Koi Nation's Effect on Koi USA?

[KoiCop]

A blurb by Hot Air Hawley on the Landscaping & Water Feature Installers BB flogging his interview with Koi Nations' Michael Cox got me thinking.

KN has now published 3 issues. What effect, if any, has this had on Koi USA?

Has competition for subscribers effected the number of subscriptions? Or is there enough carrying capacity in the koi mag market for 2 mags to peacefully co-exist?

Has competition for advertisers had an effect on the number, type and cost of adverts? If so, how so?

Has competition for writers and articles had an effect? If so, how so?

Has a little bit of competition got their editorial juices flowing? Are there changes in store?

Hopefully, knowledgeable folks like Bill Thompson and/or Steve Childers will be able to share some insights with us?

PS: I think it's crucial to remember that KUSA is an organizational mag; as such, funds it raises are used to pay for valuable AKCA programs too numerous to mention.

KN, on the other hand, is a for-profit venture with disposable entertainment value -- and little else. Now that's not necessarily a bad thing, but it is something to be considered in the long run.

[aquitori]

Well to tell you the truth, I like both magazines. Both has their share of odds n ends.

• Koi USA has more pics of koi where as Koi Nations doesnt.
• Koi Nations has ads for everyone, even smokers who want to quit, by smoking a flavored pipe. Where Koi USA focuses on ads about koi.
• Koi USA is printed to standard magazine size, where as Koi Nations is printed to non standard magazine size.
• One is associated to a organization and one is associated to one individual.
• It's about even with article content. There are some good ones and some bad articles, so even.
• I dont understand why one magazine would cover a whole listing of AKCA KHA's when the one associated to the AKCA doesnt do that in there own magazine...
• Both magazines have Kodama as their what's going on in Japan guide.
• Whatelse?....

Is one better than the other? NO...What's the guy's angle for bringing this stuff up dunno...All I know is he has alot of time to waste just to talk about koi when he can't even tell us the difference between Sanke and Showa.

[KoiCop]

Tony . . .

Glad you like both mags enough to compare and contrast some of the differences. And I'm sure other hobbyists have some likes and dislikes too.

But what I'd like for this thread to do is to examine the impact which KN has/hasn't had on KUSA -- and what that might imply for the future.

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop Tony . . . Glad you like both mags enough to compare and contrast some of the differences. And I'm sure other hobbyists have some likes and dislikes too. But what I'd like for this thread to do is to examine the impact which KN has/hasn't had on KUSA -- and what that might imply for the future.

I can't answer the question, but would like to say that I hope that both magazines will thrive. I like getting both and think there is room for both.

[dick benbow]

In any business, competition is good for the consumer. Better variety, better prices etc.

With koi magazines, I agree that having these two magazines coming out on opposing months makes something appear in my library that I can enjoy every month. I like that.

In the past I have provided stories for Koi USA, and currently I am happy to be involved with Koi Nations.Both give me a great variety that either one by itself would not.

As a person who spent 10 years in broadcasting and 16 years in newspapers,
I feel qualified to say something about advertising. Advertising is the squeeky wheel. It's the number of impressions left on the buying public. If I see an ad for a koi food in every magazine I read chances are whenever my next purchase comes, I'll be inclined toward that product.

The fact that Koi USA is an arm of AKCA and that Koi Nations is an independant for profit operation doesn't mean anything to me as a consumer.
I wish them both sucess. If i liked progresso soups and bought some from a co-op and some from Kroger's or Safeway, would I be any less satisfyed by the product? If I love koi information would I be anyless satisfyed by getting it from one source or the other.

I want our hobby to grow. I'd like information on koi chat lines and magazines
to readily be available to support the hobby.

I think quoting Miss Piggy is appropriate when it comes to koi information in the form of magazines....."more is NOT enough"....Over the years I have gotten Rinko, nichirin, the BKKS magazine, and anything else I could get my hands on. I feel they all contributed to my learning and i retain many of them
today in my library for reference.

I would say this on any forum, not because this is Brian's, but because it's how i honestly feel. the magazine that gets read the most over the past years is my back issues of Koi-bito!

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by KoiCop Tony . . . Glad you like both mags enough to compare and contrast some of the differences. And I'm sure other hobbyists have some likes and dislikes too. But what I'd like for this thread to do is to examine the impact which KN has/hasn't had on KUSA -- and what that might imply for the future.

I would have to say KN will die out before KoiUSA. KoiUSA has been around since I began this hobby and will probably be around when my kids(hopefully) decide to join the hobby. To me the best Magazine if were in English would be "Nishikigoi Monthly".
I remember buying my first KoiUsa at a Tower Records of all places...

[MysticKoi]

Quote: Has competition for subscribers effected the number of subscriptions?

Don,

I think that it may have the opposite effect. As noted, KOI USA is a subscription based magazine, sent primarily to AKCA members where in a sense they are preaching to the choir. Koi Nations, on the other hand, is available in bookstores. As you know, consumers are darn lucky to find anything in a US bookstore on koi, other than the ever present water gardening magazines. So, if Koi Nations can reach these potential new koi keepers, then the hobby has a better chance to grow, and the AKCA has an opportunity to share in this growth.

Quote: Has competition for advertisers had an effect on the number, type and cost of adverts?

I have no idea, however the opportunity to reach both a mature and potentially new market makes sense for us to advertise in both.

Kind Regards,
Bill

[MCA]

perhaps a followup question

what impacts KOIUSA, KOINATIONS, and KOIFIXX are having on the koi hobby? Are they growing the hobby?

[aquitori]

Quote: Originally Posted by MCA perhaps a followup question what impacts KOIUSA, KOINATIONS, and KOIFIXX are having on the koi hobby? Are they growing the hobby?

I havent seen numbers, but I would have to say isnt it the clubs job to help grow the hobby. It's always great to read something, but to see it in person is a whole new world. I do have to say thou, without KoiUSA I wouldnt had found the dealers I deal with today.

[MCA]

I disagree on clubs growing the hobby. We all win as the hobby expands. Clubs should always look for new members that share the same vision.