Monday, May 12, 2008

Tuesday Toot - Long Live Kirtsy!



This week I have to give a huge Toot and applause for the great gals at kirtsy, formally known as sk*rt. They have persevered through the toughest of corporate bullying from Skirt! magazine (don't bother gracing them with a visit) to be reborn into an even more fantabulous site. And the new name is totally cool. In true kirtsy fashion, they ran a contest to pick a new name. At first I thought kirtsy was a bit too cutesy and voted for sheesaw (as in she saw this site and wants to share it with you). But as soon as I saw the winner, it finally clicked. Just move the s in sk*rt to the end and curtsy away! Even the logo has transformed itself brilliantly. And to show you how truly great these gals are, here is a snippet from the email that they sent to us editors.
Over the weekend, after more harrassing letters from [Skirt! magazine's] lawyers, we created a giant timeline defending ourselves against their claims...with pretty charts and graphs with dated linked details on how a magazine for women bought its domain name after we had launched and how their site design changed radically from what it was last Aug to what it is now (coincidence?) and how we've always been supportive (duh, we're designed to send people to other websites. That's our whole point.) and how they've always not acted in a very sk*rty way and on and on and on and on and on and whatever. But we were angry. And we wanted our truths to be known. So all that crap is what we were going to send you today.

But thank God we didn't.

Because last night we talked to Guy Kawasaki. And with only a few words, he parted the clouds we were being stormed by. And we saw more clearly. And we realized, all that yuck is so not us.

We're not warring people. We created sk*rt to connect and support and inform. That's it. We didn't start it to start a gigantic business (obviously, or we wouldn't be in this situation). We started it to create something cool.

So we've made a decision, we're not going to talk about all that. No matter what is thown at us, we are going to be positive about this. We are going to be ourselves. We are moving forward, moving on. Life's too short.
I am so impressed by their outlook and fortitude, I hope they don't mind my sharing. World leaders could learn a thing or two from them. You don't have to fight to come out on top. The world will embrace your positive attitude. I could not be more proud to be a kirtsy editor!
kirtsy!

For more news and reactions to the rebirth of kirtsy, check out Design Mom (a kirtsy founder), The Bloggess, Gwen Bell, Oh My Stinkin' Heck, and BlogHer.

So go check out kirtsy for yourself and enter their huge contest!
kirtsy!

8 comments :

Anonymous said...

I keep trying to sing "Do you know the way to Kirtsy", but it doesn't seem to fit with the beat.

Long live Kirtsy!

Anonymous said...

Angela,
Like you, I've been inspired & impressed by their outlook & fortitude. I think the same can be said for all the editors & fellow kirtsiers on the site. What a joy to be part of such a group. Thanks for being a rockin' editor!

Anonymous said...

TooooT! Viva Kirsty and kisses to all my fellow editors and the 3 Kirtsy mavens.

Jenny, the Bloggess said...

A-freaking-men, chica.

Wani said...

I like the new name! I hope the transition goes well!
Stop by and check out my toot!

MommyTime said...

I left you a note in my comments section, but I realized you may not get back to check. This is great, and I'm so glad you posted it. And thanks for stopping by to visit me and leave a comment too. Blogging has such potential to create strong communities, and I love what Kirtsy is doing to foster that. You and all the editors deserve a lot of props for that -- and for your fortitude in a difficult time. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

You have a wonderful blog. I an enjoying your blog very much, thank you..

TheBeautyBrains said...

Hi Angela! We've been a fan of Skrt from the beginning. We're were worried that the name change would be a step backwards, but we're pleased to see that that Kirtsy is at least as good! (We don't get to use the joke about "looking up our skrt" but other than that it's all good!

By the way, the pictures on your blog look awesome! You must be using a really hi res camera. What's your secret??