Last weekend it seemed like Hurley and Converse just couldn’t get enough of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Their logos where everywhere the event’s 500,000 visitors looked. But after seeing Nike’s numbers from the fiscal year which ended on May 31, 2009 it looks like Nike was simply playing into their strengths.
According to a story on Sports One SourceConverse and Hurley were two of Nike’s brightest shining stars in an otherwise flat year.
Converse posted a 12.6% increase in revenues for the fiscal 2009 year, reaching $915.3 million for the year. . . Hurley revenues jumped 18.6% to $202.9 million for the year from $171.1 million in the prior year.
Volcom had a very large stone balloon that flew for a short while over the streets of Nikeington Huntington Beach, California during the Hurley US Open of Surfing. But somehow it “mysteriously” floated away (who would do such a thing). Now Volcom wants it back.
The balloon was seen last at the US Open in Huntington Beach on Saturday July 25th. The rope mysteriously broke and the balloon took off into the sky. . . Volcom is giving out $250 + a box of Volcom gear for the person who finds the balloon and gives it back. If you find the balloon, please contact us at 949-646-2175 and we’ll hook you up.
Those in Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Anaheim or Placentia (or Pamona or Fontana for that matter) might want to look around in the yard a little. Then again, it may be all the way to Salt Lake City by now.
[Update July 29, 2009: According to sources, the Volcom balloon is now in the possession of the Huntington Beach Police department. After the rope was allegedly cut the balloon drifted to 17th Street where it landed on a residence. The occupants believed that a plane towing a banner and dropped it on their house so they called the police.
Now, the Huntington Beach Police department along with the FAA are allegedly beginning an investigation into exactly who put numerous small aircraft and passenger jets in danger by cutting the the balloon free from the roof of The Closet.]
etnies’ Pierre Andre had friends over to his Newport Beach loft last night (July 25, 2009) to celebrate the release of “The Malloys” new “eco-friendly” shoe The Jameson. Two out of the three brothers made it (Dan did not) and so did Jamie O’Brien with his manager, and celebrity Tweeter Charlie Smith.
We arrived late (Wahoo’s had already packed up their tacos) and Newport’s finest shut the music down early. But it was a warm summer night in Newport, so who can complain. [click to continue…]
We didn’t see any of these stickers up anywhere at the 2009 Hurley US Open of Surfing and we’re a little skeptical when a perfect graphic version of a sticker begins showing up online, but it still makes us smile.
[Update: welcome banner spotted in the wild follow the jump. . .]
The last time we attended the Agenda Tradeshow we had some criticisms that didn’t go over so well with the event’s management. We didn’t really like the old beat down hall, or the shabby booth set up, or the fact that the show was running concurrently with the San Diego ASR Show.
Interestingly, all that has changed for the July 22-23, 2009 show in Huntington Beach, California. It’s almost like Agenda President Aaron Levant read everyone’s minds (or listened really well). The new venue at the Hyatt is clean and well lit. The booths were consistent and solid (except for the shelving in the Analog booth that dropped to the floor scaring half the people in the room).
Things were so nice in fact that we began wondering if it might be too nice for some of the smaller street brands. But everyone we spoke to (including some of the deepest LA street brands) loved the new venue, the new dates and the fact that Vans, Hurley, Volcom, Nike and RVCA were now coming to the party.
If you don’t believe us, watch the video, click here for the Agenda 09 photo gallery, or do both at the same time. See if we care.
At first we were wondering why designer Klaud Wasiak called his lastest car design the Volcom Chariot, but then we read the fine print:
. . . it boasts a relaxed state of mind that neglects pressure of work and focuses towards interaction within a social environment, more specifically the beach. the chariot is edgy and sporty with a very unique style, the same characteristics that are evident in volcom’s clothing and accessories.
Ah, so that’s it. Wonder how Volcom’s designers feel about that?
Vans continues to dominate in the action footwear market. While other companies are complaining about drops in sales, Vans has turned in a 14 percent increase in total global revenue according to VF Corp. CEO Eric C. Wiseman on a conference call that is in progress currently.
Global revenues of The North Face® and Vans® brands grew 4% and 14%, respectively, in the quarter on a constant currency basis. Revenues in our Americas businesses rose 3% while international revenues were up 2% in constant dollars, with a 32% increase in revenues in Asia. Total direct-to-consumer revenues for our Outdoor and Action Sports coalition rose 19% in the quarter, with double-digit growth in our The North Face® and Vans® brands. Our direct-to-consumer revenues reached 22% of total Outdoor and Action Sports revenues in the quarter.
Vans was also named as one of VF Corp.’s leading brand push in China where the company believes action sports is one of their best vehicles for growth. Reef, on the other hand, has not been mentioned on the call yet and only showed up in the press release in the list of companies the VF Corp owns. . .
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police rounded up some counterfeit clothing from Rick’s Outlet in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Canada on Friday July 17, 2009, according to a story in SooToday.
Police seized a large quantity of counterfeit clothing consisting of such brand names as Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Harley Davidson, Orange County Choppers, Playboy, Fox, Billabong, John Deere, Tap Out, Nike, Quicksilver and Renegade. . . The estimated value of the seizure is in excess of $17,000.
According to the story Richard Desjardins was charged with “passing off wares that are false” and will appear in court later this month.
One of the most annoying things about wearing a Nixon watch is when the battery dies. It’s like the watch totally quits working, and stuff. With The Volta none of us have to worry about that anymore because it uses the power of the sun to refuel itself.
The Volta makes its mark as the first rechargeable, solar powered watch in the brands 11-year history. Inspired by the Defender driving, outdoor adventurers the semi-transparent dial allows sunlight through to the solar panel below which charges the watch’s battery.
On the other arm guess that means we’d have to actually go outside. . . damn.
Former Vox owner and co-founder Ed Dominick has taken over the global marketing manager position for Adio Footwear according to a press release posted on Sports One Source.
As Global Marketing Manager, Dominick will lead all advertising, team, marketing and PR efforts for Adio as they continue to focus on the skate footwear category. Dominick will be located in the Adio global headquarters in Vista, California where he will work side by side with the design, development and domestic sales teams on future plans for the brand.
Last weekend it seemed like Hurley and Converse just couldn’t get enough of the US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach. Their logos where everywhere the event’s 500,000 visitors looked. But after seeing Nike’s numbers from the fiscal year which ended on May 31, 2009 it looks like Nike was simply playing into their strengths.
