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]
by The Editors on September 3, 2013
Xavier Nidecker (yes, that Nidecker) has been named Global Brand Manager of Jones Snowboards and Seth Lightcap has been named Global Marketing and Team Manager.
“We are stoked to have both Xavier and Seth enter into marketing and global brand strategy roles within the company,” says Jones Snowboards founder Jeremy Jones. “These are exciting times at Jones and we have every intention to continue our steady growth as a leader of performance-driven design and technology in the snowboard industry.”
Sounds like Nidecker (who is also involved with Nidecker, Yes, Now, Slash and Laird StandUp) it getting some business handled. For the official word from Jones, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on August 30, 2013
Former Billabong CEO Derek O’Neill and his wife Nikki are reportedly selling their “Beachbreak Cauarina” home located only 15 minutes from the Coolangatta Airport. The home is pretty plush, according to a post on Property Observer.
The 2005 Paul Uhlmann designed home has spacious indoor and outdoor entertaining options behind its formal entrance complete with Frangipani trees. . . The main kitchen and living areas feature beautiful New Guinea Rosewood cabinetry, eight metre high ceilings, chocolate quartz tiles and a mixture of electric blinds and windows to maximise natural light and airflow. . . Along with the spacious master suite, there are an additional three guest bedrooms upstairs as well as a fourth ensuited guest bedroom on the ground floor. . . The lock-up garage can park seven cars. The gardens comes with pool and firepit.
Looks like the kind of house you’d only leave if you had too. Asking price is something over $5 million AUS. In other words, it’s a steal. Anyone? For more photos click the link.
[Link: Unique Estates via Property Observer]
by The Editors on August 30, 2013
A dispute between Utah’s Park City Mountain Resort and Talisker the Canadian real estate company who owns the land the resort’s lifts operate on has resulted in PCMR being served an eviction notice giving the resort until Monday, September 2, 2013 to vacate the premises, according to a story in the Salt Lake City Tribune.
This obviously has many locals worried about what Park City’s business climate would look like without the resort operating. And there’s more. Vail signed a lease in May 2013 to operate PCMR’s nearest competitor The Canyons which is owned by Talisker and we’re guessing Vail would love to run the lifts at Park City as well. Representatives of PCMA resort say this eviction notice is simply bullying by the land owner and Vail.
“Vail’s eviction notice is nothing more than a bald-faced attempt to circumvent the litigation already in process and interfere with our business,” Jenni Smith, president and general manager, said in a statement. “We will not give in to Vail’s bullying.”
The litigation behind the eviction revolves around lease negotiations between Park City Mountain Resort and Talisker. Since the 1960s PCMR has reportedly been paying a ridiculously low $155,000 a year to lease the thousands of acres the ski resort sits on. Talisker claims it simply wants to be paid a what they consider “fair rent.”
“There is no intent by Talisker to take any action that would prevent PCMR’s ability to operate their resort during the upcoming 2013-2014 ski season,” said Vail spokeswoman Kelly Ladyga. “We are very cognizant of the importance of this situation to the entire Park City community and we look forward to bringing this situation and its uncertainty to a conclusion.”
Either way, it is highly doubtful that anything consumer facing will change during the 2013-14 ski season, so everyone who is worried can relax, buy a season pass and shred on. And for the record, over the years we’ve learned that when it comes to ski resorts corporations and real estate, there is rarely a “good guy” for us to even pull for. For the rest of the story, click the link.
[Link: Salt Lake City Tribune]
by The Editors on August 28, 2013
Brixton announced today the appointment of Mike Lawson to the position of Director of U.S. Sales for the Oceanside, California based brand. Lawson, an industry sales vet, was previously national sales manager for the action sports division of Amer Sports, parent company of Salomon, Bonfire, and Nikita, but most know him from his six years at Sole Technology’s Emerica and Altamont.
“We are excited to bring on someone with Mike’s ability to lead our U.S. sales team,” said Brixton co-founder and General Manager Jason Young. “Mike is well respected and comes to us with the knowledge and experience needed to help the continued growth of Brixton.”
Yes, it appears that Lawson’s escape from SoCal is officially over and he’s back in thick of it. Welcome home, Mike! For the official word from Brixton, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Former Transworld Snowboarding and Snowboarder Mag online editor and Skeleton Crew mastermind Evan LeFebvre has been named team manager for Adidas Snowboarding.
