Names & Faces: Surfer Laird Hamilton's Business Ventures Profiled
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| Hamilton's Business Deals Include Surftech, Oxbow |
USA TODAY's Matt Krantz in a Money Section cover story profiles surfer Laird Hamilton, who is tying his image "to companies and products that produce the tools that make his oceanic escapades possible." Hamilton four years ago teamed with surfboard manufacturer Surftech to "design a stand-up board," which now is "one of the company's hottest sellers." He is hoping to become the "icon of stand-up paddling -- what Jake Burton is to snowboards and Tom Morey is to body boards." Meanwhile, France-based beachwear company Oxbow, which sponsors Hamilton, "plans to tap the U.S. market this year with his help." Hamilton also has a clothing line called Wonderwall with Steve & Barry's, but the "future is murky" after the retailer earlier this month filed for bankruptcy protection (USA TODAY, 7/18).
HEALTY LIVING: Galaxy MF David Beckham has been the subject of a multi-part interview airing this week on Fox News' "Fox & Friends." Beckham said he has talked to Pepsi, which sponsors him, about developing a healthier product. Beckham: "I’ve got as long-running relationship with Pepsi, and it’s something that they’re always trying to find. They’re always trying to find different ways and different things that are going to help kids drink healthier, eat healthier, and that’s one of the things we’ve always spoken about” (“Fox & Friends,” Fox News, 7/18).
HITTING THE LINKS: Golfer Justin Rose has signed a multi-year extension to continue endorsing TaylorMade-adidas Golf. Rose will continue to use TaylorMade clubs and balls and wear adidas apparel and footwear. Rose also will use a TaylorMade bag and feature the company's logo on the front of his headwear (TaylorMade-adidas)....Hitachi has signed PGA Tour member Ryuji Imada to a multi-year endorsement deal. Per the deal, Imada will sport the “Hitachi Inspire the Next” logo on his shirt (Hitachi)....PGA Tour member Mike Weir has cut ties with Canada-based Creekside Winery Group, the company that "produced his line of successful wines for the last three years" (St. Catherines STANDARD, 7/16).
CLAY MODEL: U.S. Olympic decathlete Bryan Clay is teaming up with Win Products Inc. for a new charity initiative called "Take Your Shirts Off to WIN." The promo calls on fans to donate workout apparel to the company, which will then redistribute the clothing to Giving is Winning (THE DAILY).
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