by The Editors on October 3, 2013
The Boardroom surfboard gathering is going down this weekend (October 5 & 6, 2013) in Costa Mesa, California at the OC Fair & Events Center. The show features “road show” style collectable appraisals, surfboard shaping competitions, more surfboards than you’ll ever see in one place at one time.
The Icons of Foam Tribute to the Masters Shape Off honors master shaper Terry Martin by taking six of the best shapers in the country and putting them head-to-head to replicate a classic Terry Martin surfboard. Come watch these master shapers as they compete to honor the late Terry Martin.
For more information and to buy tickets click the link. Visitors 12 and under are free adults are $10 for one day or $15 for two, so bring the groms.
[Link: The Boardroom]
by The Editors on October 3, 2013
This didn’t take long. Seems like only yesterday we were saying how there was no reason for ESPN to expand their X Games into the global market because there is no global market for what they do. And now, according to a story on SportsBusiness International it appears they have finally agreed.
An ESPN statement read: “We are proud to have run world-class competitions for both the athletes and spectators; however, the overall economics of these events do not provide a sustainable future path. . . The company remains fully committed to the X Games brand and its full-scale competitions in Aspen, Colorado and Austin, Texas – its newest host city – and we will continue to distribute these premier events around the world.”
You don’t say. It was a nice try though, huh?
[Link: SportsBusiness International]
by The Editors on October 1, 2013
If you’re the marketing director of an action sports company (or better yet, an energy drink company) why waste time developing relationships with a bunch of different little media companies when you can do all your shopping at an advertising super store? That’s seems to be the question Source Interlink’s Grind Media must have been thinking when they partnered up with Europe’s largest action sports media company Factory Media.
With the launch of this new co-operation agreement, GrindMedia and Factory can now offer marketers increased North American and European reach through their respective media sales teams. . . Factory and GrindMedia’s advertising clients will now be able to book digital advertising and content distribution campaigns through the UK, Germany or U.S. offices of the two independent companies. GrindMedia will represent Factory’s North American digital audiences, while Factory will represent GrindMedia’s European sports fans.
How simple is that? Just drop in your advertising and they’ll turn the factory on and grind media out to the world. Everyone’s a winner. For the official world from GrindMedia, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 30, 2013
Eneliko “Liko” Smith, the man behind The Block snowboard hotels and the ensuing legal problems that arose regarding unpaid taxes, is back in the winter sports game while apparently continuing to work on the launch LV Air, an airline serving Las Vegas, Nevada.
Smith claims to have purchased Traverse City, Michigan’s Sugar Loaf Resort and plans to transform the 560-acre property into a “snowboarders’ Mecca” titled The RoK At Sugarloaf.
“This is the single biggest challenge of my life, I’m fortunate I was able to find partners that not only understand the risks involved at Sugar Loaf but also the complexity of reopening a resort that has been shuttered for over 10 years,” says Smith. “The key is getting down to bedrock on what’s required and then taking massive action…I will not let this resort waste away on my watch,” he says. “The residents and children in the region deserve a resort that will compete with others worldwide and The Rok is going to do just that.”
Some locals had been worried about Smith’s past issues, however, Smith promises “that tax payments will never be an issue again” because he “learned from that mistake.” The upside is we just may get another snowboarding reality TV show out of the deal. And that always was the best thing about The Block. For the official press release, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 30, 2013
Former Transworld Snowboarding and Snowboarder Mag online editor and Skeleton Crew mastermind Evan LeFebvre has been named team manager for Adidas Snowboarding.
“I am extremely excited to be taking on this role; I seriously couldn’t be more psyched,” LeFebvre says. ” I’m a huge fan of everything adidas has been doing in skateboarding, so when I heard snow was happening I immediately wanted to be a part of it. That it’s actually going down, still seems unreal!”
Congrats, Evan. For the official word from Adidas Snowboarding, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 27, 2013
Rip Curl founders Claw Warbrick and Brian Singer have apparently “stepped down” from the board of directors at Rip Curl ending 44 years behind the brand, according to a story on Business Day.
Documents filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission show Mr Warbrick and Mr Singer ceased being directors of Rip Curl International last month, although they will retain a very large interest in the future of the surf wear retailer with a combined 72 per cent stake.
Guess we’re not the only one who feel the surf fashion biz just isn’t that much fun anymore.
[Link: Business Day]
by The Editors on September 24, 2013
Nixon announced today that after an “exhaustive search” they’ve named former Nike exec Nick Stowe as CEO of the company replacing Andy Laats, who will become executive chairman.
Stowe, 43, has over 20 years of successful leadership experience with start-ups and established global brands including jewelry company Stella & Dot, Converse and Hurley. . . “Nick understands our potential, and he’s the kind of guy I want at Nixon,” said Laats. “He’s an experienced leader who not only has formal business training, but also knows how to grow strong consumer brands.”
Can’t hurt to add another Stanford MBA to the team. For the official word from Nixon, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 20, 2013
To be honest, we’ve recently lacked the rigor required to stay up-to-date on the constantly changing story of Billabong debt, its pending demise, and who they’re going to depend on to save them. The most recent news is that company has landed a refinancing deal with Centerbridge Partners and Oaktree Capital (brave investors) to the tune of $386 million, according to a story in The Australian.
Private equity firm, Altamont Capital Partners, which only months earlier had agreed to recapitalize the group, has been shown the door. . . While Centerbridge and Oaktree, and their affiliates, have not bid to buy the business outright, the consortium will emerge from the deal, if approved by shareholders, with significant control. . . In addition to controlling most of the company’s senior debt, an accompanying $135m equity placement will see it owning up to 40.8 per cent of Billabong’s shares. It will also have the right to install three representatives on Billabong’s board and has brought a new chief executive to the table.
Oh, and Billabong is reportedly completely out of Nixon. That’s likely old news to you, but let us remind you of that rigor thing. Click the link of the rest of the story. Or, if you want to know what Jeff Harbaugh things about it, click here.
[Link: The Australian]
by The Editors on September 18, 2013
Surf Expo says they had more buyers at their fall show than they’ve ever had before with 8,000. Sounds like a good show.
“Buyer attendance was up fourteen percent compared to last September’s show and even eclipsed our record-breaking January 2013 show by four percent,” says Show Director Roy Turner. “More buyers than ever before put their trust in Surf Expo to offer the most diverse array of product categories and brands under one roof.”
We’ve never been to Surf Expo, but don’t feel sorry for us. We just watch it all on video. Like this. Follow the jump for the official word from Surf Expo and nearly everyone who attended follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 9, 2013
This January 2014 the Agenda Show Long Beach run is getting business done on business days: Tuesday & Wednesday January 7 & 8. Now you have no excuse not to be there all day both days. Mark your calendars now.
[Link: Agenda Show]
