Hothouse Media (Magneto) has acquired Octane

One can only hope that Octane magazine will become more reliable and subscribers will now actually receive the monthly issues..........

Marcel Massini

 

It's an interesting development, may just be me but I think Octane needs a bit of a shake up. The core articles are still excellent but the repeating features/talking heads are now just repeating themselves from earlier issues.

eta: Interesting that James Elliott is now at the helm of Octane, I think he previously allowed Classic and Sportscar to become stale and on repeat each month with nothing new to say.

 

I’ll give James full credit for getting my subscription problems solved. It seems like the publisher’s commitment to the title hasn’t matched the quality of the content. I do read the columns every month and I hope they keep Bayley and Coucher.

 

Proof that we're all different, I think 2 of the worst pages in terms of reading the same nonsense every issue.

 

I used to subscribe to Octane, but dont any more. I look at it each month at the book store and buy it here and there. The over all quality has gone down and some of the articles are just boring. I do like the adjunct car things - watches, and history etc... and the racing coverage. I would assume its hard to make every issue a knock out... but when they show up its usually very good.

 

.....when they show up...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They simply don't.
I have tears in my eyes and would LOVE to finally get the copies I've subscribed to and paid for.

Marcel Massini

 

Bayley is one that I tread every issue as well.

 

I hope Magneto doesn't get screwed up.

 

Since Hot House (Magneto) is the acquirer it seems more likely that Octane will change. Frankly I find Octane to be the more satisfying publication. Sadly, my guess is that Magneto actually wants to own the Historic Motiring Awards, not so much the magazine, so Octane will eventually fade away….

If you receive Magneto’s emails you can see that they’re all about “intersectionality” and “leveraging” and other MBA buzzwords. It’s all a bit much these days, what with the proliferation of concours, shows, rallies, races, tours, awards shows, etc., all jockeying to get more clicks and eyeballs; sponsors, partners, subscribers, lash ups between auction houses, publications, insurance companies, publishers, promoters. I’m glad our obsession is thriving but it’s all becoming a bit homogenized, it seems to me. The problem is that success in our society is measured in cash which is attracting corporate interest but driving up costs and limiting access for actual enthusiasts.

Sorry. I guess this could be its own thread. Rant off.