BEAR Magazine has a new website, check it out!

As many of you know, BEAR Mag has been around since '87 (that's like 23 years - wow), and if you want to find out the full story about BEAR, check out this Wiki page, however the following is from BEAR's About page (dealing only with the new publishers - Bear Omnimedia):

"In 2008, BEAR underwent the most dramatic metamorphosis of its history, re-emerging with a new publisher, a new look and a new direction to reflect the many levels of an emerging contemporary, mature, masculine, upscale market. BEAR is now taking its final leap to becoming a sophisticated resource for an evolved audience. Once again a flagship, the result is a crisp, modern look with fresh editorial content featuring dynamic, editorial art photography and provocative non-fiction/fiction, blended with humor and informative articles on current interests, politics and style.

With a current distribution of 25,000+, BEAR is on the leading edge of the resurgence of masculinity and embodies the ideals of iconic hyper-masculinity that reflects the aspirations and interest of its readers. It delivers the ultimate showcase for promoting brands, goods and services to masculine gay and bisexual men and their admirers.

Print and Digital - BEAR is committed to getting your message out to our readers through our printed & digital issues using 2D barcoding technology to work synergistically with the web, banner advertising on our web properties, Facebook, Twitter and our ever-growing opt-in email list".

First off, I received my BEAR Magazine issue #72 in the mail (actually, I got it last week) with the warrior Caesar on the cover (and once you look inside their mag, you'll know why they call him Caesar - wow he's huge, and I ain't just talking about his pecker). Head on over to their shop and pick up your subscription.

Secondly, BEAR's website is updated quite often, with specials, news, Pics of the Day's and in this instance, an outtake of Josh West in a cage (pic). Now if you're interested in getting yourself a free copy of #72 then head on over to BEAR Mag's Facebook page and come up with the best one-liner that will match up with this particular page. I'd submit something however I already got a copy, but c'mon, I'm sure something will rattle your cage and inspire you to post something quirky.

Keeping up with the developments between 2 Bearish publications, Steven Wolfe, editor for BEAR Magazine, has sent out a 2nd Press Release (.PDF), stating that BEEF Magazine and their rag have reached an agreement:

BEAR Magazine To Fulfill Subscriptions Of Out-Of-Print Competitor.

(Las Vegas) BEAR Magazine reached an agreement with 100% BEEF this month to fulfill unexpired subscriptions after 100% BEEF abruptly ceased print operations last month. (100% BEEF is now published only as a webzine.) BEAR will fulfill bona fide unexpired subscriptions, charging such subscribers only print cost plus postage.

"In response to your letters to me, thanks so much for your generous offer. We’ll gladly extend news of your offer to our existing customers," said 100% BEEF owner and editor, Scott McGillivray in a letter to BEAR. "Some of our readers who favor the printed form may appreciate the consolation your generous offer provides," McGillivray said.

BEAR Editor-in-Chief, Steven Wolfe, praised McGillivray's acceptance of its offer as "taking a positive and proactive step to mitigate a difficult problem that otherwise adversely impacts public confidence in ALL professional publishers who rely on consumer confidence to stay in business."

"We look forward to working cooperatively to implement this solution." Wolfe said. 100% BEEF subscribers may send requests for make-good subscriptions to BEAR, PO Box 98059, Las Vegas, NV 89193, along with proof of subscription to 100% BEEF."

BEAR is the original, and now the only, magazine dedicated to depicting hot, bearded "Bear" men. BEAR publishes quarterly, in full color, and is the only gay magazine that includes a fold-out "Bear Player" Centerfold.

Steven Wolfe 
steven.wolfe@bearomnimedia.com

I gotta say, things started developing pretty quickly all of a sudden however I'm real glad I've been able to keep up with what's going on with BEEF Magazine and BEAR Magazine. Right now, PlanetBears hasn't had a chance to comment on what's going on (and there's time for that later, I'm sure). Right now, keeping up with what is going on: BEEF put out their own Press Release - dated July 31st:

Dear Mr. Wolfe,

In response to your (Press Release) letters to me, thanks so much for your generous offer. We’ll gladly extend news of your offer to our existing customers. In spite of your publication’s editorial position - which seems at odds not only with 100% BEEF’s, but also with prevailing attitudes of acceptance and inclusion within the international Bear Community today - some of our readers who favor the printed form may appreciate the consolation your generous offer provides.

Those 100% BEEF readers interested in acquiring copies of the 'new' BEAR Magazine in lieu of a continued 100% BEEF online subscription may contact us, to indicate as such. With their expressed knowledge, understanding and permission, we will forward their contact information to you, Mr. Wolfe, at which time they may enter into an agreement with you for fulfillment of your offer, which is appreciated in the spirit of brotherhood and generosity with which I’m confident it was extended.

We’re thankful to the thousands of 100% BEEF readers, contributors, advertisers and supporters worldwide for their continued, long-standing support and patronage of 100% BEEF. Many have been loyal friends, collaborators, and confidants from as far back as our origins at the Original BEAR Magazine. We appreciated their friendship and loyalty then, and we appreciate and thank them for their continued support and encouragement today, as we continue 100% BEEF’s exciting transition into the eco-friendly online frontier.

Thanks again!
Scott McGillivray
mailto:McGillivrayScott@beefmag.com

I'm catching up... things have been developing faster than I can post them, however here is the press release (.PDF) that Bear Omnimedia (ButchBear.com and BEAR Magazine) sent out on July 28th. It's written by Steven Wolfe, Editor-in-Chief for BEAR Magazine. We gents at PlanetBears haven't any comments as our jobs right now are to keep up with whatever develops from all of this. Even if it looks all like dirty laundry, it isn't... it's quite important since it's dealing with Bear culture. Will look out for further updates.

[The following is BEAR Magazine's Press Release - a letter to BEEF Magazine]:

BEAR® Offers To Help Dissapointed Subscribers Of " 100% BEEF "

(LAS VEGAS) On July 17, 2010, Bear Omnimedia LLC, the parent company of BEAR magazine, offered to help fulfill disappointed subscribers of "100% Beef" magazine, which announced earlier that it was discontinuing printing the magazine and would now only offer an online version. "I applaud your decision to attempt to maintain a webzine to mitigate damages to subscribers, but there is nothing like the portability and convenience of a real, tangible, full-color magazine, stuffed with hot images of bearded men," said BEAR Editor-in-Chief, Steven Wolfe in a letter to "100% Beef" owner and editor, Scott McGillivray.

"While some of your subscribers will roll with this punch, many will feel bitterly disappointed or even betrayed that what they bought will not be delivered," Wolfe said. To mitigate the ill will of subscribers expecting a real magazine from "100% Beef," Bear Omnimedia offered a "win-win" proposition: to give a free copy BEAR #71, to all current subscribers of "100% Beef" and to provide "100% Beef" subscribers with future issues of BEAR for the remainder of their subscriptions at cost plus postage. Bear Omnimedia also offered to accommodate all upset "100% Beef" advertisers at promotional rates.

BEAR is the original, and now the only, magazine dedicated to depicting hot bearded "Bear" men. BEAR publishes quarterly, in full color, and is the only gay magazine that includes a fold-out "Bear Player" Centerfold.

The BEAR offer to "100% Beef" expires July 31, 2010. So far, there has been no comment from McGillivray or "100% Beef."

Contact: Steven Wolfe
Email:  steven.wolfe@bearomnimedia.com

Bearpix.co.uk << BearPix >> <<!!!!>>

...not to be confused with Bear-Pics.

However, BearPix is BearPix & Bear-Pics is Bear 'Dash' Pics, so BearPix is the real BearPics... erm.. wait...

Whatever the fuck I'm talking about - Bearpix.co.uk is such a fucking cool site (I'm so proud and honoured to have a same sounding name as BearPix).

The site is owned and run by a bloke name James and this guy is all over the British Isles; photographing events for the Bear Scots, The Béar Féile, The ManBears and many other clubs. James also has another site which has more of this work - SkinPix. Professional (and thanks goes to Teddy of BEAR Magazine for pointing out this dynamite site).

I received an interesting email from Steven Wolfe, Editor-in-Chief of BEAR Magazine. It was so interesting that I read it twice (ok, 3 times). after reading it, I got back to BEAR, asking them what's this about, and they responded that it's legit and they sent out this very email to several sources. I asked them if they wanted this email posted up as news here on PlanetBears, and BEAR replied 'yes, and soon there will be a press release'.

What's this all about...? Essentially, BEEF Magazine went digital with their last issue (#47). Scott McGillivray, Editor-in-Chief of BEEF mag, wrote in his editorial that he's excited about the new directions that BEEF is heading and that the new "fully electronic transition  may be only temporary, and a hard-copy  magazine may return to accompany the online version in the coming months", however the bottom line is that Scott stated he was quite happy and now that he's online, that the world, is once again, his oyster.

I posted an article about the new digital Beef, and it was shortly after that when I received the following email from Steven (for the record, the email was sent out on July 17th;  I didn't post it earlier as I wanted to clear everything with both Scott and Steve, and to also let both parties know that they have an open invitation to reply back or have their say here on PlanetBears).

At the moment, I don't have any comments and I will simply await for the press release as well as other responses or developments. The following is the email from Steven Wolfe:

Dear Mr. McGillivray,
 
I was truly sorry to learn of your decision to cease print publication of “100% Beef.” Although we took largely different courses during the past two years, since our resurrection of BEAR® Magazine from the dust bin, we genuinely appreciated that your point of view added to create a larger marketplace of ideas that now is diminished by the loss of your magazine.
 
As the last editor of the old BEAR magazine, before it crashed and burned thousands of paid subscribers and advertisers in about 2001, I’m sure your current decision must bring back painful personal memories of that prior bad ending.  Certainly, your 2008 editorial lamenting our resumption of BEAR® Magazine observed that the ill-will created by not being able to deliver real magazines to paid subscribers is both embarrassing and long-lived. C’est la vie.
 
I applaud your decision to attempt to maintain a webzine to mitigate damages to subscribers, but there is nothing like the portability and convenience of a real, tangible, full-color magazine, stuffed with hot images of bearded men. While some of your subscribers will roll with this punch, many will feel bitterly disappointed or even betrayed that what they bought will not be delivered. However, we think we can help lighten your burden.
 
To put it simply: We are offering to mail a free copy of our current issue, BEAR® #71, to all your current subscribers and to provide them with future issues of BEAR® for the remainder of their subscriptions at our cost plus postage. We will also accommodate all your advertisers at promotional rates for our big, Winter, issue. This offer is good through the end of this month.
 
The arrangement we propose would be the proverbial “win-win” for everyone concerned. If you agree, please let me know and provide a spread sheet with contact and subscription information for your current subscribers, and I’m sure we can work out a joint press release to advise them of this new, exciting option.
 
Steven Wolfe
Editor-in-Chief
BEAR Magazine / BearMagazine.com

You're here... you're reading this... it's PlanetBears... now go to BEAR-Magazine.com and get yourself a subscription for 20% off the regular price. Just add BEAR20 to the coupon code all the while knowing you're already getting a great rate when it's $30 USA/$59 INT'L for a full year - 4 sizzling issues (come August 1st, the price goes up to $34 USA/$63 INT'L, I know, inflation, it sucks). Just know, BEAR magazine is quite a handful... I mean... once you get your hands on one of their mags, of course (elementaire, mon frère).

This is not new news (in the Bear world, there's rarely any 'breaking' news); however, back on April 29th, Bear Omnimedia - the company that owns and runs ButchBear.com and BEAR Magazine, both the site and glossy mag) - had a 'permanent injunction' written up by a court of law, prohibiting Pantheon Productions LLC from using their registered BEAR® trademarks.

This is all about a DVD that Pantheon had put out entitled 'Bear Plumbing Inc.', and the logo/design on this DVD resembled the BEAR logo so much so that Bear Omnimedia decided to make a case out of it (original packaging). Pantheon agreed without rebuttal to redesign their packaging, and that's exactly what they did.

BEAR Magazine has their latest summer issue out - (issue #71 - front - back - wonder if anyone has every single issue - now there's a collection to own!)... and guess who is their cover Bear... why it's Tom Chase! Yes, the same hottie Chase you've seen in Colt spreads from days of yore. Well, some men age better than others and Tom is looking quite adorable with his new found Bearness. Very hot issue, find it somewhere and share it with friends like it were a lollipop...

Visit their site - bear-magazine.com...

BEAR Magazine (website - articles - cover - TubeBear) issue #70 has now been released and they have Frank Defeo as their Cover Bear this time. From their site: "Hairy, buff and Bear-curious, Frank is our pick for this issue's Mr. Bear Player. Unafraid of hard work, we caught Frank hosing down his SUV and then got him to show us the real meaning of the word hard. Check out his manly photos in Bear's exclusive photo spread and centerfold".

I bet you some bubble gum that you probably don't recognize who's in that thumbnail photo, and maybe even the name 'Richard Bulger' might not even be familiar to you. Well Richard Bulger is the founder of BEAR Magazine (website - articles - TubeBear), along with Chris Nelson, back in 1987 as a photo-copied flyer which they published from their apartment (Wiki).

These photos of Richard and company that I stumbled upon were taken back in 1991 so I'm sure Richard looks a touch different today, 19 years later, however these are the only photos I've ever seen of the originator of BEAR mag and I thought I'd share the link with you.

ps - Richard Bulger is in no longer associated with BEAR Mag. BEAR is now owned and operated by Bear Omnimedia.

The staff of BEAR Magazine (website - articles - TubeBear), was recently visited by Malcolm Ingram (photo - center), the documentarian responsible for the gritty 'Small Town Gay Bar', whose new film is called 'Bear Nation'.

He and his film crew flew into Las Vegas to interview Steven Wolfe, editor (photo - left), and Teddy Mark (photo - right), creative director and photographer, for the film. Produced by LOGO TV (website - articles), it will be announced officially during IBR hosted by the Bears of San Francisco (website - articles), followed by a national film release tour and TV broadcast.

"How did Bear become synonymous with any old chubby homosexual?"... that is the question editor-in-chief Steven Wolfe asks in his latest editorial in BEAR magazine (website - articles - TubeBear), issue #69. It brings up the age-old question of '...What is a Bear?...', and in this case, Wolfe is going about it the other way, asking '...What isn't a Bear?...'.

Wolfe goes on to say that "porn studios like BearFilms and CyberBears have spent years flooding the market with chub porn that seems to be allergic to Bears who are physically fit"... and Wolfe wants to see Bear media to be "prouder, more masculine, sexy, iconic, unapologetically unshaven - and non-sizeist".

Unfortunately for Wolfe, the response to his editorial has been less than favourable. If this LiveJournal entry is any indication as to how people are responding to Wolfe's words, then Wolfe's definition of Bear does not seem aligned with many others.

I decided to get in touch with BEAR Magazine and they are quite aware that this editorial was definitely going to stir something up, favourable or not. They also stated that in their upcoming February issue #70, they have a guest editorial who writes an opposing response to that of #69.

To read the actual editorial - click the link below and start from 'Jabba the Bear I am not'.

I should have mentioned this last week, however I received my copy of BEEF Magazine issue #45 (website - articles - cover - TubeBear) in my PO mailbox with the cover of Uncle Bubba who some of you might remember was on the cover of BEAR magazine #57 (website - articles - TubeBear). Uncle Bubba is a DJ out in Toronto and he's even cuter in real life. So pick up your copy from their Butcher's Shop.

"100% BEEF #45 (website - articles - TubeBear) is now in stores. Featuring more of the thick, burly bulk that made us famous, and some of the finest artwork and photography we've ever published, BEEF #45 is one issue you will definitely want for your collection! Uber talented photographer Inked Kenny has photographed 'Uncle Bubba' for this issue's cover. As many of you will remember, we featured 'Uncle Bubba' on the cover of the Original BEAR Magazine, Issue #57  (website - articles - TubeBear) back in the day. SFBearHunter, one of our best and most prolific contributing photographers, shot Billy for us, a stunning, hairy hunk with one of the biggest 'personalities' we've ever published. This issue also features spectacular artwork by David Southern and French artist Logan, a true-life Truck Stop Bear Blow tale, a 'Second Glance' (finally in full fleshy color) of two of your early 100% BEEF favorites, and page after page of the brand of burly, masculine goodness you all have come to expect from our magazine".

So you wanna be a Bear model, all the while dreaming of 'new cars and caviar'...? Last week - I wrote up an article about Bear modelling. I sent the link to Teddy who runs the new BEAR Magazine (website - articles). He wrote me back all the while filling me in about many things about being a model. His email was quite excellent so we decided to post it. To any who are consider being a model, read this as Teddy is a leading voice when it comes to modelling:

"Making Money as a Porn Star and Jack Radcliffe" - by Teddy

"Yeah it's true that getting rich from doing porn is mostly a nice idea. For most guys, think of it as a great way to get tons of attention and some extra cash too. Though, that is all relative to the studio you work for. Some studios pay exactly how you describe it. Others pay a LOT more. It's no wonder why there are so many gay-for-pay models out there—everyone knows that straight porn pays shit for men. Pay is different for each and every studio and everything is considered: experience, looks, dick, performance, popularity... basically, how bankable you are. In that way it mirrors the Hollywood studio pay system.

Beyond that, porn stars will perform events or bars and some will also do escorting. Just like musicians who release an album, they make most of their money from touring and performing. Same concept. There are many porn stars out there who are porn stars 24/7... it is their job. They perform on-camera and on-demand very well and are liked by studios and fans alike. They can make a lot of money by doing many films per year for a lot of studios while performing at events/bars and escorting in-between video productions. For some it is rather lucrative. These are the guys who have the "IT" factor and work "IT" as long and hard as they can. (Note: The "IT" factor is a unique and illusive thing. Many want it, but only a few have it).

The reasons why someone does porn are varied: money, recognition, affirmation, a collected experience, etc. But what happens if you really like it AND you become popular. I always suggest to new models that they keep their porn identity completely separate from themselves, taking it out of the closet (or make-up bag) whenever it's needed. Whatever good or bad happens to your porn alter-ego is happening to "it", not you. Then whenever you want to retire, you simply lock it up and walk away. Easy. However, if you take things personally and start to believe all the hype and all the compliments, you're setting yourself up for possible paranoia, rejection, depression... all the stuff that can come from the rollercoaster ride. That can be a bad place to find yourself in.

As an example, one of our most popular Butch Bear models who successfully did this would only do escorting when he and his partner needed a couch, a flat-screen TV or money for a vacation. I was impressed by how he used his fame as a bank account without getting caught up in the vanity or falling for the hype.

Jack Radcliffe (real name: Frank Martini), the most-recognized porn star of the bear community and Bear Magazine cover model, had the choice to work his porn star status for bigger bucks, but he kept it as a fun hobby while working full-time as a computer analyst and now San Francisco realtor. He decided against performing and escorting. For someone who was in the position of earning much more money as a porn star, he is exactly where he wants to be".

So you have a dream of being a Bear porn star...? Thinking of quitting your day job in hopes to become an international Bear model, having 1000s of fans flip through your photos, tears running down their eyes as they cannot believe the beauty that bestows in front of them?

Ok, maybe that's a little over the top, however this is just a little reality check to all those who believe they will become rich by doing Bear porn. Let's take a look at Frank Martini as he's probably the best example when it comes to being a Bear icon, a Bear porn star and an every day name in many a Bear household.

Who is Frank Martini, you ask? Well you most likely know him by his stage name - Jack Radcliffe (articles). He is undisputedly the most famous porn star that Bear culture has ever gazed their eyes upon. When his face first appeared on the cover of BEAR magazine way back circa late 80s ~ early 90s, he became the fantasy to all those who love husky beefy furry men, all the while helping to break down barriers as to what sexy signified.

But what you need to know is that Frank has always maintained a true job all the while 'moonlighting' as a model. Frank was a computer analyst at one time, and today he is a realtor in San Francisco (Wiki). I just need to point this out as I get many requests from men to have their pictures taken, and some of them have hopes on being a star. Of course it's very possible that one will become famous, yet, when it comes to being a Bear model, guys should remember that they should be doing this primarily for the fun and the novelty of having their photograph taken, and of course to have the photos to look back on during their life. Yes it's fun to be a model, however there is really not all that much money in it. Many models don't get paid at all, and often enough they have to pay the photographers. Same goes for videos. So yes, get your picture taken - life is much too short and the body is very beautiful, but don't think of quitting that day job... not just yet.

Lastly, Frank had retired from doing Bear porn yet he came out of retirement last August and accepted to pose for the launching of the new BEAR magazine (website - articles). And for all you Jack Radcliffe fans, you can pick up his Box Set here at the Bear Omnimedia Store. And if you're looking for a home to buy in San Fran, well you can always ask for Mr. Martini to show you around, and if you don't buy a house, you can maybe get him to sign an autograph.

"The latest issue of Bear Magazine #69 (website - articles - cover - back - Bear Omnimedia Store) features a more mature and very hairy Zeb Atlas in a football-themed spread and centerfold. Zeb was definitely getting major boners throughout his photoshoot, having enjoyed a lot of ball back in his high school and college days. He felt right at home in the locker room! Zeb and a ton more photos of smokin' hairy bears are showcased; along with all the cool features".

Press Release: "Bear Omnimedia (website) publishers of the world's longest-selling Bear publication BEAR Magazine (website - articles - TubeBear), announces its addition to Borders and Bookworld; two national bookstore chains. Beginning with issue 69 which features a hairy Zeb Atlas on the cover and centerfold, BEAR will join the two large chains for increased exposure and to further meet the needs of their Bear customers.

"When we revived and redesigned BEAR last year we knew it was a gamble, especially with the sudden downturn of the economic market. But despite the economy and various nay-sayers, BEAR's growth has been unstoppable in an evolving industry" said Steven Wolfe, Editor-in-Chief, "I'm also rather pleased that they've put us in the men's sophisticate category, alongside the giant publication Playboy. It's a great acknowledgement and entrance into the mainstream".

When BEAR Magazine launched in 1987, it put a name to a growing gay community that had previously gone unnoticed: the unapologetically hyper-masculine gay male. With a dramatic metamorphosis in 2008, it returned with a fresh look and a new direction to reflect the many levels of an emerging contemporary, mature, masculine, upscale market. The result is a crisp, modern design with upbeat editorial content featuring hot erotic photography and provocative fiction, blended with humor and informative articles that are of interest to both the niche Bear market as well as the gay mainstream".