by The Editors on May 26, 2011
In an apparently move to become completely Laurent-Free Burtons Snowboards announced today that Super Rep Laurent Vrignaud is calling it quits and will be moving on “to pursue new opportunities as of June 1st.”
“Laurent has been a part of the Burton family for so long, and we all thank him for dedicating over two decades of his career to growing the brand and the sport,” said Jake Burton, Founder and CEO of Burton Snowboards. “Everyone here wishes him the best on his next chapter, and we look forward to a new era with our valued dealers in the territory.”
In other Laurent rumors it appears that former Burton CEO Laurent Potdevin (who left the company on May 3, 2010) has finally found a new home as President of Toms Shoes.
Apparently, it’s a Burton-Laurent one-for-one week. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 25, 2011
Australia’s gold medal girl, Torah Bright, has just signed on as an equity partner and endorser of Liquid Nutrition, a “smoothie, food, vitamin, and supplement retail chain in Canada, according to The Phoenix Business Journal.
Liquid Nutrition plans to use the six athletes as it looks to grow. The announcements coincided with the public listing of Liquid Nutrition’s stock and the beginning of its franchising push, both of which are occurring today.
Torah joins two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, and NY Yankee’s catcher Russell Martin on the Liquid Nutrition squad. At least it’s not an energy drink.
[Link: Phoenix Business Journal]
by The Editors on May 23, 2011
by The Editors on May 19, 2011
It’s apparently official, not that it comes as a surprise to anyone, but Deckers Outdoor has now added Sanuk to its odd footwear collection by paying $120 million for the sidewalk surfer maker, according to a story on Reuters.
Goleta, California-based Deckers, known for its sheepskin UGG boots, expects the deal for Sanuk to be modestly accretive to earnings for 2011. . . The deal includes additional participation payments based upon performance of the brand over the next five years.
We’re guessing Jeff Kelley’s gigantic smile must be even larger than normal today.
[Link: Reuters]
by The Editors on May 19, 2011
A month and four days ago Nike placed former Dockers president Jim Calhoun in the position of CEO at Hurley. Now, it appears that Nike has decided that Calhoun would be a better fit at Converse and has named him CEO and president of the brand. They also moved former Converse CEO Michael Spillane over to their soccer brand Umbro, according to story on Sports One Source.
“We are very excited that Michael, a seasoned industry veteran, will now take the helm at Umbro. Michael has demonstrated strong success at Converse and we are confident he will bring the same passion, commitment and clarity of vision to Umbro,” said Roger Wyett. “In addition, Jim Calhoun’s brand expertise and global experience will be instrumental in driving continued growth at Converse.”
We’re not even going to speculate on the Hurley changes (or how a former Dockers CEO would fit at a surf brand) other than to say it looks like Mr. Wyett isn’t out of his Hurley responsibilities as soon as he thought he’d be.
[Link: Sports One Source]
by The Editors on May 17, 2011
Can’t fault ESPN executives for playing into one of their few sports property strengths. Today, as just one of the items the company rolled out to advertisers during “2011 upfronts” ESPN announced that they are doubling the number of live, faux-sporting, action entertainment television events to a total of six for the coming three years, according to a story in the LA Times.
Currently, X Games events are held in Los Angeles during the summer and in Aspen, Colo., and Tignes, France, during the winter. Under the new plan, called Global X, four events will be held outside the U.S. ESPN will hold a competitive bidding process beginning in 2012 to select the three new locations, which will be signed to three-year agreements and work with ESPN to stage the events.
Not surprisingly ESPN’s Senior Vice President of Programming and Global X Games Scott Guglielmino is “incredibly excited to take the X Games to the next level.” More events, more coverage, more sponsors, more money, more dilution, more irrelevance. Sounds like a perfect plan.
[Link: LA Times and Broadcasting & Cable]
by The Editors on May 14, 2011
It’s nice to see that not much has changed when it comes to the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association Surf Summit in Los Cabos, Baja, Mexico. At their 14th Annual event held May 11-14, 2011, it appears that the usual industry suspects, drank, surfed, and sat in air-conditioned meetings rooms just as they have for the last 13 years. Click here for the official party photos with little or no commentary whatsoever. Come to think of it, that’s probably all you need to know. Can’t wait for next year.
by The Editors on May 12, 2011
For a guy responsible for millions of kids sitting indoors all day playing video games, it is so quaint that Tony Hawk announced today (May 12, 2011) that he is launching a 24 volume series of SF adventure novels for kids 10 – 14 titled, Tony Hawk’s 900 Revolution with Capstone Publishing Group, according to a story on Publishers Weekly.
The series is inspired by Hawk’s feat, first accomplished in 1999: successfully completing in a competition a 2.5 revolution, 900 degree aerial spin on his skateboard. The premise behind the series is that when Hawk lands his initial 900-degree aerial spin, a mysterious force shatters his skateboard, catapulting pieces of it all over the world. A group of teenagers set out on a quest to collect the pieces of the magical skateboard, and put it together again, thus restoring its powers.
We’d get critical, but at this point anything that gets kids away from the video games is fine with us. Happy birthday, Tony!
[Link: Publishers’ Weekly]
by The Editors on May 11, 2011
Today, French fashion giant PPR announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Transfer Holding, Inc. has begun the cash tender offer to slurp up all outstanding shares of Volcom common stock for $24.50 a share.
If all closing conditions are met, including the requirement that at least a majority of the outstanding shares of Volcom common stock (on a fully diluted basis) are tendered, any remaining shares not tendered will be converted into the right to receive the same consideration in cash in connection with a merger of Transfer Holding into Volcom. Following the transaction, Volcom will be a wholly owned subsidiary of PPR.
Not surprisingly, the Volcom board of directors has recommended that Volcom shareholders accept the offer. Looks like this deal is getting done. Time to wave Salut to the VeeCo. Follow the jump for all the nearly unintelligible details. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 11, 2011
The Newport Beach, California City Council voted unanimously last night (May 10, 2011) to approve a zoning change that would allow iconic 50-year-old surf shop The Frog House to remain in its current location, according to a story in the Daily Pilot.
By unanimously approving a zoning change for the store’s West Newport property, the council caused cheers from the crowd. . . “I’m stoked,” shop owner T.K. Brimer said after the vote. “The city has treated us very well at every step.”
Dealing with City Hall is never easy. It is good see things working out well this time.
[Link: The Daily Pilot]
In an apparently move to become completely Laurent-Free Burtons Snowboards announced today that Super Rep Laurent Vrignaud is calling it quits and will be moving on “to pursue new opportunities as of June 1st.”
