The article discusses the acquisition of the magazine Outside by tech entrepreneur Robin Thurston and its subsequent decline. Initially, staff were hopeful about Thurston due to his prior successes, including the sale of MapMyFitness. However, the magazine has suffered from cost-cutting measures, reduced print quality, delayed payments to freelancers, and a general downturn in its former prestigious reputation. A letter signed by contributors emphasizes the publication's struggles, suggesting that it reflects wider issues within the media industry as well.
After its purchase by a tech entrepreneur, the publication is now a shadow of itself. A letter signed by its illustrious contributors says as much about a way of life as it does about the media industry.
The thick print issues of the nineties, fat with ads for Patagonia and Land Rover, had become notably slimmer. Some employees had been furloughed to cut down on costs.
Thurston had sold his first company, MapMyFitness, to Under Armour, in 2013. By the time he purchased Outside, he had already raised more than a hundred and fifty million dollars.
Around the industry, investors were buying distressed media companies; as far as new owners went, Thurston seemed like a good fit, the kind of guy who was happy to have a meeting that was also a bike ride-if you could keep up with him.
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