by The Editors on May 14, 2013
Kilwag, that smarty pants editor of Skate And Annoy, linked up a great story from Salon.com by Matt Reevy titled: Authenticity and the X Games: Why ESPN just doesn’t get it. In it Reevy gets right down to the heart of the action sports/mainstream media conundrum. We’ve always said that the mainstream doesn’t care, won’t care, and never has cared about action sports. But Reevy makes a much more complete, compelling argument:
Essentially, what ESPN seems to miss,, is that that the statement “I am a skateboarder” is a far different one than “I am a basketball player”. There’s no such thing as the best skateboarder, BMX rider, snowmobiler, skier, or snowboarder. Placing in the X Games is a reflection of a high level of skill, certainly, but it doesn’t make you the best.
Reevy finishes his article off with the statement that Shaun White is neither a snowboarder nor a skateboarder, “he just happens to ride them. Until that changes, no one is going to care about the X Games, regardless of where they’re held.”
While we’d never take anything away from Mr. White’s snowboarding and skateboarding, the larger point is made — X Games? Who really cares? Aside from the people who are getting paid, no one.
[Link: Salon.com via Skate and Annoy]
by The Editors on May 10, 2013
GLM Shows, the parent company of Surf Expo has decided to put the Launch LA project “on hold,” according to a information from the company.
Based on the reviews we received after the first LAUNCH last year, showcasing emerging California lifestyle brands is important. . . We will continue to evaluate the best way to highlight these brands in a venue that maximizes all the resources that GLM brings to the table.
So no July show this summer. Wonder how long this “hold” will last, because we enjoyed the show last year.
by The Editors on May 9, 2013
Doug Palladini, the former global marketing leader at
Vans has been named to the newly created position of Vice President General Manager of the Americas.
Palladini brings his experience and leadership as the head of the Vans Americas division to ensure the alignment of strategies on a global and regional level. “Doug’s outstanding performance as our global marketing leader over the last nine years has prepared him to take on the new challenge and lead as he carves out a local strategy for the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Latin America regions,” said Vans President Kevin Bailey. “He will build Vans’ regional strategy and oversee execution, to continue to cultivate our business in the Americas.” In the interim, Palladini will continue to oversee the Vans Global Marketing division and will assist in finding his replacement.
And we hoped VF would buy Billabong and have Doug run it. Looks like that dream has been dashed for the time being. For the official word from Vans, follow the jump.
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by The Editors on May 9, 2013
While we were all awaiting news of the pending Billabong takeover by Paul Naude today (May 9, 2013), the company has requested that their trading halt continue even longer. Here’s what Billabong said in their release:
The securities of Billabong International Limited (the “Company”) will be suspended from quotation immediately, at the request of the Company, pending an announcement with regard to possible transactions affecting the Company, including in connection with the bid process announced on 14 January 2013.
In other words, they’ll let us know when they want to let us know. Until then, there’s no getting out. Oh, and it also looks like VF Corp is back in the buyout mix (Wall Street Jounrnal link via Tiffany) now that Naude’s “exclusivity” period has ended. Wonder how much more time they will need?
by The Editors on May 7, 2013
Billabong has placed a “trading halt” on their stock while the action sports fashion world anxiously awaits news of former US Billabong President Paul Naude’s takeover or kickout.
In a statement Billabong said:
Unless ASX decides otherwise, the securities will remain in Trading Halt Session State until the commencement of normal trading on Thursday, 9 May 2013, or when the announcement is released to the market.
It won’t be long now. We’re guessing the takeover will roll right through the approval process.
by The Editors on May 6, 2013
In the big snowboard agent world, this is likely news. Carl Harris, the former President of Ookii Co Athlete Management & Marketing has joined the action sports division of IMG and has brought Ayumu Hirano and Kazu Kokubo with him.
Harris joins IMG from Ookii Co Athlete Management and Marketing where he served as President for the past three years. Previously, Harris spent three years as Vice President of Business Development at VAS Entertainment. Prior to that, Harris spent five years at Viacom’s MTV Network. Harris has also held positions at Swatch Group, Burton Snowboards, and as Supervising Producer and Director for Tony Hawk’s Boom Boom HuckJam.
Now it all makes sense.
[Link: Wall Street Journal]
by The Editors on May 6, 2013
Nielsen (owners of the Outdoor Retailer and Interbike tradeshows under their Nielsen Expositions wing) got what appears to be a pretty clean exit from the tradeshow business today when they sold Nielsen Exhibitions to a Canadian private equity fund (Onex Coproration) for $950 million, according to a post on Rapaport.
“This is an exciting development in the history of the Nielsen Expositions business,” said David Loechner, the president of Nielsen Expositions. “Onex’ experience and successful track record in executing similar corporate carve-outs and building those divisions into industry-leading businesses position it as a strong partner. We look forward to working with Onex to execute our strategic plan and to continue to grow the business to better serve the exhibitors and attendees who participate in our events, all the while providing a seamless, business-as-usual transition for our clients and associates.”
Wonder who Onex is going to sell it to next year?
[Link: Rapaport]
by The Editors on May 3, 2013
It’s good to know that the snowboard industry isn’t going to take all the economic gloom and doom laying down. . . in the sun. . . with a drink their tanned, relaxed hands.
No, with the help of the Snow Industries of America they took action and jetted off to Palm Springs this week to get some winter problems solved the old fashioned way: meetings, powerpoint presentations, poolside drinking, tanning, and good old bro-ing down, all under the auspices of The Committee of Snowboard Brands. Committee Chairman Mike West of 686 explains:
“From company founders to CEO’s, it was an honor to have key players from the snowboard community come together to discuss some major issues within the industry,” said Mike West, founder of 686, chairman of the SIA Snowboard Committee and member of the SIA Board of Directors. “Our discussions have led to taking the next steps on increasing participation through retention and allocating our resources towards increasing healthier sales in retail. Our goal is to work ON snowboarding instead of working IN snowboarding.”
For the complete list of industry problem solvers and the additional committees they’re going to form to solve even more snowboarding industry problems, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 3, 2013
Today (May 3, 2013), Burton Snowboards named longtime employee John Lacy (left) as Chief Product Officer and promoted Sasha Dietschi-Cooper (right) to the position of SVP of North American Sales at Burton. Lacy will report directly to CEO Jake Burton while Dietschi-Cooper will report to Burton COO Mike Rees.
“We’re more focused than ever on the long-term success of Burton, and realigning John and Sasha’s roles reflects this priority,” said Jake Burton, Founder & CEO of Burton Snowboards. “During the past couple of years, John really stepped up and got our North American sales house in order. Now, we want to see him focus on key initiatives like product development & innovation, snowboarding participation and our opportunities in China. As for Sasha, he’s also a longtime veteran of the brand and the industry, and it was a natural evolution to have him take on more responsibility in sales. We have no doubt that both John and Sasha will succeed in their new roles.”
For the official word from Burton, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 1, 2013
For the month of May (April 27 – May 31, 2013) Keep A Breast is posting up a pop up shop in The Garage at Univ, in Encinitas, California.
The pop-up will feature everything Keep A Breast has to offer and more including: merchandise from http://shopkab.com and our partners; KAB breast casts; Non Toxic Revolution prints from artist Shepard Fairey and others; Kassia Meador photo collection; ltd skate decks from Todd Bratrud; and interactive breast cancer prevention learning lounge. The pop-up shop will also feature a series of special events such as a KAB Treasured Chest breast casting day for survivors.
KAB will kick things off with an grand opening party at 6 PM Friday, May 3, 2013. The evening features music by DJ Tony Larson. The Univ Garage is located at 1057a South Coast Highway in Encinitas, California. For the full schedule of KAB events planned for the month of may, follow the jump
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Kilwag, that smarty pants editor of Skate And Annoy, linked up a great story from Salon.com by Matt Reevy titled: Authenticity and the X Games: Why ESPN just doesn’t get it. In it Reevy gets right down to the heart of the action sports/mainstream media conundrum. We’ve always said that the mainstream doesn’t care, won’t care, and never has cared about action sports. But Reevy makes a much more complete, compelling argument:
