by The Editors on May 4, 2011
When Mikey Taylor left etnies in February word got around pretty quickly where he was going. Now it’s official. Mikey Taylor is on DC Shoes.
“Signing Mikey to the DC skate team is a great step forward as we continue our push to be the most sought-after skate-driven action sports brand,” said Anton Nistl, DC’s President. “Mikey’s ambition, abilities and attitude make him a great addition to the DC family.” . . A California native, Mikey is known for his ability to skate all types of skate spots with an easy and polished style.
How’s that for perfect Street League Seattle timing? Now Mikey Taylor rides for Burton and Quiksilver just like surfer Kelly Slater. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 4, 2011
Santa Cruz Skateboards has created a special, limited edition skateboard deck with proceeds going to Jacob’s Heart, an organization that works to improve the quality of life for children with cancer, according to a story in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
The deck is emblazoned with an updated rendition of the company’s large “screaming hand” logo in the color purple. The graphic has long been one of the company’s best sellers, NHS owner Rich Novak (pictured right with Lucas Musgrave) said. . . About 500 decks have been made and shipped to stores across the country. The company said 150 have sold so far.
Nice board, good cause. Click here to buy one.
[Link: Santa Cruz Sentinel]
by The Editors on May 4, 2011
Like many snowboarders from the IE (aka 909) San Bernardino paramedic Jason Buchanan dreamed of being towed behind a snowmobile at 100 MPH, but those dreams died last weekend due to problems with the Mammoth Lakes speed run, according to a story in the Daily Bulletin.
He originally planned on pulling off the record at 100 mph, but due to rough terrain, the snowmobile was only able to travel at 61 mph. . . The world record was based on the distance, so he still qualifies for the world record book, Buchanan said.
What shouldn’t be surprising to anyone is that this wacky world record grab was staged for a charity to “encourage people to donate equipment for winter sports” to needy children.
[Link: Daily Bulletin]
by The Editors on May 4, 2011
Skullcandy is expanding its reach in the headphone space by picking up the San Francisco-based video gaming electronics company Astro Gaming for $10.8 million, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal.
Some will remember that in addition to the companies listed below, one of Astro’s other investors is Nixon co-founder Chad DiNenna.
Astro Gaming was backed by investors including Triangle Peak Partners LP and Fayez Sarofim & Co. . . Skullcandy also disclosed in the new filing that it generated a net loss of $9.7 million last year, compared with a $13.5 million profit the year prior. Though its revenue rose 35.7% to $160.6 million thanks to increased sales to large national retailers, a one-time charge for management incentive bonuses took out a $17.5 million chunk of its profit.
Good thing Skullcandy is going public. Looks like that money is going to come in pretty handy.
[Link: Wall Street Journal]
by The Editors on May 3, 2011
Click here for photos
Bobby Martinez kicked down his ASP elite power and garnered the day’s highest score, Kelly Slater was a no-show, and Dane Reynolds got back into the competition mood by surfing in his first heat since having knee surgery. And it all went down in surprisingly fun looking one-three foot surf on day one of the Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro.
“Nothing’s easy these days, there are all kinds of good surfers,” Martinez said. “That one 9 was just a good wave. I think I did four turns or something. I really just lined up nice.”
Reynolds, freshly into a new six-year contract with Quiksilver allegedly worth $23 million, squeezed by a hard-charging Conner Coffin with less than a point to secure an advance into the next round behind Kekoa Bacalso. Reynolds’ knee didn’t appear to hold him back, but he did mention that he would like take some precautions. “I think I’m going to have to go ice it up,” he said as he exited the water following his heat.
Click here for photos or follow the jump for all the day one results the official word from the ASP. [click to continue…]
by The Editors on May 3, 2011
This clip showed up in our email box this afternoon. It was from Skate Daily’s Bryce Kanights and it included this note:
I wanted to let all of you know that Straight Trippin’, a video pilot which we had originally shot and produced to pitch to Fuel TV and a few other media outlets has been posted on SKATEDAILY.net today. This project has been sitting on our hard drives for a little over two years now and we felt it was time to put it out to the public. Really, what good is a piece of entertaining video when nobody gets to enjoy and share it?
Exactly. So here it is. Enjoy.
[Link: Skate Daily]
by The Editors on May 2, 2011
by The Editors on May 2, 2011
French fashion giant PPR, the parent company of brands like Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Yves Saint Laurent, and Puma, has announced its intention to purchase 100 percent of the shares of Volcom for $24.50 a share “for a total equity value of $607.5 million and an enterprise value of $516.1 million.”
Not surprising the Volcom Board of Directors “has unanimously recommended” that shareholders take the money and run. This explains so much. . .
“PPR is the perfect partner to help take the Volcom and Electric brands to the next level of success,” says Volcom Chairman and CEO Richard Woolcott. “For more than 20 years we have worked to inspire a movement that provokes freedom of thought and expression, and celebrated this spirit through our athletes, worldwide events, rock tours, feature films and, of course, our apparel. PPR, with its expertise gained through both Puma and its Luxury Group, could bring international market knowledge, sourcing capabilities and other operational expertise in areas such as product development and retailing to help the company grow Volcom globally, while preserving the elements that make the brands authentic.”
That means Wooly’s shares alone are worth approximately $61.5 million. How’s that for an exit strategy? Follow the jump for the official details on how Volcom will become a French fashion brand.
[click to continue…]
by The Editors on April 30, 2011
For the past 10 years news producer Tammy Haddad has thrown a brunch party at her home the morning before the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, DC.
The brunch features one of the most exclusive guest lists on the celebrity party circuit. For today’s event (April 30, 2011), aside from inviting Sarah Palin, Scarlett Johansson, and Rupert and Wendi Murdoch, Haddad invited Shaun White, according to a story in the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Georgetown brunch was sponsored by Tammy Haddad and Ted Greenberg; Kevin Sheekey, Hilary Rosen, Mark Ein, Alex Castellanos, Anita Dunn, Bill Knapp, Jim Courtovich, David Adler, Steve McMahon and Franco Nuschese. . . Two charities were highlighted : CURE Epilepsy, founded by Susan Axelrod, whose husband, David, is a key Obama advisor and White Ribbon Alliance, overseen by Wendi Murdoch, married to media mogul Rupert.
We’re guessing this is one of those parties that CAA requires Shaun to attend. After looking at Shaun’s posh garb there really is no other explanation.
[Link: Chicago Sun-Times]
by The Editors on April 30, 2011
How quickly things change. After four years of Stephanie Gilmore taking pretty much everything on the ASP Women’s World tour it seems the next generation has moved in to take over. Australian Sally Fitzgibbons defeated Hawaiian Coco Ho 16 to 8.86 in the finals of the TSB Bank Women’s Surf Festival at Taranaki, New Zealand on Saturday April 30, 2011 making it two in a row, after three years on tour without a win.
“This means the world to me, I’m so stoked to get a win here in New Zealand,” Fitzgibbons said. “Last year I got runner-up so to take the win today is extra special. . . The waves today were pretty challenging,” Fitzgibbons said. “Entering the water I saw a little peak down the beach, it was a risky move but it paid off this time. I just went out there and thought I’m in the final and I just wanted to go for it and that’s where I was going to surf. “
Follow the jump for all the details. [click to continue…]
