Well done Kelly...
Never thought id see it, but looks like Slats will have a new sticker soon......
https://www.facebook.com/KellySlater/posts/10152072551569226
My initial thought is "Check the date..."
But then he mentions Kering, who own Volcom. Also, if it is a joke it's in peculiar taste "[Kering] share my values and have the ability to support me in all of my endeavors." So Quiksilver don't..?
I'm waiting for further notice.
http://www.aspworldtour.com/posts/35202/slater-splits-with-quiksilver
Yeah but it's the same open letter with no new quotes or info. And considering Kelly and Quik's clout with the ASP it would be very easy to have them play along.
Still skeptical...
Very skeptical...
No tweets or insta posts and to not make mention of April Fools in such a serious post and such a big prank day...
Have I been done? It certainly has a pungent odour.
Well if you did you're not alone. Over 3,000 people have liked his open letter with 300 shares and 300 comments.
Well.. last year it was announced on April Fools Day that Kelly was joining the Big Wave World Bodyboard Tour.
So, I’m not convinced - I reckon he’s having a lend of everyone again.
yeah sounds a bit weird seeing as it has the 26th march on it but maybe more impact this way being posted on april fools day.Why would he really?
If you dismiss the April Fools connotations, there's plenty of evidence for and against.
No Quik logos on his Margs boards, for one (uploaded to FB yesty).
Ah, but he did the same for Snapper and he was with Quik then..
Ah well spotted! I saw a bunch of water shots from the Goldy and they had Quik stickers on the bottom.
How's the subtle differences on the tails of the boards in Craigs pic.
Why worry he can probably buy it in a few years dirt cheap.
Craig's put both feet in
Odd fit for me, don't see the brand leverage unless he's running Volcom stickers.
Only other angle I can think of is that if Kelly has equity in ZoSea (as he almost certainly does in Kering if this is true) then he's the lever to get the Kering's of the world into sponsoring the ASP. Time will tell.
April Fool's timing is pretty classic but I got a mate down at Margs for the comp and he's hearing its legit apparently. Would also be legally really hard for Kelly to put out a statement like that if it isnt true, one thing to play a joke on your long term employer ... wrapping yourself up in another otherwise innocent brand is playing with fire. Esp when they're public co's, be interesting to see ZQK trading later today.
Just had it confirmed - the story is ridgy didge.
Wow!
Crazy, especially with no statement from Quiksilver yet.
Weird - there’s still two months to go until his five year contract extension is done (it was announced June 9th).
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/outposts/2009/06/kelly-slater-signs-five...
Knew it was legit.... I swear..... knew all along I didz......
Craig wrote:Crazy, especially with no statement from Quiksilver yet.
Probably because it's 2am in California!
So who'd ya have it confirmed by Ben?
He's just expanded a few points in his latest Instagram post. Initially on FB he said:
"For years I've dreamt of developing a brand that combines my love of clean living, responsibility and style. The inspiration for this brand comes from the people and cultures I encounter in my constant global travels and this is my opportunity to build something the way I have always wanted to."
But on Instagram he said:
"I’m excited to announce today that I’m developing a clothing brand that combines my passions of ethics, lifestyle and travel... "
So, it's a 'clothing brand', not just a 'brand' (which could have been anything, really).
donweather wrote:So who'd ya have it confirmed by Ben?
No need for me to reveal sources Don.
Nothing on the Kering home-page in regards to a signing.
I'm still skeptical.
The guy is in his twilight years and has such a history insofar that he owns a small percentage of Quik.
I'm finding this very hard to believe especially with the timing of the announcement.
Fuck me I just googled Kering Kelly Slater its everywhere from Stabmag to Ribald.
Will be interesting to see if this affects the Quiksilver share price. Ordinarily I think brands are immune from this kind of influence, but Kelly is a phenomenon unto himself.
New article up here: Kelly Slater quits Quiksilver
... for managing to concurrently distract the entire global surfing population in the space of sixty minutes.
https://www.facebook.com/KellySlater