group Y of Carlsbad, California will be partnering with action sports retailer evo of Seattle, Washington to host a panel discussion in Seattle on the evening of October 21st, 2009
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group Y host, the group Y gathering in Los Angeles on August 26. The event will be networking focused and a great place to meet, greet, and collaborate!
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The initial set of confirmed speakers for the first-ever Action Sports Conference, held at X Games 15, has been announced and include top marketers from brands within the action sports industry, as well as non-endemic brands. Click here for a full list.
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Come check out the 1st Action Sports Conference powered by group Y & ESPN ?presented by FUEL TV at this years X Games. Check it out!
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group Y To Host First Action Sports Conference At ESPN’s X Games 15
One-Day Event To Bring Marketers From Action Sports World Together With Mainstream Brands To Share Best Practices, Key Insights And Leverage Future Opportunities
June 22nd, 2009 — group Y and ESPN have collaborated to produce the Action Sports Conference, to be held at X Games 15 on July 30th. group Y, the premier action sports and youth marketing networking group, will use the X Games as a backdrop to bring together marketers from action sports and non-endemic brands for a day of education, networking and sharing of best practices. The Action Sports Conference will be presented by FUEL TV.
During the last two decades, activities such as skateboarding, BMX and surfing have continued to grow in both popularity and exposure. Recent statistics cite that participants in action sports represent well more than 15 million people, with spending extending into the double-digit billions. The X Games has showcased action sports on a global level since 1995, giving action sports athletes and brands a broader level of media exposure than ever before.
“What we’ve witnessed first hand with the X Games is how broad of an appeal action sports have, beyond the core participant,” said Chris Stiepock, vice president and general manager for the X Games. “The excitement surrounding action sports transcends the active participants and extends to a steadily growing group of fans. Savvy marketers are realizing that if you engage the influencers in this genre first, their efforts can have a strong impact.”
As the original action sports and youth marketing networking organization, group Y is ideally suited to be producing this conference. Founded in 2006 to foster relationships within the action sports community, group Y boasts the most authentic and connected membership base of any networking group in action sports. In the past, group Y has hosted many events throughout the Southern California region, featuring leaders from the top echelon of action sports and youth focused companies, including Quiksilver, Burton, Oakley, FUEL TV, Vans and MySpace.
For brands in action sports, increased media exposure has led to a greater need for strategic marketing initiatives ranging from grassroots programs to integrated social media executions. As part of the conference’s activities, there will be panel discussions and presentations on best practices for merchandising brands, increasing athlete visibility across different channels and maintaining relevance with future participants.
“As an industry, the action sports world tends to be unique in its communal nature. It’s not far from rare for competitors to not only socialize at events, but to also be friends as well,” commented Liz Randall, group Y’s CEO and co-founder. “What group Y events provide are ways to harness this community in a way to afford opportunities for members to connect in a low key environment and discuss issues and trends we’re seeing as a whole.”
The Action Sports Conference is the first group Y event to proactively invite representatives from outside of the endemic action sports community to participate. By inviting mainstream brands to partake in the discussions, group Y hopes to help non-endemic marketers better connect with the action sports community through appropriate partnership proposals and more authentic campaigns.
“The action sports participant tends to be pretty savvy and quick to judge when being targeted by the non-endemics. Unfortunately, the majority of the programs we’re seeing that target this demographic wind up alienating them instead,” commented Mark Sperling, co-founder and President of group Y. “It takes more than putting a snowboard in an ad to target someone who considers themselves a snowboarder. Through this conference, we’re hoping to give some brands a deeper look into one facet of action sports and connect them with some key influencers to help them develop more authentic programs for the future.”
As little nuances in execution can quickly turn a campaign from authentic to awful in the eyes of action sports participants, a limited number of VIP education packages will be made available. These packages will include a behind the scenes tour of the X Games as well as a guided, one-on-one experience where participants are able to ask questions, interact with brand representatives and receive insights surrounding the distinctions of targeting an influential demographic.
group Y’s Action Sports Conference will be held in the Stadium Club of The Home Depot Center, an exclusive location that will overlook many of the events taking place during day one of X Games. Maximum capacity for the event will be 200 attendees with a participatory price of $195 for a basic conference package, with enhanced packages also available.
X Games 15 will be held July 30 - August 2, 2009, and be covered live on ESPN’s family of networks, including ABC, as well as across ESPN’s digital media assets. The event will feature athletes from across the globe competing for medals and prize money in Skateboarding, Moto X, BMX and Rally Car Racing.
Additional support for the Action Sports Conference is being provided by FUEL TV, Propaganda Headquarters and BBPR.
More details and information on the Action Sports Conference can be found online at www.actionsportsconference.com <http://www.actionsportsconference.com> .
ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE
ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Original Entertainment, X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, China, Korea, Malaysia and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded its reach to ESPN.com/action sports, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVDs.
About group Y
group Y is the original collective of professionals focused on Action Sports, Youth Marketing and Entertainment. Based in Southern California with a growing national reach, group Y boasts an active membership of the best and brightest these industries have to offer. Sharing insights from key decision makers at key brands, past speakers have included experts from companies such as Quiksilver, Burton, Oakley, MySpace, and ESPN. Through our events, outreach and on-line presence, group Y takes the work out of strategic networking and strengthens our entire industry in the process. Please visit us at www.groupYnetwork.com <http://www.groupYnetwork.com> .
On Wednesday June 10, La Jolla Group CEO spoke to a crowd of more than 100 at The Camp in Costa Mesa, California as part of the Innovator Series presented by Group Y. Bost tackled topics ranging from his background in the action sports market to the role of social media at LJG’s stable of brands
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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE - O’NEILL CLOTHING CEO, TOBY BOST, TO SPEAK AT UPCOMING GROUP Y INNOVATOR SERIES DISCUSSION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Carlsbad, CA – June 2nd, 2009 – group Y, the original collective of professionals focused on Action Sports, Youth Marketing and Entertainment, is pleased to announce Toby Bost, CEO of La Jolla Group (www.lajollagroup.com) (“LJG”) and each of the company’s governed clothing and accessories brands (O’Neill Clothing USA, Lost Clothing, Metal Mulisha Clothing and Rusty North America), as the featured speaker at the next group Y Innovator Series discussion on the evening of June 10th. The event is open to all action sports-related professionals, and will take place at the CAMP in Costa Mesa, California. Bost will discuss his rapid rise in the action sports ranks from business school graduate to CEO, and what it takes to build a diverse 21st century corporation.
One of the youngest CEOs in the industry, Bost currently oversees the business development and profitability for La Jolla Group and its portfolio, establishing its position as today’s leading multi-brand action sports licensing company. He is responsible for directing LJG’s core competencies in design, marketing, sales, production, and distribution among its subsidiary brands; ensuring efficient operations, innovative design and high-quality performance products; aligning with some of the world’s most talented athletes; and creating signature properties and programs to support the overall growth of action sports.
He is also a member of the SIMA Board; helped establish the Lusk Legacy Foundation and new association for freestyle motocross, AFMXA; and was recently named a recipient of the 2009 SGB 40 Under 40 Award.
Tiffany Montgomery, founder and editor of Shop-eat-surf, will moderate the discussion.
group Y’s Innovator Series features leaders of our industries speaking to their own personal experiences and paths as they build some of action sports biggest brand names. Past Innovator speakers have included: Kevin Lyman, founder of the Warped Tour, CJ Oliveras, the GM of FUEL TV, and Carey Hart, renowned freestyle motocross legend turned talented businessman.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the panel will begin at 7:00 p.m. Admission at the door is $25, and pre-registrations are $17.50
To pre-register, please visit: http://tinyurl.com/groupYJune10
group Y invites all those involved in the action sports, entertainment & communications industries to attend.
About group Y – “Where Action Sports and Youth Marketing Come to Meet”
group Y is the original collective of professionals focused on Action Sports, Youth Marketing and Entertainment. Based in Southern California with a growing national reach, group Y boasts an active membership of the best and brightest these industries have to offer. Sharing insights from key decision makers at key brands, past speakers have included experts from companies such as Quiksilver, Burton, Oakley, MySpace, and ESPN. Through our events, outreach and on-line presence, group Y takes the work out of strategic networking and strengthens our entire industry in the process.
www.groupYnetwork.com
Group Y June Calender and upcoming events! Check them out!
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GROUP Y PARTNERS WITH NEMO TO PRESENT FIRST NATIONAL EVENT
“Who Killed Social Media?”—A Panel Discussion On Social Media Vs. The Social Web
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Carlsbad, CA. - May 19th, 2009 – group Y of Carlsbad, California, today announced their partnership with Portland, Oregon-based integrated marketing agency Nemo, to together host a panel discussion at Nemo’s Portland Headquarters on the evening of June 4th, 2009. The discussion will focus on incorporating and effectively implementing social web strategies in the marketing mix.
The June 4th panel marks the first nationally-produced event for group Y. Co-Founder and CEO at group Y, Elizabeth Randall commented, “We are very much looking forward to holding our first national group Y event at Nemo HQ. They are a perfect partner for group Y—not only as a result of our long-standing relationship with them, but because they truly understand the action sports and youth markets, and are constantly pushing the boundaries of creative marketing and online strategies. Nemo’s headquarters will be the ideal gathering place to tackle the ins and outs of social media as well as do some group Y style-socializing.”
Nemo’s Founder and GM, Trevor Graves added, “We’re excited to have the action sports industry at Nemo to learn about the Social Web. Our friends at group Y have helped set up an expert panel to explain what all the fuss is about. Using the Social Web to communicate one-on-one with our customers can help achieve the holy grail of brand loyalty.”
Included on the panel are; Tony Welch, Web, Community and Social Media strategist from Hewlett Packard, action sports industry veteran Lee Crane, James Todd of Twine, Lead Information Architect at K2 Sports and creator of Ridertech, Matt Savarino, and Nemo’s own Dave Allen, founder of the music site Pampelmoose.com, Director of Insights and Digital Media and Community Director at Nemo and founding member of the band Gang of Four. The moderator Marshall Kirkpatrick, Vice President of Content Development, and lead writer for ReadWriteWeb, will navigate the panelists through the world of the Social Web as it is today, and where it will lead in the near future.
For complete information on the event and panelist bios please visit: www.tinyurl.com/nemopress
To register for the event, please go to; http://tinyurl.com/groupY-6-4-09
About group Y:
group Y is the original collective of professionals focused on Action Sports, Youth Marketing and Entertainment. Based in Southern California with a growing national reach, group Y boasts an activemembership of the best and brightest these industries have to offer. Sharing insights from key
decision makers at key brands, past speakers have included experts from companies such as Quiksilver, Burton, Oakley, MySpace, and ESPN. Through our events, outreach and on-line presence, group Y takes the work out of strategic networking and strengthens our entire industry in the process. Please visit us
at www.groupYnetwork.com.
About Nemo:
Nemo means Nobody. Highly collaborative, integrated marketing that is media agnostic. The biggest ideas, the best context, and the deepest impact are all we’re concerned about as we build visionary brands. We use (or invent) whatever media and tools will resonate within a culture. “Does it change the game?” is our collective mission as we evolve interactive design, social networks, PR, environmental design, print design, photography, entertainment and original content. For more information on Nemo please visit www.nemohq.com.
GROUP Y PRESENTS INDUSTRY PANEL DISCUSSION APRIL 15th
Action Sports In the Mainstream—Where Do We Go From Here?
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Carlsbad, CA – April 13th, 2009 – group Y, a collective of youth marketing and communications professionals in the action sports and entertainment industries, will hold a panel discussion on Wednesday, April 15th at Red Bull’s US headquarters in Santa Monica. Co-sponsored by FUEL TV, the panel line up includes industry leaders from Sole Technology, Blitz Distribution, Board Trac and ZJ’s Boarding House.
Over many years, the various action sports and their personalities have slowly gained more and more acceptance from mainstream media and public. With competitions, TV reality shows and a dedicated 24 hour cable network devoted to action sports, our once obscure sports have now grown a foothold as popular if not “traditional” sports.
group Y panelists will explore this development and discuss what it means to the action sports industry. Should or can smaller brands capitalize on what the larger brands have established? As a brand or a retailer, how can companies utilize this growth to help create sales? Or conversely, by the very occurrence of our sports now being considered the “norm” does that negate the edgy vibe and lifestyle that has helped these brands become what they are today?
Our panelists will discuss these issues alongside of their own personal and professional experiences of how they effectively marketed to capture this audience and what current and future challenges may be.
Panelists Include:
• Don Brown – Senior Vice President, Sole Technology (soletechnology.com)
• Per Welinder – President, Blitz Distribution and Chairman of the Board, IASC (blitzdistribution.com, skateboardiasc.org)
• Todd Roberts – Owner, ZJ Boarding House and Chairman, Board Retailers Association (zjboardinghouse.com, www.boardretailers.org
• Moderator, Angelo Ponzi – Co-founder & Senior Marketing Executive, Board-Trac (board-trac.com)
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and the panel will begin at 7:00 p.m. Admission at the door is $20, and pre-registrations are $15.
To pre-register, please visit www.groupYnetwork.com
group Y invites all those involved in marketing & PR within the action sports, entertainment & communications industries to attend.
About FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the action sports lifestyle network for skateboarding, snowboarding, surfing, BMX, freestyle motocross, and wakeboarding. A unit of Fox Cable Networks, FUEL TV was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in 26 million U.S. homes. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4-FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv .
About group Y – “Where Action Sports and Youth Marketing Come to Meet”
group Y is a collective of youth marketing & communications professionals with a focus on action sports and entertainment industries. Founded in 2006, the group is vehicle to bring people together and assist new relationships between others within our sphere of Action Sports and Entertainment. Panel discussions and speakers have included industry leaders from brands including Burton, Quiksilver, Billabong, MySpace, Verizon, (RED), Oakley, Roxy, Skullcandy, IMG and RVCA. For more information, please visit us at www.groupYnetwork.com
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