I like the concept of Mark Ferguson, Randy Webb, and Gabe Bridger collaborating on a US MINI mag! I'll do the roadside restaurant reviews, culled from my cross-country roadtrips!

I like the idea of a section devoted to all the US clubs! A different one could be featured each issue. The magazine could have contact info for readers to connect to their local MINI owners enthusiast club.

Coverage of club events, individual adventures, national events (like the Vegas and Dragon meets), technical info, how to find a dealership, how to configure a MINI...all those could be in a mag! :smile:

I'd subscribe to a US MINI mag! And I'd love to offer drawings/photos/collages to it!


Clover

 

I found these locally here in orange county. my go mini is on its way and theres two other that i'm trying to get a hold of and if/when i do, i'll list them to.I agree that there hard to get a hold of.It would be nice if barns could stock them.I found that go mini and new mini/jp have the best pics and product lists.

 

With few exceptions the only thing interesting in GOMINI is that it is about Minis. There is some attention paid to the US but not much. they are much more into bling and audio than performance IMO. I do like the quality of the photos and paper etc (can you say $) The performance they cover seems to be over the top. I think that some of that is good but a little more commmon man stuff would add to the appeal. My favorite specialty mag is "Guitar Player"

 

With over 15,000 NAM members, it is obvious that there is just a little interest in MINIs! Although I toyed with the idea of a startup, it would be with the intent of ultimately selling it to a major publisher. Another idea was to prepare a presentation for such a magazine then turn it over to a publisher to run with. I would love to contribute but that would be my only involvement until I win the lottery and no longer have to work!

 

Why not approach a publisher who already does auto enthusiast magazines? There definately is a staff for this kind of rag already waiting. Heck last I heard Gabe Bridger needs a job. Did I mention that I also do a bit of graphic design?

 

I would definatly subscribe

Oh, and maybe I could write an article whenever the guys from across the pond are over here doing testing. They come by for a week or two twice a year and are always willing to talk about what they are testing.

Nik

 

I would like to be involved. My wife works in advertising... specifically with magazine ad placement (she negotiates advertising space in major magazines for her clients).. so I might be able to get some inside info from her that would be helpful.

 

I eagerly await GO MINI every two months. Just finding interesting cars and products is worth the price to me. I don't get much from the articles - too much about body kits and turning Ones into S's and such.

What we need is a distinctly American periodical - "American MINI" ???

Racing! mods, Events! Products! Driving Techniques! Best Drives! Tours, Road Trips, Culture, Photos! Regional News, Market, The options are endless.

 

My wife is a professor for journalistic editing if you are looking for an editor.

 

It would be great if Gabe Bridger was able to put something together. I love the design of his site, so I can only see great things from a publication.

I know very little about the publishing market, but it would seem advantageous if the magazine fell under the umbrella of a national organization. That way you have a built in audience, and those publishing the magazine don't have to worry too much about not selling enough. An example might be BMWCCA's Roundel Magazine.

Either way, I would subscribe in a second.

 

I use to own a book store that had a tremendous magazine section ... it usually isn't the store that dictates if a magazine is carried or how many copies it gets - that is usually determined by the distributor. Each month, when the new magazines come out the old ones are bundled up and the retailer gets "credit" for them. In the long run it's not worth it to the distributor to drop off and pick up the same magazine. Especially a magazine from out of the country.

Also, not to jump the gun ... what will this production be called? Will MINIUSA allow the word "MINI" to be used in a production that accepts money from aftermarket sources.
If I remember right ... didn't NAM go through something like this in the not so distant past???

Oh well - If it ever gets up and running - I'd buy it!!!

 

I would love to be involved in a US MINI magazine or create something based on MotoringFile. However the financial realities of being suddenly unemployed and a new home owner don't allow for much flexibility when it comes to income. That being said if anyone is seriously looking at starting one let me know. I'd be happy to do what I can to help!

 

This issue crossed my mind also, although I thought it was BMW, as the "mother" corporation, that was concerned.
But then I wondered about the current magazines in production, GO MINI, etc. They apparently are able to use the moniker.

 

blacknblue - It's a "USA" thing ... which is why MINI2.COM got to keep their name.

 

I don't know if MINIUSA could stop a magazine from using the name. Would it be in their best interest?

 

I would welcome any opportunties to contribute some MINI articles as I've done for other magazines I've written for as well as provide photos.

One of my specialities is in product photography, so I can shoot stuff that needs to get reviewed.

Richard

 

Thanks for that clarification.
Oh well, I'd like to be a part of it either way.
And if I'm deemed unworthy, I'd buy the zine anyway!

 

I may. But they are in Hong Kong.

 

I'd be very tempted to bail on GoMINI if a good U.S. mag came out. The features I've enjoyed in GoMINI:

Full-race MINIs: Over the top but very cool. Interesting to note the philosophy/goals behind the specific choice of mods.

Interviews: May be some cross over here, but I personally enjoyed the (not necessarily in-depth) chats with Murray Walker, Russ Swift, Jeremy Clarkson, Mike Cooper. Love to see one with Paddy Hopkirk (if it was printable ) and certainly any noteworthy US owners/tuners/observers of the MINI scene. I heard Bobby Rahal has a MINI?!?!

Random interviews with owners: These are fun as they get to the grassroots enthusiast level. Not in-depth but enough to catch their enthusiasm. Club dyno testing is a fun way to do this, too.

Nice Photography: Some care and attention seems to goes into this and makes the mag fun to browse through over and over. Even if I'm not wild about a particular car, the pics are still stunning. Loved the Scotland shoot.

Just some random thoughts................

 

It is really expensive to launch a magazine. So many parts - the printing run in and of it's self is an enormous up front cost. How will you distribute it and where? In reading through your posts I didn't get a feel for the demographic you are going after. Motoring File has a great graphic look and excellent layout ( the holiday catalog was fabulous.) The British mags all focus on aftermarket products and custom jobs. Of the 85,000+ MINIs sold in the US how many of them actually get customized? What percentage of MINI owners are on these forums? I see the same people over and over again, are they your target audience? If so, that's too small a percentage for a commercial magazine printing run. Some great photographers have posts in this thread, but can they produce enough material for 6 unique issues a year (minimum)?
I would love to see a good MINI magazine, judging from the posts in the MINIUSA OL, and the various forums, it would seem that you have a split demographic - new owners who need information while they wait for or are acclimating to MINI ownership and then the enthusiasts who race, customize and maintain their own MINIs. A very different audience spread from an editorial standpoint.
Just my 2 cents. :smile:

 

I would love to help out in the creation/launch of a new U.S.-based MINI mag! From my post here in NorCal I can reach Mini Mania, SF, etc. within hours. I'm a freelance writer and I'm always looking for a way to earn a byline. I would do it for free, just to participate in a cool new enterprise.

Will you guys please get in touch with me if this "comes together"? This is a terrific idea! :smile:

 

I started this thread and bailed on it. I have been very busy with my business and have not had any time to devote to researching the "barriers to entry." Over the Holidays I will put some time into it and let you all know what I find out. I took a correspondence class on time in which people from all over the country had to contribute to the "papers." A web based pub with many contributors is probably the answer.

I'm glad this idea has gotten such "legs." It's very encouraging

 

Despite the number of posts I have here I just realized I don't know if there's a national MINI owners' club. NAM really isn't it, or is it?

In terms of demographics there's got to be enough out there. Heck, every Barnes & Noble I go into has the Classic MINI (name?) magazine on the stands -- if they're not sold out.

From a business point of view, you probably need to start at the club level for distribution.

HunterBoss

 

I'm a photographer for a couple of the magazines specializing in Vintage Automobiles and Racing. I'll ask the publishers/editors what they think of the idea.

Jim Williams

 

That would be great.

You creative types out there could we put together a "mock up" to prove the concept? probably need 10 articles with Pics.

Some on autoX, some on mods, technical tips, service ing your own Mini, a cool car, A feature on one of the tuners? What ever you think would be good.