Bikes Belong hires new marketing manager • Scott apologizes for shortage of popular models • Dahon tightens pricing policy
BOULDER, CO (BRAIN) Friday May 11 2012 12:56 PM MT—Bikes Belong has hired a new senior marketing manager, Tim Bock, who comes to the advocacy group with 13 years of communication and marketing experience.
Most recently, Bock ran his own online marketing company, Bocksplace Design, working with brands including Coors Light, Hewlett Packard and United Airlines. Bock previously served as director of marketing for the town of Frisco, Colorado, and as interactive marketing manager at the trade group Colorado Ski Country.
“Tim is the perfect addition to the Bikes Belong team,” said Bruno Maier, vice president of Bikes Belong. “His commitment, understanding of our culture, and his passion for bicycling will be critical as we continue to grow. In addition, Tim’s expertise in online marketing, social integration and mobile technology helps us expand our community and maintain American’s support for safer, stress free bicycling across the country.”
Scott apologizes for shortage of popular models
SUN VALLEY, CA (BRAIN) Friday May 11 2012 1:00 PM MT—Scott Sports is apologizing to its U.S dealers for shortages of two popular bike models this season. The two models, the Foil and the Spark, are the company's offerings in the industry's two hottest categories this season, aero road bikes and 29er mountain bikes, respectively.
"The global demand for these products has exceeded our estimations, and when paired with difficult delivery and lead times from co-suppliers, we have found ourselves unable to 100 percent satisfy this demand," a Scott letter to retailers said.
"Scott Sports would like to apologize for any inconvenience this situation might cause you or your staff. We also want you to know that for 2013 we are taking the necessary steps to increase capacities at our factories and we have already begun adjusting forecasts with our suppliers to increase supply and meet the demand we’ve created."
Dahon tightens pricing policy
LOS ANGELES, CA (BRAIN) Friday May 11 2012 1:06 PM MT—Dahon is adding an addendum to its Minimum Advertised Pricing policy, banning dealers' from using "call for price" promotions to skirt pricing restrictions.
Because of anti-trust laws, suppliers generally can only enforce minimum pricing policies by promising to cut off sales to dealers who price below MAPs. Dahon sales and marketing director Ken Fagut said some bike shops are too quick to break the policy.
"Dahon has had a fairly rigorous MAP Policy for a couple of years now, and recently (yesterday) after reviewing some websites found that we needed to take a firmer stand on MAP," Fagut said in an email to BRAIN. "I have found that it is not the major, large-scale companies that I deal with that are the problem, but the IBD seems to be the first to discount. IBD's complain loudly about Amazon, but in reality, Amazon complies with what is expected of them. Their pricing only changes when an IBD lowers their price, yet when I contact them, they immediately rectify that issue."
Fagut said online sales represent a huge growth area for Dahon and its retailers. "The opportunity to broaden sales into areas or domain, or sectors of the population that may not normally step into an IBD is huge, and retailers that realize this and adjust their sites to be inviting, and informative will find success. Our focus as a company is to provide the supports for success," he said.
Dahon's MAP policy addendum forbids "call-for prices" and "any mention of sale or special pricing will be construed as a violation of our MAP Policy."
The policy allows for a "price holiday" once a year, for no more than 30 days and with a maximum discount of 10 percent."
Triathlon America changes name
SAN DIEGO, CA (BRAIN) Friday May 11 2012 1:18 PM MT—The trade association Triathlon America is expanding its membership beyond the U.S. borders and has changed its name as a result; the organization will now be known as Triathlon Business International.
“When we first launched Triathlon America less than two years ago, we believed that US-based businesses serving the triathlon market were underserved and would benefit from their own industry association,” said the group's Jack Caress. “But triathlon is a global industry, and if we are truly committed to growing the sport and business of triathlon, it is essential that we expand our membership globally and facilitate opportunities to help our members grow their businesses internationally.”
Besides the name change, Triathlon Business International will expand its board to include members from outside the U.S.
