PODCAST:
BMX BREAKDOWN:
Ryan Fudger and the Challenges and
Realities of Running a BMX Media Outlet
by Mike Hinkens
October 13th, 2019
October 13th, 2019
In this edition of the ImprimaturBMX Podcast Mike Hinkens brings back Ryan Fudger (formerly of RideBMX and now of OurBMX) to discuss both media outlets, specifically some of the issues raised about them in our recent podcast with Trey Jones. In this episode, they address perception versus reality when it comes to running a BMX media outlet, the role of BMX media outlets in the BMX industry and culture, and even that pesky @BMX instagram handle.
RESPONSES:
MJBAUER
11.17.19
On the topic of the ownership of the @BMX Instagram handle, I trust that the guys at Our BMX will be good stewards of it. I know that they all have a longstanding interest and stake in the BMX community. They obviously are in it for more than just the money (considering that there isn’t much money going around). The problem that I see is that small, passionate, core creators (like Our BMX) tend to survive and eventually thrive no matter what the circumstances precisely because of who they are and what they value.
That dedication to a group is rewarded with loyal supporters and followers and it eventually becomes a valuable position to be in. Big companies are good at identifying things that are valuable.
I don’t fault rider-owned companies that sell their businesses to larger entities because, like I mentioned earlier, there isn’t much money in BMX. I’m sure that taking a relatively large payout might seem like a good option versus struggling to pay the bills every month. This type of acquisition happened to RideBMX and a number of other companies within BMX that started out as rider-owned and operated. And, if (or when) that happens to Our BMX, who will end up owning the @BMX handle? It already is a valuable property, otherwise it wouldn’t have sparked the conversation, and there are probably people who would like to own it right now.
When Transworld acquired RideBMX it seemed like a good thing for BMX, and in many ways it was. The coverage of BMX expanded, the quality of the magazine itself improved, and it became more available to riders and non-riders alike. But, in the end, people outside of the BMX community aren’t interested in what’s best for BMX and their decisions will always reflect that in the end. If a non-rider owned company ended up in possession of the @BMX handle it could be detrimental to the BMX community.
Of course, with the way social media platforms tend to rise and fall, it might not matter. Nobody seems to care who owns myspace.com/bmx*, and it’s possible that @BMX will be just as worthless in a few years. But just in case it isn’t, it's good to know that it’s in safe hands for the moment, and hopefully it stays that way.
*Travis Ohrazda is the owner of myspace.com/bmx (whoever that is).
MJBAUER
11.17.19
On the topic of the ownership of the @BMX Instagram handle, I trust that the guys at Our BMX will be good stewards of it. I know that they all have a longstanding interest and stake in the BMX community. They obviously are in it for more than just the money (considering that there isn’t much money going around). The problem that I see is that small, passionate, core creators (like Our BMX) tend to survive and eventually thrive no matter what the circumstances precisely because of who they are and what they value.
That dedication to a group is rewarded with loyal supporters and followers and it eventually becomes a valuable position to be in. Big companies are good at identifying things that are valuable.
I don’t fault rider-owned companies that sell their businesses to larger entities because, like I mentioned earlier, there isn’t much money in BMX. I’m sure that taking a relatively large payout might seem like a good option versus struggling to pay the bills every month. This type of acquisition happened to RideBMX and a number of other companies within BMX that started out as rider-owned and operated. And, if (or when) that happens to Our BMX, who will end up owning the @BMX handle? It already is a valuable property, otherwise it wouldn’t have sparked the conversation, and there are probably people who would like to own it right now.
When Transworld acquired RideBMX it seemed like a good thing for BMX, and in many ways it was. The coverage of BMX expanded, the quality of the magazine itself improved, and it became more available to riders and non-riders alike. But, in the end, people outside of the BMX community aren’t interested in what’s best for BMX and their decisions will always reflect that in the end. If a non-rider owned company ended up in possession of the @BMX handle it could be detrimental to the BMX community.
Of course, with the way social media platforms tend to rise and fall, it might not matter. Nobody seems to care who owns myspace.com/bmx*, and it’s possible that @BMX will be just as worthless in a few years. But just in case it isn’t, it's good to know that it’s in safe hands for the moment, and hopefully it stays that way.
*Travis Ohrazda is the owner of myspace.com/bmx (whoever that is).