This April, board sports retailers got together in Puerto Rico for their retail summit, and Propaganda was invited to participate. Our Resident Brand Strategist, Vipe Desai, moderated a manufacturer’s panel with Tom Holbrook from Quiksilver, Paul Harvey from Rip Curl and Mark Kelly of Global Surf Industries to discuss the evolution of the relationship between manufacturers and retailers in the changing landscape of the action sports industry. The discussion was open and informative for both manufacturers and retailers and was a chance to begin the discussion for opportunities as well as challenges in a changing economy. Attendees enjoyed hearing manufacturers answer some tough questions and understanding that they share many of their challenges with their manufacturers. Vipe also presented the retail seminar: Brands Matter: How to Build A Better Retail Brand. He shared tips and ideas on how specialty retailers can become powerhouse brands within their communities and regions. He also presented thoughts on how to work with non-endemic sponsors to activate store promotions and events while creating an exciting environment for employees and customers. Participants were asked to view their retail stores as a brand and consider the characteristics of a brand and how it relates to their stores. Many participants realized that the opportunities in their own stores and committed to including elements from the seminar to treat their businesses as a unique brand. DOWNLOAD: BRANDS MATTER: HOW TO BUILD A BETTER RETAIL BRAND Propaganda interviewed retailer's that attended the summit on the current retail climate. See what they had to say on the link below. VIEW: BRA RETAIL SUMMIT VIDEO

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The Propaganda team is proud to contribute time to organizations that are committed to improving the world around us. The SIMA Humanitarian Fund is committed to promoting and supporting surf or boardsport related social and humanitarian non-profit organizations whose efforts are focused on improving the quality of life, health, and/or welfare of people. SIMA asked us to graphically translate their message of hope into a new logo. The logo made its debut at this year’s Liquid Nation Ball, where $230,000 was raised for the Humanitarian fund.

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This month, we’d like to re-introduce you to Ty Smith, our Creative Director. Ty was Aussie-born and raised on the East coast of Australia until the age of 11, before settling down in Orange County. He uses experience in relevant design strategies to direct and execute print, new media, web and video strategies. Ty received his bachelors of science with an emphasis in fine arts from Northern Arizona University. Although the curriculum focused on art and new media, he received his real education in the mountains and skate parks of Arizona. Ty spent his winters teaching snowboarding and building innovative terrain parks at the Arizona Snowbowl, and his summers rallying reckless campers at Windells snowboard camp. A life long Surf/Skate/Snow enthusiast Ty's love for board sports is deeply embedded in his DNA. Prior to joining Propaganda, Ty provided creative and product design solutions for companies such as Fyasko Clothing and Pow Gloves. Ty's words to live by: Every day's a great day!