Brewing Master

Question:

I just got around to reading the letter from BT and opted to forgive the debt.  It got ne thinking…. Stephen Mallery stated that one reason (I know there are more) that BT had problems was the result of advertisers not paying for the ads they had placed.  I’m sure all publications have this problem to some degree, but it ate at me. What if I’m supporting one of these advertisers?  If your like me, and I’m not saying you are, I want to do what I can to make sure $0 of my support goes to these companies. I’ve asked BT for a list but doubt they will respond (they have class), but if anyone knows who the freeloaders are (they have officially freeloaded off of me) I think this group might just be a little interested. It defies the spirit of brewing, darn it. Sorry for binging back a dead topic, but my conscious made me do it.

Response:

What about the business like myself who paid up front for the advertising for the whole year.  Should I eat it and forgive BT? Im not going ruin your ideals about BT, but, maybe it was mismanagement.  I had to pay up front for year for my advertising.  Am I the only one?  No one else paid up front?   Im sure there were some deadbeats, but, there were other issues as well. The one issue I found was that BT was targeting a small market.  there are some homebrewers who had to know the technical side, but mostly were like myself.  We just want to make beer.  BYO had ideas, BT has formulas.  Can there be a combination of the two? That is of course my opinion….. Doug Evans Vinbrew Supply What if I’m supporting one of these advertisers?  If your like me, and I’m not saying you are, I want to do what I can to make sure $0 of my support goes to these companies. I’ve asked BT for a list but doubt they will respond (they have class),

but

Response:

Stephen Mallery stated that one reason (I know there are more) that BT had problems was the result of advertisers not paying for the ads they had placed.  I’m sure all publications have this problem to some degree, but it ate at me.

All you will be doing is taking wild guesses and possibly hurting some other advertisers. Since it’s release, ProMash was advertised in every following BT issue, and we paid up front for advertising that will never be printed, nor will we ever see that money again. I loved Brewing Techniques, and have been a loyal reader and subscriber for years. My love for the mag was one reason I chose to advertise with them as opposed to some others. However before you start pointing fingers at ANY advertisers please remember the wind blows in both directions. Everything in perspective….. Cheers! Jeffrey D.

Response:

Thanks for setting me straight.  Your point is well taken. Just to clarify,   I was not suggesting BT advertisers should not be supported, I stated deadbeat advertisers should not be.  I would never suggest "guessing" who these advertisers are would be appropriate either. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -All you will be doing is taking wild guesses and possibly hurting some other advertisers. Since it’s release, ProMash was advertised in every following BT issue, and we paid up front for advertising that will never be printed, nor will we ever see that money again.

Response:

: What about the business like myself who paid up front for the advertising : for the whole year.  Should I eat it and forgive BT? : : The one issue I found was that BT was targeting a small market.  there are : some homebrewers who had to know the technical side, but mostly were like : myself.  We just want to make beer.  BYO had ideas, BT has formulas.  Can : there be a combination of the two? Others paid up front for the whole year also.  Not me, I paid by the month and found BT advertising to be ineffective, due to its very small readership and demographics.  I discontinued my advertising very quickly.  Personally, I loved BT, subscribed, and read it avidly.  I forgave my subscription debt, but had I been owed advertising I would not have forgiven that debt.  Advertising is NOT cheap, and most homebrew advertisers are small or very-small businesses. I’ve dealt with the BYO people and they seem pretty sharp.   I think as advertisers we are in a good position to influence the direction of BYO.  As we all know the homebrewing market is contracting. After 10 years or so of everyone and their brother entering the market place, and with the generally good availability of quality craft brews, the industry is consolidating (shrinking) and new brewers are entering the craft at a much lower rate.   If BYO is to survive over the long run, they will need to appeal to a more mature, more experienced brewing audience.  As advertisers, we can suggest to the editors that they periodically publish a "formula" article.  BYO may be able to become a combination of the two. Cheers! Domenick Venezia Venezia & Company, LLC Maker of PrimeTab (206) 782-1152  phone (206) 782-6766  fax orders demonick at zgi dot com

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