Beer Break: A Colorado Brew and Bukowski Quote
The first in an occasional series in which I forego my usual deep dive and let the art (mostly) speak for itself. To begin, an IPA from Nederland and a quote from Charles Bukowski.
Welcome
I’m a recovering journalist who now works in corporate communications and public relations (aka the “Dark Side”), but I write on the side to keep at least some of the journo cred I established over a 20-year career.
If you need a reliable freelancer, I do have some availability for the right opportunity. Why hire me? I’m an award-winning business reporter who has covered breaking news, market trends and M&A across the outdoor and snowsports industries, most recently for the B2B trade publications Outside Business Journal and SGB Media, before switching careers.
See below for a sampling of my work, or visit my portfolio page for a comprehensive look at my writing. Connect with me on LinkedIn, follow on Twitter and hit me up anytime at ericsmithwriter@gmail.com.
Be sure to check out my blog, “A Fan’s Notes,” which I recently revived.
Cheers!
Eric
Recent articles
An Ode to ‘Annie Hall’
“I would never want to belong to any club that would have someone like me for a member”—except maybe a club for fans of the film “Annie Hall.” My latest is a deep dive into Woody Allen’s 1977 masterpiece.
It Was My Fate to Be a Denver Broncos Fan
The story of my lifelong Broncos fandom begins nearly five decades ago, far from the Mile High City and in the unlikeliest of ways. For my latest blog, I detail the unusual path I took to becoming a Denver diehard.
Revisiting One of My Favorite Poems
My latest is a deep dive into a poem by Charles Baudelaire that advises us to “be always drunken”—but not only with alcohol. I explore my relationship with the poem and what it means to also “be drunk on poetry and virtue.”
Three Decades (and Counting) of Steely Dan Fandom
For more than three decades, I’ve been a devotee of the band Steely Dan—or simply The Dan, which was the brainchild of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker. My latest blog explores 30-plus years of being a Danfan.
Introducing ‘A Fan’s Notes,’ the Blog
Welcome to the first installment of my newly launched blog, “A Fan’s Notes.” The title comes from one of my favorite books, Frederick Exley’s 1968 “fictional memoir” of the same name.
Successful Succession
Succession planning is critical in securing long-term success for future owners of a business, and cementing the legacy of current ones.
The Risk of Not Investing in Tech
A look at the costs of investing—or not investing—in the latest the latest software and what the future may bring.
What's Next in Ski Area Technology?
Tech vendors dish on how diffierent innovations can help reduce friction and improve the guest experience.
Interview: Agile Supply Chain Helps Drive a Company’s Financial Success
A smoothly run supply chain and procurement department operates in anonymity, and that’s traditionally been the case at Vista Outdoor, according to David Stokoe, Vice President Strategic Procurement and head of the company’s Supply Chain Center of Excellence.
The two young entrepreneurs taking over a century-old boot company
Limmer Boots has produced world-class footwear since 1919. After working through a few years of transition, the business has new leadership in Chris Sawyer and Adam Lane-Olsen, two brand loyalists who want to carry the company's legacy forward.
BOA chief executive: 'We have fewer brand partners today than five years ago—and that’s on purpose'
Shawn Neville, who joined BOA five years ago, dishes on his company’s recent ownership change, how Covid impacted demand, threats to the brand’s success, and what’s next.
Spyder Footwear executive dishes on the brand’s launch, aspirations
Former Amer Sports sales director Jon Hanson plans to make a name for the nascent brand reminiscent of Spyder's rise to prominence in skiwear.
Stocks update: Outdoor industry continues to climb out of deep hole
More outdoor companies saw their shares grow rather than decline in October, but the industry still lags behind other sectors as supply chain concerns intensify.
Outdoor industry sales numbers grew moderately in Q3, despite headwinds
In the third quarter, even in the face of continued supply chain congestion, outdoor-focused public companies continued to post positive sales and profit figures.
Solo Brands went public today. Here's where the IPO pricing landed.
The recently formed parent company of four outdoor brands began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday.
Why is Patagonia now selling wine?
Patagonia Provisions this week unveiled a collection of wines, ciders, and sake, bolstering its existing lineup of food and beer.
REI opens first Wyoming location with new Jackson Hole store
The co-op, which has offered adventure tours in Wyoming for more than a decade, on Nov. 5 will open its first store in the state.
PrimaLoft steps into the spotlight with its first consumer-focused campaign
The ingredient brand—which “people feel but usually don’t see,” in the words of CEO Mike Joyce—is now talking directly to those who buy the products its technologies enhance.
Market research company NPD Group sold to PE firm
NPD Group, which tracks product sales data for the outdoors and numerous other industries, found itself in the crosshairs of one outdoor group earlier this year.
Outdoor DEI coalition Together Outdoors unveils council members
Together Outdoors, a coalition supported by the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable and composed of businesses across the outdoors, has grown to 77 member organizations.
6 films about outdoor equity compete for $25,000 production grant
The Redford Center is highlighting films that present the myriad benefits of being outdoors while also shining a spotlight on the current, historical, and social inequities of nature accessibility.
REI to close on Black Friday for seventh year in a row
REI is continuing its annual #OptOutside campaign—despite a tough sales environment due to Covid in 2020—by closing its doors on Black Friday and encouraging customers to spend time outdoors.
Solo Brands—owner of Solo Stove, Oru Kayak, and more—announces IPO
Only incorporated since June and currently PE-backed, the platform is already preparing to go public as it looks to leverage the success of its four outdoor brands.
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