by The Editors on October 17, 2012
Surfline decided to go straight to Triple Crown of Surfing founder Randy Rarick to get his perspective on what the ASP/ZoSea Media deal means to surfers, contests, and surfing in general. It would be difficult to find a wiser, more generous, experienced person in surfing to discuss this. It was interesting to see how optimistic Rarick was about it. Here’s just one of his answers:
I think the timing is right. I think they have the smarts, the drive, and the wherewithal to probably take it to the next level. We don’t have any details yet; we’re meeting in about three weeks to start hammering through those details, but I think they have some connections in the media world that we haven’t been able to tap into. And whether it be ESPN or Fox or NBC, I think you will see the elevation of surfing in the media, no question. By eliminating the specter of the brands having to try to outdo each other, now the brands can focus their energy on using these as a promotional platform and I think these ZoSea guys will bring more money into the sport simply because that’s what they want to do. They want to monetize it, and good for them. Hopefully they get rich on it. And if they get rich on it, that means the tour will improve because it’ll bring in more money, which means more money for the athletes, more money for media coverage. I’m sure some people will bemoan the loss of the soul or the grassroots-ness of the thing, you know, but commercial competitive surfing has always been like that anyway.
We would never disagree with Mr. Rarick, however, after reading the entire interview we were reminded of three things. One, TV doesn’t have the same cultural impact it once had. Two, in the new world of media efficiencies there is very little room for middlemen, and thirdly, once you give it away, it’s very difficult to get it back. But click the link and read the rest before you think too hard on any of that.
[Link: Surfline]
by The Editors on October 10, 2012
Last Friday (October 5, 2012) the Association of Surfing Professionals sent out a press release (along with the above pretty picture) saying they had “entered into a Term Sheet with ZoSea Media. . . designed to enhance the organizational structure of the sport as well as the direction of professional surfing in the coming years.”
That’s pretty much all the detail we got other than the names of the guys behind ZoSea Media. They are Terry Hardy (right, most well known for being Kelly Slater’s agent) and Paul Speaker the former President of Time Inc. Studios and current Quiksilver board of directors member.
According to his bio on PTTOW! site (an invite-only youth marketing summit he co-founded) Hardy is “a pioneer in youth lifestyle & media [who] has been fortunate to work with the industries leading talent and brands including Kelly Slater, Bam Margera, Tony Hawk, Quiksilver, Roxy, MTV, Sirius/XM, GoPro, Pepsi, Fox, and ESPN.” No one will forget he is also the one who spearheaded the last run at the ASP with his rebel Slater Tour back in 2009.
Paul Speaker (right), on the other hand, doesn’t seem to have much experience in action sports, but his entertainment resume is certainly colorful. Aside from his time at the National Football League in 1995 (where he was “director of marketing and ideas”) he seems to have a knack for showing up just as things are about to fall apart. He arrived at indy film production company The Shooting Gallery in 1998 and left shortly before the Shooting Gallery shut down “without warning” in 2001, according to a story in The Village Voice, for what they described as “several factors, from the slowing economy to the grandiose ambitions of head entrepreneurs Meistrich and his high school friend, Chief Financial Officer Steve Carlis.” Speaker, however, was not mentioned in the Voice story. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on October 12, 2012
Journalist Fred Pawle talks to Graham “Sid” Cassidy about a deal he nearly landed that was allegedly “the most spectacular offer the sport of surfing has ever seen, one that makes the offer from Californian media company ZoSea, which was accepted amid subdued optimism from within the sport this month, look amateur by comparison,” according to his story in The Australian.
But, in a tumultuous meeting in Hawaii in December 1996, the ASP board voted to request amendments to a contract it had signed with CSI earlier that year. CSI, the goose that had spent that year laying golden eggs, declined. At considerable expense, it walked away. Surfing has never recovered from it.
Nice to look back and claim that a past missed deal that just as easily could have ruined profession surfing was what doomed it, but it is interesting in comparison to the reportedly $20 million ZoSea deal. Click the link to read the rest.
[Link: The Australian]
by The Editors on February 23, 2015
The New York Times checks in with Paul Speaker and the ZoSea Media Holdings crew to get their spin on plans for World Surf League web broadcasting and the new 6,000 square foot production studio in their Santa Monica, California headquarters. Not surprisingly, according to WSL data the WSL is doing very well on everything digital and social as far as percentages go.
In making everything available online, the W.S.L. has solidified its growth in a key demographic: More than 67 percent of its audience is between 25 and 44 years old. Engagement across their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat accounts nearly doubled, while simultaneously dwarfing engagement rates of larger, more established leagues. The N.F.L.’s Facebook page has some 12.5 million likes compared with the surfing league’s 2.3 million likes. Yet the engagement that the league has per post — likes, comments and shares — is on par with the N.F.L., according to data provided by the organization.
For the rest of the story click the link.
[Link: New York Times]
by The Editors on September 12, 2014
ZoSea Media’s entertainment property currently operating under the moniker Association of Surfing Professionals will get a new name come January 2015 it was announced today (Friday, September 12, 2014). Next year the new name will be World Surf League.
In a letter to the surfing community, CEO Paul Speaker explains that the change is happening because the new name will help bring the sport of professional surfing to more fans, athletes and partners worldwide. The ASP will continue to operate under the existing name until the end of 2014 and in January 2015, will begin the season as the World Surf League.
Hey, they’re the marketing professionals. Plus, to most of the ball handling world “league” means sports. And it will go quite nicely with Street League and maybe Snow League. Right? We’re talking expansion here. But please, whatever you do don’t think bowling when you hear the new name. This is not a bowling league. It’s a surf league. To read the entire letter from Mr. Speaker, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 8, 2013
ZoSea Media’s outsider approach to staffing their Association of Surfing Professionals tour property continues with the addition of Michael Lynch as its Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer. Lynch previously worked for Visa (for 17 years) where he “led the company’s global sponsorship marketing/management strategy and execution including activations with the Olympic and Paralympic Games, FIFA World Cup, NFL and numerous other properties.”
“Michael is a highly respected global marketer, a top influencer in the sports industry and a leader in building brands,” ASP CEO Paul Speaker said. “His extensive experience and expertise identifying and activating sponsorships with the most recognizable sports properties in the world make him the ideal candidate for the position and an invaluable asset to ASP. He will play a vital role with ASP as we continue to build our infrastructure and grow the organization to better benefit our surfers, sponsors and fans.”
It will be interesting to see how this all turns out for the ASP. One thing seems apparent–Zosea is not screwing around when it comes to thinking outside the surf industry box Follow the jump for the official word. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on February 28, 2013
Look at all those happy, smiling faces. It’s Laura Enever, Joel Parkinson, Lakey Peterson, newly-appointed ASP CEO Paul Speaker, newly-appointed ASP Interim Commissioner Kieren Perrow and Brett Simpson. And what are they smiling about? The start of the new season? The demise of Quiksilver and Billabong? No, apparently they’re smiling because things are looking up at the ASP, and the fans are going to be number one. ZoSea Media says so.
“The surfers, the events and the current ASP staff have all been, and will continue to be, instrumental in elevating the sport during this transitional year,” Paul Speaker, ASP CEO, said. “Our focus this season is protecting the interests of professional surfers, preserving the integrity of competition, refreshing the ASP brand and establishing a new commercial model for the sport. The ASP will be more fan-centric – the structure of tours, the production of broadcasts and everything in between will be geared towards enhancing the fans’ experience. Good luck to all our competitors and events in 2013 and we look forward to taking this next step with you.”
One thing is certain, the next year or two of professional surfing will not be boring. For the official word from Coolangatta, follow the jump. [click to continue…]
Surfline decided to go straight to Triple Crown of Surfing founder Randy Rarick to get his perspective on what the ASP/ZoSea Media deal means to surfers, contests, and surfing in general. It would be difficult to find a wiser, more generous, experienced person in surfing to discuss this. It was interesting to see how optimistic Rarick was about it. Here’s just one of his answers:
