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| Q&A: Michael Brooke - Publisher, Concrete Wave Magazine (7141 Posts)
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The Best Skate Mag EVER
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On 10/17/2003 isabelle
wrote in from
(209.66.nnn.nnn)
Congrats to Michael Brooke for organizing and publishing the BEST SKATE MAG EVER!
You rule!!!
Roll with soul...........
Skate everything, it's the "fountain of youth"
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website help!
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On 10/17/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Hi Everyone...
As many of you know, we moved from Concretewavemag.com to concretewavemagazine.com
While I admit to being pretty good with the web, I am stuck trying to figure out how best to publicize this move...
any ideas? can you help? I emailed google already...they haven't changed things yet...
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Treasure Hunt
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On 10/16/2003 Loco Boy
wrote in from
(12.98.nnn.nnn)
Where would one procure a CW in Hawaii?
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misc.
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On 10/15/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Gang,
I am just completing the November issue.
There is some incredible stuff in there...the photos alone will make your head explode...
Thanks to some amazing contributors, we are on track
I would like to formally acknowledge the contribution of Lotta Olen and Scott Perryman - our head photographers.
These two drove 800 miles (round trip) to get shots of Skatopia. The commitment shown by folks who both advertise, write and in general get behind the mag is unreal.
I simply could not do it without these guys.
As for gift certificates, or notifications, yep, we can do that!
As for that new park on Vanderhoof - I rode it...it is truly amazing.
Too bad the weather is CRAP!
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Latest issue
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On 10/15/2003
Duane
wrote in from
(64.223.nnn.nnn)
Your magazine is now the best skateboarding magazine ever. The quality of the photos, printing, layouts has come so far so fast, that it's simply amazing. I noticed as well that many of the advertisers have stepped up, with much improved ad copy.When we were kids, my bro and I would literally fight over Skateboarder magazine when it arrived. He was stoked to read my back issues of CW on his last visit. He is one of what I suspect is a vary large contingent of "ex-skaters", not quite giving it up entirely, but not quite active skaters either. I, too, was one of these sorta-skaters until I attended Gilmour's July 4th race in Boston a few years back. All we need is a little push to get up off the couch and back on board. To that end, I will be entering a gift subscription for my bro. Hopefully this will be the push that will have him back and kicking my ass in no time. ps do you offer any "gift notification" type cards that many mags send out? Might be just the ticket for the holidays.
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Toronto Skatepark
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On 10/14/2003
Scott Ward
wrote in from
(66.185.nnn.nnn)
Michael,
You have a new gem that is almost complete in your backyard. I came into Toronto early yesterday for business and searched out the new park. The guy building it let me ride everything but the deepend.
It will be a killer park. He is working on the cradle in the deepend now. I was working a few lines in the shallow and found one that will send you with so much speed into the cradle if will be awesome. The crete is so smooth! I can't wait until it is finished. My business trips will become more frequent.
I just hope the weather holds out long enough to get it finished. Being the great White North and all.
To bad it rained tonight or I would have been back there this evening.
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random thoughts
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On 10/11/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
In the past 10 days, close to 1500 folks have visited this part of the NCDSA. For me, that's pretty incredible.
This forum/blog serves as two purposes: it allows me to interact with my readers and vice versa...however, it also does something else. It is a breathing document (digital, that is) of the gathering changes within skateboarding.
Your comments about the magazine are certainly appreciated. Believe me, we sweat over every page...and each issue we raise the bar another notch.
There is a reason why 25 copies are going to Kuala Lampur and 100 are going to Greece and still another whackload are going to Italy, Austria and the UK...
When you place Concrete Wave next to any other skate magazine on the shelf, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Older skaters should gravitate to it quite quickly... and spread the word accordingly.
Younger skaters might pick it up just out of curiousity...They may get their first glance of a slalom competition!
It's the new generation of skaters - those under the age of 13 that are the blank slates...they are the one's that the magazine will have a dramatic impact on...along with us skatgeezers.
I am always stunned however, when I see 14 to 18 year olds stop skating and start reading the mag at the local skateparks. I figure all they want is the same stuff they see in the rest of the mags...but I am pleasantly surprised.
Can a magazine bring about change? Well, I'd like to think so. In fact, I believe that the next surprise from Concrete Wave will excelerate change even faster....but I am not going to give away the surprise, except to say "you ain't seen NOTHING yet!"
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The Mag
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On 10/11/2003
Michael
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
Feedback on CW here has been marvellous. The latest issue is a great example. A whole page dedicated to an artful shot of a pool's coping, with wheel tracks evident, even a sneaky rail pic, showing the smallest wheels on earth, shot from a weird angle (Scott Star pics). Its a d@#m good read.
The last issue of a UK mag I bought (I buy it hoping I'll find SOMETHING interesting) I couldnt even find the articles amongst the ads, and then those articles were short, badly written and non informative.
The spread on the Texas Masters jam underlines my point, a double page of pictures of skaters riding a bowl and grabbing their decks. When did you last see an 'Andrecht' plant in any other mag? (tracker ad)
With more issues on the newstands more skaters will 'get it'. Keep it up!
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Concrete Wave Down Under
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On 10/11/2003
Kiwi Rider
wrote in from
(219.88.nnn.nnn)
Cannot say enough about your mag. A breath of freash air amongst all the other so called skate mags.
And shock horror, not a handrail to be seen!
I liken it somewhat to back in "the day", when you would eagerly await the latest issue of Skateboarder to arrive.
My skate bros here are always blown away with each issue I show them.
Guess I`d better tell `em to subscribe so they don`t miss out...
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what's coming....
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On 10/10/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
we hear you...a bit more freestyle - yep, we got that covered... and more longboarding...yep, we got that too.
watch as we zoom to 84 pages for this issue...it's going to press in LESS than 10 days..
we have photos that will have you DROOLING...seriously good stuff..
for the January issue we've got a 6 pager just on Swiss longboarding...
remember, we want to create a magazine so good, you'll want to leave it in your will.
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Suscribe
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On 10/9/2003
Eddy
wrote in from
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
I finally decided to suscribe to CW. I could not find it when I was in Canada visiting my inlaws. I cant wait to get my first issue. Great Magazine Mike. Eddy Texas Outlaw.
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CW in Austin
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On 10/9/2003 oldtimer
wrote in from
(216.62.nnn.nnn)
Thanks to all for the tips on where to find CW in Austin.
Got one at Barnes & Noble at Lakeline Mall..., last copy.
When I would call B&N, they all told me that they didn't carry it. Hmm..., I think they don't even what they have in stock. Anyway...
Simply - a fine magazine....
(I would also like to see more freestyle and some coverage of longboarding as well).
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1111 posts
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On 10/9/2003
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Did anyone notice that was the 1111th post?
pretty cool.
YoYo -we would love to have more freestyle stuff in there...send us whatever you can!
check out this news.....
the mag is truly going INTERnational!
this is from my magazine distributor!
oh you lucky 25 people in Grand Cayman!!!
The foreign copies are destined for Austria 150, Belgium 300, Czech 50,
Greece 100, England 3,050, Holland 750, Italy 150, Spain 150, New Zealand
100, Kuala Lampur 25, Singapore 25, Taiwan 25, Costa Rica 25, Panama 25,
Grand Cayman 25, Military 400.
However Germany would also like to place an order for 300 copy test order
for their specialist outlets.
The test would be in selected key travel points. Approximately 50 top key
outlets (stations/airports / selected retailers / Press Point Shops) will
be involved in this project
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..Freestyle footage in CW
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On 10/9/2003
YOYO Schulz
wrote in from
(145.254.nnn.nnn)
...well, we should have some good stuff coming soon.
On Oct. 25th we will run the World Champs in Flatland Freestyle in Germany this year. Hopefully we can get a good photographer take some shots and even write up an article for a future issue of CW...!
And: Congrats to Michael Brooke to get on the mag full time; true dedication.
You got my money for a subscription already...
YOYO
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freestyle and upside down mags
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On 10/9/2003
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
(192.30.nnn.nnn)
Hi everyone
it's bustin' 70 degrees outside and I am inside working away...why??!
well, the new skateboard park on Vanderhoof road (Eglinton and Laird) area
is NOT finished...but man, when it's done...look out!
freestyle..yes, more is coming...feel free to send WICKED shots..not weak stuff..
shots that will make people FREAK...
as for upside down mags...please do your part to turn em the right way...Chaput is certainly
getting a huge amount of mileage out of this one! : )
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Question?
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On 10/8/2003
Jeremy
wrote in from
(66.52.nnn.nnn)
Hey Michael! I'm not complaining or anything but I was wondering when we are going to see some more freestyle action in CW? Oh, by the way, the Badlands article in the most recent Concrete Wave was outstanding, bravo. Keep it up...
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B&N and Concrete Wave
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On 10/8/2003 Gary in VA
wrote in from
(65.177.nnn.nnn)
I went into the B&N in Lynchburg today looking for the latest Concrete Wave. Found the last issue. Looked around a little bit more and found the new issue further back in the rack with the Abec11 ad facing forward like it was the front cover. I pulled them out of the rack, turned them around and put them up front where the older issue was. Just doin my part for the movement.
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mag in the uk
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On 10/7/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
they went first class to the UK..so let me recheck your address....and yes, 3000 are on their way for the November issue - newsstands in the UK...
happy hunting!
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Off the shelf in Britain?
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On 10/7/2003
LimeySteve
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
Hey Michael,
Now we're talking again (still not arrived by the way) I've got a question.
Are we still on track to see C/W on news agents shelves this autumn in the UK,to put it another way will I be able to walk to the end of my street and pick up a copy from the corner shop.
Limey
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geezer x's random act of street action & digital images
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On 10/7/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(65.95.nnn.nnn)
Geezer X
what can I say but "thanks!"
this simple act of getting out to Barnes and Noble and ensuring the mag is nicely racked really helps things move along.
Of course, some of you out there might find that this latest issue is racked upside down....so if you can turn it right side up, that is a huge help!
Just to let you all know, we are on our way to 25,000 circulation for June.
As for digital images, we love em! Please email me as to what you have and I will send instructions on how to get them to me...
This morning we just got a photo from Glen E. Friedman. It's going in the November issue. YOU WILL FREAK....
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Photos
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On 10/7/2003 Ian
wrote in from
(67.69.nnn.nnn)
Do you accept digital images?
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Doing my part for CW
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On 10/7/2003
Geezer-X
wrote in from
(149.2.nnn.nnn)
Every time I go into Barnes and Noble, I go to the skateboard magazine section, pick a rail and shoe magazine at random from the front row, and move it to the back shelf, swapping the copies of CW into it's prior more desirable location. This tiny act of guerilla activism helps make people aware of CW. I mean, there are 20 magazines with the same photo of a guy too lazy to pick up his skateboard when descending a staircase, and only one with a picture of a guy soulfully ripping a pipe. It stands out. Do your part!; relocate CW !
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Full-Time Soulboarder
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On 10/6/2003 Craigo
wrote in from
(208.255.nnn.nnn)
Hey Mike,
Hope you had a great last day of workin' for the man on Friday! As for the naughty bits, I'd rather not know. Now you can arrive at work in your bath robe and bunny slippers! I just wanted to say, "Congratulations and good luck!" With your now full-time effort and focus, the magazine can only keep on getting better!
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A promise to you all....
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On 10/6/2003
Michael Brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Hi everyone...
you can spread the word on this one...
If people continue to buy CW for themselves and extra copies for their friends, I will continue to print more copies...but I will keep the price on the magazine frozen at $3.95 for another 15 issues. This means that I will only consider a price increase in 3 years...and even then, I don't think I am going to increase it by much.
By that time, I a hoping we'll be at 120 pages! A magazine with a nice glossy (super thick cover) with wide format pages and less than 40% ads at $3.95 seems like a remarkable deal to me!
Thank you again for supporting the magazine. And if you see any copies of this current issue "upside down" please turn them the right way up!
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Vol 2 , No. 1 for Haim
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On 10/5/2003
Stubbs
wrote in from
(65.69.nnn.nnn)
You got it!
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