While it’s been in the works for a couple months, Patagonia officially announced today that it has signed snowboarders Josh Dirksen, Forrest Shearer, and Ryland Bell to its ambassador team. The new riders were added to the team as part of Patagonia’s increased focus on the snow market and updated outerwear program, and will play a critical role in the design process going forward.
“I’m pleased to welcome Ryland, Josh and Forrest to the Patagonia family,” says Josh Nielson, Patagonia’s grassroots marketer and ambassador liaison, “This group of athletes represents a growing demographic of savvy backcountry riders who demand technical products suited specifically to their needs. We look forward to working closely and collaboratively with these guys as we continue to build the best product on the market while causing the least environmental harm.”
Rumors began flying about the move when Dirksen announced that he was leaving long-time sponsor Bonfire. Dirksen explains, “Now that I’m putting so much time into splitboarding to access my lines and riding more technical terrain, I need clothing that will work perfectly for all situations. I want to eliminate as many X-factors as possible when I’m out there and I know that with Patagonia gear, I don’t need to think twice.”
Here’s more from the release:
Patagonia’s environmental efforts and cause-the-least-amount-of-harm design ethics played a role in the snowboarders’ decision to join the company as Ambassadors. Says Forrest Shearer “I want to be involved with environmentally responsible companies because that’s what is important to me. Patagonia thinks about the products they make and tries to have the least amount of impact. The company has a killer history of taking remarkable steps not only in snowsports, but in all aspects of business.”
Bell, an Alaska native and Squaw Valley local says,” I’m excited to apply the heritage of Patagonia’s technology and design specifically to snowboarding. Having high-end, light, performance gear is the difference between struggling and being comfortable in the mountains. I’m really looking forward to taking snowboarding apparel to the next level.”
Bell, Dirksen and Shearer join a team of Ambassadors that includes surfing’s Malloy Brothers, Gerry Lopez and climbing’s Tommy Caldwell, Sonny Trotter and other notable athletes at the height of their sports.
About Patagonia
Patagonia, with sales last year of over $400M, is noted internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism. Incorporating environmental responsibility in to product development, the company has, since 1996, used only organically grown cotton in its clothing line. With its most recent launch of synthetic fiber-to-fiber recycling, Patagonia is taking back worn-out polyester and nylon clothing and reincarnating it as new products, forever capturing the raw materials used in making virgin fiber. The company also advocates corporate transparency through its interactive website, The Footprint Chronicles, which outlines the environmental and social footprint of individual products. Patagonia was featured as The Coolest Company on the Planet on Fortune Magazine’s April 2007 cover.
No comments:
Post a Comment