via some tweets, came across this website
https://zone5ventures.com/#what_we_do
says - "Zone 5 Ventures is an early-stage investor with Specialized as our sole limited partner..."
https://zone5ventures.com/#portfolio
scroll...
via some tweets, came across this website https://zone5ventures.com/#what_we_do
says - "Zone 5 Ventures is an early-stage investor with Specialized as our sole limited partner..."
https://zone5ventures.com/#portfolio
scroll down the page and Outside is in their portfolio. Outside (formerly Pocket) now owns PB and Beta among other things.
https://zone5ventures.com/#contact_us
on the contact page is this address, which is specialized HQ
MORGAN HILL
15130 Concord Cir
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
The funny thing about Spez now going consumer-direct also is that they are in a buying war for retail shops against Trek. Also, Spez technically owns 1/4 of the Outside group through their venture capital arm. Next, we will see Spez bikes for sale on Pinkbike.
The funny thing about Spez now going consumer-direct also is that they are in a buying war for retail shops against Trek. Also, Spez technically owns...
The funny thing about Spez now going consumer-direct also is that they are in a buying war for retail shops against Trek. Also, Spez technically owns 1/4 of the Outside group through their venture capital arm. Next, we will see Spez bikes for sale on Pinkbike.
I think the 'Specialzed owns 1/4 of Outside' keeps coming from the fact that Outside had 4 series A investors, one of whom was Zone5 which is run by Specialized employees. No one has yet to come up with an actual dollar value at this point. The closest we have is CyclingTips saying they are a 'minor investor'. So is Lance Armstrong's Next Ventures: https://cyclingtips.com/commercial-disclosures/
If you go further into CrunchBase, you can see that the other Series A investors are signify bigger than Zone5, with larger and more investments. That doesn't tell us how much they put forward, but it's likely they would have the capability to invest more than Zone 5.
Also, what does Specialized gain from this if they did make Pinkbike/CyclingTips/whoever only say there bikes are good? If something was bad on their bike, all of the other publications would point it out and now the influence is incredibly obvious and it crashes the reputation of Outside. I know they own some of the biggest bike news outlets but they don't control the market.
One way to own the market is to own the media. Look at what FOX and OAN did for the GOP. They influenced a generation of...
One way to own the market is to own the media. Look at what FOX and OAN did for the GOP. They influenced a generation of voters.
How can we sell more bikes AND make sure our competitors don’t get favorable media time? 🤔 I know! We buy as many media outlets at once!
While Sorros and team own every other major outlet and shill for the Dems. 99% of politicians are full of sh*t regardless of letter by their name. That said, this isn't Pinkbike, keep that garbage over there. We can all agree Specialized is a shady company and leave it at that
While Sorros and team own every other major outlet and shill for the Dems. 99% of politicians are full of sh*t regardless of letter by their...
While Sorros and team own every other major outlet and shill for the Dems. 99% of politicians are full of sh*t regardless of letter by their name. That said, this isn't Pinkbike, keep that garbage over there. We can all agree Specialized is a shady company and leave it at that
So we're concerned about a potential partial ownership by Specialized of PB having an influence on bike reviews, but we also think that some network news sources are clearly carrying water for only one political party while the other network news sources are objective unbiased news sources?
I'm not concerned about Specialized owning part of PB (directly or indirectly), but it probably should be disclosed. I think most of us know that Specialized spends a lot of advertising dollars and some influence may come with that over the reviewers. That said, I think most reviewers try to be objective and unbiased. We also have the comments and user reviews (not to mention friends) that carry as much or more weight than a review from a for profit publication.
If you go further into CrunchBase, you can see that the other Series A investors are signify bigger than Zone5, with larger and more investments. That doesn't tell us how much they put forward, but it's likely they would have the capability to invest more than Zone 5.
Also, what does Specialized gain from this if they did make Pinkbike/CyclingTips/whoever only say there bikes are good? If something was bad on their bike, all of the other publications would point it out and now the influence is incredibly obvious and it crashes the reputation of Outside. I know they own some of the biggest bike news outlets but they don't control the market.
Said they'd have to comment and potentially add disclosure etc.
Admitted it was embarrassing that Cycling tips knew and they didn't.
Made bold statements about handing in their notices if ever influence was exerted on editorial.
Still doesn't look great.
Only good to buy used bikes there
Vital may now need a new catagory - Off the Bike w/ Mike Vandeman & Co.
I'm not concerned about Specialized owning part of PB (directly or indirectly), but it probably should be disclosed. I think most of us know that Specialized spends a lot of advertising dollars and some influence may come with that over the reviewers. That said, I think most reviewers try to be objective and unbiased. We also have the comments and user reviews (not to mention friends) that carry as much or more weight than a review from a for profit publication.
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