The comments in this thread have hit a new low. What Ive read here turns my stomach. Its hard to believe that anyone -- even the shills of a competitor -- would celebrate rumors that people had lost their jobs. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Im not joining this discussion to engage in a pointless war of words. After Ive said my peace, you wont hear back from me. Unlike the shills here, I have real work to do. Nevertheless, I feel obligated to take a few minutes to set the record straight.
I work for Advanced Nutrients Media Department. Here are the facts:
Rosebud has not closed its doors on its team. No one has been laid off. No one has EVER been laid off at Advanced Nutrients. It is true that in mid-December a decision was reached to wind Rosebud down. You have all read Big Mikes Farewell Edition letter:
http://www.rosebudmag.com/farewell-edition However, this decision didnt reflect on the health of Advanced Nutrients, which is a separate business entity. Over the holiday season, the discussion was not about letting people go; it was about how to refocus the Rosebud team on other projects and efforts. Same team, new direction. Get it?
And get this: Since announcing that Rosebud was winding down, we have heard from hundreds of growers and shop owners who want the magazine to stay. Some have even said theyd be willing to pay for it. This came as a surprise -- and as a compliment! -- to us. So, because of this overwhelming demand for Rosebud, we are now considering bringing it back, perhaps as a paid subscription. We would like to give it a try and see what happens.
Thats right: The magazine was cancelled, and then store owners and growers contacted us and urged us to resurrect the magazine. We could not feel more proud!
Lets get back to what fueled the initial decision to wind down the magazine. Rosebud was FREE, in case you hadnt noticed. We offered space for ads in every issue. Yes, we had our own ads as well as competitors ads, and even three FREE full-page ads for non-profits that support human rights, animal rights, and the environment. The ad rates were low and didnt cover our production costs. We never made money on Rosebud. Making money was not the point.
The main objective of Rosebud was to represent our company and the hydroponics community in a respectable light to the public. Sure, it was a great marketing tool for Advanced Nutrients. No one is denying that. Why should we? We are a business, as are our clients. However, the magazine was above all a hydroponics lifestyle and educational magazine. It was for -- and about -- the hydroponics community.
Rosebud showed the world that we hydroponic growers are responsible members of society. It is high time the discrimination against growers ended and we are given the freedom and respect our community deserves. Dont you think so? If you agree, perhaps it is also high time the self-defeating infighting ended.
I am proud to be on the Advanced Nutrients team. I have never worked for a more talented, committed group of people. Perhaps you didnt know this, but on the wall above Big Mikes desk are three words in big block letters to remind him every day of the primary purpose of his company: ITS ABOUT THEM. Who is Big Mike talking about? He is talking about hydroponics growers. He is talking about the hydroponics community.
He is talking about you.