Transworld lashes out...and it ain't pretty

[skategeezer]

I guess the berrics is a bit more of a thorn in their side than they initially thought....


http://bit.ly/9v31gl

more than footage filmed in a warehouse
January 29th, 2010 by kilwag


January 29th, 2010 by: kilwag


Kilwag's comments:

Who knew Skateboarder had so many subscriptions? I always forget they are still publishing. What’s that? Right. This post title is from the latest Transworld Skateboarding sales pitch. If you’re selling a product, they want your advertising dollars. Key selling points:

We know that there are a lot of options out there, most of which are new to the game yet claim to be everything skateboarding, but skateboarding is much more than footage filmed in a warehouse, or focus on the so-called core or elitist scene. Skateboarding has moved way beyond those walls, and TWS covers the gamut.

More than footage filmed at a warehouse? Well that’s obviously aimed at the Berrics, and core or elitist probably refers to Thrasher. Transworld appears to have the largest circulation, but they must be hurting a little. Transworld Business recently went to a subscription only format. In five years or so, they’ve gone from a free, healthy sized dedicated publication for the business of skateboarding down to a very thin one that combines surfing and snowboarding too, and requires a paid subscription. It’s only a matter of time before they pick up Kiteboardng too. It’s no secret I’ve got a beef with TWS, even though I used to be a subscriber. Actually, my biggest beef is with the staff at Business. I tried for a couple of years to get into their so-called free buyers guide only to be alternately lied to and completely ignored. They wouldn’t even come clean and tell me that I needed to advertise.

TransWorld SKATEboarding Awards, a franchise event that will also 2010 is here, feature the premiere of the 22nd TWS film, Hallelujah.

So they support skateboarding by hosting an event for the people in their magazine and selling videos. OK, I’m being a little cynical here, obviously. I support skateboarding because I sell skateboards.

So ask yourself, where is my budget best spent: on a selfserving Web site/magazine with a low subscription base, or with media partner that has the print numbers and a Web site that covers everything skateboarding, all while supporting our industry since 1983?

This selfserving web site and former print zine has only been supporting the industry since 1985. We have about a third as many people reading our pages (Unique vistiors in a month) than subscribe to TWS, all on .005% of the budget. Or less? I’m not getting cocky. I’m sure their web traffic dwarfs ours. Read the Skate Publishers Letter 2010. These guys know how to relate to skateboarders. Aside from SKATEboarding, They publish Yachting Magazine and run the Yacht Broker web site. Alright, I’m being pissy. I am formally suggesting that all true skaters should only buy products that advertise in what is obviously the only true skateboarding magazine, Transworld SKATEboarding. TransWorld SKATEboarding has been the largest, most progressive and most respected skateboarding magazine in the world for over 26 years.
P.S. I usually pick up a copy in the airport when I’m flying. Last time I did it was actually a pretty good read.
P.P.S. TWS once appropriated one of my posts without any credit. It was no coincidence, they read the post on S&A and asked me directly for the source contact.
P.P.P.S. I used to work for Times Mirror when they owned Transworld Business.
P.P.P.P.P.S. I relaize the irony in potentially actually helping their advertising sales by making this letter available to a larger audience, but I don’t care because that’s just how much I support skateboarding!

[skategeezer]

Bonnier Corporation (owner of Transworld) is an American magazine publisher owned by the Swedish Bonnier Magazine Group. It was formed in March 2007 by the merger of World Publications, Time4 Media and The Parenting Group and publishes more than 40 special-interest magazines.
With over 1,100 employees and more than $350 million in annual revenue, Bonnier Corp. ranks in the top 10 nationally among publishing companies.[1]
Bonnier Corp.'s parent company, the Bonnier Group, is a 200-year-old media company based in Stockholm, with operations in more than 20 countries, including magazine divisions in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Spain.
The company also produces custom publications, television programs, websites, events and marketing programs.
Publications owned by the Bonnier Corporation include:

[bpz]

Kilwag always writes good comments. It's sad how much Transworld thinks they're SKATEBOARDING and yet they fail to realize there is a LOT more to skateboarding than ledges and rails.

[MalakaiKingston]

more than footage filmed in a warehouse
January 29th, 2010 by kilwag

In the same time period we received 89 million page views with roughly the same amount of unique views.

[Cann0n]

Does this mean we get more boobs in CW?

[frankie18]

CW owns all other skate mags. Im biased and i am proud!

[Cann0n]

More boobs in CW and I bet the numbers will increase...

[skategeezer]

silverfish just freakin' pwned Transworld...

[CtrlAlt1337]

I'm with cann0n, more mammory glands and traffic will sky rocket.

[BottomShark]

[Longbord1]

Don't forget guys...Endless clothing ads make the magazine...

[Rabid Skunk]

Don't forget guys...Endless clothing ads make the magazine...

Exactly, without skate magazines how do I know what shoes are good and whether a shoelace is still cool to use as a belt? How will I know which street deck will make me the best, how do I know which type of non street skater to call gay now? How will I both praise and deny sheckler at the same time? How will I know what to do!?

[dkeller33]

Kilwag always writes good comments. It's sad how much Transworld thinks they're SKATEBOARDING and yet they fail to realize there is a LOT more to skateboarding than ledges and rails.

I second that Brian.........Transworld has never been anything more than a magazine full of ads with a couple articles.......and that is coming from someone who has been involved in skateboarding since before the birth of Transworld and Thrasher. Both of those magazines SUCK and contributed to the death of verticle skateboarding in the 90's....not to mention the fact they fail to recognize anything that has to do with downhill and/or sliding.

[JamieReis]

I second that Brian.........Transworld has never been anything more than a magazine full of ads with a couple articles.......and that is coming from someone who has been involved in skateboarding since before the birth of Transworld and Thrasher. Both of those magazines SUCK and contributed to the death of verticle skateboarding in the 90's....not to mention the fact they fail to recognize anything that has to do with downhill and/or sliding.

More like coming from someone from before the birth of Christ.

[Xgecko]

How will I both praise and deny sheckler at the same time? How will I know what to do!?

you know you want to have Sheckler's children