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View Poll Results: New format of American Fencing Magazine | |
Ooh, yay... it's pretty.
|     | 53 | 81.54% | |
I hate change, give me the old one back.
|    | 7 | 10.77% | |
I don't live in the US and thus don't get this magazine. (or poll is otherwise flawed)
|    | 5 | 7.69% | 
12-07-2006, 03:07 PM
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#1 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chelmsford, MA
Posts: 1,850
| New format of American Fencing magazine
So they changed the format (I assume the new fangled marketing folk had more than a passing hand in it)...
I like it at first glance. Haven't had time to inspect the magazine for content yet, however.
Thoughts, opinions, pointless diatribes?
-w | 
|  | | And now for this message... |
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12-07-2006, 03:14 PM
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#2 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Charlottesville VA
Posts: 3,041
| I haven't gotten mine in the mail yet. I will let you know when I do though... It seems like I must be at the very bottom of the distribution list for the USFA though... Every issues someone has been talking about it on the forum for a few days before I get it. 
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12-07-2006, 03:49 PM
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#3 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC
Posts: 2,626
| I've only seen the cover, I haven't gotten a copy yet. The cover looks very nice and is a welcome change.
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My name is Isaac Erbele, and I approve this message | |
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12-07-2006, 04:17 PM
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#4 | | Member
Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New England
Posts: 71
| We received ours in today's mail. LOVE all the photos. Cindy Bent Findlay makes a concerted effort in the magazine to reach out to USFA membership for input.
The internal design is a little busy on the eyes -- can't always tell the difference at first glance between the ads and the articles. I really enjoyed flipping through the articles, though...a little bit of everything. I particularly enjoyed Sada Jacobsen's diary, the Rutgers/JMU piece, and the profile on Jason Draper. The "Getting Thru Control" piece offers good advice for first-timers to a NAC.
A welcome sight among the many junk catalogs in my mailbox today. I look forward to the next issue. | |
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12-07-2006, 04:30 PM
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#5 | | Fencing Expert
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Virginia
Posts: 1,392
| I find the over all effect of the magazine cluttered and the articles didn't always seem to distinguish themselves from the ads (I did appreciate the red banner highlighting the regular features). A personal peeve is the last page and the article by "The Mystery Writer". That seems pretty cheesy for a NGB magazine.
Allen Evans
Last edited by Allen Evans; 12-07-2006 at 04:32 PM.
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12-07-2006, 04:32 PM
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#6 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 705
| At one point, such things were on the website; I can't find them there anymore. Anybody know where they went? | |
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12-07-2006, 04:33 PM
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#7 | | Member
Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New England
Posts: 71
| "A personal peeve is the last page and the article by "The Mystery Writer". That seems pretty cheesy for a NGB magazine."
I agree about that, as well as the "Lunge & Parry" piece. Would much rather see an in-depth interview than a piece of filler. | |
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12-07-2006, 04:35 PM
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#8 | | Just Joined
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 23
| I hate to be the nay-sayer here, but why do we need the USFA to be spending money on prettying up the magazine when that money could be going to the athletes? | |
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12-07-2006, 04:41 PM
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#9 | | Member
Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New England
Posts: 71
| Quote:
Originally Posted by obsidian  I hate to be the nay-sayer here, but why do we need the USFA to be spending money on prettying up the magazine when that money could be going to the athletes? | We're already spending money on the magazine, so why not try to improve upon it? It appears the USFA is making an effort to better serve its membership, which I view as a positive thing, even if it is a work in progress. | |
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12-07-2006, 07:30 PM
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#10 | | Fencing Expert
Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsauken, NJ
Posts: 8,552
| The USFA is attempting to turn the magazine into a profit center, rather than a net expense.
I haven't yet seen the new issue (hopefully it'll be in my mailbox when I get home tonight). Design has, indeed, been taken over by Circone and Associates, the PR/Marketing firm the USFA has retained.
-B
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12-07-2006, 08:34 PM
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#11 | | Member
Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New England
Posts: 71
| Quote:
Originally Posted by oiuyt The USFA is attempting to turn the magazine into a profit center, rather than a net expense.
I haven't yet seen the new issue (hopefully it'll be in my mailbox when I get home tonight). Design has, indeed, been taken over by Circone and Associates, the PR/Marketing firm the USFA has retained.
-B | Looks like they've made strides on the advertising front. The jury may be out on design, but let's pray that Circone & Associates is not involved in any editorial copy.
From the C&A website: “C + A is the only advertising, marketing communications firm specializing in brand business building and growth equity opportunities utilizing a unique Brand Anatomy as well as employing an exclusive Investire Marketing Management System, which collectively work to create relevant, positional differentiation and active brand opportunities for optimum brand performance, equity proliferation and preferential product positioning.” | |
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12-07-2006, 11:46 PM
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#12 | | Mère de 4 escrimeurs
Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Out west in the mountains
Posts: 236
| Quote:
Originally Posted by alewive Looks like they've made strides on the advertising front. The jury may be out on design, but let's pray that Circone & Associates is not involved in any editorial copy.
From the C&A website: “C + A is the only advertising, marketing communications firm specializing in brand business building and growth equity opportunities utilizing a unique Brand Anatomy as well as employing an exclusive Investire Marketing Management System, which collectively work to create relevant, positional differentiation and active brand opportunities for optimum brand performance, equity proliferation and preferential product positioning.” | We did not receive our magazines today so I have no opinion on the new format.
Regarding alewive's notation:
After reading this three times I am still not sure what it says and they do not have a clue as to how to punctuate.  Where is Peach? | |
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12-08-2006, 12:13 AM
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#13 | | Fencing Expert
Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Pennsauken, NJ
Posts: 8,552
| Quote:
Originally Posted by passata_sotto Where is Peach? | Probably in Richmond. She's registered to fence tomorrow morning.
-B
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"Oh but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you!"
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12-08-2006, 12:53 AM
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#14 | | Mère de 4 escrimeurs
Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Out west in the mountains
Posts: 236
| Quote:
Originally Posted by oiuyt Probably in Richmond. She's registered to fence tomorrow morning.
-B | Touché  | |
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12-08-2006, 09:23 AM
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#15 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Sweden
Posts: 2,967
| Hi! Quote:
Originally Posted by alewive We're already spending money on the magazine, so why not try to improve upon it? It appears the USFA is making an effort to better serve its membership, which I view as a positive thing, even if it is a work in progress. | Several years ago, the Swedish Fencing Federation decided to ditch its print newspaper, since it was a money sinkhole. Instead, the webpage is used for all necessary info spreading. Food for thought.
Have a nice time!
Peter Gustafsson | |
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12-08-2006, 09:47 AM
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#16 | | Épéeist Hive Queen
Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Sweden
Posts: 12,637
| Quote:
Originally Posted by PeterGustafsson Several years ago, the Swedish Fencing Federation decided to ditch its print newspaper, since it was a money sinkhole. Instead, the webpage is used for all necessary info spreading. Food for thought. | Peter, you're forgetting: - Their webpage isn't properly functioning a lot of the time (according to all complains read about it).
- The USA fencing 'audience' -- ie. receivers of the magazine -- is just sliiiiightly bigger than that of Sweden.
 It might be worth printing magazines. - Not all licensed (I'm assuming they're the ones that get the magazine) fencers may have access to the internet.
I miss our paper magazine!
(At least we have a functioning website.  )
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Fencing is my only PvP. | |
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12-10-2006, 02:33 AM
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#17 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 110
| New Look
Finally!...US Fencing moves to a mainstream modern look...suitable for your everyday Borders magazine stand...and maybe readership beyond active membership. This step was a necessary and yet natural evolution to our steadily growing sport. I say thanks to Cindy and think her team is doing a great job. From here I hope we'll have more content, more features and continued development.
marty | |
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12-10-2006, 06:57 AM
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#18 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,059
| You know what would be great? If the USFA actually mailed me one of those things. I'm a member. They have my adress. I think they just don't like me. What did I ever do to you, czar of magazine control? I'm a rather nice guy; I don't insult or attack random people...often....
I'm a bit tired of stealing copies from people for when I'm bored and my internet access is down because they decide that someone needs to ritually lick the cable lines or something of the like....
Oh USFA. I have sinned. Please donate (the already rightfully mine) magazine so I can repent unto thee. | |
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12-10-2006, 04:10 PM
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#19 | | Epee fencing addict
Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Glenwood, ny
Posts: 2,157
| Quote:
Originally Posted by obsidian I hate to be the nay-sayer here, but why do we need the USFA to be spending money on prettying up the magazine when that money could be going to the athletes? | What "athletes" are you referring to?
IMHO, the magazine is one of the benefits of my paying my membership dues. I pay that money every year, I should get something semi-tangible for it. A good magazine is just ONE expected return on my investment.
If the "athletes" you are referring to are the general membership of the USFA, then the money IS going to the "athletes". If, however, you are suggesting that I should pay my membership money and have it all siphoned off to support some elite group of fencers, and get nothing for myself out of the deal, then thanks, but I would have to pass.
BTW, I think the new magazine format is great. It is the first one I have received that I actually WANTED to read.
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12-11-2006, 08:00 PM
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#20 | | Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Orange County, California
Posts: 775
| If You Can Read It . . .
Quote:
Originally Posted by parrythis BTW, I think the new magazine format is great. It is the first one I have received that I actually WANTED to read. | I voted "Yay!" with one caveat. Who picked that tiny, sans-serif typeface? It's a chore to read, especially for us fencers in the Veteran category. I plan to write to them about that.
I do hope they'll have more information about recreational fencing for the vast majority of us who aren't, and never will be, Olympians.
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