by The Editors on September 23, 2009
GE Capital sent out a press release yesterday explaining how happy they are to act “as collateral agent on a $200 million asset-based credit facility” for Quiksilver. Yes, that General Electric. Founded by Thomas Edison, owners of NBC Universal (Dew Tour, Alliance of Action Sports), makers of large jet engines.
“GE’s ability to commit a significant amount of capital helped to provide us with the liquidity we desired”, said Joe Scirocco, CFO for Quiksilver. “Also, their in-depth retail finance knowledge enabled us to quickly complete this transaction, which was integral to our ability to simultaneously execute other financing transactions both in the U.S. and in Europe.”
It doesn’t get much bigger than GE.
[Link: Lessors.com]
by The Editors on September 22, 2009
After viewing some marketing material describing 70 styles of The North Face footwear as “antimicrobial” the US Environmental Protection Agency has reportedly filed suit against The North Face’s parent company VF Corp. for making “unsubstantiated public health claims regarding unregistered products,” according to a story on Sports One Source.
The suit centers around shoes featuring The North Face’s “AgION antimicrobial silver agent” which reportedly “inhibits the growth of disease-causing bacteria.” By the EPA’s definition that constitutes a pesticide.
Products that kill or repel bacteria or germs are considered pesticides, and must be registered with the EPA prior to distribution or sale. The Agency will not register a pesticide until it has been tested to show that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to the directions. Consumers should be careful to look for the EPA registration number printed on product labels, and to follow the directions for proper use.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 22, 2009
One of the friendliest faces in action sports marketing and electric eyewear co-founder Mike Carter, has officially taken the job of vice president of global marketing for Rick Alden’s headphone company Skullcandy. Here’s what Carter said in the press release:
“This is a very rare and unique opportunity to join such an incredible team. The brand passion that Rick Alden and the entire Skullcandy family have created is infectious, and I’m excited to make my own unique contribution to a category leader that shares my similar marketing values and visions. I look forward to being apart of the next chapter in the ever evolving Skullcandy story. Let the good times roll…”
We really should have seen this coming. . . follow the jump for the entire release. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 22, 2009
When video of Eric Bush being harassed and pushed around by thuggy Baltimore police officer Salvatore Rivieri surfaced in February of 2008 it became a Youtube.com sensation.
Eric’s single mother then sued the city in civil court. Now, however, Baltimore Circuit Court Judge Judge Evelyn Cannon has thrown the case out, according to a story on WTOP.com.
Blackford says Judge Cannon’s decision essentially trumped another Circuit Court judge’s decision to allow the civil case to go forward, even though it was filed more than 180 days after the deadline. . . Blackford had argued Maryland’s law was unclear whether a juvenile’s complaint can be held to the same 180 day standard. . . “The family has the right to appeal, and I believe has a very strong case for appeal,” Blackford says.
Everyone should be happy to know that Officer Rivieri has been back out on patrol for a while now like nothing happened. Apparently, the City of Baltimore likes their cops rough and thuggy.
[Link: WTOP.com]
by The Editors on September 22, 2009
Seems like the “skateboarder as businessman” angle on Tony Hawk is getting pretty dusty, but that hasn’t stopped Entrepreneur Magazine from using the hook to discuss Tony’s newest video game (and controller) Tony Hawk Ride which comes out November 17, 2009 just in time for Christmas.
How does he feel about the launch?
I’m scared to death about it because I know how much is riding on it, how much Activision has invested in it. I brought this idea to them, and they’ve dedicated two years of development and research, but who knows how it’ll do? It’s a scary prospect. But I know it’s good.
Click the link for the rest of the interview.
[Link: Entrepreneur]
by The Editors on September 22, 2009
Crazy to think that it’s been 11 years since Tim Brauch’s untimely death. But this weekend (September 26-27, 2009) it is time to supercharge everyone’s memories. This year’s street contest will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009 at the Tim Brauch Memorial Skate Park in Scotts Valley, CA beginning at 10:00AM. Sessions will be raffling off great prizes from Skullcandy, Dakine, Bones Wheels, etc and DJ DFunkt will be mixing it up all day.
On Saturday night Supercharged, a documentary about Tim Brauch, will premie Camera 12 Cinema in San Jose, California with two showings: 7 and 9PM.
The 11th Annual Bowl Contest which can now claim the title of the “Longest Running Bowl Event” is hosted by the World Cup of Skateboarding and will be held at the year old Lake Cunningham Regional Skate Park in San Jose, California on Sunday, September 27, 2009.
[Link: Sessions]
by The Editors on September 22, 2009
Leave it to a small, conservative Northwestern town like Sandpoint, Idaho to do the right thing when it comes to skateboarding. After 20 years of skateboarding being banned, the City Council last night voted to legalize all “non-motorized transportation” in the downtown core of the city, according to a story in the Bonner County Daily Bee.
Reuter, who introduced the changes, said the amendment reflects activities already happening downtown and will not affect pedestrians. . . “This does not modify the ability for any of these modes to travel on sidewalks,” he said. “Bicycles are still not allowed on sidewalks, skateboards aren’t allowed on sidewalks. Anything that’s not a pedestrian is not allowed on sidewalks.”
If only this would happen more often. . .
[Link: Bonner County Daily Bee]
by The Editors on September 22, 2009
Canadian writer Colin Whyte has reviewed friend Dano Pendygrasse’s new Westbeach history book, OutWest on ESPN/Action. And guess what? He likes it.
In “Out West,” Pendygrasse taps into a vitality at the core of snowboarding that seems to have faded in recent years, something akin to snowboarding’s true identity—no matter where you come from—and teases it out in a way that’s never been done before. In short, this ain’t your typical coffee table book. And it’s not just for Canadians.
As non-Canadian people who actually wore head-to-toe Westbeach (including the occasional headband), we have to say we agree. Check it out here. And then buy it. It only costs $12.95.
[Link: ESPN/Action]
by The Editors on September 22, 2009
For the past 32 years the SnowSports Industries America has released an “intelligence report” of topline numbers from the snow sports marketplace. This year is no different. Here are some of the bullet points we cared about:
- $2.8 billion in sales of snow sports equipment, apparel, and accessories from specialty shops and Internet sales.
- Online sales grew 12% in dollars and 23% in units
- 15% of all snowboard equipment was sold online
- The average snow sports participant is about 30 years old, has a college degree and household income exceeding $100,000 annually
- The snow sports demographic experienced a doubling in unemployment rate during the 2008.09 season as the economy tanked
For all the details click here or follow the jump for the rest. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on September 22, 2009
Last night at around 10:30 PM PST CJ Hobgood sent out the following message on Twitter. “HOLY EFFIN CRAP! all my boards were stolen last night, reward name your price? 5 CGD,1 tokoro,1 TL2 AND 2 MERRICKS.magics yellow blue rails.”
Stab Magazine immediately jumped in and got the entire story:.
CJ arrived in the beachside suburb of Seignosse at 4.30pm yesterday. He retired to bed around midnight, waking at 4.30am to find his boards stolen. The thieves had entered through the back sliding door, which had been left open by someone in his travelling party. While he, his brother and trainer Chris Gallagher had slept, the crims lifted all nine of the Floridian’s boards for the European leg. Amazingly, none the sleds were in a board bag, meaning the thieves – assuming there was less than four of them – would have had to make more than one trip through the house. Not to mention a conspicuous get away with CJ’s beaming neon-railed sleds under their arms.
CJ is offering a reward for the boards “$1,500 Euros for their return no questions asked. Anyone with information should email jed@rollingyouthcom and he’ll pass on the info.
[Link: @hobgoods and Stabmag.com]
GE Capital sent out a press release yesterday explaining how happy they are to act “as collateral agent on a $200 million asset-based credit facility” for Quiksilver. Yes, that General Electric. Founded by Thomas Edison, owners of NBC Universal (Dew Tour, Alliance of Action Sports), makers of large jet engines.
