Rock Fight

Survey time! The Rock Fight podcast has grown tremendously over the past two years and we're curious what you think about the show. If we could trouble you for a few minutes of your time, please take the 12 question survey that is linked in the comments of this post. We thought about offering a gift to those who took the survey but then we decided that not throwing rocks at you would be enough of a present. So, yeah, take the damn survey. Thank you!

Acclaimed Outdoor Journalist Doug Schnitzspahn Joins The Rock Fight Podcast Network with Open Container

Yesterday the President signed into law the EXPLORE Act. I still find it hard to believe those words and what they will mean to recreation, landscapes, jobs and economies across the country. From the idea to reform the permitting system for river and mountain guides initiated in a windowless Marriott conference room over a decade ago, to the last minute push by hunters to successfully remove a Senate objection, seeing the decades of work by communities, associations, businesses, hill staff, local elected leaders and EVERY segment of the recreation economy is something I will be eternally proud of being a small part of. This isn’t just great policy, this is the $1.2 Trillion Recreation Economy standing on its own for the first time and passing a long and comprehensive bill without having to be attached to something larger and getting it done in the best of ways- bipartisan and with unanimous consent. There are endless groups and people who were part of this monumental achievement and I will do my best in the coming weeks to thank each one of you. For now, I hope we can feel really good about what we were part of, the friendships we have built and the millions of people who will benefit from time outside and the livelihoods it will support. Pictures from people and places in 2024 that helped move us forward including the All Star ORR Team! #EXPLORE thanks- Bryan Petit Mitchell Butler John R. Tanner Brandon Bragato Terry Camp Anita Butler Fred C. Ferguson Sean Byrne Charles Cooper George Cooper Aaron Bannon Christopher Fussell Steven Foy Taldi Harrison Callie Hoyt Jason Rano Scott Schloegel Louis Geltman Adam Cramer Luis Guillermo Benitez Sasha DiGiulian Jason Keith Frank Hugelmeyer Kristine Stratton Joel Webster Bill Lee Katherine Andrews Stacy Bare Mike Leonard Glenn Hughes Tania Lown-Hecht Thomas O'Keefe Dan Nordstrom Rebecca Bear (she/her/hers) Michael Happe Cody Wertz Grant Colvin Hannah Wintucky Jackie Ostfeld Western Governors' Association National Association of Counties and so many more!

Hello to all of our new followers! If you've followed us here on LinkedIn then you must enjoy a good rock fight. And in that case we invite to sign up for our weekly newsletter: NEWS FROM THE FRONT! If you'd like a sample of what we have in store for you, click the link in the comments to see the most recent edition of NFTF (spoiler alert: You'll get to see some absolutely gnarly photos of Justin Housman's leg) and you can also click the link the comments to sign up so you receive the next one. News From The Front from your pals here at Rock Fight... Now you can get a rock fight in your inbox! #outdoorindustry #newsletter #media

Who is ready for the Rock Fight Book Club? This month's title: The Curse of the Vampire Yeti There's no MYSTERY who killed the RANCH. The only question is- Was it worth it? So exciting! Should be a good one.

De-zombify your shop this season with Buff Layer, Zombie Hunter! In the shadowed aisles of the retail world’s upside down, one champion takes on the shambling brands that refuse their final rest. That champion is Buff Layer, Zombie Hunter. Armed with her Mighty Audit Axe, she cleaves through the decay of dead stock, while her Price Gun delivers the mercy of markdown to the undead. Her Spotlight pierces the darkness to assess the riz, revealing those brands cursed to linger beyond their mortal season. Uncovering hidden insights buried in mounds of outdated data. Buff Layer stalks the line between retail damnation and salvation. She’s the creative destructor and the best hope for a zombie-free season. Buff Layer Zombie Hunter is the latest from Rock Fight Action Figures... Collect 'em All!

On today's episode of THE ROCK FIGHT Justin Housman and Colin True drafted outdoor sports from 7 different categories. Here are their lineups and we need you to vote on who has the best team of outdoor sports! The Fighting Housmans Water: Surfing Wheeled: Overlanding Trail: Hiking Camping: Horsepacking Snow: Resort Skiing Climbing: Alpinism (mountaineering) Wild Card: Base Jumping A True Winner Water: Sea Kayaking Wheeled: Mountain Biking Trail: Trail Running Camping: Backpacking Snow: Backcountry Skiing Climbing: Bouldering Wild Card: Skimboarding To hear the draft, listen to the episode at the link in comments or on your favorite podcast app. #outdoorindustry #podcast #vote

FROM THE ROCK FIGHT NEWS DESK: Nike Names Former Adams College Quarterback Stan Gable as New CEO: Vows to?‘remove nerds from campus’?in bid to return?brand to former glory and gain control of Greek Council. Beaverton, OR - In a surprise move, Nike has named Stan Gable, a company veteran and former Adams College quarterback, as its new CEO, succeeding John Donahoe after Nike’s financial struggles in 2024. Gable’s return comes at a critical time as Nike attempts to recover from significant losses, including $25 billion in market cap in a single day, and control of the Greek Council.?While the company achieved $50 billion in annual sales, some believe Nike has lost its innovative edge, relying too much on retro products and missing opportunities for groundbreaking innovation. Gable’s no-nonsense, anti-nerd approach may signal a shift back to a focus on athletic excellence, cutting-edge design, and aggressive marketing. "I’m thrilled to welcome Stan back to Nike," said Executive Chairman Mark Parker. "His global expertise, tenacious leadership style, and passion for sport make him the perfect choice to guide us through this pivotal time. Stan’s nerd-averse competitive drive is exactly what Nike needs to lead us back to the top." Gable has been critical of Nike’s recent focus on data-driven direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing strategies, which alienated key wholesale partners and led to brand dilution. His vision focuses on reviving product innovation, re-engaging wholesale partners, and restoring Nike’s brand dominance. "We’ve focused too much on performance marketing and not enough on product performance. It’s time to remove the nerds from Nike’s campus and return to what we do best: winning," Gable said. Industry experts are watching closely. Not lost on observers is the fact that norms of Gable’s 1980’s prior experience are no longer socially acceptable, or even legal, and may not apply to today’s vastly different market conditions. Or the obvious need for ‘nerds’ in the R&D and IT functions that will be critical to?successfully commercializing footwear innovation. While a popular pick with rank and file, it remains to be seen if Mr. Gable can balance the needs of a $50B enterprise, or is he just another ogre fighting a losing battle to progress.

FROM THE ROCK FIGHT NEWS DESK: Backcountry’s new owner looking to ‘shaker things up’ on the trail. In a surprising move, digital first consumer-centric conglomerate CSC Generation, owner of premium home goods brands Sur La Table and One Kings Lane,?has acquired outdoor retailer?Backcountry.com. As part of the deal, CSC promises to "bring elegance, comfort, and an ergonomic, ‘Leave No Trace’ sensibility to basecamp living.” The news is causing mixed reactions in the outdoor community. Some praise the new ownership’s track record of breathing new life into distressed retail brands by leveraging their expertise in technology, data, and operations. Others look forward to the improved styling of camp kitchenware, including Gearhead-grade wooden spoons. While still others worry about the potential environmental impact of contemporary designer dining sets littering our wild spaces. Calls for comment at Everest basecamp were not returned, although it is doubtful anyone would notice another abandoned hutch or armoire.

It's been 12 years since I left backcountry.com, and my 13 years there were incredibly impactful. I learned how to build brands, teams, software, and develop strategy. When I left Backcountry.com in January 2013, it was evident that relying solely on selling other brands online for revenue would challenge the business. I had an alternative plan that was not supported, so I left, and the goat moved away from the core outdoor athlete to the squishy middle. It's difficult to witness something you helped create become a distressed asset. Most of my best friends are the people who built backcountry. We should all pour one out for the goat. Rock Fight broke this news. Strangely, there has been no official PR. https://lnkd.in/gmucGiYV