For years we've ragged on Outside for it's decline into Maxim Magaziness and Forbeslistination. It ceased being a quality magazine long ago as Burke milked the cash cow dry. No offense to the hard working staff over there, our beef was never with them. Larry Burke, on the other hand, guy's an ass and has destroyed one of the finest outdoor magazines around. But that's just me. What do I know? I'm a two bit blogger, on a two bit website, albeit one with about as much web traffic as Outside. So, anyway, seems we're not the only ones to be disgusted with what's going on at Outside. Media Bistro posted a short expose of layoffs, late freelancer payments, and even later expense reimbursements. Nice work Burke, buddy. Way to manage cash flow living off other people's hard work and credit card debt. Guy's become a disgrace to the industry. But what was more interesting, were all the comments made by disgruntled ex-employees, partners, freelancers, and the lay public:
"Outside is financed on the backs of freelancers. They used to only be 2
or 3 months late. It's gotten longer the more trouble Larry has gotten
himself into. Let's see if he gives up one of his houses to pull the
magazine from the brink."
"As a former staff editor and a correspondent for Outside, I can attest
to the dismal state of payments. The magazine is more than 11 months
past due on thousands of dollars owed to me and I have credit card debt
for the first time in my life directly because of that situation. For
years, the late payments were written off as one of Outside's quirks as
an independent pub--now it is the magazine's Achilles heel. I know half
a dozen A-list writers and a dozen up-and-comers who have given up on
the magazine because of the payment situation. Constant bitching helps
a bit, but who wants to spend precious time browbeating accountants for
checks that should be coming automatically? This year is one of
the few in memory that Outside was not nominated for a National
Magazine Award in any category. I think there is a direct correlation
to the payment problem. I know I don't even bother to pitch the mag
stories of any consequence--those pitches go to competitors first. For
a publication that has traditionally been 90-95% freelance written,
it's sad that the company has never learned that earning the trust and
loyalty of their most valuable resource--writers--is the cornerstone of
a functional magazine."
"As the editor and part owner of Backcountry, Telemark Skier and now
Alpinist, I've laid myself off in order to pay freelancers on time. In
the beginning that meant banging nails and waiting tables to make it
happen and to put food on the table for my family while pursuing this
dream of writing at night. Ever been there? We just conducted
our backcountry gear test in collaboration with Outside, and I still
haven't been paid for last year's copy. I truly feel bad for the staff
at Outside because they, you, have to deal with disgruntled writers and
shooters instead of doing the jobs for which Larry Burke pays—albeit
less now. Perhaps he should consider selling some horses. But you know
what they say about horse traders."
"After doing a substantial amount of research to help a panicked editor
fill a hole in the debut issue of Outside Go--and begging over and over
for a contract and a proposed fee for the work--I walked away from
Outside Go. It became very clear that this organization's lack of professionalism precedes its almighty reputation. I
write for numerous publications, and get paid on time. Not every
publication behaves as poorly as Outside. But Outside and Outside go
are almighty. This gives them license to behave however they want."
"I worked at Outside long ago. As far as I know, Larry's (NOT the
editors' or art directors') unofficial philosophy, then and now, was/is
that freelancers should quit their bitching and instead feel honored to
contribute to his fine publication-- no matter that it was really
Wenner's to begin with. (Holla back, Lorenzo!
)"
"Many trustworthy insiders have said for years that the off-shore
tax-shelter thing is a Burke specialty. Cayman Islands, I believe. If
not, now's his chance to man up, pay his contributors, and explain
himself."
Wow, worse than even we imagined. What a sleazy MoFo...On a side note, GoBlog is always hiring.
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