By: Isaac Davis Jr., BGS, MBA
Mike Friedman of Skope Magazine recently spoke to JC Internet Radio about the history of Skope Magazine, its mission, and where the magazine is heading. Skope Magazine started in 2001 as a 20 page newsletter but has grown to create an international presence since the magazine has originally premiered. What makes Skope Magazine so appealing is its coverage of musicians that mainstream media usually ignores. If you want to know more, then read on in this great spotlight with Mike Friedman of Skope Magazine.
JC Internet Radio: Hi Mike, thank you for taking the time to complete this interview with our community. I wanted to start off by asking you to give a brief background of your upbringing.
JC Internet Radio: Elaborate a little about Skope Magazine and what readers can look forward to from each issue.
Mike Friedman: Skope started in January 2001 as a 20 page newsletter that we distributed for free throughout New England. We wanted to cover musicians that were talented but ignored by mainstream media. With time, the newsletter grew into a full fledged magazine that was distributed to newsstands all over the world. In May of 2007 I decided to stop printing the magazine as the revenue did not cover the huge & growing printing/distribution costs. Now we are a digital music media company with Skopemag.com, Skope Records, Skope TV, Skope Merch, Skope Radio, Skope E-Blasts, & Skope Live. I do miss the magazine but at least now we are in a great position to thrive in the digital age.
JC Internet Radio: What is your role with Skope Magazine?
Mike Friedman: I started Skope so I wear many hats. I deal with everything from editorial, marketing, recruiting, to sales. I love being involved with Skope & the music business so it comes easy to me.
JC Internet Radio: How did you come to work with Skope Magazine?
Mike Friedman: I started Skope so it was a natural fit. I love doing Skope so it never feels like work.
JC Internet Radio: What has been the most rewarding aspect about working for Skope Magazine?
Mike Friedman: I would say that just to watch how in January 2001 I was a sophomore at Northeastern University with a dream and a lot of ambition. Back then I had no contacts, readers, or clients. Now eight years later I am fully connected in the music business with readers all over the world. It is also nice to see an idea turn into a real business with solid revenue and clients.
JC Internet Radio: How do you guys decide on which artists will be feature into the magazine each month?
Mike Friedman: We are constantly pitched by industry folks through email, phone, & mail. So when we see an artist that is doing something special we jump all over it. We love when we can cover an artist or band months prior to them going mainstream.
JC Internet Radio: What type of education would one need to possess in order to work in upper management at Skope Magazine?
Mike Friedman: I would say that before a degree, a person needs a love for music. Music should come before money and time. They should want to do Skope because it fills that music itch in their life. Money is nice but you cannot fake a love for the art. I have a BA from Northeastern University but there is no educational minimum to work with Skope. This is music and education is not as important as in law or medicine. I do expect staff to have a certain level of intelligence though.
JC Internet Radio: What are your thoughts on today's music as a whole?
Mike Friedman: I am really excited about today’s music. I think that the Internet allows people to seek out all kinds of music. A person no longer just listens to one genre of music and that is a good thing. I am also excited about how I get music these days. I can hear a song, turn on my laptop, and purchase that song without leaving the house. Thanks to my ZUNE I have not bought a CD in 3 years.
JC Internet Radio: Have you ever refused to feature or interview an artist that you felt did not fit with Skope Magazine? What type of reaction did you receive from that artist?
Mikey Frieds & Shizz Strothers
Mike Friedman: Oh yes. Some artists are representing something that we do not feel is appropriate to Skope or our readers. Sometimes an artist can get upset about that but that is usually as far as it gets. Artists do not pay for coverage in Skope so we reserve the right to whether or not we want to cover them.
JC Internet Radio: What are your future plans with Skope Magazine?
Mike Friedman: I just want to keep growing. I want to continue to do what we are doing but on a larger scale. Everyday that I get up I know that we can always do better. The goal is to never be satisfied and continue to improve in everything we do.
JC Internet Radio: What are some other projects you are working on individually and were can folks locate you online?
Mike Friedman: Every project that I do is all under the Skope brand. You can check us out at www.skopemag.com. From selling t-shirts through Skope Merch or digital downloads through Skope Records it all benefits Skope. In music it is not worth doing something if I cannot tie it into Skope.
JC Internet Radio: What do you feel that you will be doing in the next 5 years?
Mike Friedman: I would like to be doing what I am doing now. I would like to be doing it on a bigger level. I love music and the artists that we cover. Skope is good for music because it is a popular media outlet that can help keep music coverage from being limited to only a few select artists. Most importantly is being able to provide for my family while still living my dream.
JC Internet Radio: Final thoughts…
Mike Friedman: I would like to invite everyone that reads this to come over to www.skopemag.com and see what we are all about. Also feel free to email me at mfriedman@skopemagazine.com. I love hearing from music enthusiasts from all over the world. Thanks a lot Mr Isaac Davis & JC Internet Radio for this wonderful opportunity.