AMI is REALLY selling Flex and Muscle & Fitness! No Joke!

[240 is Back]

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.

[gordiano]

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...........

[Adam Empire]

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!

[kmhphoto]

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.

[Adam Empire]

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...

[kmhphoto]

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?

[jwb]

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...

[Adam Empire]

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.

[jwb]

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

[1Fast400]

Maybe they'll ask me to run everything

[240 is Back]

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?

[jwb]

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...)

[kmhphoto]

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

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.

[Crusher]

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.

[Adam Empire]

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   

[timfogarty]

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.

[1Fast400]

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.

[jwb]

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...

[LuciusFox]

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.

[240 is Back]

  Flex had better writers than any other bodybuilding magazine.

Their ostentatiously delivered drivel left me cognitively stigmatic.

[Adam Empire]

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.

[Tre]

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. 

[Adam Empire]

  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.   

[dearth]

I wonder what Chick will do now that his employer no longer controls the IFBB...

[240 is Back]

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?