Remember the Gay '90s?

[Taro Toporific]

Remember the good old days at the turn-of-the-millennium with Sparky (Mark Devlin) Metropolis/Japan Today, and characters like John Bosnitch?

Well they're baaack!

"M2 -- Much, much better than Metropolis(c)"

M2-magazine-banner.jpg

M2-cover-1st-issue.jpg

M2-crew.jpg

Mark Devlin, José Valdivieso and John Bosnitch.

Sparky says on M2's facebook that the online edition will be posted, "in a day or two."

But wait you ask...DIdn't Sparky sell Metropolis to Terrie Lloyd in 2007 for a bazillion yen (with a non-complete agreement)?

Saaa, according to the M2 press release: "....since selling Metropolis to Terrie Lloyd in 2007 the magazine has declined until it is now as shadow of its former self. It is now just 32 pages every second week..So here we are, back at the beginning, but with so much more experience."

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[GomiGirl]

Personally I think that Sparky is in for a rude shock.

The problem isn't so much the bad management of Metropolis (which is probably partly true), but the complete change in demographics of the target audience of the magazine since 3/11 and also the huge change in the advertising revenue from the traditional FG focused businesses. Tokyo has changed dramatically since Sparky left.

The good old days are in the past. Businesses that were FG run and FG orientated have either gone away or dramatically changed to a more Japanese market focus while remaining FG friendly.

But good luck to him in any case.

[Coligny]

I remember reading aboot the Metropolis fall into irrelevance waaaaaayyyy before 3/11... Back in the days where I was still mentally strong enough to dwell J4p4nT0d4y's forums...

[Taro Toporific]

Tokyo has changed dramatically since Sparky left.
The good old days are in the past. Businesses that were FG run and FG orientated have either gone away or dramatically changed to a more Japanese market focus while remaining FG friendly.

Yep, that was my first impression too. The M2, the Metropolis Ver2, is totally focused on its print edition but its readership, the remaining, radioactive gaijin, are spred widely throughout Kanto far from any of the "traditional" distribution places in Tokyo; e.g. tonight Sparky is handing out the M2 at Roppongi Crossing but 99% of Tokyo's English-speaking gaijin never pass through Roppongi.

[yanpa]

But wait you ask...DIdn't Sparky sell Metropolis to Terrie Lloyd in 2007 for a bazillion yen (with a non-complete agreement)?

Saaa, according to the M2 press release: "....since selling Metropolis to Terrie Lloyd in 2007 the magazine has declined until it is now as shadow of its former self. It is now just 32 pages every second week..So here we are, back at the beginning, but with so much more experience."

The Facebook page also says:

Unfortunately, nearly six years later, Terrie Lloyd has still not paid up for Metropolis. His behavior has caused great distress to my family and in late February I was forced to part from them to return to Japan to make a living again in the way I know best.

Tokyo has changed dramatically since Sparky left.
The good old days are in the past. Businesses that were FG run and FG orientated have either gone away or dramatically changed to a more Japanese market focus while remaining FG friendly.

Yep, that was my first impression too. The M2, the Metropolis Ver2, is totally focused on its print edition but its readership, the remaining, radioactive gaijin, are spred widely throughout Kanto far from any of the "traditional" distribution places in Tokyo; e.g. tonight Sparky is handing out the M2 at Roppongi Crossing but 99% of Tokyo's English-speaking gaijin never pass through Roppongi.

OTOH the situation is nowhere near as dire as it was two years ago, I do get the impression the number of foreigners (of the kind who make up the target market for these magazines) is bouncing back. Not that that means the clock has magically been turned back to 1999...

[GomiGirl]

Not that that means the clock has magically been turned back to 1999...

Dammit -why not???? I wanna party like it is 1999.

Seriously though:

OTOH the situation is nowhere near as dire as it was two years ago, I do get the impression the number of foreigners (of the kind who make up the target market for these magazines) is bouncing back. Not that that means the clock has magically been turned back to 1999...

Yes this is true but I think it was a huge wake-up call for many businesses who had all their eggs in the FG basket. An act of god that could wipe out your customer base instantly which could be avoided if you spent some time and energy on a developing a more local customer base.

Japan has never been HK where the expat community is still colonial in many respects and is concentrated into a few narrow laneways around the Midlevels, escalators and the "Fong. FG's in Japan (or the ones that are here longer term) are more integrated into the landscape purely by the less concentrated residential demographics.

[Taro Toporific]

The {Mark Devlin's} Facebook page also says:

Unfortunately, nearly six years later, Terrie Lloyd has still not paid up for Metropolis. His behavior has caused great distress to my family and in late February I was forced to part from them to return to Japan to make a living again in the way I know best.

Nobody knows what Terrie Lloyd's take is on this, but here is Mark Devlin's full post on Facebook (Damn, I hate dopes who think Facebook-only is acceptable for PR.):

M2-logo.png

M2
(Mark Devlin) Publisher's message: A fresh start
In 2007, after 18 years in Japan and 14 years of publishing Tokyo Classified and Metropolis magazine, Mary and I sold Metropolis to Terrie Lloyd, a dual citizen of Australia and New Zealand, who presents himself as a successful entrepreneur and publisher. At that time, Metropolis was Japan’s most successful English magazine, coming out every week with 64 to 80 packed pages, produced by a talented team of 35 hard-working staff from more than a dozen countries.
Unfortunately, nearly six years later, Terrie Lloyd has still not paid up for Metropolis. His behavior has caused great distress to my family and in late February I was forced to part from them to return to Japan to make a living again in the way I know best.

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When I saw what Terrie had done to Metropolis – shrunk to a shadow of its former self, and published only every second week – I was deeply saddened. The magazine seems so tired and worn out. My friends complained that they don’t even pick it up anymore – “there’s nothing in it worth reading”.
So I set to work, and with the help of some new and old friends, M2 has come to life. My hope is that M2 will include stories, insights and commentary that can help us all understand this great country in which we work and live, by presenting the drama, challenges and delights that give real-life stories the spark that informs and inspires.
This preview issue has been put together by a small team, on a very tight budget and deadline.
We trust it gives you an idea of where we are headed. Mary and I would like to thank those who stepped up and helped us get this far. We are humbled by your support. Japan is once again doing what it always does – picking itself up, and moving forward.
And so are we with M2. This preview issue is our first step on a new journey and we invite you to join us for an exciting and fresh start.
How many times do we get this kind of opportunity?
Enjoy!
Mark + Mary = M2

[Coligny]

Dammit -why not???? I wanna party like it is 1999.

Wow... a Prince online video not taken down yet... that's a rarity...

[yanpa]

Nobody knows what Terrie Lloyd's take is on this, but here is Mark Devlin's full post on Facebook (Damn, I hate dopes who think Facebook-only is acceptable for PR.)

TODO: add popcorn emoticon ASAP.

Do any trained journalists have anything to say about the situation?

[GomiGirl]

Nobody knows what Terrie Lloyd's take is on this, but here is Mark Devlin's full post on Facebook (Damn, I hate dopes who think Facebook-only is acceptable for PR.)

TODO: add popcorn emoticon ASAP.

Do any trained journalists have anything to say about the situation?

Been nothing on CJ's twitter feed.

[Samurai_Jerk]

FG's in Japan (or the ones that are here longer term) are more integrated into the landscape purely by the less concentrated residential demographics.

The fact that the Japanese aren't total cunts like the locals in HK helps too.

[sublight]

Tokyo has changed dramatically since Sparky left.
The good old days are in the past. Businesses that were FG run and FG orientated have either gone away or dramatically changed to a more Japanese market focus while remaining FG friendly.

Yep, that was my first impression too. The M2, the Metropolis Ver2, is totally focused on its print edition but its readership, the remaining, radioactive gaijin, are spred widely throughout Kanto far from any of the "traditional" distribution places in Tokyo; e.g. tonight Sparky is handing out the M2 at Roppongi Crossing but 99% of Tokyo's English-speaking gaijin never pass through Roppongi.

I only see Metropolis (still have to make an effort to not call it Tokyo Classified) when my wife picks up a copy, and I don't even see what the point of that is any more beyond nostalgia. Living and working on the east side of Tokyo (plus being here long enough to have Japanese above JLPT 4 and interests beyond getting wasted after teaching Happy English), there is absolutely nothing in there that's relevant to me. All I do with it now is skim it to see if there's even one ad or event listing that takes place outside of Shinjuku / Shibuya / Minato.

[sublight]

The claws appear to be coming out on Facebook:

posted around 18:30, Friday March 29:

Terrie Lloyd Mark: Very low blow criticizing me in public. Since you were SOOOO successful back in 2007, why don't you tell everyone how you also had JPY160MM in debts, printers all over the city chasing you for money, and that I had to lend you guys JPY13MM so you could meet your last payroll? Also, while you guys were off being so successful in Florida those of us who kept flying the flag in Tokyo in the meantime had the Lehman Shock and an earthquake. Regards, Terrie Lloyd

Ah well, couldn't happen to a nicer, or more needed, pair.

[Coligny]

Porpcrorm Porpcrorm Porpcrorm Porpcrorm...

[legion]

a dead tree in the age of the appli

at hashtag

[TennoChinko]

Tokyo has changed dramatically since Sparky left.
The good old days are in the past. Businesses that were FG run and FG orientated have either gone away or dramatically changed to a more Japanese market focus while remaining FG friendly.

Yep, that was my first impression too. The M2, the Metropolis Ver2, is totally focused on its print edition but its readership, the remaining, radioactive gaijin, are spred widely throughout Kanto far from any of the "traditional" distribution places in Tokyo; e.g. tonight Sparky is handing out the M2 at Roppongi Crossing but 99% of Tokyo's English-speaking gaijin never pass through Roppongi.

Maybe he got lucky. My inbox always alerts me to fact of how many Nigerian oil ministers and their kin work the streets of Roppongi.



At least, that loser mustachioed whitey who touted for that titty bar upstairs from Propaganda seems to have fucked off forever.
Or, maybe he got promoted and is working the streets of Kabukicho...

[gaijinpunch]

He should take an edgier stance. Info on how to spend a weekend is fun, but now that Japan itself is only partially afraid of the internet and not petrified of it as it was in 1999, most of what you need is at your finger tips if you can stop perusing porn for a few moments.

It doesn't have to be FG in printed form, but throw a few curveballs every now and again.

[Coligny]

He should take an edgier stance. Info on how to spend a weekend is fun, but now that Japan itself is only partially afraid of the internet and not petrified of it as it was in 1999, most of what you need is at your finger tips if you can stop perusing porn for a few moments.

It doesn't have to be FG in printed form, but throw a few curveballs every now and again.

You are soooo off of mah buddy list...

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

My inbox always alerts me to fact of how many Nigerian oil ministers and their kin work the streets of Roppongi.

You shouldn't equate Mark Devlin and Terri Lloyd with Nigerian oil ministers...I believe the latter sometimes pay their bills.

[TennoChinko]

My inbox always alerts me to fact of how many Nigerian oil ministers and their kin work the streets of Roppongi.

You shouldn't equate Mark Devlin and Terri Lloyd with Nigerian oil ministers...I believe the latter sometimes pay their bills.

It's Easter. Today is their lucky lucky day!

Away with financial problems...in His Name!

Greetings to you,

How are you today? Hope all is well with you and your family? I hope this Notification mail meets you in a perfect condition. I am Barrister Frank Edward, This is to Notify you that I have written a Cheque of EIGHT HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND UNITED STATE DOLLARS on your behalf.

Just last month, I had a business contract of about THIRTY FIVE MILLION USD, which has successfully been completed by the Grace of God, Why am doing this is because, before this transaction I said to myself that if this transaction should work out successfully like it has, That I will give to at least 10 Individuals that the Lord will lead me to 850,000.00USD Each.

My Dear Friend, you are very lucky and should be Grateful to God that I was directed by his grace to include yourself in my given out of Funds to fulfill and to keep to my Word. I have authorized the finance house where I deposited my money to issue you an International certified bank draft cashable at your bank.

My dear friend I will like you to contact the finance house for the collection of this international certificated bank draft. The name and contact address of the Person with your Cheque is Mr. Tony Andre

HEAD OFFICE AND FINACIAL
CONTACT
AGENT: Mr. Tony Andre
EMAIL: tony_andre001@yahoo.com
At the moment, I am very busy here because of the investment projects which I And my new partner is having at hand in the United Kingdom.

Below is my contact information and details in case you want to Verify or get any confirmation from me but I want you to be rest assured that Your bank draft will be cashed at you nominated Bank.

Name: Barrister Frank Edward
Address: 1914 26th ST CT NW

Finally, remember that I have forwarded instruction to the finance house on our behalf to send the bank draft to you as soon as you contact them without Delay. Please I will like you to accept this token with good faith as this is from the bottom of my heart. Thanks and God bless you and your family.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Yours Faithfully,
Barrister Frank Edward

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Praise the Lord!

[yanpa]

Sounds like a veteran journalist can help smooth down any rivalries in the paranoid, bullying yet devolved Tokyo Media scene.

cj-m2.png

[TennoChinko]

Sounds like a veteran journalist can help smooth down any rivalries in the paranoid, bullying yet devolved Tokyo Media scene.

cj-m2.png

One needs CJ support as much as the average guy needs a case of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea

Each would be wise to encourage CJ to support the other party...

[Coligny]

One needs CJ support as much as the average guy needs a case of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea

Each would be wise to encourage CJ to support the other party...

Hey... at least there's good money for me in ARG...

[gaijinpunch]

Haha -- always thought Cookie Monster was smart.

[yanpa]

Sounds like a veteran journalist can help smooth down any rivalries in the paranoid, bullying yet devolved Tokyo Media scene.

cj-m2.png

One needs CJ support as much as the average guy needs a case of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea

Each would be wise to encourage CJ to support the other party...

I just realised the first "Tweet", "I enjoyed meeting Mark Devlin and Terrie Lloyd" makes it sound like it was a recent thing, like they got together over a bottle at one of CJ's Monday morning drinking sessions to hash out their issues and finally lay the spectre of paranoid bullying in Tokyo to rest.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Hyper-inflated, ego-driven Mark II (M2), the attempt to make the Terrie-bull Metropolis a necropolis, is fucken awful, worth every yen of its cover price.
As a middle-aged man with receding hairline and burgeoning waist, Mr. Devlin should have realized the appeal of Tokyo Classified lay in the, well..."lay" was the operative word for the publication supported by local females growing long in the tooth (usually from about 13-up, but more likely in their late 20s to mid-30s) who desperately wanted to learn English, even if that meant mostly through the dick-ta-phone. Nobody was really that interested in Mark Devlin, and it'll be less so now that the canny Scot is releasing conny scat offering next to nobody the chance to shag.
If there is truth in the allegations that these "entrepreneurs," Messers Devlin and Lloyd, have not paid their bills (and willingly jeopardized the livelihood of those slaving away on their behalf) -- and there's a good indication the accusations have veracity as the mud-slinging surrounding the launch of Mark II was notable only for its absence of denial on either side -- I hope they're both run out of town faster than choko drops his strides around a crazy lemur.

[Coligny]

There you go, turning us again int00 an interwab hate masheen...

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

There you go, turning us again int00 an interwab hate masheen...

Go fuck yourself, you dumb French cunt....I haven't got a fucken clue about hate, you motherfucking, garlic-shitting, Plastic Betrand loving piece of merde....







Just kidding

[Coligny]

ßUQ MY M00THA F00KING DIQUE, Y00 FAUCILLE...