We’re not big on tooting our own horns at The Outdoor Wire Digital Network. In fact, we’re uncomfortable doing it. Occasionally, however, it’s totally appropriate to share significant bits of news with everyone.
This is one of those weeks- because we’re commemorating one significant milestone, and going forward on a number of new projects in the near future.
First, the milestone.
On Thursday, June 19, 2008, we delivered the initial edition of The Tactical Wire. Yep, for the past 10 years, Tactical Editor Rich Grassi has been editing a service that has grown to be one of those go-to resources that people in the LE/military/training arena respect and value.
This morning’s edition (www.thetacticalwire.com) features Rich’s look back at the ten years, and gives an insight into how our entire operation has grown. Ten years ago, we certainly didn’t have the cadre of subject matter experts, number of distinct services - or the plans to expand that keep us hopping behind the scenes on a daily basis.
But we’re advancing - and I’m pleased to announce that the latest change is over at The Birding Wire (www.birdingwire.com) where I’m ecstatic to announce the addition of two terrific subject matter experts to replace the place-holder editor (me) who’s been filing in while we located a replacement for founding editor J.R. Absher.
Tomorrow’s edition will be edited by the team of Dr. Peter Stangel and Paul Konrad- two names that are very familiar to experienced birders. Between them they’ve written and edited hundreds of articles for a variety of birding and scientific publications. For eight years, Paul served as editor of Wild Bird magazine- the largest and most popular birding magazine in the United States. We know they’ll instantly improve what I feel is our most unique wire.
We’re more than a bit excited at their enthusiastically joining our family of subject matter experts. Anyone considering birding as a hobby will find we have two of the most helpful-and enthusiastic- birders possible. They’re ready to help everyone get more enthusiastic about birding.
Their first edition hits tomorrow morning, so be on the lookout.
And we’re very pleased with the reception and growth of our newest service, The Outfitter Wire. I’ve not spent a lot of time ballyhooing its debut, but we’re justifiably proud of the latest edition to our services. You can check it out for yourself at www.outfitterwire.com. If you’ve ever considered travel for hunting, fishing or outdoor adventure, this will be a great resource.
Since I’m feeling very uncomfortable about so much blatant self-promotion, it’s appropriate to go ahead and unwrap the next service -and editor on the horizon.
Later this summer, we’ll be launching The Hunting Wire.
And we’re coming out of the gate with one of the most recognizable names in hunting and shooting as our editor-in-chief. Our longtime friend, shooting companion and colleague Richard Mann will be heading this project.
Right now, Richard’s in Africa on a hunting trip- and prepping material for the first editions.
We’ve been reluctant to jump full-bore into the hunting space because we’ve lacked a resident hunting expert in our editing cadre. Richard more than solves that challenge, in addition to
bringing additional expertise in firearms, cartridges and reloading, and shooting to further strengthen all our services.
He’s also going to be taking advantage of a system-wide upgrade we’re taking through the final testing phases, and when The Hunting Wire kicks off later this summer, it will be the first of our services to feature video as a regular part of our original content.
Over the next few weeks, you’ll be noticing some big improvements in all our services.
We’ve already begun implementing the redesign in The Airgun and Fishing Wires. The redesign will make all our respective services more “friendly” on smart phones and tablets. Increasingly you’re telling us that’s how you principally access our services.
The new design will cut down clutter - for everyone -making it easier for us to keep our primary promise to everyone who subscribes to any of our services: we’ll keep you posted.
— Jim Shepherd