Press Release:

SIMA IMAGE AWARDS CEREMONY SAYS ADIOS TO CABO, MOVES STATESIDE

 — Next SIMA Image Awards Ceremony to Be Held in Early 2011 in Southern California —

ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (March 10, 2010) — The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is pleased to announce that the next SIMA Image Awards ceremony will be held in southern California in early 2011.

For the past seven years, the annual awards ceremony has been held on the final night of Surf Summit each May in Cabo San Lucas. While the SIMA Image Awards ceremony stood as a highly anticipated component of the surf industry conferen...  Read More...     Email to Friend

By SHELBY STANGER

Today in our Core Careers series, Sole Technology Director of Sales Brad Lyle shares the three most important lessons he's learned in his career, how he keeps his team positive in a tough retail climate and his tips for prioritizing.

What were you like as a child and teenager? Did you know what you wanted to be when you grew up?

I was always pretty mature for my age, very focused on enjoying life. I was the guy all my friends' parents (or girlfriends) wanted around - a good influence I guess, which really just meant I didn't get in much trouble and stayed focused on finding good waves for fun. I always had a ...  Read More...   

By TIFFANY MONTGOMERY

As our next Executive Roundtable approaches March 30 with Skullcandy CEO Rick Alden, we thought it was a good time to post a short video from our last event with Pacific Sunwear CEO Gary Schoenfeld.

The video gives the flavor of the event, who was there and what the Executive Roundtables are like.

The goal of the roundtables is to hear directly from company and industry thought leaders and to learn more about their businesses, strategies, and leadership styles in an in-depth and unscripted way. 

Click here Read More...     Email to Friend

By TIFFANY MONTGOMERY

Four out of five of the top-selling snowboards this season have been reverse camber models, according to new data from SnowSports Industries America.

Overall, sales of snow goods between August and January were essentially flat, rising .4 % to $2.3 billion.

Nearly every category declined in dollars except for accessories sales, which rose 2.9%. Equipment sales fell 1.5% and apparel sales dropped .4%.

Within those categories there were several bright spots, including helmets, which sold 26% more units than the same period last year. Winter boots sales rose 22% in dollars.

Unseasaonbly cold we...  Read More...     Email to Friend

By TIFFANY MONTGOMERY

Madonna and Iconix Brand Group have formed a joint venture that is launching a fast fashion junior’s line exclusively at Macy’s for back-to-school this year.

Madonna and her daughter, Lourdes, are working on the “Material Girl” line, which will include apparel, footwear, handbags and jewelry. Prices will range from $12 to $40.

Macy’s will initially carry Material Girl in 200 stores, which further expansion of categories and stores in 2011.

By TIFFANY MONTGOMERY

Surfline is continuing to offer interesting services for mobile phone users.

Premium members can now watch the waves in high definition on their iPhones and iTouches at 84 of the best surfing locations in the world.

I asked Surfline CEO Jonno Wells about this new mobile feature, which the company announced today.

What was involved in creating this application?

To clarify a little bit, the release of the cams is on the mobile.surfline.com site for anyone accessing w...  Read More...     Email to Friend

By TIFFANY MONTGOMERY

Urban Outfitters CEO Glen Senk had some interesting things to say during the company’s fourth quarter earnings conference call last week about the company’s business in 2009, its priorities for 2010, its online initiatives and his take on the consumer’s current psyche.

Urban has outperformed most of its peers during the recession. In 2009, sales rose 6% to $1.9 billion. Net income increased 10.1% to $220 million.

Direct to consumer sales increased 19% to $324 million.

How Urban handled tackled slowing sales

Glen Senk: “The company did an amazing job at dividing and ...  Read More...     Email to Friend