On the BRINK of Orlando Culture
November 18, 2010
November marks BRINK magazine’s one year anniversary. To celebrate, Costa DeVault interviewed Kyle Menard, the publication’s founder and editor in chief, to pick his brain about what it’s like to start a print magazine in a recession, as well as BRINK’s mission to share Orlando’s hidden cultural gems.
Costa DeVault: Why did you create BRINK?
Kyle Menard: “I figured that if I was craving something relatable to read and view, then others would be too. I have many different interests and views on aspects of life. BRINK is a magazine for me, for you, women and men, gay or straight, black or white; it’s for anyone with a pulse.
There’s also a lot of untapped talent in Orlando. I wanted to give people who need exposure a platform to show their work. I wanted BRINK to surround their work with bits of pop culture, human interest and a touch of global news that readers might find interesting, insightful or fascinating. People on one side of town might not know about the men’s boots or women’s skull earrings inside Etoile Boutique … or that an innovative website like DaFoodie can save you time deciding what to eat by clicking on an image of what looks delish. People might not know that Orlando has phenomenal artists – like Tobar and Veronika Tuskowski – in our community that create some of the best art works I’ve ever seen. Local blogs, like Johnny Five, introduce some of the newest music and pop culture tidbits in the entertainment world.”
CD: Starting a new print publication in a time where some are failing is a bold move. Why now?
KM: “I didn’t think twice about starting BRINK. I’ve had a love for magazines ever since I was a tiny little human and my mother was dragging me with her to our local newsstand in Cape Cod.
I never intended for BRINK magazine to be online only, but I did intend for it to simultaneously run in print and online. There is no way BRINK could be one without the other – they’re married to each other.”
CD: How does BRINK magazine embrace Web 2.0? Any plans for the future?
KM: “Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr (blog) and online video components are available for our readers as references and tools. I want our readers to have BRINK at their fingertips. Platforms like HP’s MagCloud and Issuu are a publisher’s dream. They give our magazine worldwide distribution.”
CD: What are your favorite types of stories to cover?
KM: “I like to cover any story that gives someone a platform to show their talent or cause, because when that passion comes through in their voice; it’s unstoppable.”
CD: How many people are on BRINK’s staff?
KM: “BRINK has a core group of about 15 people who regularly contribute.”
For more information about BRINK, visit www.brinkmagonline.com.
