Oppo Discussion - GMG, Jalopnik and Kinja - Update from Patrick George

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
04/13/2018 at 17:14 • Filed to: None

Repost due to the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Hopefully what Patrick George said holds true and Oppo comes along for the ride in one way or another.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Lots of news these days regarding troubles in the FMG and GMG media companies. Seems like there is a lot of talk about profitability (or lack thereof) and layoffs. This is a story playing out across media.

I care very much about Jalopnik and Oppo and really hope nothing changes.

I know that Oppo is tied to Jalopnik, whether people here like it or not. We use GMG’s platform and get a lot of traffic/members via Jalopnik. If the good ships Kinja and Gizmodo Media Group do go down, what you you feel? What would you do?

I would be very, very sad. The current Jalop staff is great and I generally have nothing but fun times commenting on the FP and being a member of Oppo. I’ve also met tons of great people through Oppo and Jalopnik.

What about you?

Update from Patrick George. I appreciate him taking the time to respond in a candid manner.

DISCUSSION (100)

S65 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 21:40

Well there is an Oppo subreddit and steam group, worst thing I guess we could go there.

AestheticsInMotion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 21:41

World’s first courier pigeon powered blog?

My bird IS the word > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 21:42

I think jalopnik / oppo will be fine. Onion will be fine too. Everyone else... not so much.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > S65
04/11/2018 at 21:42

I guess. I’ve never used Reddit. I just feel it would never be the same. We’d lose members (probably me) and so many posts on here that people have worked on.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > My bird IS the word
04/11/2018 at 21:43

I tend to agree. Jalopnik would find a buyer. But who is going to buy the others

OPPOsaurus WRX > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 21:48

i heard about this facebook thing. Everything is supposed to be awesome there.

Kinja'd!!!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > OPPOsaurus WRX
04/11/2018 at 21:49

Lol. The only platform worse than Kinja. Also, I don’t have FB

DutchieDC2R > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 21:50

I dont care much for Jalopnik (anymore). Ive been on here long enough to know that itll survive a lot of shit, but truthfully, this place has changed so much, maybe some sort of ‘restart’ would do some good...

Urambo Tauro > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 22:00

If something were to happen to the Kinja communities, I’m still not going to join Facebook. Sorry, not gonna happen.

I will be on a few car-specific forums though, be they Mustang ones or whatever I find myself driving at the time.

I might consider signing up on Reddit, but that’s a big maybe. Still haven’t taken the plunge, despite lurking on JRitS so much. I guess there’s DrivetTribe, too. I actually signed up for that a while back, and just kinda forgot about it.

gettingoldercarguy > Urambo Tauro
04/11/2018 at 22:07

DriveTribe makes a lot of sense I think.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 22:08

TBH, I’ve been sort of half hoping the whole organization would sink since the Hogan thing. I’d get a lot more shit done.

And at the same time, PLZ NO

For Sweden > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 22:10

I’m sure FMG will sell all our data to raise operating captial

Urambo Tauro > gettingoldercarguy
04/11/2018 at 22:10

Despite its faults, I still prefer Kinja.

But that’s not really fair for me to say. I haven’t spent enough time on DT to really figure it out how to use it.

benjrblant > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 22:22

I’ve thought about this before. Maybe we could open up a forum specifically as an oppo replacement? I complain about kinja as much as the next, but I really like the platform. It’s not like publishing on anything else.

jimz > S65
04/11/2018 at 22:24

Reddit? eww...

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > For Sweden
04/11/2018 at 22:24

Ooooh! Exciting!

Noah - Now with more boost. > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 22:28

I’m amazed that we’ve been able to hang out here together for so long. And would also be really sad. I think I have had authorship for 6 years and that’s nothing compared to some. Worse case scenario I bet we would end up renting or buying a server if the reddit and steam groups weren’t enough. It wouldn’t take much from all of the regulars to throw together a machine that can host our ramblings and pictures.

gettingoldercarguy > Urambo Tauro
04/11/2018 at 22:38

I just hopped over there. Apparently there are quite a few already with the Oppo tribe established.

Mercedes Streeter > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 22:44

Gawker (now GMG) has been under the threat of death for years. Declining quality and the departure of excellent writers at member blogs (specifically Jezebel, Gawker (dead), and Gizmodo) has driven readers away. Whether we like it or not, Jalopnik is more of a niche to GMG’s mission. However, it does make GMG money, just probably not more money than say, Jezebel, or The Root.

Stef Schrader > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/11/2018 at 22:55

It seems highly unlikely that Jalopnik is going anywhere from what I’ve heard.

At the very least, I would attempt to run it off a mousie wheel with McChiken’s rats. Run little mousies, run! The old corporate overlords kept Nibbles and you’re all I’ve got!

You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much > For Sweden
04/11/2018 at 23:00

Commence shitposting wildly. Must obfuscate anything worthwhile I may have accidentally posted here.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Stef Schrader
04/11/2018 at 23:01

I’m very, very happy to hear that! Thanks for commenting on this!

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > My bird IS the word
04/11/2018 at 23:39

Deadspin and Kotaku will probably be fine too

Nom De Plume > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/12/2018 at 00:17

I gave some thought to how Jalopnik/Oppo would be better off without the other sites when it became clear the only option was selling a few years back. How many front page staff would stick around with the decreased mass and girth of job security was the only downside of any significance.

Where you people dream of lottery fueled shitcar purchases. My dream was the whole of Jalopnik spread out before me. And Oppo, someone has to know how to operate the vinyl cutting machine after all.

HammerheadFistpunch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/12/2018 at 00:23

I feel like this is the 5th or 6th time I’ve read this post in the years I’ve been here.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
04/12/2018 at 00:27

Fair point

Spasoje > My bird IS the word
04/12/2018 at 01:44

Looks like Jalopnik is to Gawker what Jeep is to Chrysler/AMC/etc. lol

CRider > For Sweden
04/12/2018 at 02:43

How do you target ads at people who only buy 14 year old junkers?

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > AestheticsInMotion
04/12/2018 at 06:45

Hehehe.... Shitposts would have a new (read:better) meaning

nermal > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/12/2018 at 10:06

There’s value in the brands and user base - How much that is worth to an outside buyer is TBD. How to convert the brands and user base into profit is another matter entirely....

I’ll start the bidding at $100.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > nermal
04/12/2018 at 10:10

We should all get together to buy Jalopnik. Then we make Oppo the front page and Jalopnik the weird little branch off site.

That would show them!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > CRider
04/12/2018 at 10:11

Napa ads?

nermal > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/12/2018 at 10:11

As long as I don’t lose press car privileges!

Duck Duck Grey Duck FTMFW! > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/12/2018 at 11:45

I would be incredibly upset if Oppo disappeared. I look forward to what everyone posts on here. There is really nothing like it to me. I have Facebook but, for the most part don’t care what on there. I enjoy the wacky, crazy variety that is Oppo! #SaveTheOpponauts

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Stef Schrader
04/12/2018 at 12:38

Wait, THEY have Nibbles? Why haven’t we gotten a group of 11 people with highly specialized skills to come up with an elaborate plan to spring Nibbles? Come on people!

just-a-scratch > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute
04/12/2018 at 15:32

The shitposts could drop right in out of the blue.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > just-a-scratch
04/12/2018 at 16:36

Hell, they might even BE blue (source: my older sister 6 years ago, when said shit was posted on her head)

My bird IS the word > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/12/2018 at 19:01

Well anyone can write shitty clickbait articles. Why pay for suck when you can pull any dick off the street and give him a job?

Stef Schrader > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/12/2018 at 22:53

Well, we (collectively, as the United States of Jalopnik) have Nibbles for now. He is an international treasure to be beholden by all, as the almighty hamster that spins the Kinja wheel and keeps the lights on. Praise Nibbles. Do not mess with Nibbles. Keep Nibbles happy at all times.

TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts. > Stef Schrader
04/13/2018 at 09:34

Praise be to Nibbles.

Country Mac's Ocular Patdown > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 16:39

Disqus wouldn’t be the absolute worst.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Country Mac's Ocular Patdown
04/13/2018 at 16:40

Worse than facebook? What is so bad about disqus?

Country Mac's Ocular Patdown > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 16:41

I meant it wouldn’t be the worst in that it is fairly adequate.

Party-vi > nermal
04/13/2018 at 17:17

listen here you little shit.

AfromanGTO > TheBloody, Oppositelock lives on in our shitposts.
04/13/2018 at 17:18

Because we all know that Nibby will somehow get Nibbles.

aquila121 > nermal
04/13/2018 at 17:21

Wait, you have press car privileges? I want in then, too.

aquila121 > Stef Schrader
04/13/2018 at 17:23

Does Nibbles play well with Torchinsky, though? Or is it a “This site’s only weird enough for one of us...” scenario?

someoneatacura > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 17:28

The content would be better.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > someoneatacura
04/13/2018 at 17:29

I disagree, I really enjoy Jalopnik. It would be cool if we could have things shared to the FP again though. There is some good stuff on here that should be shared.

someoneatacura > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 17:32

I’ll elaborate a bit. They have interesting topics, and they generally get things right, but they need to up the peer review and fact checking big time. The last few Honda/Acura articles have been pretty trash when it comes to accuracy and honesty.

Spanfeller is a twat > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 17:34

Televisa, one of the parent companies of Univision, is suffering a lot of late, Azcárraga’s in big trouble. Friends of mine that work for Televisa have seen their managers fired.

Spanfeller is a twat > nermal
04/13/2018 at 17:36

I could use those... For things.... Like a perhaps a Mexico only car?

Joe6pack > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 17:52

I thought I once read that Jalopnik has a pretty valuable demographic - a lot of mi-40's males with disposable income. Oppo, on the other hand, could be in trouble.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Joe6pack
04/13/2018 at 17:58

mid 40's? I thought it was younger than that. Like 25-35

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 17:59

Being a relatively new to the church of oppo, I’d be really bummed if it died. A year ago I never expected to be writing articles on the interwebs, let alone stuff that other people actually read. (My personal website is visited about as much as [generic lack of sex joke].)

That said, I didn’t realize, though it makes sense now that you say it, Kinja was owned/ operated by GMG/ FMG. I thought it was an independent platform, similar to WordPress. If it all goes to hell I wonder what would become of the platform?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
04/13/2018 at 18:00

Yeah, I joined Oppo in August or September last year so I’m new too. I’d really miss both this and Jalopnik

ranwhenparked > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 19:04

Well, there is certainly value in GMG, or at least a good part of GMG. Almost every large organization carries some dead weight, and you have to do some pruning now and then to keep it healthy. Gawker Media went through a pretty drastic round of downsizing in 2008, with Consumerist, Idolator, Wonkette, Gridskipper, and Valleywag either closed or sold. At that time, Jalopnik was identified as one of the key “up and coming” properties with a lot of unrealized growth potential, and some of the money saved through those cuts was supposed to be invested in growing Jalopnik.

Seven years later, despite a lawsuit induced bankruptcy, considerable bad press, and the forced shutdown of its flagship brand, Gawker Media was still able to realize $135 million in the sale to Univision, which was more than respectable.

Whatever happens, I have to think at least parts of the group are always going to be around - Jalopnik, Gizmodo, The Onion, AV Club, and Deadspin are all pretty solid properties, I would be really surprised if any of them suddenly no longer existed. Someone, somewhere, will want to own them if Univision suddenly decides they no longer want them. Maybe Nick Denton can stage a triumphant comeback and buy it all back with venture capital backing.

chubsyubsy > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 19:09

They should be okay as long as they don’t do anything foolish like publish a Mary Barra sex tape.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > chubsyubsy
04/13/2018 at 19:55

With Sergio marchionne. Nobody needs to see that

Stef Schrader > nermal
04/13/2018 at 22:35

HEY. No.

Stef Schrader > aquila121
04/13/2018 at 22:36

Kinja'd!!!

Stef Schrader > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 22:43

Could find a buyer, probably. Want to find a buyer, eeeeeh. Urgh. That’s a can of worms I’d rather not worry about again. The last time we dealt with a sale, I found out who bought us via spotty cell coverage in Death Valley while Dusty Ventures was doing his Dysentery Tour of Southwestern Desert Bathrooms. Do not do that to me or to Dusty’s bowels ever again.

Plus, I’d prefer corporate overlords who wouldn’t RefineryTrend us into shilling for the #brands, or force us to do something else that’s bananas. Pretty happy with where we are at the moment, so long as everyone respects that hard wall between the ad side and editorial. It’s a long, hard, and girthy wall that completely obscures whatever it is that the commercial side does and I prefer to keep it that way.

Ssfancyfresh > chubsyubsy
04/13/2018 at 22:47

+1 would click

What?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/13/2018 at 23:10

I bet he wouldn’t take his sweater off for it..

Jayvincent > Spanfeller is a twat
04/14/2018 at 11:51

fewer managers isn’t necessarily a bad thing... like having fewer tumors. Or fewer tapeworms. Definitely a less is more scenario :)

not enough cars in this post, adding gratuitous car

Kinja'd!!!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Stef Schrader
04/14/2018 at 11:53

I really hope you guys keep it that way. I try to support you guys in everyway I can. But I can’t ship timbits down to Texas. Sorry!

Spanfeller is a twat > Jayvincent
04/14/2018 at 11:54

Well, it’s a sign that, in a more competitive market, Mr. Azcarraga is ill-prepared to deal with actual competition. Which exactly what happened here after the telecom reform that is bringing down two titans of the industry, Telmex and Televisa, who have acted as virtual monopolies for their entire existance and now need to compete with ATT and Netflix and what not... no one saw televisa crash so badly, or Telmex diversify their assets so quickly.

aquila121 > Stef Schrader
04/14/2018 at 12:17

I just wanted some press cars. Don’t worry, I’m not buying into a coup.

Teh Penguin of Doom > Stef Schrader
04/14/2018 at 13:49

Wouldn’t you prefer having automatic buy link hashtags on dysentery , bowels , and long, hard, and girthy ?

Teh Penguin of Doom > Urambo Tauro
04/14/2018 at 13:55

Fellow Facebook and Reddit refusenik here.

I can’t imagine Oppo is expensive to keep running, unless all y’all getting secret salaries I’m not aware of.

Absolute worst case scenario, one of our many technically proficient people could appoint themselves our new government-in-exile and set up a forum site for us or something. (Although I imagine pretty much everyone here other than you and me is on Facebook or at least Reddit.)

Teh Penguin of Doom > CRider
04/14/2018 at 13:58

Officially sponsored by Harbor Freight, Stop A Leak, and Charity Tow Away.

Teh Penguin of Doom > jimz
04/14/2018 at 14:00

Upvoted! You win the internet. Enjoy Oppo Gold, kind sir.

Dave the car guy , still here > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
04/14/2018 at 15:38

I’d be really bummed. I guess we would have to regroup through the Reddit group we set up during the Gawker-Hulk Hogan mess. From there I don’t know where it would go but I have made enough contact with people that we have Twitter accounts and other places to keep in touch. It would suck but life would go on and we who have become friends would work at communication in other forums.

Spanfeller is a twat > gettingoldercarguy
04/14/2018 at 16:31

Where’s the oppo tribe? I couldn’t find it

gettingoldercarguy > Spanfeller is a twat
04/14/2018 at 16:42

https://drivetribe.com/t/opposite-lock-WsyTisBFQiuJU7cDJZttOw?iid=Q7IWvnAWQpi8B5GV1wsuHA

So the Oppo isn’t as busy as this, but I was on an f1 chat and Damon Hill was on it. Mind was blown.