“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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…]
Brixton continues in its march toward surf world domination by signing Florida’s Oliver Kurtz and San Clemente, California’s Tanner Rozunko to the “Brixton Union.”
“Oliver is a very progressive surfer, from big waves to little waves, its always fun to watch him push his surfing,” said Brixton Co-founder and Brand Manager David Stoddard. “He has a strong work ethic, is creative and loves to travel and we’re really looking forward to working with him. . . Tanner is everything Brixton represents,” said Stoddard. “He’s a natural fit and we’re psyched to have such a talented person in the family.”
Quiksilver co-founder and CEO Bob McKnight (picture right with Travis Rice, Kristi McKnight, and Torah Bright), is stepping aside and will be replaced in the CEO and President position on January 11, 2013 by former Disney and Nike executive Andy Mooney.
“This is an exciting time for Quiksilver and me personally as we bring in Andy and his ability to leverage our brands and people with his experience,” said McKnight. “I am very proud of Quiksilver’s many accomplishments and its three global iconic brands, industry leading athletes and gifted team of managers and employees. For the last year, I have worked closely with the Board and a leading executive search firm to identify the best possible candidate to succeed me as President and CEO, and I know Andy is the right choice. Working together, Andy and I will ensure that this transition is seamless for all of our stakeholders and that the company will continue to execute on its strategic priorities to deliver long-term shareholder value.”
McKnight has been named Executive Chairman. For the official word, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Today the Agenda Show has announced that Seth Haber has sold his shares of Agenda to Reed Exhibitions and has left the company to “pursue other interests.” Who is Reed? Well, they’re the trade show big boys.
“In the ten years since we launched AGENDA, we have really seen it grow dramatically from a business standpoint, but more importantly we’ve seen the AGENDA Show evolve in terms of the positive experience and unique environment that our customers expect when they enter one of our shows,” said Aaron Levant founder of the AGENDA Show. “We are really excited to work with a world class exhibition company like Reed. Reed is the global leader in exhibitions with over four hundred fifty events and offices in thirty-six countries. We know Reed is the best because of their truly global view of the tradeshow landscape.”
Congrats to Seth Haber on a smooth (and hopefully lucrative) exit. Follow the jump for the official word.
Where will everyone be this weekend? At the Long Beach Convention Center for the Agenda Trade Show & Berrics Agenda January 4 & 5, 2013. Click here for a list of brands who will be showing all their new stuff (550 at last count) or follow the jump for info on a few of the parties going down in the next few days. It’s going to be good.
The Skateboard Mag and Port are presenting a photo show featuring the work of 10 of magazine’s finest photographers on Friday night (January 4, 2013) in Long Beach, California.
Titled PortFolio, the show features the photographic stylings of Atiba Jefferson, Anthony Acosta, Grant Brittain, Rodent, Dave Swift, Bart Jones, Matt Price, Jeff Landi, Ed Dominick, and Neil Blender.
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:
