one athelte had a bounced check given to him or even never got paid. So taking into account all the stuff that never has happened. How do support a group like the IFBB who has been screwing people for at least the last 10 to 15 years, cancelled numerous shows, have athletes who don;t get paid, comes to the defense of NO athletes ever, and basically uses every one of their members without giving anything back. Who has screwed who more times and longer, the IFBB or the PDI. Nice group you support. Please never leave. It ensures the IFBB will sooner or later end when the PDI succeeds. It is inevitable that when the PDI succeeds the IFBB will fail. There is no doubt about it.
You are going down with the ship.
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Kevin you are so full of shit. You are a photgraher. What the f**k do you know. Are you that stupid. You are at the bottom of the totem pole in any aspect of BB. Do you realize that. Not one of your facts you have ever gotten first hand. You bring nothing to the table in these discussions. You take pictures. That's it. And soon you won't be taking many. Has Wayne ever called you to tell you anything "inside". NO. You are wishing so bad that Wayne fails. And to be an idiot up front like you are constantly bringing up negative remarks about Wayne and the PDI just proves what kind of man you are. Face it, the PDI is here and it will be a HUGE pain in the ass to the IFBB. And when that happens you will be back in the soup line. You are a loyal IFBB stooge and you are hanging on by a thread. Face it.
And lets say the PDI like you said failed in 2004 (even though no shows were everr scheduled under the PDI). And nothing else has happened since, except Wayne getting all his shit together and now is ready to go. That is just 2 years of combined screwups. And so far not one athlete or promoter has lost money. So far not one ticket holder has been screwed out of money. So far not one athelte had a bounced check given to him or even never got paid. So taking into account all the stuff that never has happened. How do support a group like the IFBB who has been screwing people for at least the last 10 to 15 years, cancelled numerous shows, have athletes who don;t get paid, comes to the defense of NO athletes ever, and basically uses every one of their members without giving anything back. Who has screwed who more times and longer, the IFBB or the PDI. Nice group you support. Please never leave. It ensures the IFBB will sooner or later end when the PDI succeeds. It is inevitable that when the PDI succeeds the IFBB will fail. There is no doubt about it.
You are going down with the ship.
Yet another example of Keith's ability to have a reasonable discussion with someone with a different opinion. - throw insults!
Let's deal with "first hand facts". I was in NY in 2004 when the PDI held it's first show. I was in Hungary when Wayne was told that he had no support. I am still here now, when the first 2 shows on the 2006 schedule have been CANCELLED along with 3 European shows. One of them was the Vegas show which you accused me of "making up" - whose looking stupiid now?
Now let's look at "what kind of man you are". You're attacking me for questioning the PDI yet you do nothing but bash the IFBB, NPC, Bob, Shawn, Jiim Manion etc. so WHAT KIND OF MAN ARE YOU?
You defend the PDI by attacking the IFBB but Wayne was part of the IFBB for 20 years. During that time he fined athletes. Since he was fired not one athlete has been fined. How much would Wayne have fined Lee Priest or failing to show up to of his shows?
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Ha Ha.
Mr. Blechman eloquently informed me at the New York Pro, if I didn't put my "fucking arm down" he would "rip it off and beat me with it". Why? Because while in the pit photographing, FLEX Wheeler was behind me in the first row of seats photographing and my elbow was getting in his shots. Instead of asking me to move to the right or left Steve pulled a tough guy act. Flex didn't bother to mention anything either before Blechman had a meltdown. It was actually quite amusing to witness; ask Kevin Horton who witnessed it as well. So if you see an elbow in any of the MD New York Pro shots - it's yours truly. ::)
There goes my chances of photographing any shows for FLEX if this Blechman purchase rumor comes true. DAMN IT! ;D
It's things like this that just piss me off. Who the f**k is Blechman to make a statement along these lines. If I'm not mistaken is he not a 200 yr old cream puff with grey hair. What an ass.
I'll never pick up a copy of that rag again knowing that a tired old douche bag like Steven has an attitude that. He could take a lesson from Peter and Shawn at Flex, who always conduct themselves as professionals.
F**k MD & Steven B.
The Beef
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but you are an intelligent guy and should hopefully be able to realize that MD is in no position financially to buy FLEX.
What make's you think that MD/Steve can not buy Flex? First off do you know what AMI is willing to sell a loss making magazine for? Second, Steve was one of the 5 owners of Twinlab when they sold the company for $280MM, so I don't think he would have a problem finding the money.....
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Bleckman could buy Flex with pocket change. Because that's all it's worth. Dumb-ass Pecker over paid 358 mill for Weider, now they have taken the two best titles out of the package - Shape and Men's Fitness and think they are going to get $300 mill for what's left? In their dreams. Flex magazine alone is down 1/3 from where it was when Weider sold it. Pull it out of the package and what is it worth? a couple of mill, tops. Whatever it is Bleckman can take some of that Twinlab money and buy it no problem. Who else would buy it? Bob Kennedy? I doubt it. Something only has value if someone is willing to write a check for it, and i don't see a line forming.
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Who else would buy it? Bob Kennedy? I doubt it. Something only has value if someone is willing to write a check for it, and i don't see a line forming.
Kennedy? Hell no, he have no money to buy any Pecker mag. Nobody reads his pathetic pimp rags.
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Exactly! So who is left? Value can anly be measured by what the market will bear. No one is running up to Pecker with buckets full of cash to buy Flex. AMI needs money. If Bleckman puts in a "reasonable" offer they will not turn it down.
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It's things like this that just piss me off. If I'm not mistaken is he not a 200 yr old cream puff with grey hair. What an ass.
If Im not mistaken, thats sounds more like a description of Joe & Ben Weider ::)
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After you buy FLEX steve,
the first order of business should be to fire Peter Mcgough and Shawn Perine!! hahahah
Greg Vavolino will be Idiot Editor in Chief...
That old queen's pockets aren't deep enough to buy FLEX. He'll need to bring in investors and they'll call the shots as to who deals with the daily affairs if FLEX.
The Beef
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Kennedy? Hell no, he have no money to buy any Pecker mag. Nobody reads his pathetic pimp rags.
I'm starting to become a real fan of yours!!!
And Horton: FLEX and M&F are getting sold.
If you're not sweating right now, you're completely delusional about the realism of your situation.
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And, the really big news?
AMI is selling FLEX....which means they will give the Olympia back to the IFBB after this year.....which means AMI is not going to put any money or effort in this Olympia.......which means this year's show will be even worse than last year.
Alex, can I have "PDI stock is rising" for $1000, please?
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And Horton: FLEX and M&F are getting sold.
If you're not sweating right now, you're completely delusional about the realism of your situation.
What do I have to sweat about - apart from the heat here and the fact that England take to the pitch shortly in the World Cup?
My situation is fine.
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No more Pecker.
I'm sure Kevin is disappointed. :'(
:o
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you answer those 15 questons yet?
I'm sure that the answer to several of those questions are that he craves attention?
Wearing mascara.
Posing naked for photos and then posting them.
Claiming to have a serious illness.
If that's not clear signs of someone needing a huf, I don't know what is.
"Onlyme" please hug your boy.
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AMI is selling FLEX....which means they will give the Olympia back to the IFBB after this year.....which means AMI is not going to put any money or effort in this Olympia.......which means this year's show will be even worse than last year.
Alex, can I have "PDI stock is rising" for $1000, please?
Not so fast.
As I see it, PDI is still a good value right now - low cost, tremendous potential. That stock is going to hold steady until their first event, however.
I agree, however, that the AMI people have no real interest in spending much to make the Olympia better this year than in 2004 & 2005. It'll be hard for them to do any worse, but I'm keeping my expectations low.
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Not so fast.
As I see it, PDI is still a good value right now - low cost, tremendous potential. That stock is going to hold steady until their first event, however.
I agree, however, that the AMI people have no real interest in spending much to make the Olympia better this year than in 2004 & 2005. It'll be hard for them to do any worse, but I'm keeping my expectations low.
wise
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Not so fast.
As I see it, PDI is still a good value right now - low cost, tremendous potential. That stock is going to hold steady until their first event, however.
I agree, however, that the AMI people have no real interest in spending much to make the Olympia better this year than in 2004 & 2005. It'll be hard for them to do any worse, but I'm keeping my expectations low.
You can bet on that. No way will this Olympia have anything special or different (in a good way) tolast years or even since they took over. Now it is evident they want OUT of the BB world and no way will they do anything to waste a bunch of money on the Olympia. As dumb as VYOtech is with the money they have from Hydroderm, I wouldn't be surprised if they buy the Olympia and take over that debt.
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Quote of the year this Sept 30th...
Ben Weider: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we'd like to welcome you to the BEST MR OLYMPIA EVER!"
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One question is this...
Doesn't FLEX/M&F/M&F hers share their writers, photographers and even the same building as SHAPE and Mens Fitness?
What happens when they all get sold off seperately?
Can you smell clean out?
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shape/mens fitness remain FLEX, M&F and Country life gotta leave the bldg. :'(
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shape/mens fitness remain FLEX, M&F and Country life gotta leave the bldg. :'(
Shape and Men's Fitness were dismantled and moved to NYC a year ago. Country Life, Mira, and the other Weider books all function independently from the rest of the company. They've never had much influence from AMI, which is why they're still viable titles worth selling.
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Well – here are the facts on this.
Steve Blechman is seriously pursuing Flex Magazine at this time. If AMI is serious, the negotiations will be underway, and it should get interesting. If that does happen, everyone signs a confidential agreement, and that is that. As for Muscle & Fitness, that is an option for Steve Blechman, but Flex Magazine is what is the prime interest at the moment.
Regarding the incident with Lift Studios, aka Isaac. There is absolutely no bad feeling, and Steve has nothing negative about him whatsoever. This is was incident that was out of character of Steve Blechman. Lift Studios was in the chair in front of the photographer, I think Flex, and various photographers have tendency to shoot with their right hand up top of the camera, this their elbow is blocking shots from photographers behind them. Flex and/or Steve asked Isaac to lower his elbow, which Isaac didn’t hear (it is noisy in there), and then Steve got a little upset as various bodybuilders you need to have those special shots. Eventually, Isaac moved over. Things happen. It is done with. At the upcoming Europa Super Show, Steve will be there, and will say hello to Isaac via Ron. We will meet and discuss current and future events. All is well.
Regarding the industry, and MD and Steve, they will report on all of the bodybuilding shows, although no firm decision has been made on various events. Regarding the PDI and the NOC, it looks like it will be an important event in the history of bodybuilding, but we shall see. MD is the media and is independent. However, the IFBB is the best organization in the world in regards to bodybuilding with the best athletes in the world. Nothing comes close. He wishes everyone well, and hope that they do a great job with this years Olympia, and want to see a great show! Also wishes to say that Robin Chang is doing a great job in getting this years Olympia's together!
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Hmm - maybe I will be writing for Flex soon! (Ron Harris here)
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Hmm - maybe I will be writing for Flex soon! (Ron Harris here)
It would be a glorious literary mountain if you did.
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I've never had anything against Flex mag - I've been reading it since later 1987, for God's sakes. I did have a problem with the whole 'burying your head in the sand' policy when it came to discussing steroids.
You can argue that MD has too much steroid info and discussion, but what's worse. ignoring it, or giving the facts so that at least people who are going to use them anyway can be a little smarter and safer about it?
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Blechman buys Flex? How exactly would that operate? No more Weider/AMI in charge? What the hell would happen? MD can stop with the 400 pages (260 of ads) and Coleman, Cutler, and so on would appear in MD/Flex. Odd to say the least.
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People complain about all the ads, but those are what really pay the bills, not newsstand sales or subscriptions.
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Ha Ha.
Mr. Blechman eloquently informed me at the New York Pro, if I didn't put my "fucking arm down" he would "rip it off and beat me with it". Why? Because while in the pit photographing, FLEX Wheeler was behind me in the first row of seats photographing and my elbow was getting in his shots. Instead of asking me to move to the right or left Steve pulled a tough guy act.
I have a hard time swallowing your claims. By the way, why the hell your elbow was getting in our shots anyway? Fortunately, I was not the one taking care of it because I would have simply rip your arm off and even spank your fat ass with it. :) Of course, I´m just kidding but the bottom line is that such a statement (if true) is more like a joke than anything..
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up until around 2004 i used to love reading MD it was good every month but lately they've been putting too much goofy lifestyle bullshit in there, i love Ron's training articles i wish they'd have more of those, Ron is a good writer.
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That much is true.
I do wonder who MD is trying to appeal to. I would consider my reading comprehension to be at the intelligent graduate student level and a lot of times I find myself reading over things a few times for clarification. Meanwhile, in your articles you seem to make it clear that a lot of meatheads read MD.
They must just skip over the more scientific material in the magazine.
I agree that sometimes our articles are rather technical but we try to make them as reader friendly as possible.
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Matt C, I think MD tries to appeal to a very wide range of readers, from beginners to advanced, and also various levels of education. Some of the stuff is incredibly technical and reads almost like a medical journal, while you also have the pro columns, my articles, and of course Gregg V, who writes in a style that the average American teenager would have no trouble comprehending.
I was surprised talking to Steve and my editor Jill that "Training Q and A" is consistently one of the highest-rated monthly columns - it's usually pretty advanced and littered with scientific jargon.
Oh, and thanks Sarcasm, I do appreciate that.
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Assuming AMI will split up the portfolio and sell off the titles individually, should Bleckman buy Flex? Or, would it be better for the titles that are left to let Flex die? The ad revenue currently spent on Flex could be disbursed to the other titles, prize money could increase, what else?
Is there a buyer out there for Flex other than MD?
If MD owns Flex (They already do ;D) how would Bleckman position it? He would obviously improve it. How?
Please discuss.....
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It will beinteresting to seehow this affects the Olympia this year. With AMI selling you know they are going to put as little as possible into the show. If they don't sell it, it will more than likely go back to the IFBB in default since AMI is still making payments for it. No way would thye want to spend more than neccessary since they are trying to get out of this business. Going to be very interesting how the show is this year.
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It will beinteresting to seehow this affects the Olympia this year. With AMI selling you know they are going to put as little as possible into the show. If they don't sell it, it will more than likely go back to the IFBB in default since AMI is still making payments for it. No way would thye want to spend more than neccessary since they are trying to get out of this business. Going to be very interesting how the show is this year.
There will be no effect on this year's Olympia. The budgets have already been set and allocated. Now after this year, yes then things will be interesting.
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People complain about all the ads, but those are what really pay the bills, not newsstand sales or subscriptions.
magazines use to be 80-120 pages long, with much less than half being ads. what changed to make it so much more expensive that they need so many more ads?
I think it's a vicious circle: more ads, people get tired of the ads, subscriptions drop, can't charge as much for the ads because you have fewer subscriptions, therefore more ads are needed to pay the bills.
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Greater capitalization (far more debt to service and equity to provide a normal return on). This happened when Uncle Joe sold them for $300 million plus.
that explains the Weider mags. what about MD, Ironman, and MMI?
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Assuming AMI will split up the portfolio and sell off the titles individually, should Bleckman buy Flex? Or, would it be better for the titles that are left to let Flex die? The ad revenue currently spent on Flex could be disbursed to the other titles, prize money could increase, what else?
Is there a buyer out there for Flex other than MD?
If MD owns Flex (They already do ;D) how would Bleckman position it? He would obviously improve it. How?
Please discuss.....
That's really an awful lot of money for him (or anyone) to plunk down for Flex just put it out of business. That would be basically admitting that Flex is (gasp!) a threat to MD.
Just a thought.
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How have costs risen in relation to ad prices and subscription prices in say the past ten years? If there isn't an inbalance there, then I'd have to guess the answer is greed or mismanagement or both.
Paper costs, postal costs, printing costs... Just like anything else, the cost of doing business gets more (not less) expensive every year.
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the success of sites like getbig.com were unimaginable a few years ago. making flex and M&F irrelevant. flex.com maybe they can do something with
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Of course the nominal prices have gone up, it's called inflation.... what I asked was whether or not these prices have gone up in relation to the prices of ads and subscriptions?
people in this industry like to complain on how hard it is to make a profit at anything. You can't put on a show without a big expo. You can't put out a mag without 300 pages of ads.
yet lots of others put on shows (plays, concerts, even one night only events) and are able to make a profit. And lots of others are able to put out magazines (anything from Time to Cooks Illustrated) without hundreds of pages of ads.
this industry needs new blood.
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this industry needs new blood.
I'm here man. Fear not.
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paper, printing, salaries, postal, photo shoots, writers, payment to be on the newsstand, etc. etc. etc. most magazines launched don't even make it past the first year, let alone see a profit until year 4 or 5. publishing is no cheap endeavor and when you're printing and shipping hundreds of thousands of magazines every month, multiple titles etc. the cost to do business adds up very fast.
ad prices in the category are actually not much higher than they were 5 years ago. the difference now is that there is a higher volume of ads being sold than before (MDs case, thus the 400 plus page magazines). to sit here and proclaim that any magazine is out of line for trying to make a profit (this is a business they are in after all) is completely ASSinine. if you're upset with any publication having too many ads, then you obviously do not understand how they run their business. the goal is a 50/50 ad to edit split for most magazines. count the ad pages in md, flex, whatever and then compare that number to their edit pages. you will find that most of the time you are looking at 50/50 or close.
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Ron could sell ads on Getbig and make a fortune. I really don't know why he doesn't... he deserves to make some coin off this after all the time and money he's put in.
maybe he'll permit shawn to run getbig.com into the ground like shawn did to did his own.
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ads here would be great. It's when you give the sponsors creative control over content (read: moderator powers) that the neighborhood goes to the dogs.
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Budgets mean nothing unless the money's already been spent.
If a company is in trouble and needs to cut costs, do you thing they wait for next year when a new budget is out? Hell no... the CEO tells his departments heads their current budgets are being slashed X%, and to find the money somewhere. ::)
This is what I fear and why I am not going to the O this year (I have in the past). I have been in large companies that have orders to cut the budget NOW. I have seen canceled travel, layoffs, all the way down to less office supplies. Trust me here, if they had to cut 10% out of the budget - the order would come from so high up that anybody planning the show/expo would be out of luck and need to make changes. It's business. Hell, even if the $ is comitted, I have seen companies sacrifice their deposits to save $ overall.
In all, too much money for me to go to Vegas for an unknown quality experience. Especially knowing that AMI is looking to get out.
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I've never had anything against Flex mag - I've been reading it since later 1987, for God's sakes. I did have a problem with the whole 'burying your head in the sand' policy when it came to discussing steroids.
You can argue that MD has too much steroid info and discussion, but what's worse. ignoring it, or giving the facts so that at least people who are going to use them anyway can be a little smarter and safer about it?
Did you have a problem with MD when they went "all natural" in the late 90s? Were you writing for them then? Can't remember if you did.
IMO what MD did then was worse than the 'burying your head in the sand' policy Flex has. They were promoting juiced athletes as natural!
MD, and same goes for any other magazine, is trying to find a market for their stuff. The 'natural' route didn't work apparently so they went back to discussing juice. Had they been able to sell that crap you can bet they would have continued with it! It ain't about "truth", it's about $.
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it's about sales
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paper, printing, salaries, postal, photo shoots, writers, payment to be on the newsstand, etc. etc. etc. most magazines launched don't even make it past the first year, let alone see a profit until year 4 or 5. publishing is no cheap endeavor and when you're printing and shipping hundreds of thousands of magazines every month, multiple titles etc. the cost to do business adds up very fast.
ad prices in the category are actually not much higher than they were 5 years ago. the difference now is that there is a higher volume of ads being sold than before (MDs case, thus the 400 plus page magazines). to sit here and proclaim that any magazine is out of line for trying to make a profit (this is a business they are in after all) is completely ASSinine. if you're upset with any publication having too many ads, then you obviously do not understand how they run their business. the goal is a 50/50 ad to edit split for most magazines. count the ad pages in md, flex, whatever and then compare that number to their edit pages. you will find that most of the time you are looking at 50/50 or close.
FINALLY!!!!! Someone who gets it.
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Did you have a problem with MD when they went "all natural" in the late 90s? Were you writing for them then? Can't remember if you did.
IMO what MD did then was worse than the 'burying your head in the sand' policy Flex has.
As far as I know, the "all natural" format had more to do with TWINLAB PR policies. You see, when a big comporation in the health care-related field starts to look extra $$$ from the investors, they hardly want to discuss drug abuse in their publication.
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As far as I know, the "all natural" format had more to do with TWINLAB PR policies. You see, when a big comporation in the health care-related field starts to look extra $$$ from the investors, they hardly want to discuss drug abuse in their publication.
FINALLY!!!!! Someone who gets it.
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Kev, please do not give these guys the satisfaction of even responding to their comments. Most of the people here just wish they had your life, I do. Get to go to all the BB shows full expenses paid, make a good living doing something you really enjoy, have front row center to every events there is to see in bodybuilding. It's not even worth your time.
What many people do not realize is that Kevin is not depending on bodybuilding photography as he does plenty of other kinds of photography in England including shooting lingerie models (lucky bastard!!!!).
Sometimes he jokes about retiring early and drive a bus for a living on a island. I hope not!!! LOL!!
One thing is for sure, I'm certain he knows a lot more inside informations than any of us combined but because of his position cannot or is not at liberty to tell any of it.
Anyway Kevin is a good guy with a great attitude, he's always ready to laugh and you tell he really enjoys what he does and it shows when you meet the guy. I do not know since very long but already he's one of my favorite people.
I'm sure you guys will have a lot of fun with this post and you'll probably call me a fag and such but that's expected...
Thank you.
And Kev, I better see you next time you are in town.
Max/D.
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But at other times, MD does sellout.
FYI, anyone who promotes natural bodybuilding while showing pics of juicers is being dishonest, whether it be FLEX or MD, or any other mag.
[/quote]
Dude, that was so last century. Get over it.
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Dude, that was so last century. Get over it.
what about their softcore porn phase from early 2002 to early 2003?
Grimek must have been spinning in his grave.
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Upong looking through some of my old mags... I say bring back the glory days of the mid 90s with Lorenzo "Reno Raines" Lamas. ;D
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hard to believe the sport was more popular/mainstream/acceptable back then.
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hard to believe the sport was more popular/mainstream/acceptable back then.
it wasnt actually..
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I started writing for MD in early 2002, long after the all-natural days of the mag.
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I started writing for MD in early 2002, long after the all-natural days of the mag.
What's your opinion on http://www.ronharris.com?
YIP
Zack
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Upong looking through some of my old mags... I say bring back the glory days of the mid 90s with Lorenzo "Reno Raines" Lamas. ;D
Lorenzo Llama was an overrated cheeseball, but Ms Godreau was quite the Goddess. Do you have any other shots of her lying around?... :P
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My opinion on www.ronharris.com is that that other Ron Harris has made a gazillion dollars from porn - and I sure could use a gazillion dollars!
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My opinion on www.ronharris.com is that that other Ron Harris has made a gazillion dollars from porn - and I sure could use a gazillion dollars!
Would you describe him as an illustrious ivory mountain of mass? Cause Hany R is still taking a beating for that line :)
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Did you have a problem with MD when they went "all natural" in the late 90s? Were you writing for them then? Can't remember if you did.
IMO what MD did then was worse than the 'burying your head in the sand' policy Flex has. They were promoting juiced athletes as natural!
MD, and same goes for any other magazine, is trying to find a market for their stuff. The 'natural' route didn't work apparently so they went back to discussing juice. Had they been able to sell that crap you can bet they would have continued with it! It ain't about "truth", it's about $.
MD's lingering identity crisis, over the last 10 years, has been well documented.
It's not so much that they went natural (I actually liked that, as I felt it gave some guys some well-needed press). It's how they went about it. When Muscular Development morphed into Muscluar Development-Fitness-Health (and later into All-Natural Muscular Development), they spend FAR too much energy blasting the Weider pubs.
With Steve Blechman at the helm, MD's sole purpose in life is to be the anti-FLEX. If FLEX talks a bit more about anabolics, MD will blast it, even going so far as blaming Dorian Yates (and the judges that voted him Mr. O) as the reason for the hyper drug use and subsequent illnesses and deaths in pro bodybuilding.
When FLEX de-emphasizes anabolics and gets back to basics, MD (now in "hardcore" mode) can't stop talking about steroids. Now, Blechman and crew are "keeping it real", while criticizing FLEX the whole time.
I find it hilarious and ridiculous at the same time, especially when Blechman swore at one time that no steroid-using bodybuilder would ever grace the pages of MD again. Then MD almost completely abandoned bodybuilding coverage (natural and "not-so natural"), in favor of mainstream sports coverage, with football and tennis playes consistenly making the covers.
When MD went "hardcore" again, the explanation I heard was that Steve Blechman blamed his family members, who owned Twinlab at that time, for the "all-natural" spiel. Now that he solely owns the magazine and has no stake in Twinlab, he was going to go "hardcore" again.
What's even more ridiculous is, while FLEX was putting BODYBUILDERS on its covers, MD was in a fierce battle with MuscleMag International, trying to see who could plaster the most silicon-stuffed hoochies on its covers and between its pages.
When Jay Cutler won his first Arnold Classic, did he make the cover of MD? Well....technically the answer is "Yes". But, it was a small black-and-white pic of him in the corner. Meanwhile, MD's latest pin-up girl takes up most of the front, bold and in color.
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Yet with all of the back and forth with MD, they are the profitable publication and Flex is the one on life support and on the auction block looking for a buyer. Wonders never cease eh MCWAY?
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Hany will never, ever live down the "Ebony Mountain of Muscle" comment, and he has me to thank for it. I assure you, he continues to get shit over that, even though I wrote it.
Hey, I thought it sounded better than "big black guy."
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Hany will never, ever live down the "Ebony Mountain of Muscle" comment, and he has me to thank for it. I assure you, he continues to get shit over that, even though I wrote it.
Hey, I thought it sounded better than "big black guy."
hany is quite the chemist. I'd be careful leaving my lunch in the MD lunchroom fridge.