Ueli Steck Speed Solos the North Face of Grandes Jorasses
Posted: July 30, 2009 Filed under: Climbing, Outdoor Recreation | Tags: Climbing, Rock Climbing Leave a comment »Dougald MacDonald over at The Mountain World pointed me to this video – absolutely amazing.
New and Old Friends
Posted: July 27, 2009 Filed under: News Leave a comment »It seems like the theme of Outdoor Retailer Summer Market for everyone this year was meeting old and new friends. The tribute to Andy Knapp at the Outdoor Demo was moving for everyone and all of the tributes to John Bachar made us realize just how mortal we all were.
Kenji, Bern, and Todd Jamming at the Conservation Alliance 10th Anniversary Party
I think all of this contributed to the communal feeling this year. Yes, OR is always a great place to meet with friends and colleagues, but this year was special. Geoff over at ARP penned a great piece on his feelings about the show and Kenji posted it on his blog.
The Conservation Alliance 10th anniversary also celebrated the web of friendships that make up this industry in grand form. It was great to talk, catch up and tell stories with some amazing people.
Even with the “official business” meetings, the most memorable part of the show was checking in on the folks I have been working with for the past eight years.
Josh over at Oboz put it best when he described the outdoor industry as a “99% relationship-based business.” We all share the same business and industry, but we have also shared climbing, backpacking, canoing, trail running, and much more.
I feel quite lucky to be a part of it all.
Off to OR
Posted: July 17, 2009 Filed under: News | Tags: business, Outdoor Retailer, Salt Lake City Leave a comment »
Heading to Outdoor Retailer Summer Market for a week of business, meetings, selling, and whatever else happens. I’ll have lots of photos, stories and rumors when I return.
More Publishing News
Posted: July 14, 2009 Filed under: The Business of News | Tags: business, Journalism, News Media Business, Newsweek Leave a comment »
It looks like Business Week is for sale at a bargain basement price. The Deal is reporting that it may be priced for as little as $1.00 – that’s right, one single, lonely dollar (plus the assumption of debt which is likely a rather large number).
Even at this price, it seems unlikely that there will be many bidders. It’s quite surprising to see an icon like this hit so hard, but the growth from magazines like Fast Company and The Economist (two of the only magazines to show any advertising growth last year according to The Project for Excellence in Journalism) had to come from somewhere. The pie of advertising dollars is clearly shrinking and it does not seem to be slowing down any time soon.
In times like this it definately pays to be a lean organization.
Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Dealer School
Posted: July 9, 2009 Filed under: News, Outdoor Recreation, Paddlesports | Tags: business, Johnson Outdoors, Kayak, paddle board, Paddlesports Leave a comment »I just returned from Stone Mountain, GA where the Johnson Outdoors Dealer School was held. All in all, it was a good trip – I got to hang out with some good, bright folks and get the low-down on what is going on in the paddlesports industry. I got to meet the new folks who are running the paddlesports and marine electronics side of Johnson Outdoors business and they are smart, really smart. They also know the industry quite well and are dedicated to keeping their dealers happy.
I was also able to meet the folks behind Duncan-Lewis Rep agancy. They cover 32 states for 40+ brands and do about $200 million in business annually. They have more revenues than most of the brands they represent. They can also stay up all night (literally) and start hauling boats out to the beach at 4:30 the next morning and then conduct a decent product clinic. All of them have this uncanny skill. It’s insane. It’s a bit like a frat party, but its still admirable. Read the rest of this entry »
