INTERVIEWS

Kelly Bird Explains the Difference Between Nike SB and Other Skate Shoe Brands

Published

5 years ago

August 23, 2018

Skate Newswire

Kelly Bird has enjoyed a 25-year tenure in skateboarding on both sides of the desk. After a career as a pro in the ‘90s, he graduated into the role of industry guy with brands including DC Shoes and Lakai. Bird is currently working as the Brand Manager at Nike SB. As someone that’s worked at multiple shoe companies and been outspoken in the past about corporate involvement in skateboarding, Kelly has a unique perspective on the difference between a brand like Nike and those birthed by skateboarding. He breaks it down succinctly in his new interview with The Chrome Ball Incident.

Look, when Nike got into skateboarding this third time, they clearly figured out the right way to go about it. Obviously, their product is incredible, but also the level of service that they were bringing to their riders, compared to any other skate brand, was undeniable. For those who want to knock Nike, skateboarding had 30 years to figure out how to treat these dudes like professionals. But we didn’t do it. So you can’t be mad at a brand that comes in with an elevated sense of how professional skateboarders should be treated.

For more on Bird, head over to Chrome Ball to read the full interview.

Image Via CemporcentoSKATE

INTERVIEWS

Justin Sommer Featured in Santa Cruz’s True Grit

Published

2 months ago

January 20, 2023

Skate Newswire

Follow the journey of German skateboarding prodigy Justin Sommer in this episode of True Grit, a docu-series produced by Santa Cruz Skateboards.

Born to young parents, he was practically raised in the streets of Berlin where he got introduced to skateboarding. Justin learned the ropes from his older friends.

He also fell into wayward life when he was younger. But with the help of his genuine friends, he was able to steer in the right direction and has now made a successful career in skateboarding.

INTERVIEWS

Kelly Bird Opens Up in Latest The Nine Club Episode

Published

3 months ago

December 28, 2022

Skate Newswire

Nike SB Global Brand Manager Kelly Bird opens up about growing up in Houston, getting into skateboarding, becoming a pro, and eventually transitioning to the industry side of skateboarding.

Before he became the global brand manager of Nike SB, Kelly worked for DC Shoes and Lakai Footwear.

INTERVIEWS

Catch Up with Mariah Duran in the Latest Nine Club Episode

Published

3 months ago

December 20, 2022

Skate Newswire

Pro skater Mariah Duran has always been into sports as a young kid, she revealed in the latest episode of The Nine Club.

The goofy-footed skater from Albuquerque, New Mexico got introduced to skateboarding when she was around 10. Initially, she would borrow his brother’s board, but her mom eventually bought her a board.

She was also into softball when she was younger and basketball when she was in high school. Later on, she shifted her focus to skateboarding.

Mariah won the USA Skateboarding National Championships Womens Street in 2019, and 2021. She placed 4th in the most recent competition.

She is also a two-time X Games gold medalist for Women’s Street Skateboarding.