Activision would like to remind everyone that even though Tony Hawk Shred had a less than stellar first week on the shelves that it’s a little early to “close the book on Tony Hawk Shred,” according to CEO Eric Hirshberg, quoted on Computer And Video Games, because they are marketing the game for holiday gift giving and we’re done with that yet.
“The one question that I can answer, and remarkably so, is that Tony Hawk does really still have relevance and tremendous appeal for people,” Hirshberg added. “He is a lasting icon. He has that Michael Jordan-ish or Jordan-esque staying power, seemingly.”
Jake Burton outlines his “life as a pioneer” with Burton for Fortunemagazine and offers up some solid business start-up advice.
“I underestimated the cost and time it would take to get the business going.”
“Once I became focused on growing the sport, instead of just getting rich, things took off.”
To go global, live global. Three years living in Innsbruck “opened my eyes to being a global company.
Own it if you want to control it. “I’m fortunate that I didn’t take on shareholders who would expect numbers, or Burton wouldn’t be the success it is today.”
“Plan lots of lead time for starting any business. It will take longer than you think, and it will cost more than you imagine.”
Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, Corky Carroll and Hobie Alter are oddly involved in a food-service competition for space in the recently expanded John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, according to a story in the OC Register.
In separate proposals, two companies bidding for the airport food service contract are proposing restaurants named after the surfing celebrities. HMS Host International wants to build Hobie Hut, a surf-themed beach bar and grill. Delaware North Companies is proposing Corky Carroll’s Surf Bar. . . While Carroll is famous for his personal adventures and surfing titles, Alter is known as an industry innovator. He is considered a surfboard manufacturing pioneer – one of the first to mass produce foam and fiberglass boards.
Sorry, Hobie and Corky we like seeing you make some money, but if anyone deserves a spot at John Wayne it’s Wahoo’s.
The former publisher of Transworld Skateboarding Magazine has jumped back in the action media game with a new title for the other team. Source Interlink’sAction Sport Group/Grind Networks announced last night that Jamey Stone is their new director of marketing. Stone will reportedly “oversee and direct the group’s marketing initiatives and business development operations.”
“Working for the ASG / Grind Networks is a huge honor,” said Stone, who grew up in Oceanside, Calif., surfing up to the professional level and skateboarding in the underground San Diego skate scene. He lives there still today with his wife and two children. “Growing up reading SURFER, SURFING and SkateBoarder, I never imagined that I would now be a part of this amazing family. I am very excited about all of the great things on deck for ASG / Grind Networks and look forward to adding to an already amazing legacy.”
We’re glad to see one of the most authentic, hardworking guys in skateboarding media back on board.
If all the product at January Surf Expo show in Orlando, Florida weren’t enough Quiksilver will be holding their All 80s All Day Vert Challenge at Surf Expo. It probably wouldn’t be out of line for us to assume that the event might possibly include a visit by Tony Hawk. He went last year. It’s always good to see his blonde 80s mop haloed in neon.
The event is open to the public, but Surf Expo attendees will get VIP admission which is better than having to travel all the way to Huntington Beach. You going?
Quiksilver hasn’t wrapped up their final 2010 numbers, but wanted to let everyone know that things aren’t as bad as they thought they were going to be back in September 2010, according to documents filed today with the SEC.
Based on preliminary data, the company estimates that fourth quarter fiscal 2010 net revenues were between $492 million and $497 million, compared to net revenues of $538.7 million for the fourth quarter ended October 31, 2009, and that fourth quarter fiscal 2010 pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA was between 10% and 20% higher than pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA of $49.9 million for the fourth quarter ended October 31, 2009. . . These preliminary estimated results are higher than the most recent outlook provided in September, at which time the company had expected fourth quarter revenues to be down in the mid-teens on a percentage basis compared to the same quarter a year ago and anticipated that full-year fiscal 2010 pro-forma Adjusted EBITDA would be up approximately 25% when compared to fiscal 2009.
And that’s good considering that 2009’s loss from continuing ops was about $73 million. In other news, Quik is rounding up another €200 million in a private offering in Europe.
Stereo’s Jason Lee has apparently sold his Los Feliz LA home at a loss of $300,000, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.
Located in the Los Feliz neighborhood, the 2,200-square-foot home has three bedrooms and three baths. Situated on a 1½ acre lot with city views, the home, which was built in 1948, has a separate guest house, gardens and a private office. There’s a hot tub located off the master suite.
Lee reportedly bought the home in 2007 from bluesman Robert Cray for $3.4 million and has just sold it for $3.1. In “these economic times” it could have been much worse.
The employee told authorities that the suspects were wearing “wrestling-type” masks over their faces and were carrying large semi-automatic handguns. They ran northbound through the parking lot of the shopping center, located at 2525 El Camino Real.
The robbers got away with the employee’s personal property and a Zumiez bank deposit. This is probably one of the reason’s locals call it “The Ghetto Mall.”
Tahoe’s Sugar Bowl Ski Resortis opening today (or so we’ve heard) with what is likely the best opening day snow they’ve had in years.
With 101 inches of new snow in the last seven days it would seem like they’d have all kinds of great things to Tweet about. Right?
So what was their last tweet? It was on November 9, 2010 letting all their followers know that they had “fired up the snow-making guns.” Since then, not a peep.
Denver, Colorado based private equity fund KSL Capital Partners announced yesterday that they had acquired virtually all the assets of the Squaw Valley Development Company from the Cushing family for a undisclosed amount. The Cushing’s have run Squaw Valley since founder Alex Cushing opened the resort in 1949.
“It’s with a respectful eye for the past that I say this news is part of a new era in Squaw Valley’s incredible history,” said Andy Wirth, Squaw’s new President and CEO. “KSL is dedicated to further enhancing the resort and the guest experience by committing over $50 million in additional capital improvements over the next 3-5 years. The KSL team, all of whom are skiers and riders, are thrilled to be the new owners of Squaw Valley and are excited about the resort’s future.”
KSL currently owns several warmer climate resorts like La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California, Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California or Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas, but the Squaw Valley purchase marks their first expedition into the winter resort business. This is not to say they have no experience. After years at Vail Associates, KSL’s Managing Directors Mike Shannon and Eric Resnick certainly know the ski business.
This purchase, along with Vail Resort’s recent operations deal at Northstar-At-Tahoe is kicking the entire Tahoe resort game up a notch. Industry insiders are saying that this is exactly what Squaw needed. “This is going to be a game-changer for sure,” said one resort executive.
We’ve never really liked riding Squaw. Maybe the changes KSL brings will give us a reason try it out again. For a complete list of resort upgrades follow the jump for a “personal letter” from Andy. [click to continue…]
Activision would like to remind everyone that even though Tony Hawk Shred had a less than stellar first week on the shelves that it’s a little early to “close the book on Tony Hawk Shred,” according to CEO Eric Hirshberg, quoted on Computer And Video Games, because they are marketing the game for holiday gift giving and we’re done with that yet.
