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Sneaker Kingpins Nike and Adidas Go Head-to-Head Creating New Footwear Designs for the Olympics Sure to Impact Sneak-Freak Culture; Plus Latest IOC Moves to Attract “Teens” in Another Ill-fated (and Named) Campaign July 7, 2008
Things are heating up for the Beijing Olympics next month, including the launch of some 53 different sneaker designs from the titans of footwear, plus an update on how the IOC missed the youth culture boat again.
| Summer Tours + Sponsorship Round-Up: Vans Warped Tour, Rockstar Energy Mayhem, Projekt Revolution, Rock the Bells VI, Download, Detour, Hootenanny, Lollapalooza June 18, 2008
Busy summer music tour season ramps up with bands and sponsors in various North American multi-band, multi-stage tours featuring unique packages to attract specific audiences. Here’s the round-up.
| Urban Influences + Skateboarding’s Evolution = Skurban Redefined for 2008: How Urban Culture is Influencing Latest Trends in Sports, Street Fashion, + Lifestyles June 4, 2008
Assessing latest trends in urban youth culture + the impact on sports, fashion, music, + lifestyles, Label Networks brings together the latest scoop on skateboarding, fashion influences, pros with influence, data, + industry players that are pushing the evolution of what’s been reluctantly coined as skurban.
| Skate Study House Premieres Innovative Skate Deck Furniture at Sneaker Boutique Blends at Famous 4th Street Gap in Downtown LA May 13, 2008
Recycled skateboard decks mixed with modern architectural designs have made the Skate Study House collection a show unto itself.
| Cardboard Robot’s Mixed Themes for Fall ’08 Ranging from Hollywood to Miami Vice, Politics, Deer Hunters, + Music, Keeping Retailers on Their Toes April 18, 2008
Cardboard Robot is one of those street fashion brands that has successfully carved out their own niche in fashion (and cardboard furniture) but not always in the way that people think of. Their latest collection provides a dose of humor with mixed messages and big city icons that sets the brand apart.
| Urban Lifestyle Profile Report: Skurban, Urban Freeflow, Freestyle Rolling, + Fixed Gear: How Urban Culture is Influencing Latest Trends in Sports, Street Fashion, + Lifestyles April 16, 2008
Assessing latest trends in urban youth culture + the impact on sports, fashion, music, + lifestyles, Label Networks brings together top stories, data, brands, + industry players that are pushing the evolution of global youth culture today.
| X Games Re-Instates Vert Competition After Heat from Pro Skaterboarders + BMX Riders—What This Means about The State of Halfpipe Competitions, Including the Youth Olympic Games April 11, 2008
To Vert or Not to Vert, that is the question that ESPN X Games officials have been pondering + which pro vert skateboarders + BMX riders are pissed about. And yes, this will probably effect the IOC’s decision about events in the 1st YOG.
| New Sports Trends Impacting Youth Culture Lifestyles Indicate Changing Marketplace Especially for Skateboarding, Rise of Fixed Gear Cycling, Aggressive Inline, + Other Sporting Cultures March 31, 2008
What was once considered action sports turf is now being replaced by other sporting cultures, new styles in streetwear, and underground heroes from the streets.
| Elmer Ave.’s “A Night of Tragic Emotions” Fashion Show Reveals How the Brand Stays One Step Ahead with High-end, Deconstructed Menswear with a Rock ‘n Roll Edge March 17, 2008
Known for their high-end, deconstructed LA-esque menswear with a rocker-edge, Elmer Ave.’s dramatic fashion show with live music was an inspiring event that indicated menswear can be more unique than most designers have dared to create.
| WeSC, the Street-Contemporary Fashion Brand from Sweden, Featured Top Activists’ Artists in an Well-Curated Art Show at Robert Bergman Gallery Attracting a Who’s-Who List of Street Artists, Action Sports Industry, + Press March 7, 2008
WeSC continues to push trends when it comes to the cross-over of international street + contemporary fashion, art, + grassroots marketing with the opening of their We Activists’ art show at Bergamot Station opening night of the new Class fashion trade show in Los Angeles.
| Olympic + X Games Gold Medalist Shaun White Moves on to Target Deal as Volcom Contract Expires; Trend Continues as Mass Retailers Gobble-up Action Sports' Label Networks Reveals Data on Where Volcom Ranks in Youth Culture Fashion Preferences February 4, 2008
His Volcom contract expired and instead of renewing it, Shaun White is launching a collection for Target. Label Networks has the data that tracks Volcom's attraction among youth culture: the coveted "target" market Target is trying to target.
| T-shirt Brand Innovator Exclusive Interview Delivers Insight on Sales Cycles, Reps, Distribution, Manufacturing, Music, Inline, and Skateboarding Influences on the Marketplace, + How Lady Footlocker Could Have Made a Fortune February 7, 2008
Label Networks’ exclusive interview series with top professionals in street fashion including T-shirts, denim, retail, + design deliver insight on the state of the fashion marketplace.
| Olympic + X Games Gold Medalist Shaun White Moves on to Target Deal as Volcom Contract Expires; Trend Continues as Mass Retailers Gobble-up Action Sports' Label Networks Reveals Data on Where Volcom Ranks in Youth Culture Fashion Preferences February 4, 2008
His Volcom contract expired and instead of renewing it, Shaun White is launching a collection for Target. Label Networks has the data that tracks Volcom's attraction among youth culture: the coveted "target" market Target is trying to target.
| “Do You Consider Snowboarding As An Off-season Alternative to Skateboarding?”—Label Networks’ Snowboarding Profile Report Compares Rider to Skaters and Vice Versa Determining Top New Markets + Trends December 14, 2007
Snowboarding + Skateboarding are two sports that are used often by brands hoping to gain cred when reaching youth culture markets. In this story, Label Networks quantifies which demographics consider riding or skating more core to their lifestyle and thus, where opportunities lie within both.
| Snowboarding Big Air’s Back in the Winter X Games, Along with New Additions Skiing Big Air + Snowmobile Speed + Style; Plus X Games Franchise Heads Back to Dubai November 27, 2007
Coming full-circle, now with the X Games some sports that were ditched are back in, such as snowboarding big-air. We anticipate aggressive inline to make its “debut” next.
| Mexico City Urban Culture Fashion Fest Illustrates Burgeoning Scene of New Designers Mixed with Top Bands, Skateboarding, Graffiti Artists + Urban Vinyl Scenes November 5, 2007
The 1st of its kind in Mexico, this trade show-like fashion, music, art festival created a buzz that indicates there’s a new version of urban culture on the rise.
| Youth Olympic Games Boil-Down to 9 Potential Host Cities—Skateboarding Possible Sport; Coca-Cola Pony’s-Up for Restoration of Ancient Olympia Site November 5, 2007
While the fight begins for who’s going to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2010, it also brings up the fact that potential sports, such as skateboarding, might just get scooped by the Youth Games 2 years before the London Games get their chance for a major, money-making, cred-building sport debut.
| Swerve Festival Brings Out West Coast Creative Culture Through Action Sports-Inspired Films, Music, + Art Exhibitions in 1st Annual Event October 1, 2007
While it’s well known that the bohemian lifestyle and creation of action sports, underground films, art, and music often duplicated around the world came from the West Coast, it was refreshing to see the celebration of the culture through the 1st annual Swerve Festival initiated by Fuel TV.
| Top Favorite Sports, Participation, + Sports to “Learn” in Pan-European Report Indicate New Trends in Lifestyle Associations among 15-25-year-olds September 30, 2007
Label Networks’ 5th Annual European Youth Culture Study ’07-’08 reveals far-reaching changes in sports and influences among youth culture across the UK, France, Italy, Spain, + Germany indicating new lifestyle influences on the horizon.
| “Bra Boys” Surf Documentary Narrated by Russell Crowe Shows Cultural Evolution of Australia’s Gnarliest Surf Community + Gaining Groundswell of Underground Support Based on Social Issues Raised September 24, 2007
Maligned surf communities and inner-city social struggles are not your typical fare when it comes to surf documentaries, but “Bra Boy’s” captures the reality of a gang-riddled lifestyle and Australia’s historical stigma against surfing.
| “What sport would most like to learn?” Fresh Results from North America Youth Culture Study Fall Report by Label Networks Reveals Unique Findings—for subscribers only September 17, 2007
The North American Youth Culture Study—Fall Report ’07 released September 15th reveals strong passion + aspirational characteristics influencing participation numbers + associated lifestyle such as fashion, footwear, + heroes within youth culture.
| ASR Trade Show Blasts Expectations with Largest Show in 5 Years Indicating Surf, Skate, Snow, BMX, Wake, + Freestyle Moto Markets are Key in Youth Culture September 14, 2007
As streetwear eats into action sports, last weekend’s trade show proved that there’s still a strong marketplace for new and old brands in the industry.
| Women’s Skateboarding Taken to New Levels at X Games with Kickflips + Disasters in Vert and a Backside Flip in Street—Shots from the Coping Tell the Story August 12, 2007
With limited women’s events in the X Games, the skateboarding vert + street competitions tend to attract the greatest crowds for those looking for what’s next in women’s sports. The heroines of skate did not disappoint with tricks that took the sport to the next level.
| Shaun White Wins Elusive Gold in Men’s Skateboarding Vert with Historical Run—Images from the Coping Prove His Rockstar Status in the Sport August 8, 2007
Shots from the top of the coping tell the story of how the world’s best male skateboarders pushed the limits of the sport in their attempts at X Games gold, but Shaun White stomped a last minute run for the win.
| Monster Big Air with 720 Over 70-foot Gap in X Games by Skateboarder Jake Brown Results in Sneaker Blow-out on Crash Landing August 5, 2007
The most memorable jump of men’s Big Air in skateboarding happened August 2nd at the 13th ESPN X Games, but only silver medal result for all the pain.
| IOC Launches Youth Olympic Games—What this Means for the Real Olympics + Youth-Oriented Sports July 17, 2007
Yet again the IOC is trying to maintain relevancy but with a confusing new format, rules, and ancient guidelines in their attempt to “spread values.”
| Summer Tours + Sponsorship Round-Up: Vans Warped Tour, Honda Civic Tour, Projekt Revolution, Ozzfest, Family Values, Volcom Tour, Zumiez Couch Tour June 19, 2007
Busy summer music tour season ramps up with bands and sponsors in various North American multi-band, multi-stage tours featuring unique packages to attract specific audiences. Here’s the round-up.
| How Important is Sponsoring Athletes in Reaching Youth Culture + Creating Brand Cred??for subscribers only June 18, 2007
Label Networks? latest Sponsorship + Advertising in Youth Culture Report takes an in-depth look at who and what has the greatest effect on specific demographics, including the sponsorship of professional athletes. For subscribers only.
| Skate-inspired Artists Andy Jenkins, Andy Mueller, + Andrew Pommier Premiere “stAAAmmering” Showcase Illustrating Art-Skate Connection June 18, 2007
Girl Skateboards is known for it’s collection of artists and as shown in this exhibition, there’s creativity that can stand alone, and yet is intricately tied to skateboarding culture.
| Red Carpet Skate-Formalwear Shows Directions in Streetwear From the Pros + Industry Tastemakers Themselves June 11, 2007
Skate-formalwear is a rarely seen phenomenon given that most pro skaters are traveling, competing, shooting videos. So when they flashed their red-carpet best at the TWS Skateboarding Awards last week, it was clear their version of formal combines T’s with suit jackets, street, urban, punk, heavy accessories, tatts, and of course, sweet sneakers.
| IOC in Talks with Cycling Governing Body to Introduce Skateboarding in 2012 Games June 11, 2007
It rings of déjà vu when the IOC tried to umbrella snowboarding under skiing, something the committee “recognized” in order to bring the sport into the Games. Here we go again with skateboarding umbrella-ed under the International Cycling Union to bring the “new” wheeled sport into the 2010 London Games.
| Transworld Skateboarding’s 9th Annual Awards Provide a Preview of the Future of Skate Bringing Out Top Skaters + Legends: Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Bob Burnquist, Lance Mountain, Pharrell Williams, + Host Jason Lee—with video June 11, 2007
Transworld Skateboarding’s 9th Annual Awards Provide a Preview of the Future of Skate Bringing Out Top Skaters + Legends: Tony Hawk, Christian Hosoi, Skateboarding’s 9th Annual Awards by TWS brought out top skaters such as Lance Mountain, Christian Hosoi, and Tony Hawk, but also proved where the industry is headed with crossover collaborations and teams such as Pharrell Willams and the Ice Cream Skate Team, Zenetti Wheels, and Rookies.
| Zenetti Wheel Designer Launches First-Ever Pro Skate Team by the Wheel Industry Indicating Another First in Crossover Trends June 4, 2007
New crossover trends continue to change-up market opportunities among brands and pros, as indicated by the recent announcement of Zenetti, the wheel designer also known for creating Paul Wall’s Grills and Wheels, and Brooklyn Project’s new Pro Skateboard Team including top guys such as Stevie Williams and Paul Rodriquez.
| Sports Participation Preference - Historical Trends May 16, 2006
Sports Participation Preference - Historical Trends
| IOC “Welcomes” Idea of Youth Olympic Games to Start in 2010 with “Relevant” Sports May 8, 2007
The International Olympic Committee has announced that it will consider a Youth Olympic Games in 2010 to help address the lack of interest in the Olympics among young people. Does this mean skateboarding will finally be an Olympic sport in 2010?
| Business Resource: IPATH Bought by Timberland; Volcom to Expand into Europe; Hot Topic Hires Chief Music Officer May 1, 2007
Business Resource news reveals that IPATH, the environmentally conscious skateboard-inspired footwear brand was purchased by Timberland for an undisclosed amount, indicating Timberland’s foray into skate-inspired footwear. Volcom’s 1st quarter earnings call Monday revealed a 22.2% increase in revenues, and expansion plans into Europe; while Hot Topic hires a Chief Music Officer as part of their initiative to revamp their music and internet strategy to boost their current sales slump
| Hispanic Youth Culture: The Strongest Demographic Wanting to Learn Action Sports, Indicating Vast Market Opportunities within the Nation’s 2nd Largest Cultural Demographic—for subscribers only April 10, 2007
Based on fresh results from our Hispanic Youth Culture Study, action sports are clearly preferred as the top sports that 15-24-year-olds most want to learn. For subscribers, the information in this story details not only key demographics by gender and age groups, but also the major sources of influence through lifestyle associations as well including fashion, footwear, video gaming title preferences, TV entertainment, and pro athlete icons.
| New Kicks on the Block, TLT, Inspired from Graffiti Bombing Freight Train Lines April 9, 2007
Sneaker culture is a tough business which Scott and Noel from The Lines Toughest Kicks understand, but went ahead and decided to launch their new sneaker brand anyway because, as they put it, they were sick of the styles currently out there. TLT Kicks takes inspiration from Northern California graffiti artist King 157 and his bombing of freight train lines into the styles of their kicks. Label Networks TV captures what’s behind this new sneaker brand.
| Obey Clothing Illustrates Cross-over Brand Potential + Viral Marketing Success—with video April 2, 2007
Label Networks TV interviews Obey Clothing, the brand inspired by Shepard Fairey, street propaganda artist most known for his Obey Giant street campaign. What’s unique about Obey, the clothing and accessories line however is that it’s part of a new subculture of brands, including WeSC, Paul Frank, and Cardboard Robot that cross borders between action sports and music, street artists, and even car culture fans, and mostly is promoted through word-of-mouth campaigning with very little advertising.
| Hispanic Sports Report 2007 March 22, 2007
Hispanic Sports Report 2007
| China X Games in Shanghai Sponsored by KIA Motors Matches New Sports Moves to Attract Youth Culture + Cool-Factor, However 1-Child Rule Backlash Disses Skate, Moto, BMX as Too “Extreme” March 19, 2007
X Games is launching a China X Games in Shanghai to bring skateboarding, BMX, aggressive inline, and a motocross demonstration to one of the most happening cities in China. However, as Label Networks has noted in research results in our China Youth Culture Studies, there is a backlash to this new generation of the 1-child rule to “extreme” sports among parents. Label Networks breaks it down on the future of action, extreme, and sports in general in China youth culture.
| We Are the Superlative Conspiracy Creates New “Conversations” with Consumers— Label Networks TV Interviews WeSC Founder + CEO March 12, 2007
WeSC is a unique streetwear brand from Sweden that has successfully crossed over from skate-inspired denim, apparel, and accessories, to full-on streetwear culture. Label Networks TV captures an interview with the founder and CEO, Gregor, who explains the brand’s unique philosophies and “conversations” through clothing with people interested in a similar lifestyle.
| Adidas Skateboarding Live Interview: Label Networks TV Gets the Scoop with Jess Weinstein on Latest Pro Team Rider Inspirations, Art Collabs, + Styles January 29, 2007
Label Networks TV captures a live interview with Adidas Skateboarding and how they plan to continue making inroads in action sports with its hot team of 3 guys, Mark Gonzales, Dennis, Busenitz, Tim O’Connor, plus the lowdown on where the brand’s headed in the future.
| Business Resource: Transworld Media, Publisher of Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Surfing, Bought by Swedish Bonnier Magazine Group January 30, 2007
Transworld Media and Time4 were bought by Swedish-based Bonnier Magazine Group for an estimated $200 million. Speculation about what will happen to youth culture magazine titles such as Skateboarding, Snowboarding, and Surfing remain uncertain however VP Jonas Bonnier says they are willing to invest in niche magazine markets in the U.S, |
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| | | | Label Networks' Presentation at MAGIC August 26 + 27
Global Youth + Street Culture Fashion: Examining Directional Trends for ‘09/10 Inspired from Music, Sports, Street, Technology, + Emerging Global Subcultures August 26 @ 1 p.m.; August 27 @ 11 a.m. South Hall.
Seats go fast! Registration Today Label Networks is a global youth + street culture intelligence media company authentically measuring the most trendsetting subcultures in the world. Subscriptions keep us ad-free to deliver cutting-edge, original content backed by our data. Our Subscribers = thought-leaders, protagonists, business strategists seeking insight from a new angle—from the people, from the bottom-up, from the creators of their own barcodes.™ Subscriptions include daily global facts, figures, analysis, stories, images, video covering youth + street cultures. There are 5 ways to participate: Sign-up for a FREE tour and Weekly Newsletter Weekly Analysis Subscription:Entry level for readers needing additional data analysis from topical stories + images Premium Global Subscription 2008: For serious business players, includes data, analysis, stories, images across global markets to compare by culture
Children of the Revolution: Bohemian-Rave Chic among Youth Markets Redefine Expectations for Back-to-School and Street Styles for Spring/Summer ‘09 July 22, 2008
| Wearable Technologies and Connecting with the Future—Latest Trends in Technology as Fashion Tap Into Fresh Opportunities to Reach Youth Culture Markets July 17, 2008
| Nu Rave Fashion’s Evolution: Street Snaps from Label Networks’ Reporters Capture Subculture of Styles, Colors, Inspirational Brands, and Their Muses July 14, 2008
| Anime Expo Fashionistas Showcase Latest Trends in Styles Impacting Mainstream Fashion Including Gothemo, Maid Café, Goth-Lolita, Cosplay, Visual Kei, J-Rock, Accessories, Collectibles, and Backpacks July 9, 2008
| | Graphic T-shirts: Top Designs and Styles from DIY to Name Brands to Band Merch—Label Networks Takes a Look at What’s Fresh this Summer June 25, 2008 |
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