Keith Patterson President Bergans USA
From his first days skiing at five-years-old to living the life of climbing bum in Boulder, CO and working for outdoor retailers and brands, Keith Patterson has never left the outdoors. By David Clucas Like so many of us in the industry, Patterson lives and works his passion, and it’s paid off. In January 2016, […]
The New Tribe of Climbers
Nonprofit Paradox Sports opens climbing to the physically disabled, proving an adventurous way of life is attainable for everyone with heart and a call to the wild. By Jahla Seppanen Started by hardcore U.S. Army Captain D.J. Skelton, climbing death-defier Malcolm Daly, and pro rock climber/comedian Timmy O’Neill, Paradox Sports began as a small club […]
This Week’s Movers & Shakers – February 26, 2016
Who was on the move in the industry this week with new hires, promotions and sponsorships… Cabela’s Inc. EVP and COO Michael Copeland will to move toward a strategic advisory role over the next month. United Sports Brands hired former Oakley executive, Daniella Gasaway, as its new Director of Marketing Communications. Farm to Feet extended […]
Outdoor Leaders Wanted
Outdoor Industry Association is asking its members to nominate candidates to serve on its board of directors beginning in August, when four members will reach their term limits. Candidates must have executive leadership experience, be committed to the long-term success of the industry and have the time to dedicate to the work of the board. […]
Cycling’s Women to Watch Shake Up the Bike World
Who are this year’s cycling industry women to watch? By Jahla Seppanen The Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition (OIWC), in collaboration with the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association (BPSA), awarded the top-tier female talent in the cycling industry a funded scholarship to attend the 2016 Bicycle Leadership Conference (BLC), April 12-14 in Monterey, CA. They are Amanda […]
Bye-Bye Bulky Boots
While still looking for the waterproof protection, durability and grip that comes from a quality boot, consumers continue to seek out a lighter package with more style. By Thomas J. Ryan The active lifestyle boot category — specifically winter boots — is having a good year. Warm weather be damned, brands and retailers can thank […]
Zappos Closes for Leap Day with Paid Day Off
Online footwear retailer Zappos.com will close operations for 24 hours on Leap Day 2016 to give its employees a paid day off and spur people to #TakeTheLeap and “do something they’ve always wanted to do.” Zappos, which is owned by Amazon.com, may have taken a page out of fellow retailer REI’s marketing book — which […]
Mountain Hardwear Gets a New President
Columbia Sportswear Co. has tapped John Christian Walbrecht to serve as the new president of its Mountain Hardwear brand, effective March 7, 2016. Walbrecht will enter the new role after serving Boulder, CO’s Fenix Outdoors North America, where for the past four years he served as president and CEO, providing strategic direction for European performance brands […]
Snowboard Magazine Ceases Regular Print Issues to Focus on Digital
Another industry print magazine is switching to the digital-only side. By David Clucas After 13 years, Snowboard magazine will cease its regular print run of magazines — which most recently distributed quarterly — to focus on its digital, social and custom-content formats. “Bolstering Snowboard’s digital and custom-content model is a proactive move to remain at the […]
One-On-One with Brooks Running’s Anne Cavassa
Chief Customer Experience Officer at Brooks Running Company talks about transforming brands into a badge of honor for the consumer. By Jahla Seppanen Based in a sleepy family neighborhood near Seattle’s Puget Sound, Brooks Chief Customer Experience Officer, Anne Cavassa, keeps running and storytelling close to heart. Although she’s always loved marathon running and doing […]
This Week’s Movers & Shakers – February 19, 2016
Who was on the move in the industry this week with new hires, promotions and sponsorships… Adidas appointed Dan Near as its new head of Adidas Hockey for Adidas Group NA, reporting to Michael Rossi, GM, Adidas Group Canada. The brand also signed Superbowl MVP Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller as the face of its Freak […]
National Parks See Record Visits in 2015
More people are visiting the nation’s national parks than ever before. The National Park Service, which celebrates its 100th year in 2016, reported that total recreation visits to the country’s 367 national parks, monuments, recreation areas, battlefields and other sites reached 307.2 million in 2015, up 4.9 percent from 2014 and breaking a record for […]
Gyms Combat the February “Fitness Cliff”
Did your fitness business notice a drop in customers today? Or did you skip out on that new workout schedule? By. Jahla Seppanen According to recent research from Gold’s Gym, which has fitness facilities reaching close to 3 million users worldwide, February 18 (last Thursday) is the peak day when fit-related New Year Resolutions reach […]
Goldilocks Insulation That is Just Right
Today’s performance insulation outerwear goes well beyond just the puffy — addressing both erratic weather patterns and a wider spectrum of consumer cold-weather activities. By David Clucas While an unusually warm start to winter on the East Coast and throughout the Midwest dampened insulation outerwear sales through the important Holiday 2015 season, sales of insulated […]
Active Lifestyle Trends on Display at 2016 Magic Las Vegas
One of the nation’s largest footwear/apparel fashion trade shows, Magic Vegas, takes place this week (Tuesday-Thursday, February 16-18), and thanks to the athleisure trend, there is plenty of active lifestyle product on display. By David Clucas and Jahla Seppanen Familiar industry brands such as Timberland, Fjallraven, Woolrich, Skechers, Merrell and Keen will show up at […]
