The post I quote explicitly said "AT" == Alpine touring, hence the confusion.
Yep, not criticising. In the DC (flatlander) area I can think of 2 non-REI shops out of~6 that are likely to stock this new thing, there's deffo market.
The post I quote explicitly said "AT" == Alpine touring, hence the confusion.
Pardon my ignorance, but is Dynastar "badging" (or producing) any boot at all? Let alone AT, specific boots?Yeah an alpine shop with AT choices from Atomic, Technica, Fischer, Salomon, Scott, sort of Lange. Really going to add Scarpa? Why not Dynastar instead?
Yeah an alpine shop with AT choices from Atomic, Technica, Fischer, Salomon, Scott, sort of Lange. Really going to add Scarpa?
Pardon my ignorance, but is Dynastar "badging" (or producing) any boot at all? Let alone AT, specific boots?
he’s a Talking Head’s song-
“I’ve changed my brand so many times now, I don’t know what I’m selling…”
I suspect the boot is more freeride than AT. That would make sense as to why it's worth spending to get Bode on board.
Good for him getting paid I guess, but I can't imagine many people putting much stock in his endorsements, especially because they seem to change every year or so.
Its not uncommon for ski/ambassador relationships to last 4-6 years.Given Bode's track record I give it 2 years.
Switching brands is one thing. I would probably argue that most pro skiers switch at least once. Going Fischer > Rossignol > Atomic > Head during his 20 years on the World Cup was probably more than average but not unheard of. However, Bode's endorsement list is a bit of a whirlwind since retiring and he seems to have bounced through roughly as many brands as his whole career in just the five years since retirement. And most of those endorsements have had little to do with what he's famous for other than being under the very broad umbrella of "skiing". Hard not to see him as a bit of a shill at this point.
So four during his five year retirement, four during his 20 year career? I think that was pretty much my point. I don't really put any stock in what Bode says about gear because he'll be talking about some other brand next year But he is a big name that still gets attention so he has that going for him.He's been Bomber - Crosson, Full Tilt - Scarpa since retiring. That's not what I'd call a whirlwind compared to others.
True this. With, perhaps, a very small number of exceptions, these kinds of generic celebrity endorsements don’t add anything to the top line. Most major manufacturers figured this out years ago which is why deals for ex-stars have dried up pretty dramatically.So….how many people of ALL ages walk into a shop and want to look at FT because of Bode? Close to none?
Great insights. Sounds to me like Bodie needs to learn to spend less and put some money away. I’m thinking in five more years his name will become pretty irrelevant regarding product endorsements.Bode is 100% unique. Always has been. And, among those who actually know him, he’s sort of legendary in terms of being cheap, more than a bit self-serving, loving his money, and being “opinionated and confident.”
I’ll throw in one more thing. Up until a couple of years before he met Morgan, he spent very little. Now they appear to spent A LOT, which concerns some. He seems to spend anything on his family.
So…..somebody mentioned the various companies who’s skis he was on during his WC career. It’s well known that each move was to the highest bidder. No equipment testing, no boot consideration. They assured him that they would build whatever he wanted. And that he could drive them crazy. Which he did with so many demands. All about $$$, it appears.
Then the ego comes into play. For a guy who decided not to earn a HS diploma, he us “scary bright.” Smart. Listen to him. Articulate. But he thinks he’s on the same footing as a roomful of Stanford MBA serial start-up guys. He’s just not.
He gave up a certain, LARGE, LONG TERM income opportunity with Head, to “invest in Bomber as an owner…” So what was the income swing there? I hear $10Mil over 20 years. Mostly in lost $$ and relationships with Eliasch. So how did that go? Did he even try the skis first?
Now it’s Crosson. I guess, TBD. I’ll put my money on Hirscher, and his plan.
Boots? Again he wanted money. The two logical companies were Lange and Nordica. Nope, not enough $$. They would provide the boots, and likely pay him something. In the end he worked out a deal with Full Tilt, have PJD make them skiable for him. So….how many people of ALL ages walk into a shop and want to look at FT because of Bode? Close to none? It just seemed odd.
Clothing? Blows off his deal with Kjus. Turns down a deal with Spyder that would pay, yearly, what any of us would think is a lot of money for NO WORK. Nope, he’s going to be an owner and head creative designer for Aztech. Who?
So, now he’s got a deal with Scarpa. I am 110% sure that was brokered by Chris Davenport, who’s known Bode for decades. “Dav” has been very smart with his involvement with Kastle, RedBull, and Scarpa….for years. Has not bounced around.
Even with changing side deals like helmets, goggles, gloves….Bode can’t be close to conventional.
I disagree with some others. There has been a lot of movement. There is reason to question it. I think his partner/sugar daddies in Big Sky are sort of questioning things. I think they thought his role would be like Scot Schmidt’s at the YSC. And I don’t think it is. From what makes it’s way to me.
Bode is a good guy. A very loyal and great friend to many. But, but, those in the PR/Marketing niche of building personal brands feel that he needs to change and rescue things. Before he has no personal brand to build back up. I hear of his situation compared to LV…or Svindal. Very different.
Notice that I have not even mentioned “The Bode Miller Ski Academy.”
Many may not, but some do feel that he looks like a pingpong ball.
I have a friend who owns an oceanfront home on Nantucket. Not a skier. He calls me a few summers ago, asks me about Bode, and “how much do skiers earn?” Bode had rented the house next to his…a big, tremendous house, for a week. And if I remember correctly had a chef,etc. Had chartered a jet to fly in on. Rented 2-3 Jeeps. So my friend says “The last guy to rent this, this way, was Tom Brady.” And no, Bode does not have Tom Brady money.
I’m a fan with minimal insight. I know a lot of mutual friends have questions, concerns. But, Bode always seems to have his next plan in place. At least it seems like he’s not putting money into this one……And it always raises the question of how much money he did put away. Rumor has it that he has hit a couple of home run deals with early stage investments. Not like Lance with Uber, but still very lucrative.
The boot does look impressive. I am sure it will ski well. Hope Bode sells a bunch and adds a lot! I would love to see it.
Right now I struggle to see how Bode could be worth more to Scarpa than Marcus Caston is to Tecnica/Blizzard, as one example.
Strange business. Nothing more to add.