by The Editors on June 2, 2011
Strangely, the New York Times headlined a story today Nike Tries to Enter the Niche Sports It Has Missed Missed? Seems, no one has mentioned to the old gray lady that Nike SB already owns the core skate market (and that’s not even counting Converse). Aside from a few people who still rock Vans most skaters don’t want to wear anything else. This hasn’t, however, stopped the Portland footwear giant from pushing on with a new, huge, advertising campaign that launches today called The Chosen. It’s reportedly the first time Nike has used action sports athletes in a major Just Do It, campaign.
The new campaign, called “The Chosen,” is Nike’s largest effort at moving into action sports, and will feature athletes like the skateboarder Paul Rodriguez (or P-Rod), the surfer Laura Enever and the snowboarder Danny Kass. . . “When we looked at action sports, we saw a unique consumer segment that was underserved in terms of product innovation,” Mark G. Parker, Nike’s chief executive and president, said at a shareholder meeting in May.
Nike’s The Chosen commercials premiere today on facebook at 4 PM PDT/ 7 PM PDT. Click here for skateboarding, here for surf, and here for snowboarding. The truth is, Nike really isn’t “trying” anymore in action sports. They’re just doing it. And yes, it took them a long, long time to figure it out, but now that they have . . . well, we all know the rest of that story.
[Link: New York Times]
by The Editors on June 1, 2011
After a flurry of Twitter messages, blog posts, and facebook messages yesterday, the sad news is official. Jonas Bevacqua, the 34-year-old co-founder of action fashion label LRG, was found dead in his Laguna Beach, California home on Monday, May 31, 2011, according to a story in the Orange County Register.
The cause of death for the well-known urban-style clothing designer has not yet been determined, Supervising Deputy Coroner Kelly Keyes said. The Laguna Beach Police Department did not provide details but said that the death does not appear to be suspicious.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends specifically his fiancé and son. Follow the jump for an official statement from LRG’s CEO Robert Wright and CFO Charlie Moothart. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 31, 2011
The owner of Skim X, a planned indoor skimboarding facility in Roseville, California, was found shot to death inside his place of business Monday afternoon May 30, 2011, according to a story in the Placer Herald.
Christopher Dale Northam, 44, of Rocklin, was found inside Skim X, in the 8200 block of Industrial Avenue in Roseville, with at least one fatal gunshot wound. . . Police responded to reports of an argument and multiple shots fired inside the business shortly after 3 p.m. . . “During the call, the person on the phone line with us then heard three gunshots, at least three, maybe more gunshots inside the business,” said Roseville Police Sgt. Daniel Wanamaker at the scene.
Northam and his son were reportedly working on a new kind of boarding complex that mixed ramps, water, and slick surfaces to create a skimboarding skatepark.
We’ve been following the business for a while thanks to its seemingly quixotic business plan. Northam reportedly said the park would open in June. So far no arrests have been made. Our thoughts are with his family.
[Link: Placer Herald and Sacramento Business Journal]
by The Editors on May 31, 2011
It’s hard to believe, but according to a new study published in the journal Pediatrics energy drinks are “likely” to “contribute” to making kids big, hulking fat asses, according to a story in the San Francisco Chronicle. Not only that, but they can cause other serious damage as well.
Monday’s study also focused on the effects of energy drinks that contain caffeine and other stimulants. These beverages can damage adolescents’ neurologic and cardiovascular systems and shouldn’t be consumed, said Benjamin, a University of Chicago associate professor of pediatrics.
Then again, brain damaged kids probably make better consumers and that’s a win for everyone. If you have the stomach for it, click here to read the entire report. . . it’s got electrolytes.
[Link: Pediatrics via SF Chronicle]
by The Editors on May 27, 2011
After a disgruntled eBay reseller began posting negative reviews on Skullcandy’s eBay store, the Park City, Utah based personal electronics company said enough and is now reportedly suing the guy, according to a story in the Salt Lake City Tribune.
The suit, filed in U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, alleges Nathan Rees of Orem trashed Skullcandy on the company’s eBay Web page after eBay shut down his own auctions of their products earlier this year. . . “He signed up as several different people so he could leave negative feedback under different names,” said Matthew Barlow, attorney for Skullcandy. “Skullcandy has collected the evidence necessary proving it was him leaving the negative comments.”
Which reminds us: lawsuits are just corporate America’s way of resolving issues.
[Link: Salt Lake City Tribune]
by The Editors on May 26, 2011
In an apparently move to become completely Laurent-Free Burtons Snowboards announced today that Super Rep Laurent Vrignaud is calling it quits and will be moving on “to pursue new opportunities as of June 1st.”
“Laurent has been a part of the Burton family for so long, and we all thank him for dedicating over two decades of his career to growing the brand and the sport,” said Jake Burton, Founder and CEO of Burton Snowboards. “Everyone here wishes him the best on his next chapter, and we look forward to a new era with our valued dealers in the territory.”
In other Laurent rumors it appears that former Burton CEO Laurent Potdevin (who left the company on May 3, 2010) has finally found a new home as President of Toms Shoes.
Apparently, it’s a Burton-Laurent one-for-one week. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 25, 2011
Australia’s gold medal girl, Torah Bright, has just signed on as an equity partner and endorser of Liquid Nutrition, a “smoothie, food, vitamin, and supplement retail chain in Canada, according to The Phoenix Business Journal.
Liquid Nutrition plans to use the six athletes as it looks to grow. The announcements coincided with the public listing of Liquid Nutrition’s stock and the beginning of its franchising push, both of which are occurring today.
Torah joins two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash, and NY Yankee’s catcher Russell Martin on the Liquid Nutrition squad. At least it’s not an energy drink.
[Link: Phoenix Business Journal]
by The Editors on May 23, 2011
by The Editors on May 19, 2011
It’s apparently official, not that it comes as a surprise to anyone, but Deckers Outdoor has now added Sanuk to its odd footwear collection by paying $120 million for the sidewalk surfer maker, according to a story on Reuters.
Goleta, California-based Deckers, known for its sheepskin UGG boots, expects the deal for Sanuk to be modestly accretive to earnings for 2011. . . The deal includes additional participation payments based upon performance of the brand over the next five years.
We’re guessing Jeff Kelley’s gigantic smile must be even larger than normal today.
[Link: Reuters]
by The Editors on May 19, 2011
A month and four days ago Nike placed former Dockers president Jim Calhoun in the position of CEO at Hurley. Now, it appears that Nike has decided that Calhoun would be a better fit at Converse and has named him CEO and president of the brand. They also moved former Converse CEO Michael Spillane over to their soccer brand Umbro, according to story on Sports One Source.
“We are very excited that Michael, a seasoned industry veteran, will now take the helm at Umbro. Michael has demonstrated strong success at Converse and we are confident he will bring the same passion, commitment and clarity of vision to Umbro,” said Roger Wyett. “In addition, Jim Calhoun’s brand expertise and global experience will be instrumental in driving continued growth at Converse.”
We’re not even going to speculate on the Hurley changes (or how a former Dockers CEO would fit at a surf brand) other than to say it looks like Mr. Wyett isn’t out of his Hurley responsibilities as soon as he thought he’d be.
[Link: Sports One Source]
