... buy more crap you don't need at really cheap prices.
Makes about as much sense as the plans coming out of Capitol Hill.
Check it out: Link
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
Thoughts On the Final Day at OR
Lots to process after four of five very eventful days ... almost too much to mention and far too much to recall right here. But we'll bring you plenty of the best news, new companies and show highlights in the coming issues of Inside Outdoor and on http://www.insideoutdoor.com/.
A few cool, new or sorta new things we saw, as well as emerging product categories include:
Water intake monitoring devices, which either come installed on a hydration product or can be spliced into an existing tube. See: http://www.n2kh2o.com/
Flat and foldable tableware seems to be popping up in lots of places. Super light and compact for backpacking and travel, but even better, they replace the need for paper plates at the family picnic of campground. Check out http://www.fozzils.com/.
Although very little marketing push currently is behind it, keep an eye on Apexa, a biodegradeable/compostable polymer that can be used to make fabrics, trims, buckles, etc. The end result could be fully compostable garments. Contact ASF Group (http://www.asfgroup.com/) for more information.
And while we are a long way from seeing it widely used in mainstream applications, aerogels, brought to the show by Aspen Aerogels, have the potential to revolutionize lots of product categories in the outdoor market and beyond. See http://www.aerogel.com/
Lastly, our team spotted a mountain bike spinning around the convention center grounds that's built with a carbon fiber and Kevlar spider web-like open lattice tube design. Yes, you can see through the frame. Surely expensive but super cool. http://www.delta7sports.com/
A few cool, new or sorta new things we saw, as well as emerging product categories include:
Water intake monitoring devices, which either come installed on a hydration product or can be spliced into an existing tube. See: http://www.n2kh2o.com/
Flat and foldable tableware seems to be popping up in lots of places. Super light and compact for backpacking and travel, but even better, they replace the need for paper plates at the family picnic of campground. Check out http://www.fozzils.com/.
Although very little marketing push currently is behind it, keep an eye on Apexa, a biodegradeable/compostable polymer that can be used to make fabrics, trims, buckles, etc. The end result could be fully compostable garments. Contact ASF Group (http://www.asfgroup.com/) for more information.
And while we are a long way from seeing it widely used in mainstream applications, aerogels, brought to the show by Aspen Aerogels, have the potential to revolutionize lots of product categories in the outdoor market and beyond. See http://www.aerogel.com/
Lastly, our team spotted a mountain bike spinning around the convention center grounds that's built with a carbon fiber and Kevlar spider web-like open lattice tube design. Yes, you can see through the frame. Surely expensive but super cool. http://www.delta7sports.com/
Friday, January 25, 2008
Day Three ...
Live from the IO booth at about 3:30, day 3.
Traffic is a bit slow this afternoon, although the free beer starts flowing in about 30 minutes, so that will get folks up and moving around, hunting for a complimentary pint.
A few aisles over, the guys at GoPro (www.goprocamera.com) are proving a theory that you can get a crowd to do just about anything for free goodies, including getting the lot to scream at the top of their lungs and chant "GoPro" like freshman at a high school pep rally.
Gotta get back to work ... more to come ....
Traffic is a bit slow this afternoon, although the free beer starts flowing in about 30 minutes, so that will get folks up and moving around, hunting for a complimentary pint.
A few aisles over, the guys at GoPro (www.goprocamera.com) are proving a theory that you can get a crowd to do just about anything for free goodies, including getting the lot to scream at the top of their lungs and chant "GoPro" like freshman at a high school pep rally.
Gotta get back to work ... more to come ....
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Day Two ...
A few awards from the trade show floor:
In the Marketing Will Eat Itself category: we actually overhead a PR type touting an "apres ice climbing" category. As if kicking back with buddies and a flask after ice climbing really requires specialized gear.
In the Who Really Needs This category: Weatherproof Chocolate.
In the Attention-Getting Booth Giveaway category: thermal base layer/performance-enhancing apparel company Skins was giving away free condoms. Have fun explaining that one to the spouse when it falls out of your show bag.
On a more serious note, Gramicci is taking some real strides at applying the KISS factor to purchasing, inventory control and merchandising for its dealers. The concept is not new to retail but rather novel to outdoor. Basically, ordering and replenishment is done based on fixture space and square footage rather than the traditional way of sorting through their lines, picking individual items and quantities. Retailers pick from three pre-configured merchandising programs, utilizing their existing fixtures, order pre-merchandised apparel selections depending on their market and customer demographics and receive pre-merchandized replenishment product at an established interval.
The basic idea is to simplify matters for dealers and help them utilize Gramicci's market intelligence and resources. We'll provide much more detail on the program in the next print issue of Inside Outdoor magazine.
Finally, the now-vacant building across the street from the Salt Palace Convention Center that once housed Club DV8 caught fire and essentially burnt down last night a few hours after the close of the OR show (no injuries were reported). Veteran OR attendees fondly remember Club DV8 for the many industry-hosted parties housed there. The drunken memories live on.
More later ...
In the Marketing Will Eat Itself category: we actually overhead a PR type touting an "apres ice climbing" category. As if kicking back with buddies and a flask after ice climbing really requires specialized gear.
In the Who Really Needs This category: Weatherproof Chocolate.
In the Attention-Getting Booth Giveaway category: thermal base layer/performance-enhancing apparel company Skins was giving away free condoms. Have fun explaining that one to the spouse when it falls out of your show bag.
On a more serious note, Gramicci is taking some real strides at applying the KISS factor to purchasing, inventory control and merchandising for its dealers. The concept is not new to retail but rather novel to outdoor. Basically, ordering and replenishment is done based on fixture space and square footage rather than the traditional way of sorting through their lines, picking individual items and quantities. Retailers pick from three pre-configured merchandising programs, utilizing their existing fixtures, order pre-merchandised apparel selections depending on their market and customer demographics and receive pre-merchandized replenishment product at an established interval.
The basic idea is to simplify matters for dealers and help them utilize Gramicci's market intelligence and resources. We'll provide much more detail on the program in the next print issue of Inside Outdoor magazine.
Finally, the now-vacant building across the street from the Salt Palace Convention Center that once housed Club DV8 caught fire and essentially burnt down last night a few hours after the close of the OR show (no injuries were reported). Veteran OR attendees fondly remember Club DV8 for the many industry-hosted parties housed there. The drunken memories live on.
More later ...
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Day One from OR
It's cold outside in SLC ... plenty of warmth and fuzziness, though, on the show floor. Eco-aware is everywhere.
One green story worth mentioning is Fox River's. The company is using friendly fibers in its socks, friendly dies and friendly processes. And they have been green since well before it became the trend. Nice looking new SKUs, too.
Also worth checking out is the Hammerhead sled. A great way to get anyone and everyone out to play on the snow slopes, the super slick snow sled is family friendly, has gotten some juice from a big outdoor pub and play from some major outdoor dealers. Best of all, it looks like a blast to ride. A bit pricey at about $300, but if you have the need for speed, check it out http://www.hammerheadsled.com/.
Some quick figures: 22 business cards picked up; 2 flakes who didn't show up for scheduled meetings; 1 wedding on the show floor; and "35 to 40" convention center staffers on the show floor dispensing free beer and spirits, our sources tell us.
Hopefully a few are slinging free coffee in the morn. See ya tomorrow.
Monday, January 21, 2008
What was that about the death of legacy media?
Here’s a small reality check courtesy of Media News Daily …
“Being fourth place as a TV network doesn't take away from NBC's financial resiliency. For its calendar year in fourth-quarter 2007, its parent General Electric reported NBC Universal's net profit grew 10% to nearly $1 billion -- $923 million. A year ago, NBC put up profits of $841 million. Revenue rose 8% at NBCU to $4.55 billion
NBC's stable financial gains over the past few periods come from its assortment of cable networks, which witnessed operating profit climb 23% on a revenue increase of 14% this current period. News channels MSNBC and CNBC saw double-digit ratings increases.”
“Being fourth place as a TV network doesn't take away from NBC's financial resiliency. For its calendar year in fourth-quarter 2007, its parent General Electric reported NBC Universal's net profit grew 10% to nearly $1 billion -- $923 million. A year ago, NBC put up profits of $841 million. Revenue rose 8% at NBCU to $4.55 billion
NBC's stable financial gains over the past few periods come from its assortment of cable networks, which witnessed operating profit climb 23% on a revenue increase of 14% this current period. News channels MSNBC and CNBC saw double-digit ratings increases.”
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Just Shoo Already
Proof that user-generated content and video sharing have "jumped the shark," so to speak, next month will see the unveiling of ShoeTube.tv, "the destination on the Web where women will gather to share their passion for shoes."
Uh, just because the name rhymes with YouTube doesn't mean it's a good idea.
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Retailer or Media Company?
The clips we saw weren't so incredibly interesting (maybe more so to kids) but the recent launch of a "dedicated media channel" called 77e by retailer American Eagle points to some key trends involving retailers use of media and video, beyond traditional TV spots, and the dramatic shifts taking place in how brands engage customers, particularly younger customers.
Here it is: Link
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