Some people were just built for taking care of business. And while people may not have expected that from Erik Ellington in the past, it’s obvious now. His work with Baker Boys Distribution, Death Wish, Shake Junt, et. al. has proven that the guy is a savvy merchant who knows exactly what he’s doing, as evidenced by this interview with Copenhagen’s BitchSlap Magazine.
[Link: Bitchslap Magazine via Digital Skateboarding]
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Alaska Tailgate founder Mark Sullivan is happy to announce that he has signed a new title sponsorship agreement with Flow Snowboarding which will come in handy now that there are two events, (Tailgate Alaska and Tailgate BC) on the 2012 schedule.
Flow Snowboarding CEO Anthony Scaturro, “We are very excited to step up as the title sponsor for the Tailgate events. 2012 will be Flow’s third year of involvement. We have seen the event change lives and educate people on backcountry riding, which we hope will help save lives. While the competition component is a great part of the event, we love the fact that it is more about community than competition. It is a composition of freeriding, backcountry freestyle infused with a whole lot of fun. At Tailgate, everyone is a winner“.
For all the official info, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
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The Association of Magazine Media (formerly the Magazine Publishers of America) has released their print advertising numbers for the quarter July through September 2011 and that whole recovery thing isn’t looking so strong just now. Total magazine advertising was down 5.6 percent for the quarter. And when we check in with the only action sports magazines to be tracked by the MPA (Transworld Media) we find that four of their six titles were down in ad pages sold. Check out total pages for Q3 2011 vs 2010.
2011 2010 %CHG TRANSWORLD SKATEBOARDING 251.03 296.04 -15.2 TRANSWORLD RIDE BMX 134.08 152.59 -12.1 TRANSWORLD MOTOCROSS 252.43 256.26 -1.5 TRANSWORLD SNOWBOARDING 220.33 221.34 -0.5 TRANSWORLD SURF 295.70 278.42 6.2 TRANSWORLD WAKEBOARDING 159.96 93.67 70.8
Skateboarding took the biggest hit with a 15.2 percent drop, followed by Ride BMX with a 12.1 percent fall. Not sure there is much to be taken away from this other than to say that the skateboarding and BMX markets continue to feel pressure. On an up note, it appears that Wakeboarding Magazine has found a great home in Carlsbad. For past Boardistan print coverage click here, or click the link for more info from this quarter.
[Link: Association of Magazine Media]
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We were just thinking about what ever happened to Fuel TV’s CJ Olivares (who left the cable channel April 26, 2011) and what should show up but a little announcement that he’s joined GrindMedia (fomerly ASG) as a television/video advisor.
“I’m thrilled to engage someone of CJ’s caliber to serve as TV/video advisor for GrindMedia,” said Norb Garrett, SVP Group Publisher of GrindMedia. “The development of original TV and video programming by our brands is a critical next step in the evolution of our business, and I can think of no one who brings more credibility, insight, knowledge and creativity to the table than CJ.”
Can’t really believe anyone still uses the term “television” but Olivares has seen action sports video distribution from pretty much every angle. As long as he doesn’t start pitching people on a new cable channel it seems like his knowledge will be a great addition to the Grind team. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
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With all the coverage today regarding Shaun White Supply Co. and it’s soon-to-launch signature line of China crap we were surprised that no one mentioned the one new Shaun product that is made here in America: toilet paper.
Shaun White may wipe his ass with crisp hundred dollar bills, but it’s comforting to know that he understands that the other 99 percent of us don’t. That’s apparently why he’s reportedly releasing his new triple-ply line of Shaun Wipe Xtreme bathroom tissue.
Rumor has it that he will roll out (and demonstrate) his new personal hygiene product immediately prior to his vert run in the Caffeinated High Fructose Corn Syrup Championships presented by Go Kill Elephants Daddy in Las Vegas the weekend of October 13-16, 2011. And seriously, we can’t wait to watch him wipe out the competition.
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It’s not all bad news in the action mall retail sector. Zumiez shares were up 6% today after the company released strong September sales numbers according to a story on Forbes.com.
The mall-based retailer reported Wednesday that sales last month surged 18.3% to $52.9 million (from $44.7 million a year ago), and comparable store sales were up 10.1%. . . More importantly the company bumped its third-quarter earnings forecast to between 40 and 41 cents per share, from previous guidance of 37 to 39 cents. Wall Street’s consensus estimate calls for earnings of 39 cents per share.
Take that, Pac Sun.
[Link: Forbes]
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There’s a lot of goodness in Ashland, Oregon and we’re not just talking free Lithium water in Lithia Park. Now, it would appear that we can add new skate shoes to the Ashland mix, thanks to industry vet Travis Matsdorf’s new footwear company Praxis.
The inaugural Praxis product collection will be unveiled in early December and hit select shops, both in the US and internationally, in May 2012. . . “We’re thrilled for the Praxis brand launch.” says Matsdorf. “We will promote uniqueness on a global level through a meaningful and heartfelt service effort with our retail partners. We believe this will lay the foundation for a special brand experience that will excite and engage the end consumer.”
With 10 years directing sales at iPath, we’re guessing Matsdorf knows what’s up. Will be interesting to see what he and the team have planned. Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
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Larry Stevenson’s Makaha Skateboards company was the originator of the kicktail. On the list of skateboarding innovations only the urethane wheel may have had a more important impact. And now, I.E. Distribution (parent company of World Industries) has picked up a “multi-year” license agreement to produce skateboarding prouducts with the brand.
“We’re pleased to be working with the Makaha people,” John Dickinson, i.e. distribution President. “While planning our growth in the longboard and cruiser category we felt it best to work with a brand that has roots in the culture. We feel that no other brand better accomplishes that but the original professional skateboard brand, Makaha.”
A documentory titled Makaha: The Story of the Originator will be released in the spring of 2012. Nice to see an legacy brand continue on as a real skateboarding company. Follow the jump for the official word from I.E. [click to continue…]
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Beginning today (October 1, 2011) Baker Skateboards will be distributed by Andrew Reynolds’ co-owned Baker Boys Distribution company and will no longer be part of Blitz Distribution.
“It’s been a great run over at Blitz Distribution with Per and everyone there,” said Baker CEO Andrew Reynolds. “I want to thank them all for everything they have done for me and Baker over the years and also for helping me bring Baker Home.”
Blitz President Per Welinder is obviously proud of the part his company played in the development of the Baker brand:
“With Baker I’m happy to see that Blitz has once again been a contributor to the worldwide success of a skate brand, and I am certain BBD will do a great job carrying the Baker torch moving forward,” Welinder said. “With Baker departing Blitz will continue in its tradition of incubating and distributing brands and will now focus its efforts on the growth in the Sk8Mafia and JSLV brands in particular.”
It was a homecoming of sorts for Baker Skateboards. The company will join Deathwish Skateboards, Shake Junt, Heroin Skateboards, and Thunder Trucks at Baker Boys Distribution. Seems like the only missing piece to Reynolds’ Baker Boys puzzle is Altamont. . . hmmm?
Follow the jump for the official word on the Baker Skateboards move. [click to continue…]
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Not to be outdone by the Los Angeles Taco Trucks, New York City now has its own mobile skateboard shop thanks to Alex Ritondo and the Tre Truck, according to a story on NYSkateboarding.
If you’ve been around Chelsea, LES, Astoria or Tribeca lately you’ve probably seen the Tre Truck mobile skate shop. Tre Truck is New York City’s first mobile skateboard shop. Featuring a walk-to window and display case, they carry over 30 brands selected by seasoned professionals.
Follow them on Twitter or facebook to keep up with the latest.
[Link: Tre Truck via NYSkateboarding.com]
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