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Posted 08 July 2007 - 10:59 AM
I've been exchanging emails lately with Matt White of the newly entitled, The Diecast Magazine, and during the course of our correspondence we agreed to do a follow up to the Q&A we did when the magazine first launched back in 2004.
You can read the previous interview by clicking, here.
That interview took place over 3 years ago. When I look back on it and the relationship DX has shared with the magazine, whether it be the former 1:18 Diecast Downunder or the new The Diecast Magazine, its been a really good relationship as both entities helped one another out behind the scenes in an effort to compliment the hobby. Something both camps have done well - compliment the hobby.
Things have changed quite a bit since that early on interview with then editor, Marc Robertson leaving the magazine, but as they have changed, they have stayed the same in some regards - read on to find out how, in this very candid and genuine interview.
DX: I just flipped through the latest issue of The Diecast Magazine, Issue No.3 and I want to start off by commending you for your continued effort in providing collectors with a great magazine and articles that will surely entertain.
TDM: Thank you very much.
DX:Let's start with the name change, 1:18 Diecast Downunder released its first issue back in December 2003, now we know the magazine as The Diecast Magazine. How did that change come about and did the content of the magazine change as well?
TDM: After becoming the Editor of 1:18 Diecast Downunder, I questioned if being so specialised in 1:18 scale was limiting ourselves and also the readership overall. After a lot of consultation within the industry, the change was initiated by a gradual inclusion of more variety in scaled diecast in the last few issues of 1:18 Diecast Downunder. These inclusions of specialised diecast, like heavy machinery, aircraft and militaria, naturally in a variety of scales were included with the title change in mind. This was very well received by the readers and consequently The Diecast Magazine was born. The Diecast Magazine continues on from the success of 1:18 Diecast Downunder, but now includes a greater diversity of diecast models than ever before.
DX: Prior to the name change, you took over as Editor, what was that like?
TDM: I must say it was absolutely terrible, but that was over 2 years ago now. I took over as Editor from the 6th issue of 1:18 Diecast Downunder as the previous Editor made a decision not to be involved any longer, based on his own personal reasons. I was not prepared for his departure as he was a very important part of the magazine. It took a little while for us to get back on our feet, although now we produce a magazine that is far better than what it has ever been before by encompassing a diverse range of scaled diecast models in the same high quality production standard that readers expected previously in 1:18 Diecast Downunder and currently in The Diecast Magazine.
DX: Looking through the latest issue, I was looking really hard at the overall product and I must say, The Diecast Magazine is a nice quality piece of reading material. I have the very first issue of 1:18 Diecast Downunder and looking through it once again after viewing the the latest issue of The Diecast Magazine, your hard work clearly shows. The content of the articles, quality contributions from contributors, presentation of information and artwork/photo layout is prolly the best I have seen. Tell us a little about the staff that helps bring all of this together?
TDM: As you could probably imagine there are quite a few people who are involved in producing each issue of The Diecast Magazine. Having such a talented group of experienced people involved, makes my job a lot easier when producing an issue. Probably the most important common element in any of the staff is that they all have an appreciation for motor sport/vehicles in one form or another and/or are collectors themselves. With this kind of knowledge base and dedication to the magazine, combined with the ability to work extremely well as a team, The Diecast Magazine is produced with the readers and collectors in mind and has become a well respected resource for many people involved in the diecast world.
DX: You have a lot of diecast companies behind the magazine now, how would you describe their support and contributions to the magazine?
TDM: The simple answer is invaluable, with a win/win edge. Without their support it would be exceptionally difficult to maintain a fresh and current approach to diecast models produced around the world. Manufacturers appreciate the quality of the publication and understand that at the end of the day, the magazine is there for collectors of diecast models and the magazine regularly proves itself as a perfect vehicle for getting their message out there.
DX: New distributors can only mean one thing: GROWTH. How would you best describe that growth?
TDM: Fantastic, but it is no where near where it could be. This growth can best be attributed to the growing awareness of The Diecast Magazine worldwide and I can only see this increasing in the future as collectors interact with each other around the world, consequently inspired collectors then go in search for a retailer who stocks the magazine in store. Many retailers may not although some astute retailers will go that one step further and investigate where they can be purchased from and will naturally get in contact with us.
DX: We talked some time ago about personal subscriptions to the magazine, can collectors subscribe to the magazine or will they have to find The Diecast Magazine at their local retail store?
TDM: I still receive emails and some times even phone calls from desperate collectors overseas wanting to get hold of a copy or ultimately a subscription to The Diecast Magazine. The cost of sending one magazine internationally is extremely high and I would not expect many collectors to pay just as much for postage as what the magazine costs to buy. As a consequence we still do not offer subscriptions and The Diecast Magazine is only distributed through retailers of diecast models. This is a tested and proven method for us and has worked well to this point, although the pressure to offer subscriptions is increasing and is on the drawing board for the future.
DX: I noticed the latest issue is 60 pages of content, the largest I recall by a few pages. Whats the average page count of each issue and how is that determined?
TDM: The last issue, issue 3 was 72 pages plus cover. The only other time the magazine was this big was issue 9 of 1:18 Diecast Downunder, although generally speaking the page count is normally 64 pages. Quite frankly, I could easily produce a 120/130 page magazine every issue. Although there would be significant change to the quality of the magazine in its overall finish and this is a significant change that I will not accept. Keeping the quality in all facets of The Diecast Magazine at its highest along with all of the increased costs involved in making a larger magazine to the same standard are what ultimately affect the page count and is simply determined by economic and commercial viability factors of the publication.
DX: From an editors perspective and your present role and experience in the hobby, how would you best describe the diecast hobby and community in past, present and future?
TDM: I do find that this is different from country to country. Generally speaking, diecast model collecting has evolved significantly from its conception many, many years. As the technology of tooling increases to improve the quality, functionality and overall detail of any model produced, diecast model collecting has become for some an enjoyable past time and for others a worthy investment. What ever the case is, there is now a more diverse range of diecast models being produced than ever before. This opens up the world of diecast model collecting to new collectors by having a greater range of choice in regard to what different models are available, quality and consequently price. The same attitude is also applicable to existing collectors as there has never bees a better variety of choice in models available although it would be nice to think that in the future we will be able to purchase a model of exactly what is wanted and may be not a similar alternative.
DX: From your work, we know you bring a contribution to the diecast community, but tell us a little about your collection and how long you have been collecting. What theme do you collect andor prefer?
TDM: Until about 2 years ago I had a small 1:1 scale collection of Mercedes Benz’s. These were a 1971, 3.5L 280SE, w108, a 1966, 200 Automatic w110 (Finny) and a 1973, 280CE w114. But of course with the changes to the magazine structure came changes to my collecting habits. Needless to say I went small scale and consequently I am a CMC collector in 1:18 scale. I am by no means a “serious” collector but I do enjoy my collection, I only have about 40 models and I paid for each one. They are predominately from Manufacturers CMC and Classic Carlectables, the rest are just oddments that have taken my fancy for one reason or another. I would love to get into the investment side of diecast models as I find it very interesting, what appreciates quickly and what doesn’t, but I think the pressure from my loving wife to move them on at the right time would be to much to bear so I have made the choice to keep my collection and my life as simple as possible.
DX: Is it hard not slanting the magazine towards your personal preference of model?
TDM: No it is not hard at all. Simply because there are a lot of very good models available. If you appreciate quality and detail there are a lot of models that will please even the most fanatical of collectors. The beauty for me is that I see these different models and have the opportunity of comparing them. I am sure that there are quite a few people who do not have this luxury of which I am fortunate and thankful for.
DX: Your involvement in the hobby as a editor and collector, puts you in a position to where your surrounded by models consistently. Is hard to separate the two titles of collector and editor when approaching an article on a model?
TDM: While I think I have covered this in my previous comment above, the main conflict I have is would I like the model for my own collection? The discipline I must employ is enormous and I keep my collecting habit to a minimum based on cost, being realistic and sensible.
DX: I have adopted this particular question as a signature question so to speak. What is your favorite model in your collection right now?
TDM: Classic Carlectables, Holden Efijy Concept car in 1:18 scale. I bloody love it, ITS FANTASTIC.
DX: In the case of The Diecast Magazine, change proved to be good. Can readers of the magazine expect more changes in the near future?
TDM: Yes. The changes will not be so much in the content or quality of the magazine. It will be more of an expansion of the variety that what we cover. Also the major change that is forecast in the coming months is aimed at servicing the readers/collectors currently having difficulty in locating a copy of The Diecast Magazine outside of Australia. I do not want to let the cat out of the bag, so to speak, but keep an eye on the website www.thediecastmagazine.com over the coming months.
MultiQuote
Posted 16 July 2007 - 03:24 AM
