We now are all caught up and holding hands and you just looked over at me and winked. I wasn’t looking at you though as there was a silly looking man roller skating but you wouldn’t know the difference in my smile. were all good right?

We went to Vegas a few weeks back kidnapped a few people like Alex Yang from DC, Ryan from O’Neill, Jessica his wifey from Ezekiel. Anyways we went out to see a fight. It was a brawl between Jason “skater, mma, radio host” Ellis and Andy “none of those qualities” Bell. It went down at the Hardrock. That place rules!! good fighting.. girls fighting, guys in blind folds. girls fighting guys, the list goes on.

I stopped by the RAEN office a couple days ago on way back from a trip. I wanted to get the contract for the Feb CLASS @ ASR. Those guys are neato. Not only is RAEN killing it now but they have there creative agency called Libre Design. If you need to pretty up your program I would suggest you check em out libredesign.com ..

I was in a conversation with somebody a bit back and they explained that the biggest skate company in the world is Sector 9. I worked with Dwindle for a few years and I never really thought they would blow the doors down. well they did.

Dan Moylan and I fired down to Sector 9 for a visit. Those guys are pretty amazing. We got a chance to tour the whole set up with EG. check out some pics below.

Speaking of Dwindle. I Went with Skateboarder Mags Billy Deans for a visit to Dwindle this week. They showed us there new little baby in the warehouse. hmmm .. pretty little thing. you’ll hear more about it soon. They gave my son a Cheese and Crackers tech deck half pipe thingie. He hasn’t even peeped Backyardigans since I fired that thing in his lap.

No waves but I hope to get a bit wet tomorrow after I visit PT @ HSS in the boardroom. He’ll be there for a chat and a cup of coffee from 7 - noon tomorrow 11/14.  HYPERLINK “http://www.hsssurf.com/surfnsport/2009/11/chat-with-pt-at-hss/” http://www.hsssurf.com/surfnsport/2009/11/chat-with-pt-at-hss/

Speaking of PT. his seed Tosh is now on O’QUINN.. yaaaaaaa…

take care and talk soon.

Jim Shubin

ASRbiz.com

CLASSatASR.com

This girl is amazing. She holds the fort @ Sector 9. She is the mother hen of their Movenmber Program. hit em up.

In EG's office @ Sector 9 with Dan Moylan talking ASR. I Looooooove the velvet artwork above them..

EG showing one of the very first boards they made. Hand drawn artwork etc. pretty neato. EG told us a great story in Mikes office. He said they've always backed ASR and Surf Expo Tradeshows. He said right after the 911 craze when a few backed out he painted their booth RED, WHITE, and BLUE and did their thing. These guys are great.

a first in the Sector 9 print campaign. everyone I met on the Sector 9 tour was amped. all super happy. This was like walkin Zappos. the employees are pumped. After this Dan and I went straight for a quick surf and grabbed grub @ Wahoos which is part owned by Tal. Tal is a key part of Sector 9. When in La Jolla go there to eat.

Whitney does the marketing @ Dwindle. This is the new not-so-mini. Its perfect. Look at the ladders. I bet you Daewon has something to do with those. When I worked with Dwindle we had the Globe mini for a bit but had to take it down. Well they found room for an amazing replacement.

This mister was king neptune of the Hardrock Pool a few weeks ago. YESSSsssssss i say.

This blog is a long one so saddle up. Lots of stuff going on.  Summer has been non-stop action. Today we’ll touch a couple of things that have gone down the past couple weeks. So a quick snapshot of July.  Right after the 4th of July weekend I grabbed a flight to Salt Lake City, Utah for the weekend. A few friends we’re getting together for the weekend at Andy Bells house.  We gathered a few bikes from OGIO, and a few of his Nitro Circus & Thrill Billies friends. Andy works with OGIO as well as busting himself for Nitro Circus. Check the shows out on MTV and Thrill Billies on Fuel TV. It was a great weekend and I really enjoyed meeting some new friends Andy is surrounded by. Thanks Andy for a great weekend.   HB was getting geared up for the US Open of Surfing. Nike /Hurley did a solid job branding and with a solid NW swell do to hit it was going to be quite a show at the pier.  Another thing that sticks out in July was an event at Motel No tell in San Clemente. I met Adam Warren from Surfing at Lowers to grab a “few” waves. an a few was all I got so I got out and on my walk back decided to grab a couple at Upper Trestles. I had fun and couldn’t wait to see what this swell was going to do for us for the weekend. Anyhow once dark I ran over to Motel No Tell on El Camino Real. The reason for the event was to launch a shoe that Madsteez did for Nike 6.0. The place was amazing. Steez did an incredible job dialing in the place and the event went well.. Nice job guys.. Can’t wait to go back.   Then a little surf to ease the pain of not having solid surf for a while. Everyone scored and it felt so good to recharge the batteries. Felt like a week long surf trip even though most of us would have to hit HB for events, meetings, and or just to network at the contest site. The final was fun watching local schralper Brett Simpson take the top off anything pulsing from the south.. Thank You to Braden from New Era and Transworld for the food and shade. New Era VIP Gold Club provided plenty of room to chill, eat, drink and watch some of the best contest action in HB in a lonnnng time.   Last week was a busy one as well. With X-Games 15 in town and a few things to attend people we’re again buzzing around getting it done. Prior to the X-Games craze La Jolla Group had a nice grand opening of their new facility. Really solid turnout of people coming to wish them a house-warming hello. Metal Mulisha did a jump demo just behind their enormous warehouse to get people fired up.Then it was back inside to meet, greet, and tour the incredible new home of O’Neill, Lost, Metal Mulisha, and Rusty.   Woke up got some work done and headed to Home Depot Center for the Group Y / Action Sports Conference. With over 250 people in attendance people came from all walks to talk shop. From core participants in Action Sports to Non-endemic industry leaders blending for the day to grow the pond. They had an amazing line up and hit home with the food. Thx ASR for paying my entry..  I love you.. Mark Sperling and Liz Randall founders of Group Y should be proud. high-five guys. Then went to meet up with a few friends at Staples for the X-Games. DC had a couple suites to watch the action. Once we left there we all met up at Standard Hotel for the DC Gold Standard in LA. In a nutshell DC takes over the Standard in Downtown LA for the weekend of X-Games 15 to hold events, house staff, athletes in town to compete, a couple celebs and key industry folks. We met up with Mike and Jen West and hung with them for a bit. Jens a blast. her husband Mike is big man at 686. We wet up to the rooftop to catch up with a few friends. Thank You DC. Really nice job. Oh ya, I went to see Pastrana attempt a 720 at best trick. It was incredible. just before the moto best-trick kicked off BMX i witnessed a Double Front-Flip on the Mega Ramp and somehow he didn’t win the gold. Check it on you tube. His name is Anthony Napolitan. it was insane.. PRod took gold in street, and Rune took another gold as well. X-Games was neato. Good job Tim and Caroline good job. Didn’t see you this weekend but your hard work paid off.   My wife is back in town so I’m going home. Maybe she can explain to me why that kid Anthony didn’t win the gold on the double front flip.   also look at the exhibitor list for both ASR and Class at ASR , for more on the events I touched on. Rob Campbell Transworld Business Publisher was at EVERYTHING. Get some rest Rob.  have a nice week!!
Thank you,
Jim Shubin
ASRbiz.com
Classatasr.com

This is from my Utah trip to visit Andy Bell. It is a pic from the Thrill Billies Compound. pretty cool place. DANGER.

The OGIO headquarters. Amazing spot. I checked out their skatepark and we picked up a few dirt bikes so we can ride that day.

This was Andy showing Kurt Nichol’s (KTM Manager / Super Moto) wife and Mark Fiore (Transworld Moto Mag Publisher) the bike stand made from OGIO. its insane. you don’t have to lift a 250 lb bike anymore.

We rinsed ourselves off with a 3 hour river tube ride. Andy has a great group of friends. about 50 people came out from the area to join us for the body scaring white-trash fest.

this is Motel No Tell. Madsteez themed it up for the event. this was the candy room. The Motel looked insane. Not to mention there was a Delorean right in the middle of the event punching me in the vision. loved it.

Here’s Mark - Madsteez. he was giving me the tour and had to show me the kitchen. check the “Do the Urkel” board game on the fridge. I will take you down in that game. check Mark link for a good time.  http://www.madsteez.com . also buy a pair of his kicks.

My favorite swell of silly ole 09. Carlsbad getting zippy on July 24th.

New Era / Transworld Surf VIP Gold Club at the contest.

La Jolla house warming. from L to R. Erin Barajas (California Apparel News Editor) , Jessica Rush (Ezekiel Girl’s Brand Manager) , Lindsay Henkles (Lost Girl’s head of Sales)

La Jolla Group board of director / Lakers Assistant Coach and my girl Sofia. I wanted her to kiss him for locking Odom for next season.. yaaaaa!

This pic is from the Group Y meeting at Home Depot Center. his name is Ron Semiao. if you see him hug him. because this mister is not only Senior VP of ESPN Films he also created the X-Games. Thank you sir!!!!

At Gold Standard LA. DC had their Rally cars displayed in front of the hotel. This is Travis Pastrana’s rig.  You can see Ken Blocks car in the pic as well. Next year I want these two in the Rally final battling for the Gold..

Random Pic- I love this shot of Dan Moylan (Director of ASR Tradeshow) I surf with him now and then. This pic was one he showed me from a few years back. He was a boatman on Namotu Island in Fiji. Dan and I heckle each other pretty bad. balls in my court now. This is Dan Moylan on a right off Namotu Island. Girl in the photo is looking at him saying “man I haven’t seen Bud Llamas in a while” but I find myself looking at the photo saying “man Dan, this photo doesn’t quite show the clear Hula Hoop you’re whipping about on this little turn”. Once you all are done with ASR and need a little water time. hit up Scotty and Mandy for a week in paradise. the link.   Just make sure to look out for Danimal the one armed animal and his clear Wonder Woman Jet hula hoop in the line up.

I got a call from ASR telling me IN4MATION will be coming to ASR in San Diego in September. This fired me up. Not only because of the solid brand the boys have put on the map but the buying power Todd and Justin bring to ASR and Class At ASR.   Here is a little information on IN4MATION I want to share with you as I need a pick-me-up after seeing USA get a beat down from Brazil in the Finals. So saddle up and read on.

I’m excited to share what I know of the foursome’s passion.   Their catch phrase they’ve adopted is “I Shall Proceed…And Continue”.  IN4MATION was built on the rock of Hawaii. Started in 2001. Four key people planted the seed and grew the label and their retail business with proper TLC.  The four co-founders are Todd Shimabuku who is the nicest guy you’ll ever meet, does some buying and shares the sales operations with Ryan Arakaki. Rhandy Tambio bounces back and forth from his homeland of Hawaii to NYC to direct creative and design with help of a few key people in NY.  Last but not least Jun Jo. Jun is a solid guy born in Japan. I believe he and a couple other key people helped put RVCA and Volcom on the radar in Japan. If I’m wrong about that sorry but don’t tell me.  I want to continue believing it. I might be lying my ass off but I also am pretty sure he has a hand in the Vertra Sunscreen project too.  If you don’t know what that is buy it tomorrow if you don’t want to have skin grafts of your ass on your grill in 10 years… It works well.

Anyhow, I got to spend a week on Tavarua with Jun on one of Lilard’s weeks. Jun exudes such class in and out of the water and this was about 6 years ago prior to IN4MATION’s solid growth spirt. He KILLS Cloudbreak by the way as he is a pro surfer just to rub it in. He works in Hawaii to make sure the retail run’s smoothy while directing marketing and PR efforts for the brand.   IN4MATION has done a stellar job of collaborating with key brands to gain momentum and legitimacy in our market. A few of the key labels they’ve done projects with are: LODOWN Magazine, RVCA, STUSSY, Brixton, The Skateboard Mag, DVS, Gravis, DC, Diamond Supply, most recently G-Shock Watches, and more…  I know this is a blog and I need to keep it short but there’s so much crafty info on these guys.

I just want to touch their retail business as well here before I get back to my fam. IN4MATION has a few stores.  They worked with a store in the past and decided to dial in a solid retail location on their own and I believe kind of sway from the gray market craze of the late 90’s. That was in 02 but they moved from the middle of the rock to a key spot in the hub in 2005 and that was when the momentum started.   Now they have IN4MATION Clothing / Ward Warehouse which is their spot that shares reality space their brand and just less than half of their inventory is influential brands like RVCA, Vans, DVS, Stussy and so on.

I love their store and spent some cash in their a few times. I don’t shop much either. Stussy actually opened a store in town but was smart enough to muster up special SMU’s for IN4MATION and their IN4MANTS so have a look.  -Aloha Army is their location that would cater to surf culture with a very stylish flare.  You can also find Aloha Army branded gear in there as well.  IN4MATION Boardshop you will find key hardgoods companies offering their latest and greatest from skate as well as IN4MATION goodies if you’re heading to country to Chollo or just staying in town and rolling around A’ala skatepark.   Saturday morning was their latest collab release at their stores.  It was with G-Shock. check out the salmon timepiece below in the pics.   Spend the time now and learn more about their whole deal. take a gander at these following links.

www.in4mationbrand.com
www.alohaarmy.com
www.in4mants.com
www.in4mboardshop.com

Good job guys.

Thank You,  Jim Shubin Classatasr.com ASRbiz.com

IN4MATION’s store. When on Oahu head straight there and look for the guy in the pic below.

Todd Shimabuku - retailer, sales guru, he makes sure b2b and b2c is on point. If you see him waling by your booth @ ASR take good care of him. You want to be in his shop.

If you didn’t see Todd in the shop and you are hot now and want to paddle out but forgot your Vertra front porch saver cream head to this shop. Aloha Army.

after you get out of the water and you realize you forgot your baggage @ HNL go back to pic 1 / IN4MATION and grab a tee that looks something like this. You’ll feel neat in it.

Their latest collaboration. Just was just released Sat Morn. Get it now. its a Salmon GLX IN4MATION X G-Shock and stuff. I’d grab one of those with that tee in the pic above.

RANDOM PIC!!! like I said in my last blog. The last pic will have a random pic to cap it off.. This a pic from a tour I did in Hawaii for a company I worked for. It was moments after I met Stu Graham. I had just put him on the team and this was his first time in Hawaii and probably his first time in boardshorts. He is now stuck back in Scotland his homeland because of visa craze but a I am trying my best to get him back here again to US soil. Miss you Stu..