As Hurley’s new marketing message starts hitting over the next few months, many people are sure to recognize the model used in the women’s campaign. Bar Rafaeli, the Israeli supermodel that dates Leonardo DiCaprio and has been “romantically linked” to Kelly Slater, is the new face—and body!—of Hurley. The decision to use Rafaeli reaffirms a few things: Someone in Hurley’s marketing department makes good decisions, this is sure to get the brand some press in the mainstream, and Kelly Slater is a legend!

No, that’s not Obama, but this is a shot of Sandy Beach. If you’ve ever been there, you know that it thumps!

August 15, 2008: U.S. Sen. Barack Obama bodysurfed today at Sandy Beach, a place he frequented as a teenager growing up in Honolulu. The presidential candidate was photographed shaking hands with bodyboarders, catching [...]

In the latest issue of Transworld Business I wrote a feature about the impact Hollister has made on the surf industry and ways that the endemic market can defend itself against the fugazi “surf brand”/mega mall-based retail chain. We usually don’t publish such lengthy articles online—it’s around 4,000 words plus a sidebar—but having seen it referenced on more than one surf-related message board online, I decided to post it in its entirety. So here it is.

After 21 years tenure at the industry’s largest and longest-running trade show – including fourteen successful years as show director, Lori Kisner has been promoted to senior vice president of dmg world media’s Business-to-Retailer division, reporting to Alan Steel, dmg world media executive vice president.
As senior vice president, Kisner will manage the new B2R portfolio [...]

Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: ICON) today announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008. Q2 2008 results: Revenue for the second quarter of 2008 increased 32% to $51.7 million, as compared to approximately $39.1 million in the second quarter of 2007.
EBITDA for the second quarter increased 13% to approximately $35.2 million, [...]

In late July, Alex Knost and Vice magazine’s Tyler Manson premiered a film project they’d been working on with the support of RVCA at the Yost Theater in Santa Ana, California. The film, titled Beach Blanket Burnout: The Hangover Of A Pop Culture, achieves something no other “surf video” release has this year. It’s completely different, utterly unique, and while many are sure to write it off as an “artsy” film without enough surf footage, I’d say that’s a shortsighted report.

With the second half of the Exposure-Meter season officially underway Jamie O’Brien made a power move this month, taking the number two spot back from South African Jordy Smith. While Smith has been getting plenty of exposure, this month O’Brien bested him by 2,700 points. Read more details right here.

On July 27 the much-discussed ‘Shaun White For Target’ apparel line hit all 1,613 Target stores across 47 states nationwide, and Target has launched an ad campaign on prime time television to support the line. regardless of how you feel about the line’s launch, if you’ve seen the commercials you’ve got to admit—they are pretty damn funny!

Ocean & Earth recently opened a new office in Costa Mesa, California. To break the place in they decided to invite a ton of friends, family, and industry folks to come over for a good, old-fashioned mustache bash. Complete with mandatory fake mustaches, mexican food, and margaritas. Plus, the Japanese Motors took the stage and put on a show for a captive crowd. Here are a few photos from the party.

On July 25, Volcom hosted its Q2 Conference Call for investors. Among other things, Chairman/CEO Richard Woolcott discussed the company’s retail strategy and the recent announcement that it planned to acquire Laguna Surf & Sport.Here’s what Woolcott told investors.