i have seen/read the mag and i must say that its way beter than reading a normal brochure. its got sick photos cool storys and its very well done over all, from a design standpoint that is. Also there should be an update on how to get one in a weak or so.
Okay, First of all, I agree with the 4frnt and lilhorsey guys, we don't need this shit. If you want to call it a brochure, okay, fine, but a new K2 brochure doesn't require a front page advertisement in the form of an NS news brief no matter how "readable" it is. And please don't try to feed us this hackneyed bullshit about it being a "revolution" when it's quite clearly a marketing gimmick. That's absolutely trite. On another note, quick question to the admins of this site: is there any controversial issue on which you guys won't whore yourselves out to one side or the other? It wasn't always that way... time was when you had actual individual opinions. Now it seems like whenever one of these things comes up you're a bunch of spokesmen with red names prostituting yourselves uniformly out to whomever you owe some sort of industry allegiance. That's kind of sad. And you can hate me all you like for my saying so, but Jesus, it's what I see around here, and far too often. That's pretty much all I have on this point so don't expect an argument out of me anyway.
We don't need this. We need real ski magazines. And we're going to get them, despite the bigger guys doing this stuff.
No J.D._May, skiing needs all it can be given, from all sides. One day you'll appreciate people's efforts. Nobody else was doing it so we decided to give it a go. That breaks routine doesn't it? Breaks away from the monotony of a cookie-cutter product brochure with gear shots and tech specs, and apparently it was deemed worthy of placement as a news piece. But in J.D._May's super-core-guy-world, we all need to do things the exact same way void of any unique direction. Sorry J.D., we can create a one page photocopied product piece for you next time around. It might even list the team members on the bottom and have a logo too.
Er... you know the funny thing about that is, I don't work for anybody relevant, and you do... shouldn't you be behaving, you know, professionally? I have nothing against K2; hell, I rep the product. I'm just not a fan of this idea, and god forbid, I had an opinion. Scary, huh? How about accepting consumers' opinions rather than taking cheap shots at them, Ryan? Because for people like you, the internet holds little anonymity and being childish in the way you just were isn't really impressing anybody. Seriously, who is going to read that and think "I want to support that guy's company, their employees seem to have their shit together"? You're too up on yourself, man... it's a joke. Like I said... if you want to make a brochure your own way I'm all for it. But don't try to market it as a magazine. And please, I know it's just the internet, but damn... if you want people to associate K2 with your name the way so many kids here do, grow up a bit.
Heavy-handed insults and shouting down those who don't agree with you is not the way to make people buy your shit.
J.D., don't be upset because I broke down your argument. Look back and read what you said. YOu say you had an opinion about producing this piece then later say you are all for it if we want to create a brochure our own way. I didn't take cheap shots. If you are going to come on here and try and talk down our creation or direction with completely unfounded comments, you better believe I will refute those.
Professionalism? The exact definition of such might vary from fellow to fellow, especially concerning an internet site, but I'll stand up for something I believe in and something that I slave over. If that is not prefessional in your opinion, I'll trade it for passion any day.
And J.D., technically speaking, it really is a magazine. It contains stories, editorial, interviews, travel spot checks, etc. Actually pick one up and read it before tearing the concept apart, and it might become aparent.
Whatever dude. I've given you my opinions on the subject. If you want to make a brochure, make a brochure, and call it a brochure. Unique or not, filled with editorial content or not, it's still an attempt to market your company's product. And yes, I tend to be a bit suprised when company representatives act the way you are. Passion is one thing, maintaining a modicum of respect for your consumer base is another... and guess what Mr. Schmies, they aren't mutually exclusive. That's all I've got to say on this. Enjoy writing your spiffy new brochure. It has an eye-catching cover, I'll say that much.
J.D., yes it is marketing our product. Similar to everything any single company creates with their name on it.
Feel free to drop me a line and instruct me on the finer points of maintaining a faceless and opinionless company profile that is sure not to offend a soul.
i had one of the most inciteful things to ever be on newschoolers and the page refreshed on me... deleted it... ALL OF IT!!!!
It's 3.30, i dont know why I'm awake and the battery on the computer is about to die. If this thing keeps going, i might come back with some duller piece, devoid from the aid of sleep deprived grandeurism.
better to market your product with a magazine that gives people something interesting to look at and keep the competition fresh than push your stuff in some other boring way... not that this is a magazine in the usual sense, but if there were only one ski magazine around it would probably suck, and get complacent, stale, pretty quick - everyone has to push each other forward.
therealgomer, I feel your pain. The refreshing when you're in the middle of spilling your sould is the worst. cko, what's the line of thinking behind that? schmies, you don't think it's cool that the conservatives control much of the media that we americans are exposed to, do you? I guess the difference between that and what you guys are doing is that you are being blatant that it's marketing, while they try to cover that up. As long as you don't cross that line, it's all good in my opinion. JD, I like some of your points, but I feel that schmies actually keeps it quite professional, yet remains true to himself. One more point, if this was a real mag, there would be a media kit on my desk.
I would have to aggre with everyone that says this is just a marketing gimic. Schmies may be dedicated to the sport and its great that K2 has found someone so dedicated, I just hope that when you write an artical you stay loyal to the sport, and not just talk up K2. I havnt seen the mag yet but i have a tough time believeing it will fill the void. K2 is trying to make a profit like anyone else, but depending on how it goes this could be a win win. If Schmies and everyone else at the mag works hard to bring unbiased articals and picutes into the mag that would be sick, but no matter how dedicated Schmies and the others are K2 will surly change their ways. Im not trying to diss anyone espicaly Schimes, K2 has to sell its product. Just keep in mind that the market has other good products besides k2.
oh yeah, also the only reason its free is because you cant sell a catolalog, the idea is you give it out for free and in return people buy your product