Friends,
About 2 weeks ago, I posted outline info to the lists about the imminent
arrival of a bi-monthly magazine from BMIHT at Gaydon in the UK which is
likely to be called TRADITION. I had many replies from you for which my very
grateful thanks.
An update on current thinking is appropriate though I can't presently say
when the first edition will appear. Before the year end certainly looks
viable. The content will still be as originally advised but your additional
input has been noted for inclusion too. Thanks for offering it. It makes the
overall task easier in terms of forward planning, compilation and ensuring a
balanced publication with hopefully lots of interest therein.
As to printing and distribution, this is the current thinking.
PRINTING
'TRADITION' will be printed in England using Rover's own in-house facilities
which are extensive and highly cost comparative - even on a global basis.
There is presently no likelihood whatsoever of TRADITION being printed
outside the UK. At a later stage, there is no reason why other print
locations might not be reconsidered but this is entirely dependant on
volume.
DISTRIBUTION
Within the UK and EU, copies will be sent by mail. Costs for mail within
these territories are not prohibitive. They ARE prohibitive for more distant
destinations.
Outside the UK and EU for printed material, it is likely a bulk quantity
will be airfreighted to a local distributor in each market where there are
sufficient subscribers. What the number of sufficient subscribers is likely
to be has yet to be determined. This distributor will despatch across his
designated territory using local mail rates.
The above relates to conventional printed material.
As email and the internet is expanding at such a rate globally, a new
website will soon be put in place later in the year to which site a complete
version of Issue 1 will be uploaded. The URL will be communicated to as many
specialist 'lists', clubs, newsgroups etc as can be determined exist. Issue
1 will therefore be a 'freebie' for potential subscribers throughout the
world to evaluate prior to committing to a one year subscription of 6
issues, regardless of whether they prefer to receive printed or alternative
format copies.
Upon reading the 'freebie' site and deciding to place a 1 year subscription,
future 'TRADITION' readers in any market (including the UK and EU) can
decide whether they wish to receive the magazine as a printed version or for
downloading via a secure website (which can only be accessed by a unique
access code given to them by prior email for each issue) OR have the
magazine sent to them as a .pdf file which file will also include a free
copy of Acrobat to facilitate de-coding into any preferred format. At that
point, subscribers will of course be able to decide whether or not they want
to keep their copy of TRADITION on their hard disk, 120mb floppy or CD-ROM
(or whatever alternative media they choose). It will be their choice to
print it - or not, at home or the office. It goes without saying that this
website or .pdf format file will be SUBSTANTIALLY lower in cost than a
printed magazine. Indeed, it might even be affordable for a virtual pauper!
As many classic car owners are paupers anyway as a result of their hobby,
this financial condition will be well known!
ADVERTISING
'TRADITION' will carry advertising but within strictly controlled
parameters. No company will be able to choose between full, half, quarter or
eighth page spreads. Adverts will be limited by vehicle make name purely to
company names, addresses, phone/fax/email/URL ID's. This makes economic use
of available space and allows the small "one man and his dog" product
specialist to compete on equal financial terms with the big boys such as
Moss, Rimmers, Vicky Brit etc. 'TRADITION' will also be happy to consider
providing lists of make clubs in all territories as well - and on a similar
basis i.e. name, address, phone/fax/email/URL.
This is all that can presently be communicated but I feel it is important to
let you know the current state of thinking at Gaydon as I have received so
many posts in support of the overall concept. I hope you like the potential
flavour of 'TRADITION'. Thanks again.
Cheers
Jonmac
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