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| Q&A: Michael Brooke - Publisher, Concrete Wave Magazine (7141 Posts)
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CW Deadline
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On 11/10/2003
Claude Regnier
wrote in from
(66.185.nnn.nnn)
Hey Mike! What's the deadline for submissions?
All you other Canucks that were supposed submit a short blurb for CW about the Gathering listen up and get them to me.
C-YA
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One More Thing
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On 11/10/2003 Pauliwog
wrote in from
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Oh, and one more thing, Don't take ANY advice from DAN HUGHES, all he knows is how to go fast thru cones, carve both axles on the coping (sometime he's so cluless he does it one-footed), pop airs and edge tricks, and make wood skatepark owners upset-Hey, sorry I missed you at "Leave No Cone Behind", hopefully we'll get together at another Seattle/Portland/Vancouver get-together this winter, say "Hey" to Corey, John, Darrin, Mike, Chris and Gareth. Later- Paul H.
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Single Fin
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On 11/10/2003 Pauliwog
wrote in from
(12.225.nnn.nnn)
Hey! Are you on the west coast? If you make it out to Oregon, especially northwest (Portland and 100 miles from there), look up the Portland chapter of Grassroots Slalom (it's linked thru the ncdsa "links"), and make some e-mails and calls, we'll ride with ya bro. Schlater - Paul H.
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Direction of Concrete Wave Feedback
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On 11/10/2003 Pauliwog
wrote in from
(12.225.nnn.nnn)
Hey! How's it going M.B.? Just like we talked about on the phone 6+ months ago, Concrete Wave is SOOO right on track! I'm SOOO stoked you're doing what your doing and the way you're doing it (no stupid music, clothes, hair color, or other lifestyle crap for people wondering "who am I?", or "what should I listen to or wear to make other people think I'm really a skater?"). The coverage of the present and the past is great! I'm so tired of hearing that totally worn-out phrase "Old School", especially when the other magazines use that term in conjunction with photos from 1985-1991 as if before that era is pre-history myth that doesn't exist. And as Mr Single Fin says, "more slalom please", I concur. The Flatland Freestyle, Ditch, and Downhill stuff is appreciated as well. You know what you're doing, just keep doing it! Later-Paul Howard
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slalom
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On 11/10/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
yes...4 pages on slalom this issue
6 pages+ on longboarding and lot's of other surprises.
I think $12.95 is a LOT of money for a magazine...but I also agree that Surfer's Journal is truly incredible. he mortgaged his house to start that mag...and he has about 40 years in publishing! I am setting my sights to blend Surfer's Journal meets SkateBoarder Mag circa 1978. This means high quality with some ads...
The more concentrated the package, the more powerful the read. I believe 100% skateboarding sends a clear message.
More feedback please.
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ADDs?
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On 11/9/2003 single fin
wrote in from
(63.181.nnn.nnn)
Surfers Journal is able to do it. Quality is #1 minimal adds and only surf related.
Sure he charges $12.95 per issue. So what. They're worth each penny. CW should be the same. More Slalom please. Interviews with top racers from past and present. Product reviews. More slalom please.
Thanks so much. I've enjoyed each issue. Glad they're in Borders book stores. I need to subscribe. More slalom please
SF
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Ads
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On 11/9/2003 Bear
wrote in from
(68.97.nnn.nnn)
MB, as the publisher and the moneyman only you can really know what will sustain you and your family, as will as inable you to publish the kind of SkateMag you want. I Don't have a problem with advertizing, as long as I am not buying a Mag that is predominantly ads with a little bit of substance. CW is progressing nicely, don't overextend yourself, don't run ads that are beneath your readers (your the Judge) whether it is 7-up or Deadbox Skate products, and maintian your focus. I, for one, won't care if you run a 7-up or Pepsi ad to help your bottom line. But if the quality of CW deteriorates because of it or a loss of focus, I won't keep buying your product.
I don't know that my opinion helps,
Keep up the good work.
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I wish I could do more...
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On 11/8/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
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So, I just visited a website (whose name shall not be mentioned). The sad thing is that it's consumed by marketing...a pizza company is all over it...
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re:100%
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On 11/8/2003
chris olden
wrote in from
(67.121.nnn.nnn)
Hi Michael,
In this day and age where hyperbole is s.o.p. in advertising
and marketing, 100% still means "whole" or "all".
I'm very happy to hear that you are going to keep CW 100%
Skateboarding. No additives, no fillers, no hair color ads.
Just Skateboarding. As it should be.
Thanks for a great mag.
Chris Olden
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Right on, but Oooops
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On 11/8/2003
Lenny
wrote in from
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Heck yeah!!!! The niche has previously been a gaping hole! CW's filling it wonderfully.
But I messed up a bit. The "writer"'s name was Patrick, not Paul. What I get for venting without taking the time to re-research.
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100%
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On 11/8/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
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I just turned away ANOTHER non-skateboard advertiser last week. I am sure there are some of you who might question why I would do this...after all, publishers need ads. My belief is that if I say 100% skateboarding, I keep it 100%. If you are into music as much as I am...then I am sure you can find lots of mags that have music.
I have NO intention of turning my magazine into a vehicle for delivering other types of marketing messages. My sole/soul motivation is to promote all aspects of skateboarding and give some attention to those folks who have been ignored by the traditional skate media.
We are niche, but we are VERY concentrated. I am glad Lennny is out there cracking heads. The skate media has completely ignored a huge amount of what has been happening out there. The good news is that has left the door open for me!
I do not intend to abuse the trust that readers and advertisers have placed in me and the mag...
Anyone got any thoughts on this. 100% should mean 100% right?
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Skateboarding!!!!!!
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On 11/8/2003
Lenny
wrote in from
(205.188.nnn.nnn)
I've been sitting on this for a couple months and have to vent. I've never been one to say "this one is good because another one is bad." Hence I hardly pay attention to political ads. BUT I was flipping through another "skate" mag to which I've subscribed many years and I read a quote by one of their writers, Paul O'Dell, which actually said "I like skating as much as the next guy, but damn!!..." The quote was a referrence to a few pros he was covering on a tour. He wanted to get drunk and they wanted to skate. It really let me know (moreso) that the mag's become more interested in the image of skating than the activity!! Keep up the good work with CW and PLEASE keep it 100% skateboarding for those of us who like skating more than other mag's writers.
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upcoming issue..
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On 11/4/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
the new issue returns from the printer November 13. I mail them on the 14th...
they should be in your hands by the 22...
so, best bet is to make sure I get subscriptions prior to the 13th...
cheers
michael
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subsciptions
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On 11/3/2003 Eric B
wrote in from
(4.35.nnn.nnn)
Will I get the upcoming ish if I order this week?
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UK stupidity monopoly...
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On 11/3/2003 Sam
wrote in from
(81.128.nnn.nnn)
...is under threat from the Tallinn townsfolk of Estonia.
And thet have unskateable cobbled streets.
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Where to Live
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On 10/31/2003 Michael (Octane)
wrote in from
(195.92.nnn.nnn)
Can I suggest this place? I often pass the road sign on my travels. Do you think the terrorists know about it? Could it be a bluff? Only in the UK could people be this stupid!
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fine lline!
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On 10/31/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
talk about hilarious!
that ad probably drove more shop clerks batty than I care to think...
still, Chaput has reverted to a right side up ad this time...
this new issue will be printing next week.
as for when your sub expires, not to worry, I send a little note in the issue reminding you...
as many of you know, CW is not funded by a huge empire...so, if anyone has a problem, just email me -- the buck stops with me...so, I can usually sort out mail situations...
glad you guys are digging the mag...but seriously...hang onto your heads, cuz the 84 behamoth is about to be unleashed....it will take you at LEAST 1 hour to digest this thing...2 if you read the articles!
happy halloween from my family to yours!
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Abec 11 Ad
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On 10/31/2003 Henry J
wrote in from
(128.2.nnn.nnn)
There seems to be a fine line between genius and kook- I laughed so hard when I relized why Chris's Ad on the back cover of the latest CW is upside-down... the store clerks had even placed it that way, thinking it was some whack magazine with an Abec rating. Nice one Chris.
Great mag Mike. Keep it comin!
Henry
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Halloween
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On 10/31/2003
Pamela
wrote in from
(68.123.nnn.nnn)
BOO!
Have a SPOOKtacular Halloween Everyone!
Pamela
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Where to Live
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On 10/30/2003 Bill
wrote in from
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Or just Orlando.
They have an airport and everything. More grocery stores.
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Where to live
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On 10/30/2003 Bill
wrote in from
(12.38.nnn.nnn)
Alva, Florida.
There is absolutely nothing there whatsoever, but:
1) It's called "Alva" for some reason.
2) It is an hour and a half from the YMCA in West Palm Beach.
3) It is an hour and a half from Olliewood.
4) It is an hour from the Sarasota park, which opened today. Deathbox, loveseat, steps, tons of vert in the pool, and an oververt thing in the amoeba area.
5) It is two hours from Orlando, where there are two tremendous concrete parks, one pretty good one, and Vans for when it rains.
6) It is an hour and a half from Skatepark of Tampa, where there is a fun indoor bowl, a vert ramp, and a lot of soul.
7) It is 45 minutes from Northport, a no-fee Tim Payne concrete beauty in the middle of nowhere that nobody seems to know about.
8) Cost of living in Alva would be crazy cheap - what with the big prison nearby, and not a thing but mosquitos, real estate is pretty accessible.
Looking at the map of Florida, the town of "Frostproof" would actually be more geographically centered, and it also has a cool name, but I'm still gonna say the town of Alva is more appropriate. It would more than make up for all the travel expense.
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On 10/30/2003
Seth Levy
wrote in from
(69.140.nnn.nnn)
its my first time to the concrete wave section of this site. I just have a quick question. I have all of the issues of the magazine, but my friends want my copies! do you think that you will ever re-release the old issues? They rule! I don't think one week goes by when i dont at least go through each issue for something. Thanks a lot!
Seth
PS how do i find out if my subscription is about to run out?
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huevos...rancheros!
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On 10/29/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Thanks Jack...
this is issue is THE one...not just any issue...this is the issue that is going to make everyone sit up and take notice...
why?
I crammed over 60 pages of editorial into an 84 page mag...and while it's unlikely that every single story in this issue will resonate with you all...chances are most will hit you pretty darn hard...
It's very difficult starting up a magazine, but there are number of folks who have helped and continue to assist CW...
my thanks to them.
I realize that since I am able to work on the magazine full time, I am able to fine tune it much better and troubleshoot things quicker. The result of this is what you'll find in this next issue...
Sure, it is a daunting task trying to bring all the elements of skateboarding under one magazine. I know that for every 100 people who are thrilled with CW there are a number of folks who will be pissed...that's par for the course...however, we have found our groove and we are commited to 100% skateboarding.
cheers from the wet, damp and foggy climes of Thornhill, ONTARIO...
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Thanks
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On 10/28/2003
Jack
wrote in from
(207.114.nnn.nnn)
I just want to thank Michael Brooke for having the huevos to publish Concrete Wave. It brings all of us a lot of joy.
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ashes to ashes...
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On 10/28/2003
michael brooke
wrote in from
(209.29.nnn.nnn)
Well Dave, things are gonna get a bit hotter down there once the new issue arrives...suffice to say THE RUBBERMAN has returned!
I was speaking to Rene Carrasco yesterday evening...man, southern cal is in definitely getting whacked by fire. It's funny, but the two places I wanted to move to: San Diego and Kelowna seem to be in major fire zones.
Perhaps a sign to STAY PUT in toronto?
Dave-give Jay my best regards....he'll probably want a few issues!
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