Sprint's arrived
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Discussion

Dave_M

Original Poster:

5,486 posts

254 months

Friday 2nd May 2008
quotequote all
Very good again too. Got to go, still reading...

clive f

7,259 posts

263 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
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Hmm, read mine last night, a bit dissapointed, you can`t please everyone all the time as they say, but is it me, or was there a lot more adverts than usual, or less articles?

and why O why are they allowing that Morgan add in thererolleyes
its the thin end of the wedge I tell you, this time next year it will be mobile phones and toothpaste addshehe

combine

3,114 posts

259 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
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Don't think I've ever had sprint land on the door mat so promptly ! As far as the Morgan ad is concerned , I don't mind, but can't see myself trading in the evil loud seac for a tame quiet moggie !

Edited by combine on Saturday 3rd May 07:28

scout

430 posts

223 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
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What is this "SPRINT" that you speak of? confused

Derek Smith

49,883 posts

278 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
quotequote all
clive f said:
Hmm, read mine last night, a bit dissapointed, you can`t please everyone all the time as they say, but is it me, or was there a lot more adverts than usual, or less articles?

and why O why are they allowing that Morgan add in thererolleyes
its the thin end of the wedge I tell you, this time next year it will be mobile phones and toothpaste addshehe
Two points: The target is 30% of the mag being adverts. For various reasons this is difficult to hit precisely each month so there will be some variation.

May's issue of Sprint contained a fraction over 18pp of adverts plus one for a TVRCC track day. Or, to put it another way, we are light on adverts this month. Not by much, but definitely under. This ratio compares very favourably with commercial magazines, some of which have more pages of adverts than features.

The other point that I'd like to make is that the adverts have three very useful functions. Firstly, they are a reference for members, secondly they allow those companies which have an interest in TVRs to publicise an innovation or offer. Thirdly, they help subsidise the production costs. No adverts would mean a much smaller Sprint with considerably less features. Remove one page of ads and you lose more than two of features.

My opinion, as just one of the team now, is that the Bigland feature is fascinating and a bit of a coup. A genius who worked for TVR and produced the absolutely stunning M chassis has told us part of his story. I would also say that I reckon the layout and graphics of this month's Sprint is stunning, one of Jon's best. The layout and design of the Bigland article is very evocative of the time and the Sagaris article is as well. Mandy and Jon have produced a brilliant magazine this month in both content and appearance.

I used to view as many other car club magazines as I could and I can say that the TVRCC is not only among the best but the quality is consistently high. No doubt there is room for improvement, but the thing is that there are plans for changes in the pipeline, as there always has been.

Constructive criticism and suggestions are always gratefully received but please, it seems that every few months someone comes up and says that there has been a sudden increase in adverts when there hasn't. The 30% target seems to me very reasonable. If we accept less then the quality or size of Sprint will have to sufffer or the subs will have to go up.

V8 GRF

7,299 posts

240 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
quotequote all
scout said:
What is this "SPRINT" that you speak of? confused
it's the TVRCC magazine, I take it you're not a member then? confused

clive f

7,259 posts

263 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
quotequote all
Derek Smith said:
clive f said:
Hmm, read mine last night, a bit dissapointed, you can`t please everyone all the time as they say, but is it me, or was there a lot more adverts than usual, or less articles?

and why O why are they allowing that Morgan add in thererolleyes
its the thin end of the wedge I tell you, this time next year it will be mobile phones and toothpaste addshehe
Two points: The target is 30% of the mag being adverts. For various reasons this is difficult to hit precisely each month so there will be some variation.

May's issue of Sprint contained a fraction over 18pp of adverts plus one for a TVRCC track day. Or, to put it another way, we are light on adverts this month. Not by much, but definitely under. This ratio compares very favourably with commercial magazines, some of which have more pages of adverts than features.

The other point that I'd like to make is that the adverts have three very useful functions. Firstly, they are a reference for members, secondly they allow those companies which have an interest in TVRs to publicise an innovation or offer. Thirdly, they help subsidise the production costs. No adverts would mean a much smaller Sprint with considerably less features. Remove one page of ads and you lose more than two of features.

My opinion, as just one of the team now, is that the Bigland feature is fascinating and a bit of a coup. A genius who worked for TVR and produced the absolutely stunning M chassis has told us part of his story. I would also say that I reckon the layout and graphics of this month's Sprint is stunning, one of Jon's best. The layout and design of the Bigland article is very evocative of the time and the Sagaris article is as well. Mandy and Jon have produced a brilliant magazine this month in both content and appearance.

I used to view as many other car club magazines as I could and I can say that the TVRCC is not only among the best but the quality is consistently high. No doubt there is room for improvement, but the thing is that there are plans for changes in the pipeline, as there always has been.

Constructive criticism and suggestions are always gratefully received but please, it seems that every few months someone comes up and says that there has been a sudden increase in adverts when there hasn't. The 30% target seems to me very reasonable. If we accept less then the quality or size of Sprint will have to sufffer or the subs will have to go up.
I fully appreciate and understand your point Derek, no adds then no mag, but as you say "an advert should have 3 usefull functions", so which of those three functions exactly does the Morgan advert fulfill?
surely only the thirdyes

Derek Smith

49,883 posts

278 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
quotequote all
clive f said:
but as you say "an advert should have 3 usefull functions", so which of those three functions exactly does the Morgan advert fulfill?
surely only the thirdyes
The company in question has a history of supporting TVRCC and services the cars. They attended Rockingham as an advertiser. One out of three isn't bad.

The name that used to be applied to a person trying to get adverts for a magazine was a 'space salesman' - in those days it was not considered a sex-specific term - the implication being that they sold nothing but a blank piece of the page. It was up to the advertisers what they put in it. Whether the Club should police the content (over and above the legal/taste aspect) is an interesting point.

I think there's little doubt that we could generate more revenue from advertising and in a mannner that would have assist the members but, unfortunately, we are short one advertisng manager. Any offers?

anonymous-user

84 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
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Derek Smith said:
I think there's little doubt that we could generate more revenue from advertising and in a mannner that would have assist the members but, unfortunately, we are short one advertisng manager. Any offers?
More difficult to recruit one now that the role has been reduced to a second tier one I would have thought.

nikman

878 posts

235 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
quotequote all
Derek Smith said:
clive f said:
but as you say "an advert should have 3 usefull functions", so which of those three functions exactly does the Morgan advert fulfill?
surely only the thirdyes
The company in question has a history of supporting TVRCC and services the cars. They attended Rockingham as an advertiser. One out of three isn't bad.

The name that used to be applied to a person trying to get adverts for a magazine was a 'space salesman' - in those days it was not considered a sex-specific term - the implication being that they sold nothing but a blank piece of the page. It was up to the advertisers what they put in it. Whether the Club should police the content (over and above the legal/taste aspect) is an interesting point.

I think there's little doubt that we could generate more revenue from advertising and in a mannner that would have assist the members but, unfortunately, we are short one advertisng manager. Any offers?
This issue was briefly touched upon at the AGM and it was questioned why this advertiser didn't mention in the ad that they also provide service to TVR owners. Nevertheless, I don't think the ad detracts from the specifically TVR focus of the magazine.

Where there are financial liabilities in the form of design and printing costs there has to be an amount of leeway afforded to the range of advertisers in order to maximise income but without diluting the effectivness of the specialisation. Nick.

hot metal

2,019 posts

223 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
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I RECEIVED MY FIRST COPY TODAY ,ITS VERY GOOD smile

shapeshifter

1,181 posts

252 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
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scout said:
What is this "SPRINT" that you speak of? confused
Even the wife knows what Sprint is!