The website's deafening silence on the most important surf story of the week!
Did you know that the two largest surf companies in the world, Quiksilver and Billabong, are merging into one? It’s true and… oh just kidding. Of course you know. It’s all we’ve been talking about for almost two whole days. Some of you are unimpressed. Manuka wrote under Derek Rielly’s previous posting, “I get the “these brands have shaped our sport” message, but for sure very little purchasing power from “Us, the BG” goes to Quik or Bong. The question is, why do you cover it to such a detail? Why the excitement? Am I missing something?”
To which I respond, “Yes!” These two brands have dictated what has happened in the surf industry for a quarter century and their merger speaks to its future. For my money this is the most interesting story of 2018, mostly because it is big/unprecedented (imagine in Ford and Chevy combined… or Boeing and Airbus) but also because 2018 is only 5 days old and the rest of the “news” has been typical post-holiday bland.
But you would never know that our world has shifted on its axis if your only surf industry portal was Hawthorne, California’s own Stab magazine. That’s right. The website, never shy about jumping into a day old story with both feet while pretending it is the first to report, has been entirely silent on the matter. Since the news broke last evening Stab has released:
Keanu Asing Will Not Be Silenced
“Comments of the Week” edition 115
John John Wants To Get “Better” At Surfing
Snowy, Windy, Pumping And Oh So Cold! Maine, Yesterday
Watch: Oliver Kurtz’s Triple OBX Tunnel This Morning
Jake Patterson: “I Wish John Had A Bit Of Andy In Him”
And nothing but nothing on the merger. A clipped silence.
And why?
I don’t quite know.
Stab is, of course, partially responsible for Billabong’s prodigious fall and an utter corporate shill. The website has proudly produced, supported and pushed unfortunate Billabong collaborations for years under the name “content.” Like the latest ten-part series, Can You Believe The World’s Biggest, Most Popular, Rock Star (Iggy Pop Of Course) Wears Billabong Trunks? I would imagine there is much wailing and gnashing of teeth in Stab’s Hawthorne office that not one of its purchased Facebook “likers” actually went out and bought any product.
Also, the website is also currently selling a co-branded trunk with Quiksilver that I must admit looks very sharp though I’m curious why Stab is using a flare gun in its advertising.
But do you really think that both Billabong and Quiksilver’s parent company Oaktree Capital tells Stab’s ownership, “Hey. Keep quiet on this story or else we’ll merger you right in the face.” Like, really? Or is there something else at play?
Maybe there is a silver lining. Maybe when Quiksilver x Billabong do pop-up shops at Costcos Stab can drive “traffic” like it once did for the mighty SurfStitch.
Oh let’s hope!
I hope they do a QuikBong collaboration with Cheech and Chong – that’s what the kid’s like, right?
I will admit that 8 mile movie that is alleged to be loosely based on his story was good. The rap battle scenes were comical and Nicole Kidman played his down and out moms. I like me some Nicole Kidman.
While I am no fan of Stab, or Beachgrit for that matter, Hawthorne, California, did produce the Beach Boys and a girl from Hawthorne, Calif. actually married one of the Beatles. So, can’t be all that bad.
http://stabmag.com/news/is-…
Oh please… we’ve been kicking that story for years now. The fact that it really actually happened is new news. Come on! Or are you not allowed?
Yes! Quiksilver shirts stuffed firmly in our mouths!
Honestly, read the interview. Put it at the back of the line. We’ve got some guys on the inside looking into anything interesting, you know, instead of just regurgitating the same press release. We’ll get to it. I’d love to know what insidious corporate plot you might imagine we’re tied up in. Go full Pynchon on me. You can lay it out for me and Scales next week.
Sam and I went and surfed up north yesterday. Morgs is on his way to Hawaii. What did you do with your lovely Friday, Charlie?
Is that last paragraph the surf media version of the classic “get off the internet and go surfing like I do” comment? You crazy surf dogs you!
I was making fun of you! And I honestly can’t believe you agreed to podcast with me. It’s gonna be a bloodbath!
that press release was amazing , to actually read that
1) QuikBong will have their brand culture protected at all costs
2) designers , merchandisers ,brand marketers are safe , as QuikBong are only as good as that culture and creativity!
3) Russia/Mexico/Europe strong for Quik
4) Aust for BBG
those 4 x statements are a gold mine ,
1) the belief that their current culture needs protection , ha, its a failed one…the figures tell the story!
2) what fucken creavity , that’s why the Co’s virtually went bankrupt , lost $2b in sales in the last few years
3) those countries are not yet aware that they are no longer youth brands , Europe is already having a downturn for them, the USA doesn’t get mentioned as no self respecting independent retailer would stock Quikbong.
4) so BBG strongest in Aust , but they have sales of about $400m more than Quik , does this Tanner even know what he’s managing…
Fuck this a gold mine of questions….is it true QS HQ will be moved into the BBG building at Burleigh , as they own the building up there and in Torquay they rent an enormous building that’s 1/2 empty , now that has a big affect people/communities/and business…..
How long before there is one central building for QuikBong in the USA , where will it be…the Surf Ranch….ah so many questions and angles , this is nearly exciting to watch, the end of 2 of the big 3 , which has become one!
Hi Ashton, if we’re going to poke our business movements I’d love to dance! We at BeachGrit have a cock to measure as well. Friday.. I believe Derek surfed just like you, but he also managed to publish an article or two – he gotcha there…. Fuck, you know thinking about it, I even did a little 4WD trip to find some waves that day. Anyway onto the protagonist. Charles and I had a really nice conference call in the morning (all business of course!) and then he went off to hit the keyboard..he may have managed to grab a wave but I can’t confirm…. Oh and I’m heading to Hawaii and the US in 2 weeks as well (will Morgs still be there, will You and Sam? We should all meet up and head to dinner at Red Lobster). We’re just ships in the night huh!
“regurgitating”?
That’s ashy Ashton!
You afraid aren’t ya? Afraid to go so far as to call Chas’ writing “vomit”.
As if you hope that half the commentariot don’t go near 5-syllable words.
What’s “ashy”?
You ashy larry.https://youtu.be/-fCHfGexkww
cocaine is a hell of a drug
Straight edger til mid 20s.
Need anything more?
I love you
I like your negativity. Welcome..
Surfline ain’t the media. It’s just a joint where we can check the surf
You appear to be at beachgrit too
Is that you Sam Mac?
Hang on, wait a minute. Boeing and Airbus are different companies? I ignorantly thought Airbus was a model type from Boeing! WTF! I feel like a massive idiot here.
Torotoiseological?
https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
As big a deal as Boeing and Airbus?
305.05USD Price increase 50.05 (19.63%). Worth $21.7 billion at list prices.
Billabong 0.98AUD Price increase 0.03 (2.60%). Worth $80.7 million at list prices (all brands). https://uploads.disquscdn.c…
Why? Because Stab’s puerile offerings are actually more interesting than these two past it companies doing past it company things.
it’s like planet hollywood merging with hard rock cafes.
There lies the problem. When a media outlet is scared to publish news or content in fear that it may lose advertising dollars. The manipualtive hands are gripped around the wrong neck
ya think?
Have said it once, and I’ll say it again, “Stab is like Eminem, pretends to be black, but the white shines through”.
no, i can’t let you do Em like that, but i also don’t think i’m going to get anywhere arguing either.
They are definitely up to no good.
I recently listened to their “Editor In Chief” on the Scales podcast without having really checked out their website before. That dude actually made my skin crawl.
I then checked out their comments section after hearing people rave about the enlightening discussions taking place over there.
Yikes.
If that passes for a great comments section, I think I’ll head back over to the PornHub comments section–those PornHub guys seem to be a much classier bunch plus at least they make sense most of the time.
You need an IQ less than 60 to understand STAB comments, over here you need around the same, but you need to believe it’s actually up around 140.
You’ll want to hope Stab never disappears or BeachGrit will be fresh out of story ideas within an hour.
Barren!
I would give our entire revenue to prop it up!
Prop ’em up from an imbecile to a moron? Or go full monty prop? Surely there’s enough in the BG slush fund to raise a barn full of idiots from that Hee Hawthorne camp flush with imbeciles. Excluding MC of course. He’s an idiot for leaving, but he inspired Sean to grace the Beach Grit shores…so, he’s got that going for him. Course that was double edged swordsmanship…
What exactly are they going to do with $17?
chicken parmy and a schooner?
I had a “chicken parm” in Mudjima; weirdest shit ever – a giant piece of fried chicken covered with ham, cheese, peppers, and tomato sauce. No pasta. So unamerican.
Take your sister out.
Gosh even inertia has covered it