by The Editors on April 13, 2012
The Q1 2012 numbers from the Association of Magazine Media (formerly the Magazine Publishers of America) seem to suggest that there is no bottom to the magazine advertising slide.
While we’re getting tired of saying this we’ll say it one more time: As Transworld Media is the only action sports company whose print advertising is tracked by the MPA we’ll run their numbers and use them as the harbinger for the rest of the action sports print business.
2011 2012 % CHG
Transworld Skateboarding 209.12 193.51 -7.5
Transworld Surf 181.76 167.55 -7.8
Transworld Wakeboarding 43.00 46.68 -7.9
Transworld Motocross 242.99 214.89 -11.6
Transworld Snowboarding 308.41 266.33 -13.6
Transworld Ride BMX 84.50 66.91 -20.8
Overall magazine advertising was down 8.2 percent for the quarter so Skateboarding, Surf, and Wakeboarding were ahead of the market. The other titles were decidedly not.
Advertising in Transworld’s parent company Bonnier Corp magazines (that are tracked by the MPA) were down 9.5 percent (excluding Transworld titles) while Transworld titles were down 11.5 percent over all in Q1 vs. 2011.
Brands that are still buying ads in print must be making publishers so happy, but from the looks of this they are becoming less enthusiastic. No worries though. There’s always the Internet where advertising was up 22 percent in 2011.
To look back on past Boardistan coverage of action print advertising numbers click here.
[Link: Association of Magazine Media]
by The Editors on April 12, 2012
Last week more than 300 workers fainted at a Sabrina Manufacturing plant in Kampong Speu while making Nike shoes. Now a group of Nike executives are reportedly traveling to Cambodia to find out why, according to a story on UPI.com.
“Workers faint every week at Sabrina,” Free Trade Union Leader Chea Mony said, adding that the incident was only picked up by the media when fainting occurred en masse. . . Nike has yet to comment on the issue.
They’re probably fainting from the sheer joy that comes from making shoes for the number one footwear brand in the world. Seriously, wouldn’t you?
[Link: UPI]
by The Editors on April 12, 2012
by The Editors on April 11, 2012
Sometimes things just get uglier and uglier. The Street Ratings downgraded Quiksilver’s stock today (April 11, 2012) from a hold to a sell, accordion got a post on The Street.
The company’s weaknesses can be seen in multiple areas, such as its deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity, weak operating cash flow, generally weak debt management and generally disappointing historical performance in the stock itself.
But the downgrade didn’t seem to bother the stock all that much. It was up a penny midday. Click the link for more of the details.
[Link: The Street]
by The Editors on April 9, 2012
The International Association of Skateboard Companies will host their 2012 Skateboarding Summit at the Doubletree Hotel in Orange, California May 10-11, 2012. And now, through April 16, you can get an “early-bird” registration discount.
The IASC Skateboarding Summit is a two-day event that gives the leaders in skateboarding a chance to come together in a non-competitive atmosphere to educate themselves on topics meant to broaden their perspectives, connect them with their peers, and to inspire and further their business. . . . This year’s summit will host three special events: The Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Icon Awards, as well as special screenings of the new Bones Brigade Documentary by Stacy Peralta and the new Danny Way documentary Waiting for Lightning by Jacob Rosenberg.
For more information follow the jump or click here to register. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 5, 2012
Slope wizard Chas Guldemond has reportedly signed to promote Texas Pete Hot Sauce throughout 2012.
“I am extremely excited to be paired up with Texas Pete – a really cool brand,” said Guldemond. “I appreciate their support and confidence in me and look forward to promoting their hot sauce this year and beyond.”
Truth is, nothing makes road food more palatable than a little hot sauce. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 5, 2012
We don’t watch it anymore, but it appears that Fox may be hoping to push Fuel TV into the mainstream by ditching action-only content and running straight into main stream sports coverage, according to a story on Deadline.com
No final decision has been made, but the plan would involve converting the company’s action sports network Fuel (36 million subs) into a new national offering, which would compete against fellow cablers Disney/ABC’s ESPN, Comcast’s new NBC Sports Network and the CBS Sports Network. Like those entities, News Corp is attracted to the juicy affiliate fees a national sports network can command.
Might as well go to where the audience is. It’s certainly not in action sports. But Fuel was a nice try, certainly.
[Link: Deadline.com]
by The Editors on April 4, 2012
Skullcandy announced today that they have purchased a dump load of advertising and product placement formed a “multi-platform alliance” with The Berrics that will see the Skullcandy logo plastered all over Steve Berra and Eric Koston’s warehouse and website. But that’s not all. Not only will there be Skullcandy preroll on The Berrics videos, but there will also be a Skullcandy recording studio at The Berrics and, The Berrics design staff will help design Skullcandy apparel, accessories, and headphones.
“Eric and I have spent the past five years developing a new paradigm for media in the skateboarding industry,” said Berra. “This partnership with Skullcandy, especially with their renewed focus on skateboarding, enables us to collaborate on special content, make exclusive product for our employees as well as all the different types of skateboarders that step foot into the Berrics. We’ve been looking for a partner like this for quite sometime, and Skullcandy is the ideal brand for this new type of innovative partnership.”
Take the money. . . Guess we should probably start calling it the Skullcandy Berrics. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 3, 2012
Karmaloop.com, the Boston-based urban fashion online retailer, is dropping in on online skateboard retailing with a new site called BrickHarbor.com.
“While our goal is to appeal to customers that actually skate, our expert staff strives to provide the best customer service to aspiring skateboarders as well, creating a unique user experience that will leave customers impressed and eager to return,” says Chase Whitaker, Brick Harbor’s Director of Operations.
The site lists PJ Ladd, Terry Kennedy, Jack Curtin, Stevie Williams, and Gino Ianucci as their team and they’re playing the “created by skateboarders for skateboarders” game from the start. Looks like CCS is getting a little more competition. And if BrickHarbor can do for skateboarding what Karmaloop does in youth fashion this could get interesting. For the official word, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 2, 2012
Outdoor clothing giant Helly Hansen is reportedly being put up for sale by its private equity owner Altor, according to a s tory on PE Hub. And the parent companies of Vans, K2, and Volcom are all interested in adding the label to their stable.
Global lifestyle apparel giant VF Corporation, U.S. consumer products maker Jarden Corp, French luxury and retail group PPR – owner of both Gucci and Puma – and Columbia Sportswear Co have all expressed some kind of interest in the company after a teaser was sent out earlier this year, the industry and banking sources said.
Seriously, who doesn’t need another great outerwear brand?
[Link: PE Hub]
The Q1 2012 numbers from the Association of Magazine Media (formerly the Magazine Publishers of America) seem to suggest that there is no bottom to the magazine advertising slide.
