Archives: Press Releases

The Tanu Rescue and Dive Knife is the latest addition to the GEAR AID Adventure Tools collection. Designed for use in salt water, this blunt-tip knife features a 3” full tang, stainless-steel blade. Weighing under 5 oz, this lightweight knife is a useful cutting tool for rescue, paddling, dive, and fishing. The suggested retail price for the Tanu is $39.95. It’s also available as a kit that includes a B.C.D. Adaptor and accessories for easy attachment options to diving equipment (MSRP: $44.95).

Whether you’re paddling down the river or diving the deep ocean blue, the Tanu is designed with durability and versatility in mind. Use it in an around water for its sharp, 304 stainless-steel blade that resists corrosion. The burly, rubberized handle provides a secure grip with a finger stop for added safety during each use. With a smooth and serrated blade that’s ultra-sharp and a mountable sheath, the Tanu is handy as a rescue, paddle, dive, and fishing knife. When paired with the B.C.D. Adaptor Plate and accessories (sold separately as a kit), this knife can be mounted on virtually any brand of scuba gear for fast access underwater.

“Our goal was to design a knife that could withstand the rigors of saltwater sports,” says Ray Klein, GEAR AID design director. “The Tanu’s stainless-steel finish is corrosion-resistant and its multiple mounting features make mounting a cinch.” Available on gearaid.com and in select retailers this summer, this watersports knife comes with a gray or nav green handle. Whether paddling, fishing, or diving, be prepared to cut your way out of any situation with the GEAR AID Tanu blunt-tip knife on hand.

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About GEAR AID

GEAR AID champions renewal in the lives of those who play and work outside. We empower people to make gear last longer by designing reliable camp tools and products that fix and restore gear as well as enhance the outdoor experience. With more than 100 quality products including Aquaseal®, Seam Grip®, Revivex®, and Tenacious Tape®, we make gear better and adventures bigger. Learn more at gearaid.com.

Seattle-based company one of only four companies to achieve FDA authorization for U.S.-made surgical masks since pandemic began.

Outdoor Research, LLC. (OR), a leading brand in the tactical and outdoor apparel industries, this week earned U.S. Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its U.S.-made surgical mask. This authorization is designed to help strengthen the availability of key products needed during public-health emergencies. 

FDA EUA authorization follows quickly on the heels of National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH) approval in late July of OR’s Flat Fold Respirator Mask. NIOSH is a division of the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Federal authorization of OR’s personal protective equipment (PPE) is the culmination of a months-long effort and represents two significant accomplishments. OR is one of only four organizations to achieve FDA authorization for U.S.-made surgical masks since the COVID-19 pandemic began. OR is also one of only six organizations to achieve expedited NIOSH certification to make healthcare respirators since the beginning of the pandemic. It is the only manufacturer within the outdoor and tactical spaces to do either. 

While many companies have entered the mask market temporarily by creating “face coverings” for general public use, OR has made a strategic commitment to expanding the company’s manufacturing capabilities to build advanced medical-devices, providing PPE to frontline healthcare workers during and after this current crisis. 

“With the onset of COVID-19, it quickly became clear that securing more reliable sources of medical PPE within the U.S. was critical to our country’s response to this pandemic,” said Jason Duncan, Head of Tactical, Innovation and CSR at Outdoor Research. “Because Outdoor Research already had long-established U.S. manufacturing capabilities and the know-how to quickly pivot to building new kinds of technical products, we are able to be part of the solution. These FDA and NIOSH authorizations speak to the success of that effort and to the vast amount of team work that has gone into this here at Outdoor Research.” 

In the past five months, OR invested in equipment and training to convert two floors of its Seattle manufacturing facility to produce two different types of N95 masks as well as medical-grade surgical masks. The company also produces the Berry Amendment-compliant Resolute Face Mask in Seattle. Along with investing in equipment, OR has hired more than 130 people to support mask production. These investments have resulted in the capability to produce up to 200,000 U.S.-made masks per day. To date, it has produced more than 3 million U.S.-made masks. 

OR is also producing reusable, technical and functional face masks for the general public. Like the Resolute Face mask, the Essential Face Mask Kit features an integrated and replaceable filter. 

Highly respected in the outdoor industry for developing functional solutions for extreme environments, OR has a history of successfully leveraging the best commercial market technologies to serve the needs of the armed services and first responders. Over the past two years the company has conducted a comprehensive review of the U.S. supply chain and is in active development with textile mills and materials providers to expand and elevate the capabilities of products that are 100% American-made.

OR has made significant capital investments designed to improve and modernize its Seattle factory. These investments have taken advantage of the company’s global knowledge of design, materials, and innovative manufacturing techniques while producing the next generation of outdoor and tactical products at its facilities. OR has continued to accelerate its product-development cycle, allowing the latest innovations to be rapidly fielded to the end user, helping increase the mobility and protection of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, first responders, outdoor enthusiasts, and now the medical community.  

For more about Outdoor Research, visit www.outdoorresearch.com. 

With 15 years of experience designing electric bikes , IZIP introduces five new eBikes into its Commuting, Cruising and Adventure collections for Fall 2020. With a focus on power and efficiency, the new IZIP eBikes use top of the line components including BOSCH batteries, Shimano shifters and Tektro brakes. 

“As the eBike market expands exponentially, so are advancements in technology, innovation and design,” said Larry Pizzi, Chief Commercial Officer of Alta Cycling Groups. “Consumers are seeking diverse offerings to suit their own unique preferences, and IZIP is at the helm of versatility – both in tech and price point. The newest bikes were designed to serve a range of riders – from the everyday commuter to the multi-season driver. The Path+, Zuma Luxe and Sumo bikes will truly round out IZIP’s premiere offerings in the rapidly growing eBike space.” 

The new Path+ Step Thru and Path+ Step Over take IZIP’s commuting bikes to the next level. With a powerful and dependable Bosch Active Line center motor and a 400WH PowerPack battery, riders will enjoy a comfortable and power-filled ride. This new class 1 eBike has a top pedal assist speed of 20 mph and 30-50 miles of travel per charge. The tektro mechanical disc brakes provide solid stopping power. The 700c wheels provide rolling efficiency while 40c tires add extra comfort on any surface. The Shimano Altus 7spd shifting with optical gearbox provides riders visual confirma-tion of gear shifting. $2,400 MSRP. 

IZIP reimagines its cruising collection with the new Zuma Luxe Step Thru and Zuma Luxe Step Over. An elevated version of the classic Zuma, the Zuma Luxe encompasses sophisticated styling and stunning looks that were inspired by the SoCal lifestyle found at world-famous Zuma Beach. The extra long-range and powerful Bosch Active Line Plus 250W motor and 500Wh battery provides worry-free riding and a low center of gravity for enhanced stability. Equipped with Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, Shimano Acera 8spd shifting with optical gearbox and a wide range cassette allowing riders to go quickly uphill, downhill and anywhere across town. Available in a step thru and step over version. $2,750 MSRP.

Rounding out the new bikes in the adventure category is the new Sumo electric fat bike, which was made for plowing through snow in the winter or cruising down the sandy beach in the summer. The Bosch Active Line Plus mid-motor packs best-in-class power for long offroad adventures. Equipped with oversized 4-inch tires to bowl over soft surfaces and technical terrain, a Shimano drivetrain and Tektro M735 disc brakes offer great power and modulation with 4-piston front caliper and 2-piston rear. The fully formed aluminum alloy frame and fork have plenty of cargo mounts to carry heavy loads. For year round eBike exploring, the new Sumo will take riders on the trails less traveled. $3,000 MSRP. 

Also this fall, IZIP announces a new partnership with Seattle’s Cascade Bicycle Club to support efforts to create new safe ways to commute from West Seattle. Debuting later in August, IZIP will roll out a digital, interactive map for riders to set a path for their commute.

To see IZIP’s full collection of eBikes and stay up to date with the latest news, please visit www.izipelectric.com or follow on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 

About IZIP

Founded in Southern California and inspired by sunny weather and laid back cool, IZIP eBikes come in zesty colors and stylish graphics. Swap the car commute for a bike, explore endless miles of unknown trails, or spend the weekend cruising the coast in comfort! Our eBikes have fully integrated electronics and premium drive systems from Bosch, Brose, Shimano and TranzX. With IZIP you have a winning combo: great looks paired with quality, reliability and value. With more than 15 years of experience in the ebike industry, IZIP is now a veteran and a leader in eBike technology. Now part of Alta Cycling Group, IZIP is supported by a network of authorized dealers and backed by the Electric Bike Competence Center of North America. For additional information, please visit: www.izipelectric.com.

LifeSaver®, a UK-based manufacturer of portable and reusable water purification systems, is setting out to provide an effective and long-term clean water solution to communities in Africa. In partnership with distributor African Aqua Solutions, LifeSaver will supply schools, medical facilities, and religious centers with their C1 unit, a large-scale water purifier that eliminates 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, parasites, and cysts from fresh water sources. The project is expected to provide more than 1 million gallons of clean drinking water to eight localities in Tanzania throughout September.

Capable of producing more than 132,000 gallons of safe drinking water at the turn of a tap, LifeSaver’s C1 offers the benefits of mass water purification for larger communities, with the simplicity and efficiency of LifeSaver’s smaller purification devices. Very low maintenance and user-friendly, a single C1 unit will provide a community of 100 people daily drinking water for up to four and a half years, at a negligible cost per gallon. Like all of LifeSaver’s purification products, the C1 effectively removes 99.9999% of bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella, 99.99% of microbial cysts such as giardia or cryptosporidium, and 99.99% of viruses including astrovirus, hepatitis A, rotavirus and norovirus from water supplies with no electricity or chemicals required. “We are immensely proud of LifeSaver’s ability to provide clean, safe, drinkable water in regions where such supplies are limited or contaminated,” said Wesley Clarke-Sullivan, Humanitarian and Disaster Response Manager at Icon LifeSaver Ltd. “We are committed to working with governments and organizations around the world to give as many people as we can access to clean water, and this project is the latest in our mission to deliver that,” he added.

Founded on humanitarian principles, LifeSaver has a history of providing aid to those in need of clean water. In 2019, LifeSaver helped control a cholera outbreak by sending a shipment of Cube purifiers to survivors of a cyclone in Mozambique. With the recent COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, LifeSaver understands that access to clean water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene is more important than ever and the brand will continue to provide aid to communities in need across the world. For updates on the C1 water purifier project and recent humanitarian efforts, follow LifeSaver on Instagram @lifesaver_water_filters. To learn more about LifeSaver personal water purification products, visit iconlifesaver.com.

 

About LifeSaver

Founded in the UK in 2007, LifeSaver came to life following back-to-back natural disasters: the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. Inventor Michael Pritchard felt compelled to address the resulting need for access to clean drinking water. The first LifeSaver prototype was developed in Pritchard’s garage, and became the world’s first portable water filter capable of removing the smallest known waterborne viruses. Since that time, LifeSaver has established itself as an effective and long-lasting solution to drinking water issues in the humanitarian and military sectors, as well as for outdoor enthusiasts. www.iconlifesaver.com

Today, Dakine announces the launch of the Dakine x RANGE Capsule Collection, an assortment of eco-friendly bags designed to complement an on-demand lifestyle. The collection includes a barrel pack, cinch tote and accessories made from post-consumer recycled ripstop polyester and bluesign® approved material. Helping to close the loop between people, product and planet, the collection features thoughtful details like a detachable pouch for reusable metal straws and sporks, so you can ditch single-use plastics even when you’re on the go.                  

“Collaborating with RANGE was a natural fit for us. At Dakine, we are always focusing on using recycled materials and building products that stand the test of time, from both a durability and functionality standpoint. The team at RANGE embodies this ethos of sustainability, craftsmanship and smart design, and these qualities were top-of-mind when designing the Dakine x RANGE Capsule Collection,” says Pam Levine, SVP for Dakine.

The collection utilizes 900-denier recycled ripstop polyester with a weather-resistant coating to provide protection from the elements when on-the-go. The signature RANGE interior lining is made of a lightweight, bluesign® approved material. Other RANGE-inspired details across the collection include paracord straps and powder-coated pulls for a clean, functional aesthetic.

“We’re so excited to launch the Dakine x RANGE capsule collection. By combining Dakine’s best-in-class knowledge of all things carry with durable, post-consumer recycled materials and RANGE’s signature approach to color and print, it’s designed for modern outdoor enthusiasts that appreciate both form and function,” says RANGE Founder and Creative Director, Jeanine Pesce.

The durable Barrel Pack 25L (MSRP $85 USD) and Classic Cinch Tote 28L (MSRP $60 USD) have rugged, outdoor-inspired undertones that complement the sleek, neutral colorway to create versatile, modern styles that transition seamlessly from the office to the park, to the plane. Professional designs and a classy, yet earthy color allow you to dress the collection up or down, no matter what your day has in store. The tote and pack are equipped with purpose-built pockets for storage, a drawstring top closure to keep items secure and signature details inspired by the versatile, female-founded team at RANGE. The Dakine x RANGE Capsule Collection also includes a crossbody handbag, hip pack, accessory pouch set and five-panel cap.

The Dakine x RANGE Capsule Collection is available for purchase online at www.dakine.com. For more information, contact Account Manager Katie Hostetler at katie.hostetler@rygr.us.

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About Dakine

Founded in Hawaii in 1979, Dakine creates trusted packs and bags, accessories, apparel, and outerwear for people who love to surf, snowboard, mountain bike, ski, windsurf, kiteboard and travel. For more information, please visit https://www.dakine.com/

About RANGE

Established in 2012, RANGE is a creative consulting agency and magazine specializing in trend forecasting, strategy and content development serving the outdoor, active and lifestyle markets.

The Swiss Army Knife of insulated bottles, Hibear’s 32 ounce All-Day Adventure Flask, has received the fiercely sought-after 2020 Red Dot Design Award. The origins of the Red Dot Design Award date back to 1955. Its distinction, the Red Dot, is established internationally as one of the most competitive quality marks for good design. Hibear’s versatile, insulated, easy-to-clean, and rugged utility bottle is designed to craft all your favorite beverages – from cold brew to cocktails – yet simple enough to use as an everyday water bottle.

“The strong, innovative design of this insulated flask impresses with versatile accessories for the preparation of various beverages and provides additional indulgence on the go,” says the Red Dot Award Jury.

Founder of Hibear, Mark Tsigounis, is an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, two-time Ironman, ultrarunner, and USN Veteran. Tsigounis says, “I got my first insulated bottle in Africa, but it was while backpacking in South America where I thought, ‘damn this thing would be way cooler if it did more.’ The All-Day Adventure Flask is the culmination of those adventures and my contribution back to the community that gave me so much. Receiving the Red Dot Award was the validation that we had successfully built something freaking awesome.”

Insulated bottles are an essential part of outdoor adventure. Durable and efficient workhorses for keeping hots hot and colds cold, they fall short when it comes to crafting beverages on the road. When bag space is at a premium, gear that does more is valued most. The answer to that call is Hibear’s All-Day Adventure Flask.

Optimized for versatility through smart design, the All-Day Adventure Flask crafts beverages from coffee to cocktails, yet is simple enough to be used as an everyday water bottle. Its vacuum-insulated shell, made from tough kitchen-grade stainless steel, makes the bottle sustainable and nonabsorbent of flavors. The silicone sleeve on the base protects it from small drops and is removable to double as a mug for friends and pets. It opens up to access everything inside, making it easy to clean and eliminates the need for a bottle brush. Inside is a 355 ml 130µ stainless steel filter for infusions, tea, and cold brew. There is a strainer for shaking cocktails and a steel thermal core to keep colds colder without diluting them with ice. The lid even inverts to make pour-over coffee.

Hibear’s partner design studio in Slovenia, Tak Kolektiv, says, “We have spent the last two years and countless design iterations to make the insulated beverage multi-tool, and now our efforts are finally paying off.”

All-Day Adventure Flask Details:

• Total Volume: 32oz/950ml
• Flask Body Volume: 25oz/750ml
• Lid Volume:7oz/200ml Lid
• Steel Filter Volume 12oz/355ML
• 18/8 Stainless Steel Construction
• Unbreakable internal glass finish
• Durable powder coat
• Easy grip carabiner handle
• Cocktail  Strainer w/ 130µ Center Filter Disc
• Invertible Pour Over Lid
• 12oz 130µ stainless steel filter
• Total Height: 11″/283mm
• Width: 3.7″/94mm
• Removable Mug volume: 8.5oz/250ml

Hibear will launch its highly anticipated Kickstarter campaign for the All-Day Adventure Flask on September 8, 2020. For more information about Hibear or to request a product sample, contact Julie Bacon at julie@hotskilletmedia.com or 603-978-5530.

About Hibear
Adventure travel needed a better bottle, so Hibear made one. The 32 ounce All-Day Adventure Flask is slated to launch on Kickstarter on September 8, 2020. With 10 times more functionality than the average insulated bottle, Hibear encourages users to pack less and do more. Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Hibear has a wild and beautiful testing ground for their product. Hibear is Climate Neutral Certified and a member of 1% for the Planet. You can find out more about Hibear via their website, Facebook, or Instagram. Climb high.

Protekt Products, the new natural wellness brand, is pleased to announce the launch of the Protekt App, powered by PEAR. PEAR Sports is a health and fitness software platform that delivers targeted smart coaching technology for dozens of leading brands. The new Protekt App will have curated training programs to promote overall wellness and prepare people to enjoy time outdoors. For both iOS and Android, the new app will be available for purchase on August 10, 2020 on the Apple Store and Google Play Store.

“Protekt was built on the principle that simple routines can optimize health and support well-being,” said Nick Norris, co-founder and CEO of Protekt Products. “Our new app helps us to reach beyond our products to connect with consumers wherever they are. PEAR’s unique platform allows us to deliver customized programs that support our commitment to accessible workout routines.”

The Protekt App, powered by PEAR, will offer personalized, adaptive coaching programs with bespoke content using mobile and wearable technology with human coach guidance. The Protekt App is able to track a user’s heart rate, route, time, distance and calories burned during each workout session. It is also able to measure VO2max, a measure of aerobic capacity and fitness level.

Protekt co-founders, Nick Norris and Tim Duba, met at the U.S. Naval Academy where they were paired as roommates. Duba became a Naval Surface Warfare Officer and Norris served as a SEAL officer during combat operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. The two best friends launched Protekt last month with a line of nutritional supplements and reef-safe sunscreen to help people optimize their health while enjoying the outdoors.

“We’ve been impressed by Protekt’s passionate and authentic commitment to health and wellness,” said Bob Allison, co-founder, PEAR Sports. “We’re excited to offer our unique app technology to their growing base of outdoor, fitness and veteran consumers.”

About PEAR Sports
PEAR Sports is perfecting the personalized delivery of digital health, wellness and fitness programs. PEAR’s platform and solutions deliver on-demand customized coaching that creates great experiences for customers and enterprises. For more information, visit https://www.pearsports.com.

About Protekt Products

Founded by two veterans and legendary waterman Mark Healey, Protekt Products is a wellness company committed to positively impacting customer health through safe, natural and effective personal care products and nutritional supplements. Protekt Products help people achieve an optimal state for outdoor activity and performance. To learn more visit www.protektproducts.com.

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (August 7, 2020) – Big Agnes Inc., the Steamboat Springs-based outdoor equipment brand, has restructured its Canadian sales team to help meet growing international demand for its camp equipment. Big Agnes has hired Matt McCormick, Jean-Pierre Ouellet and their newly formed agency Authentik Sales to represent the brand in Eastern Canada. They have also hired longtime reps Rob Cairns, Joni Collett and their agency Carpe Diem Marketing Concepts Ltd (CDMC Sales) in Western Canada.

“Canada is a critical market for Big Agnes with high participation in outdoor pursuits, so we need a professional and progressive sales team to work with existing and new accounts to help grow our presence,” said Jill Lewis, Director of North American Sales. “For nearly 20 years Big Agnes has earned the reputation for being innovative and true to our roots and we’re confident that Authentik and CDMC are the agencies that best represent those qualities.”

Collectively, Authentik brings more than 30 years of experience in the Eastern Canadian outdoor retail market. McCormick is no stranger to Big Agnes as he previously worked with Sky Ambitions, the company’s agency of record in New England, representing the brand in Ontario, Vermont, and Up-State New York. Ouellet has pioneered and represented many iconic outdoor brands for two decades at agencies including Sky Ambitions, Gamic Sports and on his own. Both are longtime climbers with McCormick having undertaken expeditions to Pakistan, Southwest China/Tibet, and the Canadian Rockies. Ouellet was a professionally sponsored climber with Black Diamond and La Sportiva for nearly 20 years and is widely respected as one of North America’s most well-rounded climbers.

“As our agency name implies, we are reps who have formed our lifestyles around the gear we sell. A core brand like Big Agnes, that I have personally represented already, is a perfect fit,” said McCormick. “Our mutual lifelong passion for the outdoors has led us into the outdoor industry and we carry our business goals with the same vigor and purpose with which we pursue our personal goals in the mountains.”

From their base on Vancouver Island, CDMC Sales represents both established and emerging brands.  Both principals, Joni Collett and Rob Cairns, have worked in various outdoor positions ranging from retailer store ownership and eco-tourism development to sales and marketing management in outdoor distribution and manufacturing. It is this diversity that allows them to juggle their chosen territory, Western Canada and the Arctic. The agency is staff by four people with a full time CSR and another sales associate. This will change as health restrictions allow them to travel and visit retailers. The operation has both a warehouse and showroom for online and dealer direct presentations. Outfitted in samples, Collett and Cairns attend all trade shows, travel constantly and camp often while on the road.

“Big Agnes has a great reputation for its gear, staff and their attention to customer service,” said Collett. “We all camp, ski, SUP, kayak, hike and bike so the opportunities to play and work at the same time mean every day is positive and we look forward to translating that to Big Agnes partners everywhere. We’re set to sell and use Big Agnes going forward. See you on the other side of COVID.”

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About Big Agnes: Named for a peak in the nearby Mt. Zirkel Wilderness, Big Agnes®, Inc. is located in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and produces award-winning sleeping bags, pads, tents and camp furniture. For more information, visit www.bigagnes.com or call 1-877-554-8975.

KC HiLiTES, the creator of the first off-road light in 1970, has teamed up with Backbone Media as its public relations agency of record.

 

“For over 50 years, the KC brand has been a symbol of adventure, freedom, quality, and performance. We create iconic looking and high performing products engineered in the extremes for those who have a thirst for the paths less traveled,” said Alan Wang, CEO of KC. “We stand for the outdoor enthusiasts – from off-roaders, professional racers, overlanders, hikers, mountain bikers and everyone in between – because that’s who we are, and we make products that allow us all to Adventure Further.”

“Backbone Media, with its expertise in the active lifestyle market and its portfolio of leading lifestyle brands, will be a key partner in our ongoing storytelling in our 50th year of business” said Ali Sedghat.

 

With headquarters in Williams, Arizona, the family run and operated, KC has maintained a focus on quality and customer service.  KC’s lights are designed and built to be tough, built to last and built with an absolute commitment to quality that is backed by an industry leading limited 23-year warranty.

From their start with KC’s Daylighter®, which has become the global icon in the lighting industry, they’ve evolved to products that include PRO6, Apollo Pro, SlimLite, Carbon POD, LZR LEDs, Gravity LEDs , Cyclone, and various series of technology-driven LED lights with vehicle racks to complete every off-road setup.

“In 2020 KC has several new and exciting lighting options launching, and we’re excited to help KC connect with the first time off-roader, seasoned van lifer, and the veteran desert racer to equip their vehicle to go further into the night” said Nate Simmons, President of Backbone Media.

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About KC Inc.

Since 1970, KC has been manufacturing auxiliary performance lighting for off-road vehicles. Our mission is to deliver performance built, rigorously tested lighting solutions to consumers all over the world. We are committed to placing ingenuity, quality and value at the heart of every KC product and delivering unmatched levels of customer service and support. 2020 is KC’s 50^th year in operation.

 

Our vision is to create a brighter world, full of adventure through meaningful experiences with each other.

Our mission is to design premium unique products that illuminate life’s adventures.

 

 

 

About Backbone Media

Backbone Media targets, engages and inspires the active lifestyle audience through public relations, social media, media planning and buying. For more than 20 years, Backbone has worked with leading outdoor gear, apparel, technology, and food and beverage brands, as well as tourism destinations around the world. Backbone has offices in Carbondale and Denver, Colorado, and is a six-time recipient Outside magazine’s “Best Places to Work” award. For more about Backbone Media, visit www.backbonemedia.net

Active lifestyle brand, Thule, has created a comprehensive, interactive experience in place of their custom brand showcases for 2020. This unique approach combines an interactive global online sales tool, premium videos for new 2021 products, and a 360-degree virtual walkthrough of their retail showroom. These tools will provide their sales teams, retailers, and media with everything they would have seen in-person at their launch events. This new brand presentation for retailers and media is available now.  

Due to the cancelation of their two product showcases and other trade and media events, Thule has created a complete online experience to showcase the brand, new products, and retail merchandising solutions. Thule has brought to life the brand, its portfolio of new products, and retail display concepts in a first-class presentation using an interactive global online sales tool, video presentations, and a 360 a virtual walkthrough of their retail space by category allowing viewers to navigate the area from their laptop, tablet or smartphone.  

In 2019, Thule hosted their first Thule City to Summit product showcase in Denver, Colo. during the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market tradeshow, and the new format was hugely successful for the brand and set a new standard within the industry. “While the same event was planned for 2020, the cancellation of the physical trade show and limitations around travel and large events due to the Covid-19 pandemic created an obvious need for a virtual presentation like this,” said Fred Clark, Thule Group Americas President. “Each element created lends itself well to a brand like ours as we have several categories with many different types of retailers and media to reach. We are excited to be able to showcase our brand using these new formats. This type of innovative technology that will certainly be a part of our industry in the years to come.”

This virtual Thule experience brings together all Thule product categories using an interactive digital workbook complete with new product information and feature videos, dynamic navigation to cross-reference categories, and a link to their online ordering tool. This global sales tool is customized by region, including product assortments, and video voice-overs and copy translated into 13 languages. 

In addition to the digital workbook, an interactive retail experience was designed by constructing a full-scale retail showroom in Thule’s warehouse complete with their retail concept, new products, and vehicle vignettes in a first-class presentation. Using 360-degree walk-thru technology, viewers can navigate the space from their laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Like a digital map’s “street view” experience, retailers have a first-person view of the brand’s various merchandising solutions. Within the space, Thule showcases new “shop-in-shop” concepts for each category, allowing customers to visualize how the products and displays will look in a retail environment. Virtual PR presentations were developed to take media through the latest carriers and racks, rooftop tents, luggage and bags, and strollers, and other child carriers.  

This new virtual experience for Thule offers its network of dealers, retail customers, and media an experience that is as close to a physical showcase as possible. The brand is excited to offer this new tool and looks forward to sharing what’s in store for 2020 and 2021. Authorized Thule Dealers looking for more information about this tool and access are advised to contact their Thule sales representative.

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For more information, please contact: 
Chris Ritchie, PR & Communications Manager
E-mail: Chris.Ritchie@thule.com 
Phone: +617-435-2014

Austin Caron, PR Account Manager, Backbone Media
E-mail: Austin.Caron@backbonemedia.net
Phone: 970.963.4873 ext. 180


 

For more information on Thule products, visit: thule.com

About Thule

The Thule brand was established in 1942. Under the motto Bring your life, Thule globally offers a wide range of premium products for active people that allow them to bring what they care most for – safely, easily and in style.

Thule designs and manufactures roof racks, bike, water and winter sport carriers, roof boxes, computer, and camera bags, sports bags and backpacks and child-related products such as baby joggers, child bike seats and bike trailers. The products are sold in more than 140 countries world-wide.

Thule is the largest brand in Thule Group.

thule.com