Press Release:
PARTNERSHIP WITH VERIZON WIRELESS TO MAKE 2012 NIKE LOWERS PRO PRODUCTION VIRTUALLY PAPERLESS
SOCIAL: @NikeSurfing @Surfer_Magazine #NIKELOWERSPRO @VerizonInsider
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., April 24, 2012 – Embracing technology to the fullest and with Verizon Wireless as a partner, the 2012 Nike Lowers Pro will be at the forefront of digital innovation.
The result will be an event that runs virtually paper-free for all five days of competition, which will run May 1-5, 2012 at Lower Trestles, San Clemente, Calif.
The enhanced technology will affect all areas of the production of the Nike Lowers Pro from the media, production staff, and announcers, to the registration tent and even the athletes.
Verizon’s advanced 4G LTE wireless network and tablets will eliminate the use of hundreds of pounds of paper used for printing information, heat draws, registration lists, press releases, etc.
“I am excited to be a part of this year’s Nike Lowers Pro,” said Verizon’s Marketing Manager Tommy Campagne.
“Our goal is to provide superior 4G LTE service while working to make the event less harmful on the environment.”
Media and staff will work from Verizon 4G LTE MiFi aircards to upload photos and HD videos to media outlets, the event website, and social media. The broadcast team and event announcers will use tablets to review HD video highlights, receive instant information and updates, photos, and tweets. The tablets will be powered by the technologically-advanced, fast and reliable Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network.
Registration for athletes, media and VIPs will go wireless too, utilizing the Verizon tablets for the check-in process. Athletes and their families will also benefit from the wireless network to communicate online with family, friends, and fans via Facetime or Skype, both of which require a strong WiFi signal.
With all five days of competition broadcast in HD-quality live on an event webcast, the 2012 Nike Lowers Pro will be at the forefront of digital innovation in the surf industry.
The Nike Lowers Pro returns to San Clemente, Calif., for the fifth consecutive year, May 1-5. The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) PRIME contest is one of only two events of the highest caliber on the US Mainland this year, and touts a $250,000 prize purse with a highly coveted one-of-a-kind 14-karat gold railroad spike trophy worth more than $30,000.
Look for the Nike Lowers Pro on June 16 at 1 pm ET/10 am PT on NBC. The event airs as part of the “Red Bull Signature Series,” the most progressive and innovative surfing, snowboarding, mountain biking, freestyle motocross, ice cross downhill, skiing and BMX events, showcased on custom courses from the inspiration of the athletes themselves. For more information, visit redbullsignatureseries.com.
For more information on the Nike Lowers Pro, follow the action before, during and after the event online at NikeLowersPro.com, on Facebook NikeSurfing and SurferMag and on Twitter and Instagram @NikeSurfing and @Surfer_Magazine. Start the discussion using #NIKELOWERSPRO right now.
The 2012 Nike Lowers Pro would not be possible without the generous support of sponsors. Special thanks go out to Nike and other event partners Oakley, Verizon, Red Bull, SURFER and ASP.
About Nike Action
Engineered for world-class athletes, Nike Action unites the performance innovation of Nike with a deep commitment to the history, creativity, and raw athleticism of action sports. With a focus on Skateboarding, Snowboarding and Surfing, our footwear and apparel merge advanced materials and design with classic styling, driven by the voice of our athletes. Based at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Action is dedicated to inspiring and supporting the world of action sports.
About SURFER
In 1960, SURFER Magazine began as the original. After a long history of delivering provocative and insightful editorial features, revealing interviews and award winning state-of-the-art photography, SURFER remains the authoritative voice of the surfing world and thus earned the moniker “the bible of the sport.” The SURFER brand has also grown to include Surfermag.com, Fantasy Surfer, and the SURFER message boards.
All of these assets combine to make the SURFER network the most current and reliable channel of information to the surf community. The magazine is published by Source Interlink’s GrindMedia, which reaches more than 22-million active sports enthusiasts through an integrated network of magazines, online properties, events and television programming. To learn more, visit surfermag.com.
About GrindMedia
Source Interlink Media’s GrindMedia is home to renowned action and adventure sports magazine brands Surfer, Surfing, Snowboarder, Skateboarder, Powder, Bike, Canoe & Kayak, SUP-Standup Paddler, Dirt Rider, ATV Rider, and Paved. Along with our standalone websites, including GrindTV.com, Newschoolers and Motocross.com, GrindMedia is the leading provider of print and online action sports and entertainment content in the United States.
Delivering significant reach across both action sports enthusiast and various in-market consumer audiences, GrindMedia produces more than 20 leading events and webcasts such as Surfer Poll Awards, Powder Video Awards, Nike 6.0 Lowers Pro, EnduroCross and International Surfing Day. Grind Media is also the exclusive action and adventure sports content provider for Yahoo! Sports. To learn more, visit grindmedia.com.
