Well, this will be interesting.

I hope this doesn't dilute the value of Aviation Consumer.

I have the IFR magazine which I really like. . . and they dont even mention that one prominently in the acquisition. . . Probably because of the lack of advertising. . . so not holding my breath on that one.

One can only hope Bertorelli stays on.....

Honestly, I don't see this as a good thing.

As a veteran of the magazine business, I just don't see the Belvoir group of publications continuing as we know them.

Flying Magazine, and the parent company, run advertising-based magazines. I feel certain there will be advertising in the "consumer" family. Don't be surprised if those magazines end up being digital only.

I've been through several purchases of magazines I edited or wrote for. Each time we got the "We bought this magazine because it's doing a great job. We don't plan to change anything."

That's the time to polish your resume.

Hope I'm wrong, but ...

Same, but we can follow him where ever he goes. There's no one like Bertorelli

Hey Tom,

I've seen this set of circumstances in different fields. Exactly as you describe.

This is probably a situation where the publisher was getting up there and looking to retire or looking to execute some other similar exit strategy. Someone else came in and waved some money, and they bit.

Absolutely nothing wrong with that at all, but the product invariably changes.

In the restaurant business, your higher end places typically are driven by a Chef. They are almost always type-A personalities, driven to succeed because of their product, not because of their business acumen. About 1 in 10 has the combination of the two and the place really hits. Great product, great service and they understand how to make money with the place. 3 or 4 years down the road, most are looking for the exit has they want go do something else. Sometimes they're in it for the long haul, but some other external factor takes place...typically a lost lease or other real estate happening (building gets sold, someone offers huge $$$ for it, etc).

If the place is sold on the basis of being a going concern, the first thing they do is cash out/ fire the former owner/chef. Arrangements where they stay on are almost never successful because, as I said, Chefs are almost always type-A, and they want to run the place their way, and when they're not ownership, decisions that affect the operation will almost always be in opposition to that.

The next thing the new owners do is cut costs. There's usually a money person or two, and they want return on their investment ASAP. This is so universal that it's a given. But the last 90% of the effort & quality of a place is in the last 10% of the cost. Top drawer food, talented managers, top-of-game floor/servers. They cut the costs, and immediately the food and service suffers a devastating blow. Thus beginning the spiral of doom that befalls most restaurants. It is extraordinarily rare that a quality place survives more than 12-18 months after a ownership change.

Best,
Rich

Paul could probably make a living doing YouTube and podcasts. Same for Jeb Burnside, who already has a good following on "Uncontrolled Airspace."

And. . .aaaaah if Jeb uuuuuuh, well Burnside and Miiiiiike. . . . . . . .Buuuusch can get listeners, Paul should be able to clean up!

I get tired of all these magazines anyway.

The new Flying mag is pretty but content for me is weak.

AOPA at least has destinations which I like.

I know how to fly my airplane. I find it hard to learn new things.

Maybe I am just an old dog that doesn’t like new tricks.

I like Bertorelli.

After being a Flying subscriber for years, I cancelled lat year… $50 a year? YGTBSM!

I see that they dropped the price and started offering a digital only. I guess I can take my iPad in the bathroom.

I hear you, Ken. I've been an AC subscriber since the 80s, and IFR not long after that. I can't imagine how such a trendy, advertising driven mag can own anything like the AC and IFR that I've known (and written for).

I actually wish Bertorelli was a full time YouTuber. I enjoy most of the YouTubers out there now, but Bertorelli brings a different style and perspective than most of the other "influencer" types.