Business statistics : Online Holiday Retail Sales Up 16 Percent ( USA)

Retail e-commerce spending for the first 51 days of the November–December 2012 holiday season reached $38.7 billion, up 16-percent versus the corresponding days last year, ComScore reported Dec. 23.

Last week kicked off with Free Shipping Day (Monday, Dec. 17), which delivered a strong $1.01 billion in spending representing a 76-percent growth rate vs. the corresponding Monday last year, but on a par with Free Shipping Day in 2011 which occurred on Dec 15, 2011. The 5-day work week ending Dec. 21, 2012 recorded a growth rate of 53 percent in spending, a notable accomplishment this late in the season.

 

2012 Holiday Season To Date vs. Corresponding Days* in 2011 Non-Travel (Retail) Spending Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases Total U.S. – Home & Work Locations Source: comScore, Inc.
	Millions ($)
	2011	2012	Percent Change
November 1-December 21	$33,479	$38,690	16%
Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 22)	$479	$633	32%
Black Friday (Nov. 23)	$816	$1,042	28%
Thanksgiving Weekend (Nov. 24-25)	$1,031	$1,187	15%
Cyber Monday (Nov. 26)	$1,251	$1,465	17%
Green Monday	$1,133	$1,275	13%
Workweek of Dec. 17-21	$2,412	$3,686	53%

*Corresponding days based on corresponding shopping days (Nov. 3 thru Dec. 23, 2011)

 

“Free Shipping Day kicked off the final week before Christmas on a strong note with $1.01 billion in spending,” said comScore chairman Gian Fulgoni. “It was the opening to an exceptionally strong week, which saw spending grow by 53 percent. We typically do not see such heavy spending this late in the season, but the fact that Free Shipping Day occurred on a Monday, combined with the fact that so many retailers extended their promotions into the middle of the week -- with guaranteed shipping by Christmas -- helped deliver an encouraging late-season surge. The result has been a significant uptick in the season-to-date growth rate, which now stands at 16 percent.”

Top 10 heaviest online spending days in 2012
With the heaviest portions of the online holiday season now in the books, comScore can report the top ten biggest sales days for 2012. The season was once again led by Cyber Monday (Nov. 26) with a record $1.465 billion in spending, followed by Tuesday, Dec. 4 with $1.362 billion and Green Monday (Dec. 10) with $1.275 billion. Three of the top ten days occurred on a Monday, which is typically the heaviest day of the week for online spending. The 2012 holiday season saw 12 days with more than $1 billion spending, surpassing last year’s total of 10 individual days.

 

Top Ten U.S. Online Spending Days of 2012 Non-Travel (Retail) Spending Excludes Auctions and Large Corporate Purchases Total U.S. – Home & Work Locations Source: comScore, Inc.
Rank	Date	Spending in Millions ($)
1	Monday, Nov. 26 (Cyber Monday)	$1,465
2	Tuesday, Dec. 4	$1,362
3	Monday, Dec. 10 (Green Monday)	$1,275
4	Tuesday, Nov. 27	$1,263
5	Tuesday, Dec. 11	$1,220
6	Friday, Dec. 14	$1,219
7	Thursday, Dec. 13	$1,135
8	Monday, Dec. 3	$1,117
9	Wednesday, Nov. 28	$1,110
10	Wednesday, Dec. 5	$1,051

 

(  SportsOneSource Media )

 

Business people : Prince Global Sports Names Miguel Rosa as Latin America Manager

Prince Global Sports, which owns the Prince, Ektelon and Viking brands, has hired Miguel Rosa as business development manager for the Prince brand in Latin America. Rosa, a native of Brazil, spent the last seven years at IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, FL.

"I am excited to start a new challenge with Prince Global Sports and look forward to spending a lot of time in the market with our customers and partners across Latin America," said Rosa. "I have always admired the long-term authenticity that Prince brings to the tennis business and I am honored to have been given the opportunity to deliver success and market leadership in Latin America."

In 2013, Prince will be redoubling its focus on the Latin America market – a core tennis environment which has produced several top 10 players over recent years. Within his new role, Rosa will be tasked to identify the optimum business model for Prince across the Latin America region where he will work closely with Prince partners as well as with local tennis and squash federations within each individual market.

Rosa joins the current Prince Latin America team of Cynthia Mujica (Business Services), Maxi Salvi (Player Development Manager), Daniel Arahao and John Jaramillo (Promotional Representatives) and will report to Mike Ballardie, Executive Vice President Brands. " Latin America represents a significant growth opportunity for Prince across both its Tennis and Squash sub-brands," remarked Ballardie. "In Miguel we have appointed a talented business leader whom through his knowledge and understanding of both the Latin American culture and racquet sports environment, will work with our business partners in the region to deliver sales and market share growth that will define our success."

About Prince Global Sports, LLC
The portfolio of brands within Prince Global Sports includes Prince, Ektelon and Viking. Prince Global Sports is a wholly owned subsidiary of Active Brands Company with offices in New Jersey, London, France, Holland and Taiwan.

( SportsOneSource Media )

business people :Greg Mason Named TIA President; TIA Board of Directors Set for 2013-2014

Greg Mason, the vice president of sales and marketing for Head Penn, will be the president of the Tennis Industry Association for 2013-2014. He succeeds Wilson Racquet Sports General Manager Jon Muir, who was president for the last four years and remains on the TIA’s Executive Committee.

“I’m excited to assume this role and continue to build on the momentum this industry and the TIA has built over the past few years," says Mason. "Our focus will remain on growing the base of frequent players and improving the economic vitality of this industry.”

Mason has spent more than 25 years in the sporting goods industry in a variety of senior management roles, including the last 12 years at Head Penn Racquet Sports, where he is responsible for all marketing and promotions for the Head and Penn brands in the U.S. and directs the U.S. sales force and sales management team. His prior experience includes management roles in the outdoor industry while a vice president at Eastpak backpacks. He has also held sales management positions at Reebok USA and Puma North America.

“We've had a great TIA President and tennis industry ambassador in Jon Muir over the past four years," says TIA Executive Director Jolyn de Boer. "I'm looking forward to working alongside Greg as the TIA continues to focus our efforts as the trade association for the sport.”

( Source TIA )

Business news :Billabong Agrees To Due Diligence With Naude’s Group

Billabong announced that a consortium led by Paul Naude, a board director and former head of Billabong’s Americas division, and New York-based private equity firm Sycamore Partners, has signed a confidentiality agreement with Billabong to pursue a transaction. It is expected that the due diligence process will take up to six weeks.

As reported, the consortium on December 19 made an offer of A$1.10 a share to acquire the company. The new bid is valued at A$527 million ($554 million). The offer is subject to due diligence, regulatory approval and completion of financing from a group led by Bank of America Corp.’s Merrill Lynch unit.

In granting due diligence, Billabong said in a statement, "The Board of Billabong reiterates that there is no guarantee that, following a period of due diligence by the Consortium, an acceptable binding proposal will be forthcoming. In the meantime Billabong shareholders do not need to take any action in relation to this matter."

The company's brands include: Billabong, Element, Von Zipper, Honolua Surf Company, Kustom, Palmers Surf, Xcel, Tigerlily, Sector 9, DaKine and RVCA.

As reported, Billabong in February rejected a A$3.30 bid by TPG Capital TPG.UL in February as too low, and then have subsequent offers of A$1.45 from TPG and Bain Capital withdrawn after due diligence.

More news or topics about Billabong, use the search tool at the right top of the page.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Survey : Consumer Confidence Plunges in December ( USA)

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® Declines

27 Dec. 2012

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index^®, which had declined slightly in November, posted another decrease in December. The Index now stands at 65.1 (1985=100), down from 71.5 in November. The Expectations Index declined sharply to 66.5 from 80.9. The Present Situation Index increased to 62.8 from 57.4 last month.
The monthly Consumer Confidence Survey^®, based on a probability-design random sample, is conducted for The Conference Board by Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and analytics around what consumers buy and watch. The cutoff date for the preliminary results was December 13.
Says Lynn Franco, Director of Economic Indicators at The Conference Board: “Consumers’ expectations retreated sharply in December resulting in a decline in the overall Index. The sudden turnaround in expectations was most likely caused by uncertainty surrounding the oncoming fiscal cliff.
A similar decline in expectations was experienced in August of 2011 during the debt ceiling discussions. While consumers are quite negative about the short-term outlook, they are more upbeat than last month about current business and labor market conditions.”

Consumers’ assessment of current conditions improved in December. Those stating business conditions are “good” rose to 17.1 percent from 14.6 percent, while those stating business conditions are “bad” decreased to 27.3 percent from 31.2 percent. Consumers’ appraisal of the labor market was mixed. Those saying jobs are “plentiful” edged down to 10.3 percent from 11.0 percent, while those saying jobs are “hard to get” declined to 35.6 percent from 37.4 percent.

Consumers’ optimism about the short-term outlook plummeted in December. The percentage of consumers expecting business conditions to improve over the next six months declined to 17.6 percent from 21.3 percent, while those expecting business conditions to worsen increased to 21.5 percent from 15.8 percent.

Consumers’ outlook for the labor market also turned more pessimistic. Those anticipating more jobs in the months ahead declined to 17.0 percent from 19.5 percent, while those expecting fewer jobs increased to 27.3 percent from 21.2 percent. The proportion of consumers expecting an increase in their incomes was virtually unchanged at 15.4 percent. However, those expecting their incomes to decline rose to 18.7 percent from 15.6 percent.

The next release is scheduled for Tuesday, January 29 at 10 A.M.

Carol Courter at +1 212 339 0232 carol.courter@conference-board.org

Business news :Fitness Equipment Specialist Again Faster Goes International

Jon Gilson CEO Again Faster

Strength and conditioning leader Again Faster extends global reach bringing CrossFit™ equipment to enthusiasts’ doors with new distributors 

Again Faster (http://www.againfaster.com), a leader in strength and conditioning equipment in the United States, is bringing products directly to CrossFit™ and fitness enthusiasts around the world.
Founded in 2006, Again Faster is committed to helping facilitate the growth of CrossFit™ and functional fitness to anyone with the desire to get healthy. It has recently added six new international distributors covering Australia, Canada, Europe, South America, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

Jon Gilson, Founder and CEO of Again Faster explains the reasons behind the expansion, "We take health, strength and fitness seriously and we're committed to helping people get the right gear to go on that journey. Our purpose-built strength and conditioning equipment was previously available only by ordering from the United States, which meant long delivery times and high courier costs. We're excited to make it easier and more affordable for gyms and individuals to access the equipment they need."

Again Faster's full range of products are available in each new market, including CrossFit™ specific gear, personal accessories like wrist wraps and grips, jump ropes, kettlebells, rowers, barbells, bumper plates, Olympic weightlifting shoes, pull-up rigs, and its popular pre-made packages.

Again Faster’s experienced staff, composed entirely of trainers, coaches and competitive athletes, is available to help create custom equipment packages for home or gym use. Local customer service teams are on hand in each of the six new markets to answer any questions, offer advice and provide guidance.

----Notes to editors----
CrossFit™ is a registered trademark of CrossFit Inc, and is not associated with Again Faster.
Local country sites:
Australia http://au.againfaster.com
Canada http://ca.againfaster.com
United Kingdom http://uk.againfaster.com
For more information and images visit the Elemental media centre at http://www.elementalcomms.co.uk/media.
The media spokespeople for Again Faster is Jon Gilson, founder and CEO and Richard Prenderville, CMO. Photographs are available of the Again Faster team.

About Again Faster
Again Faster is strength and conditioning company with strong roots in CrossFit™. The company provides equipment to thousands of fitness enthusiasts, hardcore athletes and CrossFit™ affiliates worldwide, along with training information and media to further the CrossFit™ revolution.
Again faster provides honest and forthright equipment recommendations, an unyielding commitment to its customers' happiness, and endless devotion to creating equipment solutions.
The company has local distribution teams in the US, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America, South Africa and the United Kingdom.

----Contact----
Again Faster
Richard Prenderville, CMO / Email rich.prenderville @ againfaster.com
Mobile: +1 617 462 1579

Elemental Communications
Tim Gibbon, director / Mobile: +44 (0)7930 375 663
Rachel Hawkes, account director  / Mobile: +44 (0)7766 651 244
Telephone: +44 (0)843 208 4592

 

New product :Motocross Design Revolution Debuting at Supercross Anaheim 1 2013

A REVOLUTION IS COMING. Motocross Goggle Design will…NEVER. BE. THE. SAME.
Debuting on Oakley Motocross Stars Ryan Villopoto, Ryan Dungey and James Bubba Stewart at Anaheim 1, THIS IS AIRBRAKE MX.

What could it be? What features could it possibly have? Follow @OakleyRacing1 (Oakley Racing/Motorsports Official News Feed) and guess in the comment section below. #IAMINVINCIBLE
COMING 3.1.13. Product Site will launch after the start of the Supercross Season.

Business news : Adidas Announces Committment to China Suppliers

Adidas says it remains committed to sourcing in China and will continue to work with more than 300 suppliers there despite shutting its only company-owned Chinese apparel factory earlier this year.

Adidas said in an e-mailed statement to chinadaily.com, "China has been, and will remain, a key sourcing market for the adidas Group. It is true that we are rationalizing our sourcing structure and this has resulted in the termination of contracts with 10 suppliers. Nevertheless, adidas has fulfilled all of its contractual obligations with the suppliers to the satisfaction of all parties and will continue to partner with more than 300 supplier factories in China." 

According to China Business News, Adidas may face legal action after it terminated contracts with several Chinese suppliers. They say they are not satisfied with the compensation they received because machines and software systems were tailored for Adidas.

In August, Adidas said it would close an apparel factory in Suzhou, in Jiangsu province, as well as terminate contracts with five suppliers in the country as it restructures its China sourcing infrastructure to gain efficiencies.

The company also said earlier that it plans to open 500 to 600 stores in lower-tier cities by the end of the year mainly in the western and northwestern parts of China.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Mobile App : FunGolf GPS Version 1.3 Released for iPhone and iPad by GolfCoders

FunGolf is the only golf GPS application that features 3D maps with close to 30,000 golf courses in the world. 

Cupertino, CA (PRWEB) December 19, 2012

FunGolf GPS Version 1.3 is released for iPhone and iPad by GolfCoders. FunGolf GPS features revolutionary 3D maps that are not only stunning; they also allow golfers worldwide to view the course as they see it, in real time, making it easier to check distances to every possible target and hazard. High-contrast 3D graphics are more visible in bright sunlight compared to satellite images, offering better comfort on the course for the golfer.

"We have carefully designed every detail of our app so it provides valuable advice and information to the golfer, without disrupting his game," says Pierre-Loïc Raynaud, CEO of the company.

FunGolf also offers state of the art scorecards, innovative shot tracking, club recommendation and advanced statistics that allow golfers to follow the evolution of every part of their game. FunGolf is the next generation of golf GPS applications. Created by golfers for golfers, FunGolf stands out by its ability to offer amazing features while at the same time having an extremely elegant user-friendly interface.

Fun Golf, containing close to 30,000 Golf Courses worldwide, is available on the App Store for $19.99 (£13.99) for iPhone and iPad at https://itunes.apple.com/app/fun-golf-gps-3d/id521998621. FunGolf Lite, which offers GPS & mapping functions limited to the first 3 holes of any golf course, as well as scorecard management and statistics, is also available now on the App Store at https://itunes.apple.com/app/fun-golf-lite-gps-with-3d-maps/id574786814. Over 200,000 golfers have already downloaded the apps.

Media kit available at: http://fungolf.com/en/mediakit/

About GolfCoders
Founded in 2009 by Pierre-Loïc Raynaud and based in Paris, France - hosts of the 2018 Ryder Cup - GolfCoders is a leading provider of Golf GPS and scorecard management solutions. Their FunGolf product is the only app of its kind to feature geocoded and interactive 3D Maps of Golf Courses and includes close to 30,000 courses worldwide.
Learn more: http://fungolf.com

New products : Stealth Electric Bikes Introduces New Upgrades and Customization Options for 2013

Stealth Electric Bikes is introducing a variety of new standard upgrades and advanced customization options for The Bomber, The Fighter, and The Hurricane editions of Stealth Electric Bikes. 

Phoenix, AZ  December 20, 2012:

New advances in technology have quickly been adopted by the innovative team of developers at Stealth Electric Bikes. New standard features have now been included in the entire line of electric bikes, and new advanced customization options are now available for the Bomber, the Fighter and The Hurricane editions of Stealth Electric Bikes.

Each of the stock bikes are now using Magura MT2 Brakes. The bikes also come standard with DuraRazorback tires with option to upgrade to Schwalbe Crazy Bob tires.

“We’re excited to let our customers know that Regen Braking is now included on all Stealth Models, and new color options are available.” said Darin Brin, director of Stealth Electric Bikes USA.

Carbon Fiber Seat post and bars are now standard on most bikes. Stealth Electric Bikes has also started to offer financing, just in time for the new year.

Many of the options available have been tested by RED BULL athlete and Gold Medal X Games freestyle motocross rider, Ronnie Renner.

“These upgrades make a huge difference in the power and performance of my Stealth Electric Bike” said Renner.

Additional 2013 upgrades are available for The Fighter.
The Fighter now includes the rear derail assembly hook. As a replacement to air shocks, the Fighter now includes coil over rear shock. The Fighter also includes a Dual Crown Fork as standard.

Stealth Electric Bikes are now available for complete customization and ordering online at: http://StealthElectricBikesUSA.com

About Stealth Electric Bikes USA.
Stealth Electric Bikes redefine the ride experience. They considered by peers to be the toughest and most powerful hybrid electric bike available anywhere in the world. Dealers are encouraged to inquire about opportunities for sales. Due to consumer popularity and demand by new dealers, retailers are available all over the world.

New product :K2 Snowboarding Unveils Revolutionary Kwicker® Splitboard System

Fast and light integrated set-up fuses innovation and technology to offer the ultimate splitboard experience.

Seattle, WA (December 20, 2012) -- After two years of development, K2 Snowboarding is stoked to reveal their latest push deeper into the backcountry with the Kwicker® Splitboarding System. This fully integrated system (board, boot, and binding) is the lightest and fastest out there and is poised to change the sport of splitboarding with huge leaps forward in weight reduction, transition speed, and overall user-friendly mechanics.

Based on a new evolution of the Clicker binding interface, the proven board hardware of the Voilé system, and leveraging boot function and fit technologies like Boa®Conda and Endo Construction, Kwicker® takes the best of snowboarding innovation and pushes splitboarding into a new era of performance.

“K2 has always been about innovation. At the same time our roots are firmly planted in backcountry riding,” said Hunter Waldron, K2 Snowboarding’s Global Marketing Manager. “As this category gains momentum for us and the industry as a whole, we wanted to not only keep our foot on the gas pedal with our existing Backside tool offerings and Panoramic splitboards, but punch it even harder. We’re not only bringing a lighter, faster system to the core split rider, but also growing the sport with a system that is super simple to use.”

For Waldron’s Q&A with TransWorld Business, check: http://business.transworld.net/117611/features/meet-k2s-kwicker-the-step-in-split-board-binding-system/.

A key design philosophy of the system is to keep things simple and ultra durable. When it comes to the board hardware, K2 looked no further than Voilé for their proven function and durability of their products. Partnering with Voilé and designing the Kwicker® BC Binding to work with the puck system is the dream team combination that makes Kwicker® work.

“As the originator of the most popular splitboarding hardware, Voilé is proud to be partnering with K2 on their truly innovative Kwicker® system,” said David Grissom, Voilé’s Marketing Manager. “Built on the Voilé splitboard hardware platform, the Kwicker® binding and boot set-up is a giant leap for backcountry splitboarding.”

Check out Kwicker® at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market show at K2 booth #36113 and Voilé booth #30027E. At the SnowSports Industries America show hit K2 at booth #3957 and Voilé at booth #1773.

To follow all K2 news and find out more about the Kwicker® video launch after the New Year, check out: www.k2snowboarding.com.

Seek & Enjoy.

New product : Yamaha Developing 250cc Sportbike for India in 2014

Yamaha has been rumored to be working on a 250cc sportbike for quite some time now. In fact, the other three members of the Japanese Big Four have launched new models in the small-displacement segment in recent years, but none of these new generation small-displacement bikes bear Yamaha‘s crossed tuning fork logo.

That may change by 2014 however. After previously stating the company plans to focus on producing scooters for India, Hiroyuki Suzuki, managing director and chief executive officer of India Yamaha tells the Financial Chronicle a sporty 250cc model is on the way.

“We will focus on the scooters category for next two years, but in 2014 we will launch powerful sporty 250cc bike in the Indian market,” Suzuki tells the Financial Chronicle. “There is a good market for this premium segment which we would like to tap.”

Yamaha actually started India’s premium sportbike segment in 2008 with the 150cc YZF-R15 (pictured above). Yamaha updated the India-manufactured R15 for 2012 and expanded sales to Australia and New Zealand and, more recently, to Japan.
Continue Reading »

By: Dennis Chung

Business news : NIKE, INC. reports fiscal 2013 second quarter results.

The company today reported financial results for its fiscal 2013 second quarter ended November 30, 2012. 

• Revenues from continuing operations up 7 percent to $6.0 billion, up 10 percent excluding currency changes
• Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations up 11 percent to $1.14
• Worldwide futures orders up 6 percent, 7 percent growth excluding currency changes
• Inventories up 9 percent

BEAVERTON, Ore., Dec. 20, 2012 – NIKE, Inc. (NYSE:NKE) today reported financial results for its fiscal 2013 second quarter ended November 30, 2012. For continuing operations, strong demand for NIKE, Inc. brands propelled double-digit revenue growth on a currency neutral basis, and diluted earnings per share grew faster than revenue due to SG&A leverage, an increase in other income and a lower average share count, which more than offset the impact of a slightly lower gross margin and an increase in the effective tax rate.
“Our strong second quarter results show that our growth strategies are working, even under challenging macroeconomic conditions,” said Mark Parker, President and CEO, NIKE, Inc. “We have a focused and flexible portfolio that allows us to target the biggest growth opportunities at all levels – brand, category and product. We stay connected with our consumers and that enables us to deliver innovations that excite the marketplace, grow the business and deliver more value to shareholders."*
Second Quarter Continuing Operations Income Statement Review

• Revenues for NIKE, Inc. increased 7 percent to $6.0 billion, up 10 percent on a currency-neutral basis. Excluding the impact of changes in foreign currency, NIKE Brand revenues rose 11 percent, with growth in all key categories, product types and geographies except Greater China. Revenues for Other Businesses increased 6 percent on a currency-neutral basis, as Converse, Hurley and NIKE Golf all increased revenues during the quarter.
• Gross margin declined 30 basis points to 42.5 percent. Gross margin benefitted from pricing actions and easing material costs; however, these benefits were more than offset by higher labor costs and unfavorable changes in foreign exchange rates. Additionally, gross margin was negatively impacted by a shift in the mix of the Company’s revenues to lower margin products and businesses.
• Selling and administrative expenses grew at a slower rate than revenue, up 6 percent to $1.8 billion. Demand creation expenses were $613 million, relatively unchanged from the prior year. Operating overhead expenses increased 10 percent to $1.2 billion due to additional investments made in the wholesale business to support growth initiatives and higher Direct to Consumer costs as a result of higher volume driven expenses in existing NIKE-owned stores and the cost of new stores opened in the last year.
• Other income, net was $17 million, comprised primarily of foreign exchange gains and other non-operating items. For the quarter, the Company estimates the year-over-year change in currency related gains and losses included in other income, net, combined with the impact of changes in currency exchange rates on the translation of foreign currency-denominated profits, increased pretax income by approximately $10 million.
• The effective tax rate was 26.8 percent, compared to 24.1 percent for the same period last year. The increase was largely as a result of an increase in our effective tax rate on foreign operations.
• Net income from continuing operations increased 9 percent to $521 million while diluted earnings per share increased 11 percent to $1.14, reflecting a 3 percent decline in the weighted average diluted common shares outstanding.

November 30, 2012 Balance Sheet Review for Continuing Operations

• Inventories for NIKE, Inc. were $3.3 billion, up 9 percent from November 30, 2011. NIKE Brand inventories increased 8 percent; of which 6 percentage points of growth were due to higher NIKE Brand wholesale unit inventories to support future demand and 2 percentage points of growth were due to higher average product cost per unit.
• Cash and short-term investments were $3.5 billion, $160 million higher than last year mainly as a result of higher net income and proceeds from the sale of the Umbro brand.

Share Repurchases
During the second quarter, NIKE, Inc. repurchased a total of 4.0 million shares for approximately $384 million and concluded the Company’s previous four-year, $5 billion share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors in September 2008. During this program the Company purchased a total of 59.4 million shares at an average price of $84.16.
Following the completion of the previous program, the Company began repurchases under the four-year, $8 billion program approved in September 2012. Of the total shares repurchased during the second quarter, 3.1 million shares were purchased under this program at a cost of approximately $294 million.

Futures Orders
As of the end of the quarter worldwide futures orders for NIKE Brand athletic footwear and apparel, scheduled for delivery from December 2012 through April 2013 totaled $9.3 billion, 6 percent higher than orders reported for the same period last year. Excluding currency changes, reported orders would have increased 7 percent.*

Discontinued Operations
The Company continually evaluates its existing portfolio of businesses to ensure resources are invested in those businesses that are accretive to the NIKE Brand, and represent the largest growth potential and highest returns. On May 31, 2012, the Company announced its intention to divest of the Umbro and Cole Haan businesses, which will allow it to focus resources on driving growth in the NIKE, Jordan, Converse and Hurley brands.
On November 30, 2012, the Company completed the sale of certain assets of the Umbro brand to Iconix Brand Group for $225 million. For the second quarter ended November 30, 2012, the Company recorded a loss of $107 million, net of tax, on the sale of these assets, representing the sale price less the value of the Umbro assets sold, the release of the associated cumulative translation adjustment, and other miscellaneous charges, offset by a tax benefit on the loss. This loss is included in the Net Loss from Discontinued Operations.
On November 16, 2012, the Company announced it had reached a definitive agreement to sell Cole Haan to Apax Partners for $570 million. As of November 30, 2012, the Company classified Cole Haan as an asset held-for-sale and included the results of Cole Haan’s operations in the Net Loss from Discontinued Operations. The Company expects to complete the sale of Cole Haan in the third quarter of fiscal 2013, and to record a gain on the sale at that time.
For the second fiscal quarter of 2013, the Company’s Net Loss from Discontinued Operations was $137 million. This includes the loss recorded for the sale of the Umbro brand of $107 million, net of tax, in addition to net operating losses and divesture transaction costs for Umbro and Cole Haan during the period, net of tax.

Conference Call
NIKE management will host a conference call beginning at approximately 2:00 p.m. PT on December 20, 2012, to review second quarter results. The conference call will be broadcast live over the Internet and can be accessed at http://investors.nikeinc.com. For those unable to listen to the live broadcast, an archived version will be available at the same location through 9:00 p.m. PT, December 27, 2012.

About NIKE, Inc.
NIKE, Inc., based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE, Inc. subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, NIKE’s earnings releases and other financial information are available on the Internet at http://investors.nikeinc.com and individuals can follow @Nike.

View the consolidated financial statements [PDF] or download at left.
View the full press release [PDF] or download at left.

New product : Tige Boats Releases New Wakesurfing Specific Convex VX

PRESS RELEASE:   ABILENE, TX—Tige Boats has introduced many innovative technologies and industry firsts, each one created to make your time behind the wheel and on your board as enjoyable as possible. Building on the 10 years of superior performance from the patented and proven Convex V hull technology, Tige continues to further improve and enhance the surf wave you expect from a boat. Tige Boats has powered engineering excellence once again, pioneering the latest patented device that is sure to drastically reshape wakesurfing: The Convex VX.
          
Tige is redefining the lead on hydrodynamics with the launch of the Convex VX, a fiberglass Convex V hull extension device developed to enhance the running surface of your Tige at wakesurf speeds. Designed to flow seamlessly with the style of your boat, the Convex VX attaches to the swim platform and extends the shape of the hull. The adjustability of the Convex VX is endless as it works hand in hand with TAPS² and the legendary Convex V hull, resulting in complete wake control and capability to dial in your perfect Tige surf wave on either side of the boat, at anytime. The Convex VX is easily removable, but there is no need to detach when you are ready for wakeboarding as there is no effect. Once on plane, you’ll still get the great monster wakeboard wake the Convex V is notorious for.
          
“We developed the Convex VX to take our pro level wave to an unrivaled new height,” stated Charlie Pigeon, CEO of Tige Boats. “Tige cultivates on product innovations that take a different approach and Tige owners benefit greatly from it. The launch of the Convex VX puts our surf wave in a totally different ballpark.”
          
The Convex VX is currently available on 2013 Tige models. For a full description on the new Convex VX technology, visit tige.com or visit your nearest Tige dealer!
          
Tige Boats, the only inboard manufacturer to be awarded eight consecutive Excellence in Customer Service awards, is an independent, design-driven company, celebrating over 20-years of uncompromising boat design. Tige produces the most innovative product line, ranging from 20 to 24 feet in length, supporting a world-wide dealer network. Tige was named WSIA Leadership Buzz Brand of the Year—check out what everyone’s been talking about at Tige.com.

Mobile Apps : Digital Fitness Company FitStar Attracts Early Funding from Prominent Investors in Round Led by Google Ventures

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FitStar, a company dedicated to blending the power of mobile technology and immersive fitness content, has closed a financing round led by Silicon Valley investment fund Google Ventures. A short list of early investors include high profile technology, entertainment and sports leaders and funds such as Advancit Capital, the venture capital firm launched by Viacom Inc. and CBS Corporation vice chairman Shari Redstone, and FLOODGATE Fund, a leading business and technology investment firm managed by tech pioneer Mike Maples, Jr. FitStar raised a seed round of $1M which will be used to grow the team and support the company’s first product, a video-based iPad app releasing in the first half of 2013.

FitStar is led by interactive entertainment veteran Mike Maser. Prior to forming FitStar, Maser held executive leadership positions at AOL, Electronic Arts and Digg. Mike’s co-founder is Dave Grijalva, who serves as the vice president of engineering. Most recently, Dave was the director of platform technology at ngmoco. The growing FitStar team boasts more than 50 years of experience developing and marketing interactive experiences that have touched more than 100 million consumers.

“We are passionate about improving the health of millions of people by creating a new technology platform to power health and fitness apps that are engaging, entertaining, and which adapt to each user’s capabilities,” said Mike Maser, CEO, FitStar. “We’re extremely proud that our mission for the company is endorsed by some of today’s most influential and visionary business leaders who want to help us make a difference in people’s lives.”

“The rapid rise of obesity and health care expenses over the past decades has forced us to bring healthy living and wellness to the forefront of society,” said Kevin Rose, general partner, Google Ventures. “FitStar sits at the intersection of technology, fitness and entertainment. They have the team, passion and track record to build out a platform that delivers the next level of fitness apps.”

A recent study* showed that obesity in America is now adding an astounding $190 billion to the annual national healthcare price tag, eclipsing smoking as public health enemy number one when it comes to cost. In response, FitStar endeavors to address the health epidemic by providing a robust slate of interactive apps to motivate people to live stronger, healthier lives.

About FitStar
FitStar Labs, Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco. The company’s mission is to build a digital health and fitness platform to inspire people to live healthier lives. Founded in 2012, the company is backed by several prominent angels and venture investors including Google Ventures, Advancit Capital, FLOODGATE Fund, Founder Collective, MESA+, Neil Young and Bob Stevenson’s LLL Capital, Ronnie Lott and Ed Zander. For more information, please visit www.fitstar.com.

About Google Ventures
Google Ventures provides seed, venture and growth stage funding to the most innovative and promising entrepreneurs across a variety of stages. Founded in 2009, Google Ventures helps its entrepreneurs succeed by providing access to uniquely hands-on and dedicated resources such as its Design Studio, Marketing, Recruiting, and Engineering Teams, and Startup Lab. The Google Ventures team has extensive entrepreneurial experience, deep technical knowledge and expertise in building high growth, scalable products and companies. Among its 100+ investments are Nest, Kabam, HomeAway, DocuSign, ngmoco, and WhaleShark Media. Google Ventures is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. with offices in Cambridge, Mass., Seattle, Wash. and New York, N.Y. For more information, please visit www.googleventures.com.

* Healthcare study by Cawley and Chad Meyerhoefer of Lehigh University in January in the Journal of Health Economics, as reported by Reuters.


Contacts
for FitStar
fortyseven communications / Sibel Sunar, 323.658.1200 / sibel@fortyseven.com
or
fortyseven communications / Craig Sinel, 323.658.1200 / craig@fortyseven.com

Business people : Volcom Appoints Design Director for Men’s & Youth

Volcom, Inc. announced the appointment of Jason Bleick as senior design director for Men’s & Youth divisions. Bleick has years of experience as a creative director within the action sports industry and beyond. At Volcom, Bleick will provide design direction, innovation and overall product strategy to the global teams. Bleick comes to Volcom with an immense amount of knowledge on all aspects of product creation. He was most recently creative director for Analog and spent 7 years working with the brand in various creative capacities.

Bleick’s experience reached beyond Action Sports where he started his own Design Studio. Bleick also founded and was creative director of Ever. Prior to that, he was VP of design at Quiksilver.

“We are excited to have Jason join the team and help to bring a fresh, new perspective to our product,” said Jenna Graves, vice president of apparel design and merchandising. “He has a huge appreciation of Volcom’s heritage and brand DNA, and I am confident in his ability to lead our men’s and youth design teams.”

( SportsOneSource Media )

New product : Yamaha’s Release of the new “V-IXION” sport model for the Indonesian market

“V-IXION” (Indonesian market model)

JAPAN – December , 2012 – Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announces the model change of the Indonesian market “V-IXION,” a model mounting a 150cc liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, fuel-injected engine and designed and engineered around the concept of a “sophisticated full-fledged sport motorcycle.” This model will be released on the Indonesian market in mid-December 2012. Along with the Indonesian market introductions of the “Mio J,” “SOUL GT” and “JUPITER Z1” in the spring of this year, the V-IXION is one more outgrowth of Yamaha Motor’s medium-term growth strategy* to strengthen product competitiveness, appeal and profitability in the ASEAN motorcycle market.

In 2011, Indonesia’s motorcycle market scale was approximately eight million units (Yamaha Motor survey) and there is a deep attraction to sporty models among younger male customers. The V-IXION, launched in 2007 as Yamaha’s first fuel-injected model for the ASEAN region, has won a strong following among these young customers for its high-tech features and styling that accentuates its sporty performance. Spurred by this popularity, more than approximately one million units of the V-IXION have been sold in Indonesia.

The new V-IXION was developed to answer the preference for sporty models among users in their late twenties, focusing on styling, state-of-the-art features and performance true to the “sophisticated full-fledged sport motorcycle” concept.

The main features of the new model are (1) the newly developed tires with a wide, flat profile that, in combination with the changes to the swingarm and suspension settings, result in sporty styling as well as excellent handling, (2) changes to the fuel injection system to help achieve improved fuel economy and running performance, (3) a new front headlight shape and compact rear view for a body design that expresses speed and sportiness, (4) a new analog/digital display in the instrument panel that accentuates the “Advanced” image of the overall design; and more. This new model is manufactured and marketed by group company PT. Yamaha Indonesia Motor Manufacturing (YIMM).

*Medium-term management plan: One of the four growth strategies in Yamaha Motor’s 3-year (2010-2012) medium term management plan is strengthening product competitiveness, appeal and profitability in the ASEAN motorcycle market. This aims to be accomplished by enhancing product appeal by (1) increasing the ratio of models featuring a fuel injection system and (2) increasing profitability through reducing the cost of fuel injection systems and the benefits of larger scale production.

(Motor Sports Newswire) 

Business people : Cutilletta Joins Hestra USA as Regional Sales Manager

Golden, CO (December  2012) -- Hestra gloves is excited to announce the addition of Marc Cutilletta as Regional Sales Manager for the Rocky Mountain territory in the Hestra USA corporate office in Golden, CO. Cutilletta comes to Hestra with 15 years of sales experience in the sporting goods industry, having previously worked as the Rocky Mountain territory manager for Wilson Sporting Goods and operating his own sales agency.

“We’re thrilled to have Marc on our team,” said Dino Dardano, President of Hestra USA. “His experience and enthusiasm for the Hestra brand makes him a great fit for this position. Our accounts can count on exceptional service from him going forward.”

Cutilletta’s focus for the brand will be expanding some of Hestra’s existing glove categories as well continuing to grow its most-popular Alpine Pro collection.

“I have always loved to represent brands with a strong story, and Hestra’s tradition and quality is something I’m excited to be a part of,” said Cutilletta. “I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the brand this winter and creating opportunities to showcase Hestra’s broad line of snowsports and outdoor products.”

For more information about Hestra Gloves visit HestraGloves.com, e-mail marketing@hestrausa.com or call 888-939-9969.

About Hestra
Recently celebrating its 75th anniversary, Hestra continues to reign as one of the world’s top manufacturers of gloves. Hestra was founded in 1936 in Småland, Sweden by Martin Magnusson, who began producing durable leather gloves for lumberjacks. Hestra is still run by the Magnusson family and produces gloves for winter sports enthusiasts, outdoor recreation, mountaineering, mountain biking and cycling, casual wear, and for the workforce. Hestra selects natural materials including leather and wool, to develop high-quality gloves with the user’s needs and application in mind. Hestra currently produces over 200 glove models with a diversity that allows each user to find their ideal Hestra glove in terms of fit, function and style.

( Source SIA ) 

New products :RAEN X Deus ex Machina Co-Branded Eyewear

Encinitas, CA – December 19, 2012 – RAEN and Deus ex Machina have paired up for a limited edition co-branded eyewear collaboration that honors each brand’s intrinsic value to create authentic, innovative product. For more than a year, the two classic driven, boutique brands, have worked together to deliver multiple creative projects. As two brands with such a unique yet similar style, it seemed like the natural next step for the two to come together to craft an eyewear collection that embodied the modern design of both brands.

For the collaboration, Deus chose three RAEN eyewear styles – the Lenox, Squire, and Underwood – that conveyed a rugged yet defined demeanor. RAEN paired each with a classic matte woodgrain acetate finish exclusive for this collection. Each handmade piece of eyewear will feature Optics by Carl Zeiss lenses and custom etched Deus logo details. The limited edition exterior packaging features a motorcycle print designed by Deus Creative Director Carby Tuckwell, as well as a custom eyewear sock and optics case for additional carrying protection.

To celebrate the eyewear collaboration, Deus and RAEN will host a launch party with renowned Thalia surf shop at 6PM, Dec. 20, 2012, at the Thalia Hideout in Dana Point CA. RSVP at http://on.fb.me/TYrbpz.

The RAEN x Deus ex Machina Lenox ($92), Squire ($117) and Underwood ($132) are available now at http://raenoptics.com, the Deus ex Machina concept store in Venice Beach, Calif., and at select boutiques worldwide.

For more information on RAEN, go to http://raenoptics.com, and to find our more about Deus ex Machina go to http://deuscustoms.com/.

Author: Ashley Reichel

Business news : Yamaha Outlines 2013-2015 Business Plan

Yamaha Motor Co. revealed what it calls its New Medium-term Management Plan, outlining its business strategies for 2013 to 2015, including the introduction of 250 new models worldwide across its various product lines including motorcycles.

The three-year plan is an extension of Yamaha‘s plan for 2010-2012 which targets a “V-shaped recovery”. The term is used to describe an sharp downturn in the economy followed by a strong recovery back to previous levels.

The previous plan called for the restructuring of its domestic and foreign manufacturing facilities and the loss of 1000 jobs to reduce costs by 60 billion yen from 2010-2012.

Yamaha is currently ahead of that target, forecasting a savings of 75 billion yen (US$892 million) over those three years. Yamaha however has fallen short on the previous goals for 1.4 trillion yen in net sales and 70 billion yen in operating income for 2012. Yamaha now forecasts year-end net sales of 1.2 trillion yen and an operating income of 28 billion yen. Production is also expected to be down for 2012 to 6.7 million units compared to 7.4 million units produced in 2011. Continue Reading »

By: Dennis Chung

Business news :Oboz Chooses Kinetic Representatives for Sales in the Mid-Atlantic Territory

Oboz footwear welcomes Dave Donahue and Kinetic Representatives as its new sales agent for the Mid-Atlantic region including Washington, D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York.

Donahue is already on the job, previewing Oboz’ fall 2013 line in advance of the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market trade show, where Oboz will exhibit in Booth BR403.

Donahue and his company—Kinetic Representatives, LLC.—is based in West Chester, PA. He brings nine years of background as a sales rep and prior to that, as he worked as a retailer, where he remembers the positive interaction he had with sales reps that came into stores where he worked.

Donahue brings extensive footwear experience to the Oboz line.  He currently reps Vere Sandals, and has also sold Garmont, Vasque and Redwing.    In addition to Oboz and Vere Sandals, Donahue and his team work with Exped, Ibex, Pistil Designs, and Red Ledge.

Donahue is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys backpacking, running and mountain biking. He can be reached via:
Phone: (484) 962-0838
e-mail: dave@kineticreps.com
website: www.KineticReps.com

About Kinetic Representatives, LLC
Kinetic Representatives puts energy in motion. Working within the outdoor, ski, adventure travel, apparel and footwear industries, Kinetic’s unique and innovative strategies bring manufacturers, retailers and consumers together to build momentum.  Kinetic Reps work in the Mid-Atlantic and New England territories for brands that specialize in a variety of markets.  They take pride in regular retailer visits in their territory, and put a very strong emphasis on retail staff education and training, as well as helping create brand awareness at the consumer level.

About Oboz
Oboz (www.obozfootwear.com) creates ‘True to the Trail™’ outdoor footwear inspired by the wild environs spanning the region from the company’s Bozeman, Montana home. ‘The Oboz’ is a place for exploration, play and work, as well as a state of mind that has deep respect for the area’s rich natural heritage. Oboz shoes—which debuted in stores in 2008—are designed to have meaningful innovation, steadfast performance and recognizable quality. Oboz plants a tree for every pair of shoes it sells through Trees for the Future (www.treesftf.org), an international organization that improves livelihoods in developing countries through beneficial tree planting.

Boo Turner, Footloose Communications / boo@footloose-communications.com
206.462.5294 office / 206.554.1596 cell

Business people :Garmin's President to Replace Founder Kao in CEO Post

Garmin Ltd.'s board of directors appointed President and COO Clifton Pemble to succeed President, CEO and Co-Founder Dr. Min Kao effective Jan. 2, 2013.

Pemble, who joined Garmin in 1989 as one of the company’s first engineers, has been serving as president and chief operating officer since October 2007, and has been a member of the Garmin Ltd. board of directors since August 2004. Dr. Kao will assume the role of executive chairman, where he will continue to serve as the chairman of the board of directors while also providing ongoing support to the company’s strategic planning and business development processes.

“One indicator of an enduring company is the strength of its succession plan,” said company co-founder Dr. Kao. “Cliff has been instrumental in establishing Garmin as a global leader in every market we serve. I firmly believe that he is equipped to lead us into the future with skills and knowledge that encompass the breadth and depth of the entire business. I am grateful to Cliff for his years of unselfish service and his willingness to accept this new role. I am also pleased with the depth of the executive management team which will be serving under Cliff’s leadership.”

Speaking on behalf of the board, Pemble said, “Min, along with Gary Burrell, aspired to bring the benefits of GPS technology to the masses. They succeeded; Garmin is now a multi-billion dollar company with strong profits, amazing technologies and a diverse market strategy that will serve us well in 2013 and beyond. We cannot adequately express our gratitude for Min’s enduring vision and leadership. As we enter a new era for our company, he will continue to play a vital role in the formulation of our business strategy. We are fortunate to have Min’s ongoing wisdom and experience as we move forward into the future.”

Since its inception in 1989, Garmin has delivered more than 100 million products, most of them enabled with GPS – far more than any other navigation provider. The company was recently chosen as a component in the S&P 500 index, widely used as a benchmark for investors and a gauge of the overall performance of the U.S. stock market.

( SportsOneSource Media )

New products : Madshus Introduces New Recreational Cross-Country Touring Ski Packages at REI

Cadenza 90

Madshus, the world’s oldest ski company, introduces a redesigned, easy to use, ski touring package featuring the Cadence and Cadenza 90 cross-country skis, available only at select REI stores and REI.com.

This exclusive package, which includes skis, boots, bindings and poles, is specifically designed with the beginner Nordic skier in mind. This all-in-one offering provides first time-skiers comfort and stability in an easy-to-use, affordable package.

The CT 100 and Amica 100 paired with the widest of the Madshus cruising skis, the men’s Cadence 90 and women’s Cadenza 90 cross-country skis, provide excellent stability with a strong kick and glide. This ski-and-boot combination is perfect for skiers in search of an effortless recreational cross-country set up.

Madshus Cadence 90 and Cadenza 90 Cross-Country Skis: With the addition of low-noise, high performance MultiGrip Vario+ base and the new 3D tip geometry, the new men’s Cadence 90 and the women’s Cadenza 90 cross-country skis offer comfort, stability and grip with confident kick and glide in a maneuverable and superbly smooth package. The lightweight and durable Aire W Core wrapped in Torsion Cap Construction providing excellent responsiveness without losing its quickness and maneuverability.
Sidecut: 68-55-62 mm
Length: Cadence 90: 170, 180, 190  -- Cadenza 90: 160, 170, 180
Weight/pair: 1500g/180cm

Madshus CT100 and Amica 100 Boots: The men’s CT 100 and the women’s Amica 100 are PVC free and use recycled materials in their breathable softshell upper construction giving the boots a supportive and comfortable feel for classic skiing while keeping feet warm and dry.
Sizes: CT 100: 35-48  --  Amica 100: 35-43

The Madshus Recreational Cross-Country Touring Package with both ski and boot combinations are now available for men and women at select REI stores and on REI.com. The package features skis, boots, Rottefella Touring Manual Bindings and Swix Nordic Touring Poles for $290.

ABOUT MADSHUS

The world’s oldest ski brand, Madshus’ Norwegian heritage dates back to 1906. From the original woodworking craftsmanship of its founder, to today’s state of the art production processes and materials, Madshus is the standard to which all other Nordic skis are held. Whether for World–Cup level racing, fitness skiing, cruising, metal-edge touring, or cross country downhill, Madshus continues to apply that same keen craftsman’s eye to each ski, boot and pole it produces. Over 100 years since it’s founding, Madshus’ storied commitment to the art and craft of ski making resonates today in the same consistent standard of excellence all performance Madshus skiers have come to expect.

Contact: Lisa Mullen / Verde PR & Consulting / 970-255-2357 / lisa@verdepr.com

New product : Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour now available on NIKEiD

The Tinker Hatfield-designed tennis shoe, created especially for Roger Federer, will be customizable on NIKEiD beginning December 18

In January 2012 under the hot sun of a Melbourne summer, Roger Federer took the court in his most advanced tennis shoe to date -- The Zoom Vapor 9 Tour. Created by Tinker Hatfield, Nike's VP of Creative Design, the shoe immediately joined Hatfield's long list of iconic creations for elite athletes.
The shoe now makes its customization debut at NIKEiD in Men's, Women's and Kid's sizes. From December 18, tennis athletes and Federer fans will be able to create their own personal versions of the Zoom Vapor 9 Tour.

The customization options include the classic color variations NIKEiD is known for, but the performance customization options are the stand-out elements. Varying widths and traction patterns allow the designer to create the ideal shoe for their chosen surface and style of play.

The Tour Fit delivers a locked-down feel on the court with its more narrow silohuettte. The True Fit offers a slightly wider design for those players looking for a roomier fit. The various traction systems are optimizable for hard court, clay or grass.

The shoe's performance capabilities include an Adaptive Fit construction with "fingers" of soft material that wrap the midfoot and arch from underneath to create a glove-like fit. Extra-durable rubber protects the heel and forefoot, whilst ultra-breathable mesh helps airflow through the shoe to keep the foot comfortable.

Elements exclusive to NIKEiD include:
- Choice of hard court, clay or grass traction
- Color fades in the 'vent'
- Wide fit upper
- Laser etching on the foot frame or tongue

Get started at NIKEiD now.

Mobile apps : Azumio Debuts Azumio Fitness Trainer App

Azumio, a developer of mobile health applications with more than 30 million downloads to date, announced the launch of Azumio Fitness Trainer.

Available in the AppStore for iPhone and iPad for $2.99, the app contains seven body-specific workouts, covering your exercise from head-to-toe, along with the option to add-on seven sports-specific workouts for optimal training ($4.99 each). Designed in coordination with world-class exercise experts, Azumio Fitness Trainer is your own personal workout coach anytime, anywhere outside a fitness center.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121219/NY32123 )

"Gym-only workouts are an outdated practice," says Jennifer Grenz , Azumio VP of Mobile. "The success of companies like TRX, Bosu and SPRI show that consumers are seeking options that allow them to exercise with greater flexibility and less cost. A few resistance bands, some dumbbells, a pull-up bar and our Azumio Fitness Trainer app can offer consumers hundreds of dollars' worth of savings over the traditional gym membership."

For the busy mobile user on the go, the gym isn't always an appealing or conveniently located option. An American Economic Review study of 7,700 US health club members shockingly found that consumers paying the most ($70/month or more) attend the gym the least (only 4.3 times per month). Azumio Fitness Trainer gives access to a motivational tool that shows proper technique anywhere you're willing to break a sweat and workout, even when you are traveling.

A Mobile, Adaptable Personal Trainer
Using only your body weight and some simple equipment already available at home, Azumio Fitness Trainer can create numerous, challenging routines – from total novice to fitness fanatic – all without having to be at the gym

Azumio Fitness Trainer can be used in any open space, whether it's a living room, hotel room, outdoors or conference room
Offering 600+ exercises, Azumio Fitness Trainer creates a custom workout plan featuring video, graphics and audio instruction for each user based on three equipment categories that are easily available: body weight, resistance bands and dumb bells

Sport-specific training add-on packages geared towards: Ice Hockey, Snowboarding, Skiing, Ice Skating, Speed Skating, Cycling and Running. Each sport specific workout includes 3 versions using body weight, dumb bells and resistance bands.

"Essentially, we're moving all the functionality and top-notch one-on-one training from the health clubs to your home or hotel," said Tom Xu , Chief Product Officer at Azumio. "Today's smartphone users want to stay fit. Most people already carry their smartphones with them everywhere, even the gym. With Azumio Fitness Trainer, we wanted to re-create the personalized, mobile experience of our in-gym companion Fitness Buddy in the comfort of a user's personal space anywhere they want to work out."

Launched in 2010, Azumio offers the world's largest portfolio of mobile health and fitness applications. The apps have been seen and recommended by Dr. Oz, ESPN, The New York Times, Wired, Gizmodo and Lifehacker.

( SportsOneSource Media )

Business people :Kirk Nichols Joins Newton Running as VP of Sales

Newton Running, based in Boulder, appointed Kirk Nichols as VP of sales. A 20-year footwear-industry veteran, Nichols previously worked at Columbia Sportswear, Hi-Tec Sports and LaCrosse Footwear. At Newton, he will engineer and manage various sales initiatives, including expanding North American sales, identifying and implementing new strategic partnerships, strengthening Newton’s current relationships in the specialty run channel and, most importantly, enhancing customers’ experience with the Newton brand.

“Kirk’s considerable experience in footwear, coupled with his passion for running and ability to skillfully and strategically lead a sales team, make him the perfect addition to our executive team,” says Jerry Lee, CEO of Newton Running.

Prior to joining Newton Running, Niche gained expertise in service, operations, marketing and sales. “I am fortunate to have managed projects that touched nearly every business function, which has enabled me to develop a comprehensive understanding of how successful organizations operate,” says Nichols. During his 13-year tenure at LaCrosse, Nichols rose through the ranks to become vice president of sales, where he played a role in strategically growing the company from $108 million to $150 million in sales.

When Nichols isn’t busy driving sales and promoting profitable business growth, he indulges in his life-long passion for running. While studying marketing at the University or Portland, Nichols ran track and qualified for the NCAA Division I National Championships in 1992 and the USATF Outdoor Championships in 1993. He holds personal bests of 3:42 in the 1500M and 1:49 in the 800M.

( SportsOneSource Media )