Hummer Adventure Magazine

[Buckeye Hummer]

Mac, I think you fall in the category of "don't care to off-road", which most do but I also think you fall in another category "don't care to see it off-road". This is interesting to me because it makes me wonder why you would buy an H2. If you don't even care to see interesting pictures of the H2's performance in remote areas then why did you buy it? Wouldn't it be better to own an Escalade or even a Range Rover? At least a Range Rover is so refined inside it does pass nicely as a true luxury vehicle that doesn't appear overbearing on the street like the H2 does. I bought my H2 because I liked the thought of what it could do, not necessarily that I would do those things but it makes for interesting conversation and frankly I like the feeling that I could go most anywhere if I wanted to. So, when I wanted to; I did. I went out with Steve in the desert and had a great time. Now I love my H2 even more and have begun planning camping trips with the kids as well as some remote fishing trips with friends of mine from the East coast. You won't see me rock crawling but I am sure you will see more pics of me having fun using my vehicle to at least 50% of its potential. I figure Steve uses his almost to the max but I doubt he wants to totally destroy it just yet. Now, with the Hummer mag Steve is working on it has actually piqued my interest. It can be very successfull so I completely disagree with you. I have had a number of my friends consider trading in their not so SUV's for Hummers after hearing of the fun I've had on my off-road adventures. Of course this doesn't mean they will go off-road but they certainly can if an when they want to.

[MAC]

My friend, one day you will understand.

[MAC]

A successful magazine has to know its readers.
1- Phil’s 94%, well, Phil is a proven smart man, I don’t think he ever believe that 94%. (LA/SD should have 2,400 H2s going off the road. If you think Sierra Club is picking on us now, wait till them see 2,400 H2s out there in the parks.)
2- If Steve ever seen 48 H2s out there (accumulated), that is 2%, if 24 H2s, that is 1%. Let’s be very generous, say 2% actually go/gone off road.
3- Assuming Detonate's "promise" is 100% correct, everyone bought H2 for the off road image.
4- Hummer magazine then knows its target is that 39,000 (98%) owners who bought H2s but have no intention of ever go off the road.
5- It also knows that 2%(1000) off road H2 owners are irrelevant.
6- The easiest and safest route is to keep on feeding these 98% with off road images to reinforce the illusion.

[Detonate]

Let's not forget that some people will buy anything that says HUMMER on it, no matter what it is.

Just look at all the people that bought the H2. Or remember HummerMan's photo of all his H2 loot?

Travis's Hummer Magazine is doing very.

-Jim March
Arlington TX
2003 Red H2
Beauty is in the eye of the Beer Holder

[Steve R]

Guys, guys, guys.....

No need to get huffy here. Seems the thread turned a little aggressive earlier. If you will...allow me to cast some illumination onto the subject at hand:

Ealier on MAC likened the starting of a magazine to that of opening up a restaurant: something that has a high probability of failure and financial loss. It is actually out of sincere concern that MAC advises me otherwise. I don't feel it's a vote of ill confidence, but rather that of a friend trying to save me some heartache & agony. MAC had said this long ago and as such to new members of the forum he may have seemed a bit nasty. MAC is an outstanding guy and despite my incessant teasing/joking/humiliation/jaunting/tormenting/slanderous/defying comments directed at MAC...they are all intended as pure fun.

Oh sure...most of you have emailed me on the side and told me what a weiny he is, and that his post are long and drawn-out and that he questionably contributes to the forum in actual knowledge, and that his post are self-serving and tend to promote his success and wealth, AND.....it goes on and on. But MAC is still our brother and we sorta like him. Okay, maybe tolerate, but still.(sorry MAC, it's just too easy)

Before I forget. MAC: you ignorant slut....I certainly do NOT yell at the top of my lungs about my club on a regular basis. You just have to remember that we regularly have new members joining us and they are unaware of our club. I simply announce events so that people will know of them. Your other accusation is that I'll grab any H2 that is willing to join me. WRONG: your exclusion from my club is proof of that inaccuracy

Now seriously. I am simply PART of a collective force that is very interested in putting together a magazine. And even MAC will agree that a wise approach is to research and test your market before getting stupid with large money. I just needed a little feedback about HA (Hummer Adventures).

There is an absolute and definite method to my madness. Let not the absence of information lead you to assume things. Big wheels often turn slow. Rome wasn't built in a day. You can't make turkey jerky without burning down a barn. Something else funny involving MAC.

The only thing you need to know is that there will be a big centerfold and frontal nudity involved. * see details below

*detail: no frontal nudity involved

Oh yeah. I'm really NOT the big-time offroader that everyone thinks I am. Of the near 9,000 miles I've put on my H2, only about 3.2% are "offroad". At one event I picked-up a few brush-rake scratches that I've been assured will buff out. My tires are a bit chapped here and there, but beyond that my rig & MAC's are pretty much identical in condition.

I offroad about once every 3-4 weeks, when I do...I take pics & video and you hear about it. It's just a hobby and an interest.'

MAC, darn you for making me post such a long post!

[MAC]

I also like to see photos of wrecked Hummers too, there should be a permanent section for wreck photos. I save over 100 Hummer photos, from parts to worthy photos to wrecks. Other than that, most offroad photos are pretty much the same, take one look and move on.

I read most modern men are information overloaded, we all have to manage our time efficiently with data. I start the morning with newspaper(must read), then 40 magazines a month, there are must reads such as Time, Newsweek, Autoweek, Businessweek, Forbes; and there are flip through and toss magazines, then there are books, such as the economic book "Commanding Heights" is a current must read. Plus 50 emails a day. Hummer magazine is a flip and toss, 99% of Hummer off-road photos are all similar.

[Detonate]

It doesn't matter if someone off roads their H2 or not. I promise that is the image they bought.

-Jim March
Arlington TX
2003 Red H2
Beauty is in the eye of the Beer Holder

[Steve R]

Guys....

Please. You are both my friends and I think this misunderstanding has perpetuated itself into a challenge of wits that will not resolve.

This is very simple. I've known MAC for almost a year now...and it takes a considerable amount of understanding him to realize what he really means in his writing. He is perhaps one of the most misunderstood writers on the forum. He doesn't realize it...but I assure you it is the case. He has drawn considerable negative attention before his oppenent suddenly realizes that he never meant any harm. I'm serious...it's like a learning curve.....I've seen no less then 7-9 forum members experience this acquired understanding.

Jason (Buckeye)...MAC doesn't always have a point nor a rational to back-up his position. MAC disagrees, disents and argues because he feels passionately that we must challenge ourselves to face the alternative, to quesiton our reasoning and to stiffen our resolve. He prompts us to defend our position and prove our conclusions. I realize this is where I typically play my punch-line and make a joke...but I'm serious.

He doesn't ever really concede unless it's appallinglly obvious...but I assure you his dissentive nature is not intended to belittle or undermine anyone....it's merely his contributive manner in which he expresses himself.

As a favor to me, I would appreciate if you both stand-down from this arguement...there is nothing to be gained and it is entirely based on misunderstanding.

Furthermore, we are NOT looking for any investors in this magazine project. There is much I can't disclose that if you knew would dramatically change your perspective.

This thread has served its purpose and reached its conclusion. Thank you all for the poll and info!

[MAC]

Let’s do some basic calculation, no need for calculator, you don’t even need a pencil.

1- Assuming 40,000 H2s sold.
2- 5% go off road is 2,000 H2s.
3- Allot 10% sales to the big 5 states, CA, TX, FL, IL, NY/NJ. 200 off road H2s each big state.
4- LA/San Diego is double of Northern Calif. Size, so LA/San Diego has 120 off road H2s.
5- There are only so many spots you can go off road down there, plus Steve is well connected so he should know about every Hummer group or event.
6- Has Steve seen 120 H2s (accumulated) off road in the last 12 months? 100? 80? 50? Steve had 4 in the last run.

Let’s go back to the original question: if you are a Hummer businessman, do you target 2,000 customers or do you target 38,000 customer?

[Buckeye Hummer]

Mac, do you remember the movie Stripes?

Lighten up Francis

Good point with vacations. I guess at this point you wish I wasn't around. It's hard to hear the truth.

I did have a tremendous amount of time on my hands today. My 2 year old son came down with the flu. He threw up all over me last night and through the morning. The rest of my family (2 daughters and wife) plus friends left for Martha's Vineyard for the day. I stayed in to tend to the little one so had plenty of time to surf the web and watch Fox News. Tomorrow you can rest at ease. I won't expose you any further because I will be fishing all day. Saturday I fly back so you will have that day off as well. Friday I will check back to see if there is anything more interesting than clothes hooks to talk about, maybe by that time you will have answered my question.

[Buckeye Hummer]

Mac, I think this one has lost you. You are stuck on numbers of off-road vs. on-road drivers, which completely misses the point. Everyone bought the H2 because it was looked rugged, more people will buy it when they can see it do more rugged adventures. This doesn't mean they will ever take the truck off-road but know that they can makes all the difference. Look around your house and business for certain tools, technology and tell me if you actually use all of them to their absolute fullest or if you bought them because it's just nice to know the functionality is there should you ever need it. We aren't talking rock crawling pictures here, but rather, 22 mile off-road camping trips for the kids, deep snow in the mid-west, remote fishing spots etc. There are certain types of off-road driving that will and does appeal to the Hummer buyer. I have yet to see them market the vehicle with soccer balls in the back or a shopping cart hitting the side to show how tough the panels are.

[MAC]

Steve, that is exactly how I feel about you, a good self-description.

Still doing a lot private posts these days? might want to use emails, 15 year old teenagers can get you to see them for $20.

[Buckeye Hummer]

MAC,

Here is what I said:

"How is it this pic appeals to you but the mag Steve is putting together you consider to be a potential flop? I am not sure what to do with that. Please elaborate."

You didn't answer but did write many words of which very few made sense, less were relevant to the topic. Remember, some times less is more. The more you talk/write the more weaknesses are exposed. Frankly, I buy very little of what you say. Much of it appears to be a facade, farce, skit put on to deceive others into believing what isn't true or maybe is a partial truth.

Let's get back to the topic. Maybe we can all give input as to what Steve could/should add to the magazine to help its success. How about another poll Steve asking what people would like to see most in the mag? How much would they pay etc.

[Buckeye Hummer]

MAC,

De-Nile ain't just a river in Egypt now is it? You didn't answer my question, not so smoothly I might add, but did throw up plenty of smoke screens.

So, back to the new magazine. Since I don't enjoy looking at rock crawlers in Off-Road mag. but do enjoy looking at and using my H2 and others H2's doing fun stuff I think we have a niche here. You know the type, they make a decent amount of money each year, like to stand out, are leaders and so on. So let's see what these leaders do in their free time. If I had my H2 now while on vacation in Cape Cod I would be posting pics of my drive on Nauset beach with kids, towels, coolers, life jacket (for my 2 year old), as well as fishing poles on top (new roof rack) with hanger rigs (working quite well on the striped bass I might add). We would undoubtedly be pulling my friends bass boat with the H2 and dropping it in Stage Harbor (that's a pic I would like to see in Steve's new mag). You see Mac, it's not just an opportunity to see what an H2 can do but also the opportunity to see what H2 owners do in their free time. The H2 has so many fun and interesting applications. I would love to see an H2 in a parking lot with 2' of snow under it and no other cars in the lot because they simply couldn't get there or maybe an H2 moving over a blocked road in the Hollywood Hills due to heavy rains and a mudslide, or heaven forbid another earthquake hits or other disaster where H2 rescue vehicles are used because of their tremendous power and off-road ability. Steve, this new mag sounds great! Where can I pick one up?

[Buckeye Hummer]

Hmmm, inconsistency, strange. My background is "Space". I like to think I will go there someday but most likely will not unless the 2020 H2's come with the Mars package.

How is it this pic appeals to you but the mag Steve is putting together you consider to be a potential flop? I am not sure what to do with that. Please elaborate.

[MAC]

Buckeye, this topic is really getting pretty boring and old to me and everyone else.

You read all the posts today and in the last few days, did you see anyone else with a nasty post besides you? If nothing else, by now you must realized that none of them is having any effect on me. Its never a good idea to be negative and mean online, the nasty words are there forever for all to see. Normal folks tend to feel pretty bad after they say something nasty to even total strangers on the street or in road rage, you seem to enjoy being negative.

How about you go back to take care your family and have a vacation. Be positive and nice to everyone around you, you will find your world will brighten up and your kid will get well. You are the one who can control the positive or negative energy in your own life. If not for yourself, do it for your son.

[Buckeye Hummer]

MAC, I am fishing with "friends" in Cape Cod. I have known them for 7 years, which definitely qualifies them as such. I met Steve once. He's a nice guy but I wouldn't consider him a friend yet.

I'm sorry you FEEL insulted but you apparently also feel threatened and weak, ergo the recruitment of another board member to come to your rescue. An appeal to authority that has no foundation won't help.

As for the new Hummer Mag, I always start by investing time and ideas before money. When I started my business in 1998 I brought in equity investors but retained 35% ownership. I maintained complete management of the company to get it going in the right direction but never invested any money. When we did become profitable, I made offers to buy out all of the preferred interest and completed the deals in April of this year. So, of course I wouldn't invest $10,000 in a new magazine but I would enjoy being involved, which is certainly worth more than 10k. Besides, 10k doesn't exactly get a magazine off the ground, people do?

[MAC]

Is it rainning out there? you took precious time from vacation to write hate posts to MAC, it proved that you are thinking about MAC a lot, it takes a lot more energy to write a hateful post than a funny one. I like your resourceful way of negative words of hatred, experienced user indeed. It is very much appreciated. I never got around to check the forum while on vacations, I got to find some time on my next vacation, I get distracted by friends and families, beaches and shopping. This simply proved that you are a far more dedicated forum member than all of us.

[MAC]

My friend Buckeye is running out of words, the natural course is to get personal and insult, I was waiting for the expected nasty turn, but I admit it came a day later than anticipated, it took longer than I thought for you to turn mean and personal. There are many, such as Spidey etc. is able to read between my lines.

I changed my mind, I think Steve should start a new Hummer magazine. I think it will be a running success right out of the gate, I can just see people lining up to buy his magazine which will be in Vons and Safeway in no time. Steve needs to practice laughing, because he will need to laugh all the way to the bank very often. How about $99 for one year of subscription?

For true friends like Buckeye, it is only fair for Steve to allow them to invest real money into the magazine, there is no joy like putting money where your mouth is. How about invest $10,000?

[This message was edited by MAC on 08-06-03 at 10:17 AM.]

[NCHummerman]

Heard of it but "Never Received it" ..... I guess this response does not fit into any catagory

Michael
---
Pewter Hummer H2
Northern California

www.zootsuitstore.com
------------------------------------