Boston Celtics and New Balance Open “The Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters”
Boston Celtics together with New Balance Athletics and NB Development opened the Auerbach Center at New Balance World Headquarters as the team’s official practice facility.
Nike Extends Deal With Memphis
The University of Memphis and Nike have agreed to a five-year extension valued at more than $2 million per year.
Adidas Signs Trae Young And Lonnie Walker IV
Adidas signed Trae Young and Lonnie Walker IV, both expected to be chosen in the first round in Thursday’s NBA Draft, to endorsement deals.
Gander Outdoors Prepares For Grand Opening In Eau Claire
Gander Outdoors, formerly known as Gander Mountain, is now open in Eau Claire, WI.
L.L.Bean Launches First-Ever Outdoor Coworking Space
L.L.Bean has partnered with leading coworking provider, Industrious, to launch an initiative to bring more outdoor time into the workday with the introduction of “Be an Outsider at Work.”
Goat Announces New Chief Operating Officer
Goat, a leading marketplace for authentic sneakers, announced the appointment of Lizzie Francis as the company’s first chief operating officer. Francis will report to CEO and co-founder, Eddy Lu.
Fleet Feet Selects Fish Consulting For PR
Fleet Feet tapped Fish Consulting as the company’s public relations agency of record to lead the brand’s communications strategies.
Columbia Sportswear Partners For Litter Control Pilot Project
Columbia Sportswear Company and the Oregon Department of Transportation have teamed up to clean up Highways 26 and 405. A new pilot program to supplement litter removal along the Sunset Highway was funded by Columbia Sportswear CEO Tim Boyle.
Foot Locker Partners With NBA Draft Prospects On Campaign
Foot Locker partnered with NBA draft picks Trae Young and LiAngelo Ball on an integrated marketing campaign.
FDRA Criticizes Additional Tariffs
The FDRA (Footwear Distributors & Retailers Of America) said the potential for additional tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods will likely “negatively impact all Americans of every walk of life.”
Iconix’s CEO Exits Amid Proxy Battle
Iconix Brands Group said John Haugh has resigned as CEO, president and a board member. The exit comes 17 days after Sports Direct said the company planned to nominate four members to Iconix’ board after vexing about the loss of major direct-to-consumer license agreements for Starter, Danskin, Ocean Pacific and Mossimo.
Puma Leaps Back Into Basketball
Marking its return to basketball in a big way, Puma announced the signing of Deandre Ayton, widely expected to be the number-one pick in Thursday’s NBA Draft, to an multi-year endorsement deal. Puma also honored basketball legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier with a lifetime contract and hired Jay Z as creative director to help guide basketball marketing.
Retail Report Roundup – June 18
Studies arrived last week on the growth of customization in footwear and apparel, omnichannel order tracking, online-ad spam, mobile pay, the important of brand’s values and retailers paying off hackers.
Brand Vision: Collabs Boost Backcountry’s New Private Label
Online outdoor retailer Backcountry isn’t the only beneficiary of product collaborations the company has undertaken with Black Diamond, DPS, Flylow and Smartwool on a new touring collection due out in the fall. The brands themselves and especially customers stand to gain from these new partnerships.
NRI Distribution Names Jason Brooks GM, NRI East
NRI Distribution has hired Jason Brooks as general manager, NRI East. Brooks will be based in Montreal and lead NRI’s East Coast operations.
