by The Editors on July 2, 2010
The old Corona Del Mar Becker Surf Shop is on it’s way to becoming a Hobie retail store, but a mural that was recently completed on the side of the building has been met with some criticism, according to a story on Corona Del Mar Today.
Vandals covered a brand-new mural with four-letter words, five-letter words and pejoratives . . . The mural, which was completed less than two weeks ago, is part of a makeover of the old Becker Surf Shop. Painters spent days on the project, which turned out so well that families had begun using it as a backdrop to snap photos of their kids.The graffiti was on all areas of the wall and also on the front of the store. By 9 a.m., however, a worker was using rags and cleaning solvents to remove the paint.
Apparently, someone thought new colors and geometric designs were very “gay.”
[Link: Corona del Mar Today]
by The Editors on July 1, 2010
As of tomorrow DC Shoes, the brand built in San Diego’s North County, will reportedly be officially vacated from its Vista, California headquarters and officially moved to the Huntington Beach offices of its corporate parent Quiksilver.
It is definitely the end of an era, then again, DC Shoes is just one more brand in the Quik mix, right?
by The Editors on June 30, 2010
Orange 21, the parent company of Spy Optic today announced the creation of their newest division: music. And Fran Richards finally gets to put his enormous CD/music collection to work.
No other subculture has the amazing power to communicate and permeate so many different types of hearts and minds as music,” says Stone Douglass, CEO. “Investing in the Music Division completes a circle in our portfolio of lifestyle brands and we expect it to be a great fit.” . . . Orange 21 has appointed Fran Richards, current VP of Marketing for Orange 21, to the new position of Vice President of Business Development and head of the new Music Division.
Fran has already hooked up a joint partner ship with Mary J Blige and Interscope Geffen A&M Records‘ Jimmy Iovine (the guy behind Monster’s Beats by Dr. Dre headphones) for Melodies by MJB which he says is “a luxurious range of high-end acetate and metal frames inspired by Mary’s own passion for sunglasses.”
Ms. Blige does appear to wear them well. . . follow the jump for all the details.
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by The Editors on June 30, 2010
Here we thought Billabong was busy buying RVCA and then they announce that they’ve just purchased West 49, the Canadian action mall retailer (the Zumiez of Canada) for $94.3 million, according to a story on Reuters.
The company said the acquisition of the 138 primarily mall-based retail outlets operated by West 49 will help boost its earnings in 2011. . . .”West 49 is a complementary business and promises to be an ideal Canadian distribution platform for Billabong to showcase its brands and extend its reach,” Billabong Chief Executive Derek O’Neill said in a statement.
In a Globe & Mail story West 49 CEO Sam Baio explained the sale like this:
“It makes sense today for powerful brands like Billabong to own retail stores,” Mr. Baio, who will remain chief executive officer of West 49, said in an interview. “I think we could safely say that we would want to grow the exposure of Billabong stores. We would definitely expand the Billabong concept into markets we’re not in yet.”
Way to own the channel. . .To recap Billabong’s retail march they now own: Beach Works, Honolua Surf Company, most of Australia’s Surfstitch.com, all of Swell.com, Becker Surf, plus their Billabong branded stores.
[Link: Reuters via Sports One Source and Globe & Mail]
by The Editors on June 25, 2010
Tony Hawk is reportedly suing the makers of the Tony Hawk Helmet Cam for $115,000 plus punitive damages according to a story on TMZ.com.
In the suit, Hawk alleges when he signed the deal in 2005, Prime Entertainment “had no intention” of actually paying the guy what they promised. Instead, Hawk states he only received $35k of the $150k he was owed.
Lawsuits are just the way businessmen negotiate, right?
[Link: TMZ]
by The Editors on June 24, 2010
If you’re trying to get any business done today it might not be a bad idea to head down to the local Apple Store. We’re guessing most of the industry (including Nixon Art Director Michael Carter and Nixon co-founder Chad DiNenna (above), and Bond Snowboarding’s Dan McNamara) is spending the morning on line for a new iPhone 4.
Imagine being the only one in a meeting this afternoon and not being able to throw down your new iPhone like a gauntlet. Oh, that would hurt.
by The Editors on June 23, 2010
Just when we were wondering what ever happened to the ASP World Tour we get news that the North American division has hired former Globe International Surf Marketing Manager Brian Robbins as their new tour manager.
“I couldn’t be happier about being hired for the Tour Manager position,” Robbins said. “I’ve always been passionate about competitive surfing, and to be working for ASP North America now is unreal. I’m looking forward to the events we have on the schedule this summer and getting down in the trenches at my first event.”
While everyone else is in J-Bay Robbins will be onsite for his first event the ASP 4-Star Quiksilver Pro Pro Puerto Escondido.
[Link: ASP North America]
by The Editors on June 23, 2010
Nixon has had an office in Hossegor, France for 10 years, but now they’ve moved around the corner and into what looks like a big black box.
The new office is completely custom to Nixon and drafts off the spirit and vibe of the Nixon Global Headquarters located in Encinitas, California. The opening of the Nixon office was recently initiated with a gathering of the brands founders, team, reps, employees, retailers, friends and family where toasts were made with plenty of high fives and cheers. Nixon is excited and focused to hit new levels of creativity and productivity with this larger and more creative space, while providing a better home and environment for our employees and customer’s needs.
At the opening party team riders Iker Fernandez, Alain Goikoetxea, Fredo Robin and Javier Sarmiento repotedly got new watches. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on June 22, 2010
The Wall Street Journal is reporting today that Fortress Investment Group, LLC, the parent company of Whistler-Blackcomb resort has reportedly been speaking with Russian billionaire Vladimir Potanin about his purchasing the resort.
Mr. Potanin, the main shareholder of metals giant OAO Norlisk Nickel, has expressed an interest in the property. His investment vehicle, Interros Co., is currently building a new ski resort in Sochi, Russia, home of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games.
The best buyer would probably be a company with little knowledge of the economics of North American ski resorts, because really, who else would want it?
[Link: Wall Street Journal via CKNW.com]
by The Editors on June 21, 2010
Alli Sports, the NBC/MTV owned parent company of the Dew Tour announced today that they have purchased the Carlsbad, California based online retailer Standard Boardshop. Founder Pete McAfee appears to be very happy to have someone else paying the bills.
“Myself and the rest of the Standard Boardshop team couldn’t be more excited to join the Alli family,” said McAfee, General Manager of Consumer Products for Alli. “Alli Shop will allow consumers the opportunity to shop online for the latest in apparel and products from many of the top brands while at the same time consuming in-depth editorial content.”
With media dollars drifting away it’s probably not a bad idea for Alli to get into the business of selling physical products that kids will actually buy. Although the idea of content and shopping reminds us a little of the old Swell.com model that never really worked out all that well. Then again, it’s nice of Chris Miller to look after his people so well.
Follow the jump for the rest of the press release.
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The old Corona Del Mar Becker Surf Shop is on it’s way to becoming a Hobie retail store, but a mural that was recently completed on the side of the building has been met with some criticism, according to a story on Corona Del Mar Today.
