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SGB Media • 25th June 2018

On Par: Golf Equipment, Apparel Sales Holding Steady

In this second of a two-part series on the state of the golf industry, SGB looks at the state of golf equipment and apparel sales, each one serving as trailing indicators of an increasingly healthy industry.

21st June 2018

Fleet Feet Event Showcases ‘Resurgence’ Of Run Specialty

Dozens of brands in the running footwear, apparel and accessory categories descended on Fleet Feet’s National Franchise conference here this week with a simple yet powerful message for the industry: The Run Specialty channel is alive and well, no matter how many distressing tales of the retail apocalypse might be swirling around.

SGB Media • 22nd June 2018

SGB Executive Q&A: Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer

Fleet Feet Inc. CEO Joey Pointer sat down with SGB at the company’s National Franchise Conference in Minneapolis this week to discuss the company’s past, present and future, as well as the state of the running retail industry.

SGB Media • 18th June 2018

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.

SGB Media • 17th June 2018

Sweet Spot: Golf’s Evolution Striking Right Balance

In this first of a two-part series on the state of the golf industry, SGB looks at the sport’s participation levels and how associations, private companies, grassroots organizations and local course operators are working to ensure golf continues its current rebound by addressing the needs of core players while also attracting the next generation.

SGB Media • 12th June 2018

Ski Resort ‘Arms Race’ Escalates With Vail’s Latest Move

Vail Resorts Inc.’s acquisition of four ski resorts earlier this week wasn’t a huge deal financially—at least relative to the company’s annual revenue—but adding locales near key U.S. markets could prove to be a monumental, even epic, move for the Colorado-based ski area operator.

SGB Media • 17th May 2018

The Spring Of Nike’s Discontent

March, April and May should be a time for Nike Inc. to focus on promoting new products and growing North American revenue, a goal the company outlined for shareholders in the company’s last quarterly earnings call. But this spring the global footwear giant has instead been stumbling over accusations of workplace harassment, which has led to a host of high-profile executive departures and calls for a cultural change (see below for the full list).

SGB Media • 17th May 2018

Inside The Fight Against Knockoffs, Counterfeits & Fake Sites

SGB goes inside the fight against counterfeits, knockoffs and fraudulent websites by looking at how two companies—Nite Ize and Scott Sports—are combatting the problem, as well as outlining steps a business can take to mitigate risk.

SGB Media • 18th May 2018

Kayak Maker Hemisphere Design Works Sets Course For Growth

Hemisphere Design Works is the result of a 2017 merger between KL Outdoor and GSC Technologies. The newly formed, 500-employee company is now ramping up production of a wide range of kayaks, pedal boats, human-powered fishing boats and paddling accessories under the Sun Dolphin, Evoke, Future Beach and Swiss Cargo brand names.

SGB Media • 10th May 2018

Helly Hansen CEO Discusses Sale To Canadian Tire

Helly Hansen is being sold to Canadian Tire Corp. for about $771 million in a deal announced early Thursday, but don’t look for sweeping changes at the iconic Norwegian outdoor brand. Read more in my Q&A with Helly Hansen's CEO, Paul Stoneham.

SGB Media • 25th April 2018

Native Eyewear Hitting Stride Two Seasons After Return To Goggle Market

Colorado-based Native Eyewear returned to the goggle market in 2016, and the company is sharpening its focus on delivering “premium technologies at an attainable price tag,” General Manager John Sanchez said in a Q&A with SGB Executive.

SGB Media • 23rd April 2018

New Digs Bolster Adidas Outdoor’s Growth Plans

Adidas Outdoor USA has opened a new office in Golden, CO, giving the company a strategic hub in the Rocky Mountains as it looks to gain share across trail running, cycling, hiking and climbing footwear and apparel categories.

SGB Media • 20th April 2018

Huffy CEO: Batch Bicycles To Target ‘Underserved’ Market

Huffy’s new brand, Batch Bicycles, is a higher-end line of bikes to be sold only in independent shops. In a Q&A with SGB Executive, Huffy CEO Bill Smith (left) said the new products will target an underserved market—customers who want a bike priced somewhere between big-box and specialty store offerings.

SGB Media • 20th April 2018

Kelty’s ‘Ditch Day’ Encourages Outside Play, Elevates Brand Position

Next Friday, April 27, Kelty employees will play hooky as part of Ditch Day, a company-approved day for employees to eschew their work responsibilities and get outside. Ditch Day is part of the company’s Built for Play campaign that encourages more outdoor adventuring.

SGB Media • 13th April 2018

Local Talent Program Boosts POC’s Global Branding Efforts

When Olympic silver medalist Alex Ferreira (left) was 15, he joined the Local Talent Program run by Swedish helmet and goggle manufacturer POC. The program helps increase sports participation and improve product development—and it promotes the company’s branding efforts around the globe.

SGB Media • 13th April 2018

‘Keeping The Tribe Together’: Industry Praises OR + Snow Show Date Change

Outdoor Retailer’s announcement that OR + Snow Show is moving to the end of January for the next four years and will immediately follow Winter Sports Market has garnered high praise from snow sports and outdoor stakeholders alike.

SGB Media • 11th April 2018

Carving A Niche: Behind Elan’s U.S. Growth Strategy

After doubling the company’s alpine ski sales in the U.S. over the last five years, Elan Skis is now doubling down on that recent success with the creation of Elan Sports USA.

SIA Snow Show Daily • 28th January 2017

Changing Face of Snow Sports

Stakeholders look beyond the core to reverse the participation plateau. That means attracting a more diverse audience and offering something more than the traditional skiing and snowboarding experience.

SIA Snow Show Daily • 28th January 2017

A Decade of Neon

Shred and Slytech -- and the companies' co-owners Ted Ligety and Carlo Salmini -- celebrate 10 years standing out in the goggle and protective-gear business.

The University of Memphis Magazine • 1st April 2006

Homecoming

In an exclusive interview with The University of Memphis Magazine, alumnus Roy Hallums recounts his harrowing tale of being held hostage in Iraq for nearly a year.

Eric Smith

Welcome.

On Par: Golf Equipment, Apparel Sales Holding Steady

Fleet Feet Event Showcases ‘Resurgence’ Of Run Specialty

SGB Executive Q&A: Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer

Brand Vision: Collabs Boost Backcountry’s New Private Label

Sweet Spot: Golf’s Evolution Striking Right Balance

Ski Resort ‘Arms Race’ Escalates With Vail’s Latest Move

The Spring Of Nike’s Discontent

Inside The Fight Against Knockoffs, Counterfeits & Fake Sites

Kayak Maker Hemisphere Design Works Sets Course For Growth

Helly Hansen CEO Discusses Sale To Canadian Tire

Native Eyewear Hitting Stride Two Seasons After Return To Goggle Market

New Digs Bolster Adidas Outdoor’s Growth Plans

Huffy CEO: Batch Bicycles To Target ‘Underserved’ Market

Kelty’s ‘Ditch Day’ Encourages Outside Play, Elevates Brand Position

Local Talent Program Boosts POC’s Global Branding Efforts

‘Keeping The Tribe Together’: Industry Praises OR + Snow Show Date Change

Carving A Niche: Behind Elan’s U.S. Growth Strategy

Changing Face of Snow Sports

A Decade of Neon

Homecoming