While we’re getting ready for Agenda NYC January 23 -24, 2013, take a smooth ride back through Agenda Long Beach. Looks good all DSLR pushed and pulled with a soundtrack on top, doesn’t it?
[Link via Empire Ave] [click to continue…]
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Even if VF Corp. and Altamont’s letter of intent is not a “binding offer” they still seem pretty serious about their bid for Billabong. Altamont Capital Partners has already named Skullcandy board member and former Nike and Oakley exec D. Scott Olivet as the guy who would run the non-Billabong brands including Element, RVCA, and Tigerlilly should the deal go through, according to a story in The Australian.
Mr Olivet is a clothing industry veteran and former vice president at Nike. He is currently a director of headphones company Skullcandy, and was chief executive of Oakley between 2005 and 2009 before moving into the chairman’s role through November 2011.
The former Oakley CEO ready to swoop down not he non-Billabong brands? That’s got to have some people at Billabong’s other brands starting to look a little more seriously over their shoulder for a soft place to land.
[Link: The Australian]
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In a move many thought should have happened a while ago, Vans and Reef parent company VF Corp (along with San Francisco, California based private equity firm Altamont Capital Partners) has offered $555.5 million for Billlabong, according to a story in the Washington Post. That is the same amount offered by former Billabong USA President Paul Naude and his investor partners. According to a statement from VF they aren’t interested in the entire company.
VF’s primary interest in the transaction is in the Billabong® brand. This interest is consistent with VF’s stated intent to pursue acquisitions, particularly in the Action Sports category, to continue to build shareholder value. Altamont’s interest lies in acquiring Billabong’s other brands and related assets, and is predicated on the firm’s mandate to invest in situations where it can provide strategic and operational support to build business success stories.
It would be sad to see that Billabong brand portfolio broken up, but at this point it really about what’s best for the shareholders. We’d put odds on VF corp getting the deal getting done, if Billabong is sold. Guess we’ll know in six weeks. For the official word from VF, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
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The crew at Billabong Snow isn’t letting a little take-over talk slow down one bit. They’re marching right along it seems. They just signed X Games Real Snow candidate Bode Merrill.
“I am convinced that Bode is the most talented snowboarder out there today,” said Billabong Snow Team Manager Andrew Marriner. “Who else can go out on a urban mission in Minnesota and absolutely blow minds then quickly turn around, hop out of a heli seat and shock the Absinthe Film crew in Haines, Alaska?”
Merrill joins Wolle Nyvelt, Tadashi Fuse, Jamie Anderson, Eero Niemela, and Romain De Marchi at Billabong. For the official word follow the jump. [click to continue…]
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Billabong has chosen to go with a CFO who has worked neither in fashion nor in retail, but in the media space for the past two decades. Peter Myers was CFO of APN News & Media and Network 10, but now he’s going to up to his waist in trunks.
“Peter has over 30 years of experience and insight at both a corporate and an operational level,” said Billabong CEO Launa Inman. “He understands the company’s current position, has a deep understanding of working with a wider team in implementing transformational strategies and will make a valuable contribution.”
He also has “extensive experience” with takeovers and acquisitions, so that’s good. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
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After a series of executive departures at Billabong (and Paul Naude’s leave of absence to attempt to buy the company) CEO Launa Inman has been getting some heat, according to a story in the Business Spectator. But that’s just the way things go, Inman says:
“Transformation is key for Billabong,” she said. “I’m sure there are people that don’t like to see the changes. . . They want the business to be what it was. I’m here to increase shareholder value. That’s my job. We have a lot of unhappy shareholders.”
Then again, maybe Launa Inman is just wrong.
[Link: Business Spectator]
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On January 31, 2013 9Five Eyewear will drop their new, limited edition, perforated leather wrapped Modelo frame.
The Perf Modelo comes in two color ways, Varsity Red and Royal Blue (Drawing influence from the original Air Jordan 1’s that came in these colors). The frame comes with option of black polarized or clear lens, and will come packaged in a miniature “shoe box.”
Watch for it at authorized 9Five retailers or on the 9fivesite.com website.
[Link: 9Five]
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We talked to Jamie Thomas about his involvement with New Balance Numeric and Hypebeast spoke with Westlife and 686 founder Mike West and Numeric Brand Manager Sebastian Palmer. West and Palmer discuss where the design is coming from and where the brand is headed. If you look very closely you’ll might even see some other familiar faces in this edit. Check it.
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The Agenda Show kicked off their 10th Anniversary year with 550 brands showing, mobs of retailers packing the aisles, Chris Brown, Dr. Dre, and a new partnership with Reed Exhibitions.
Though he may play it down, Agenda Show founder Aaron Levant has finally outgrown his underdog status for good. He’s rolling with the big boys now, and it should come as no surprise that it suits both he and the Agenda Show quite well.
Click here for a photo gallery and you’ll see a little of what we saw during our days in Long Beach, California.
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Jamie Thomas and Mike West at the LA Dodger’s Stadium Club.
Jamie Thomas, the man who took the legendary Leap of Faith, founded Zero Skateboards, Fallen Footwear, and Black Box Distribution, sits by himself for a moment in the box seats of the LA Dodger’s Stadium Club overlooking the massive construction project that is changing the face of Dodger Stadium. It’s Friday afternoon, January 4, 2013 and while Thomas works his iPhone with tattooed fingers, construction crews on the field below put the finishing touches on the 25-week-long $100 million stadium improvement project. Thanks, Magic Johnson. Behind Thomas, inside the Stadium Club proper, a select crew of skate media, core style shop owners, and employees wait for the rollout presentation of Thomas’ latest collaboration–New Balance Numeric.
The venerable 106-year-old footwear company, famous for its dedication to style, fit, and comfort, is (thanks, to some serious encouragement from Westlife Distribution and 686 founder Mike West) finally pushing into the skate shoe market. New Balance has enlisted Thomas to not only put his skateboarding stamp of approval on every detail, but also to act as Numeric’s distributor.
We all know why New Balance (and West) would want Thomas involved, but our biggest question was why Thomas, who experienced huge success in the early days of his distribution company, would be interested in helping to launch another brand that will likely take a bite out of an already overcrowded skate shoe market. Especially seeing that he already owns one footwear brand, Fallen. [click to continue…]
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