Choke Zine

Hello and thank you for checking our funding request out!

My name is Damien and I am a Fashion and Portrait Photographer based in New York you can see examples of my work here www.damienfry.com

I am starting a new Arts/Photography/Socialcommentary Magazine and Exhibition space right here  in New York City and looking for a small investment to get the first issue off the ground. Find out more here at my kickstarter here - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1060819943/choke-zine-next-generation-photography-and-arts-journal?ref=user_menu

The Zine

Choke stands for change, and we believe the future belongs to everyone - no exclusions. 

We have a conscientious approach to the content we provide. Whether its environmental issues, social change, political movements or developments in the arts or cultural events; we remain resourceful and meticulous throughout. Choke is an open discussion, a fight for the underdog and a thought from outside the box.

Our Contributors, Photographers, Writers and Talents, are game changers and frontrunners. Challenging the conventional, we bring our readers/followers exciting subject matter, awe inspiring imagery and unique design.

We believe that each issue should feel like a collectors item. Therefore each issue is curated with a set theme from which we commission 6 unique Photographers to produce a 6-8 page story for our zine. Along with the main body of work, we would like to feature 3 key interviews with people that we feel are important to the theme of the issue. This could be anyone from environmental activists to musicians, politicians or tech innovators!

When we go to print and launch the issue we want to do something a little different and hold an exhibition for Artists. This would be a great opportunity to sell the Zine and showcase exhibited works from the Contributors.

Risks and challenges

The risk of starting a new publication is to facilitate enough revenue to continually publish and grow the business into a successful international enterprise.

Once the foundations of the magazine are set, it is easier to broaden horizons into advertising, events and creative direction, which we forecast in 5 years time.  Some people might say it is crazy to start a new publication when most magazines are in decline, however the industry is making a steady comeback with independent publishing and special interest magazines.

Therefore, it is important to keep Choke Zine as a niche market and retain its unique selling point as a limited edition 'art object'. We also want the publication to be tied to a reoccurring pop up exhibition for the launch of each issue. This is important because it creates an ethos for the Zine and broadens the creative network for future endeavours.

It is also vital to maintain a social media feed through Instagram that is exciting and captivates our followers. We would intend to update 2-3 times a week with stories, artists, and features that we feel are relevant to our audience and our driving aesthetic.

The Costs (September 2020)

1. a) 1000 copies for Issue 1 - 80% of the budget for our kickstarter fund and we will need to reach our goal of selling all 1000 copies in order to produce the next issue. Backup funds could be achieved through online membership in return for digital copies of the Zine. We could potentially hold fundraiser events between issues and sell at book/magazine fairs.
     b) Building a working relationship with established printers to keep costs, whilst we expand capacity and broaden our spectrum of printing capabilities.

2. Event space for Choke Zine launch - 10% of the overall funding. We aim to have the space open in Manhattan for a week to increase sales and build our audience.

3. Expenses - 10% Will be dedicated to expenses which includes exhibition costs, travel, distribution, shipping posting, exhibition flyers and posters

4. Contact Info/Newsletter Sign up The first issue will be sold at the launch party and online. We will be sending a limited amount of publications to specialist bookstores, newsagents, cafe/bar and galleries in New York.

5 Year Projection  - (Please contact me for full breakdown)

1. Increasing growth of readership and followers through social media, monthly email updates, playlists, bi-quarterly music events and membership for online digital copies  

2. Creating larger distribution and circulation growth to Cultural hubs around the world including London, Paris, Milan, Tokyo and Los Angeles 

3. Gaining advertisers as the zine becomes more established -Reaching out to PR's, Agencies and Designers 

4. Launching media group for creative solutions and art direction - Ultimate goal of 5 year plan is to open our own production office where we can be contacted for all potential commercial clients and sponsored projects