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I hate them and will likely cancel my subsciption if they continue.
Reader Bard-Alan Finlan is wondering what readers of <I>Stereophile</I> think about the recent introduction of ads for BMW cars and <I>FHM</I> magazine.
I think economic survival is paramount so who cares what the ads are as long as there are ads. As for the ads not being audio related well I have never understood why magazines like stereophile only had audio related ads. Is (was)it by choice or because major advertisers (like ford say) were uninterested in the magazines demographic? Somehow I see strength in the stereophile demographic if someone like BMW wants to advertise it lends more credibility to the editorial than just audio only ads. It also takes away amunition from the crowd that see's positive reviews linked with advertising space. I cant see BMW caring one way or another if stereophile likes a Jbl speaker or not.
I was a subscriber of Stereophile when JGH started the mag. I have seen many changes over the years, some of them better than others. The essence of the mag has not changed in all of this time, the focus is the music and its reproduction. The advertiser content has little impact on this, most advertisers will do a demographic study before they spend their bucks for the space. I will subscribe as long as the content meets my needs.
It's a good sign that companies like BMW have finally begun to notice Stereophile. As for FHM, Stereophile could learn a thing or two from such publications. Adding some pretty women and good photography would probably triple the subscription rate.
I've driven BMWs since 83 and i think Sterophile should take a lesson from BMW (and Porche) that it does not pay to cover any and every angle of the consumer market. Look what happend when these magnificent products were launched as volume versions a few years back. Disaster! And they hade to strive hard to regain their image in the market.
I can't say as I'm GLAD to see them, but I'm glad that the audiophile is recognized as an economic force with multiple interest. (Most of us drive, and all of us love quality). Plus, the increased advertiser base help support reviews, and editorial content. That being said; I enjoy looking at and reading the many diverse audio ads. I flip over the BMW ad, and didn't notice any others. I only hope that advertising is affordable and beneficial to the broad range of smaller audio companies as well as the folks with deep pockets.
I honestly can't understand why some people are freaking out over this! Do they cancel their subscription to Car and Driver if they see a non-auto related ad? Or cancel Playboy if they see an ad that isn't related to Hef or hot babes? It's just advertising, it's income, it makes the world go 'round. Get over it!