Wall Street

Vans Introspect #2: Jamie Lynn

by The Editors on December 20, 2013

We’re not just saying this to be down: we could listen to Jamie Lynn talk and watch him ride all day long. Here’s a short bit from Jamie at home and the Mt. Baker Banked Slalom. The secret? “Breathe and is to stay high through the corners.” Listen and remember.

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Surf Expo Parent Co. Sold For $335 Million

by The Editors on December 20, 2013

Surf ExpoProvidence Equity Partners, the owners of Surf Expo’s parent company GLM announced today that they have sold the company to the San Juan Capistrano, California based Emerald Expositions, Inc. for $335 million dollars according to a press release.

David Loechner, Chief Executive Officer of Emerald, said, “GLM is a truly outstanding tradeshow company with an exciting portfolio and an experienced and talented workforce. This acquisition expands upon our position as a leading tradeshow organizer in the United States. I am excited about the opportunities for customers and employees of both companies that will result from bringing these two high-quality portfolios together.”

Emerald, for those who have lost track, is the company that owns Outdoor Retailer, Interbike, and a long list of design trade shows. For the official word from Surf Expo, follow the jump. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Snowboard Company Opens New Stores

by The Editors on December 19, 2013

Today, a major snowboard company is excited to announce that both of its new flagship stores in a big city are now officially open and ready for the holidays and the riding season. Their new store on that one street opened its doors to customers for the first time today, and last month they opened another one in that other part of the city, just a quick stop off the highway on the way to the local resorts.

The newest store is located in the city’s historic neighborhood. The flagship store offers local snowboarders a curated selection of products, including boards, boots, bindings, outerwear, apparel, accessories and bags, in addition to limited edition items, collaborations, and one-of-a-kind collectibles.

[click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Kyle Kennedy Is Publisher of Snowboard Mag

by The Editors on December 17, 2013

kyle_kennedyFormer Snowboarder Magazine National Sales Manager Kyle Kennedy is dropping the “er” from his job title and stepping into the publisher position at the Boulder, Colorado based Snowboard Magazine.

“Kyle brings a wealth of sales and marketing knowledge to our crew,” says Editor-in-Chief Susie Floros. “His connections in the industry run deep, and his motivation and love of the sport is inspiring. I have no doubt that Kyle’s going to help us continue to take SNOWBOARD to the next level.”

For the official word from Storm Mountain Publishing follow the jump.
[click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Agenda Emerge Drops More Knowledge

by The Editors on December 16, 2013

Agenda EmergeAgenda is announcing the second installment of their “highly curated creative and brand building conference” Agenda Emerge, powered by Group Y to be held at both the Long Beach Agenda Show on January 8, 2014 in the Center Theatre, and in NYC on January 23 at the Jack H. Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.

“The importance of bringing an educational platform like AGENDA Emerge to the public serves as a tool to foster growth for the next generation of our industry’s creatives and entrepreneurs,” said AGENDA Founder Aaron Levant. “Going head to head with the largest and well-established fashion industry shows and watching these brands reach success, knowing that we had a hand in it, has been a humbling journey. This is a great opportunity for the new generation of designers to learn from seasoned experts who have turned their brands into household names.”

For the official word from Agenda, follow the jump. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Agenda + Flexfit = Three More Years

by The Editors on December 13, 2013

Agenda Vans Flx

The Agenda Show is keeping their hat game on the up with a newly signed three-year deal with custom hat manufacturers Flexfit. Through the partnership Agenda and Flexfit will create limited edition hats created with different brands and artists.

“We have built AGENDA from the ground up, making sure that we keep surprising and inspiring our brands and retailers,” says Aaron Levant, founder of AGENDA. “Our relationship with FLEXFIT and being able to tap into each others resources will support our vision and keep the show fresh. This is only the beginning for AGENDA and FLEXFIT, and we’re excited to see the amazing collaborations to come.”

For the official word from Agenda, follow the jump. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Marckx Joins Spy Board of Directors

by The Editors on December 11, 2013

072513 G10-15895Apparently Spy President and CEO Michael Marckx didn’t have enough titles after his name so the Spy board of directed added him to the board. Yep, now he’s President, CEO, and Member of the Board of Directors.

“Michael has been instrumental, and inspirational, in ensuring that SPY’s truly innovative products and its unique message are resonating throughout the marketplace,” said Seth Hamot, Spy Inc. chairman of the board. “We happily welcome him to the Board!”

For the official world from Spy, follow the jump. [click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Burton’s Asia Made US Olympic Uniforms

by The Editors on December 9, 2013

2014-Burton-Olympic-Uniform-Nyc-Launch-Event-1

It didn’t take long after Burton Snowboards announced their designs for the 2014 Olympic snowboard uniforms for the company to be forced into responding to stories about how the uniforms were “not made in the United States of America,” according to a story on Fox News. The jackets are apparently made in Japan and here’s the rest:

“The fabric of the competition fleece was woven in Italy, and the technical and waterproof corduroy pant fabric was developed in Taiwan and sewn in Vietnam,” the [Burton] statement continued. “Next, we turned to our longstanding, trusted vendors in China to produce several of the accessories.”

Burton was quick to point out that most of the snowboards ridden by the Burton athletes in the 2013 Sochi Olympics will be handmade in Burlington, Vermont. So if you think you’re going to be riding the same board Shaun White rides in the Olympics, think again. The one you ride will likely be made by one of Burton’s “longstanding, trusted vendors” offshore. Not that this should surprise anyone. . . at all.

[Link: Fox News]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Skiers Now Saying Snowboarding Is Over

by The Editors on December 3, 2013

mike_murphyWhen the Boston Globe wants to do a story on snowboarding it apparently heads directly to the local ski shop and talks to some skiers to get the latest news. They spoke to Adam Sanchez and his boss Mike Murphy (pictured right) at Sportworks in Duxbury about just what happened to that old white-hot sport of snowboarding.

“I snowboarded for four seasons,” said Sanchez. “The skis then were pretty traditional, and the technology was not advancing. But the past couple of years, the new designs have made skiing much easier, especially in powder and the woods. So I went back into skiing.”

Even the researchers are telling tales of woe. RRC Associates director of operations Nate Fristoe, who presented some numbers to the National Ski Area Association reportedly says snowboarding has been falling off for years even though some used to claim “snowboarding saved the ski industry” (we wrote that line).

“Snowboarding lost some of its mojo around 2005 and 2006, and we’ve been running on fumes since then. It’s like any kind of trend — full of all sorts of energy until it isn’t.”

Well, now that all the snowboard tourists are finally packing it up it looks like there will be more snow for us. We never really like them anyway. Yay skiing!

[Link: Boston Globe via Bobstonite]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Quiksilver To Sell Off Ballast Brands

by The Editors on December 3, 2013

quik_logo10-tm.jpgRemember all those companies Quiksilver started and/or bought or licensed over the years because it was reportedly good for the stability of their business? Brands like Mervin Manufacturing, Hawk, Moskova, and Maui & Sons. Well, it now seems like the secret to Quik’s “profit improvement plan” is to sell them all. Mervin is already gone and most of the money they got for it is already spent.

“These transactions represent additional milestones in executing our multi-year profit improvement plan,” said Andy Mooney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Quiksilver, Inc. “We used a portion of the Mervin proceeds to invest in our high-growth subsidiaries in Mexico and Brazil, and we now own 100 percent of our operations in both countries. The remaining proceeds from the Mervin sale, combined with the new European credit facility, enhance our financial flexibility and add greater stability to our liquidity. . . Divesting Mervin and the other non-core businesses will allow management to focus on expanding our three core brands – Quiksilver, Roxy, and DC Shoes – along with driving additional operational efficiencies.”

Hey, whatever makes the market think “Hey, they’re making the right moves” is apparently the right move. Follow the jump for the full press release.

[click to continue…]

{ Comments on this entry are closed }