- Surf Industry Recognizes Its Most Influential Companies With 7th Annual Awards Program - ALISO VIEJO, Calif. (March 16, 2009) -The Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) is proud to announce the list of nominees for the seventh annual SIMA Image Awards, the only awards program that gives the surf industry the opportunity to recognize fellow surf industry companies for their outstanding contributions to the industry. The goal of the SIMA Image Awards is to identify the surf industry's most influential companies and recognize them for their efforts to advance and grow the industry over the past year. This year, companies will be recognized in 15 categories: Accessory Product of the Year, Environmental Product of the Year, Footwear Product of the Year, Surfboard Model of the Year, Wetsuit of the Year, Men's Marketing Campaign of the Year, Men's Apparel Brand of the Year, Men's Boardshort of the Year, Men's Retailer of the Year, Women's Marketing Campaign of the Year, Women's Apparel Brand of the Year, Women's Swim Brand of the Year, Women's Retailer of the Year, Breakthrough Retailer of the Year and Breakthrough Brand of the Year. "SIMA is excited to announce a very deserving line-up of 2009 Image Award nominees," said Dick Baker, SIMA chairman emeritus. "To be a final nominee is an honor as each category received more entries than ever this year. We hope all nominees are stoked, as they were selected by their peers from a very competitive group of entries. This speaks to the growing reputation and influence of the SIMA Image Awards, and we look forward to honoring this year's nominees at Surf Summit."
Criteria: Recognizing the small- to mid-size men's or women's brand that experienced breakthrough growth between January 1 and December 31, 2008. Consider surfboard, apparel, footwear, wetsuit and accessory brands that had a breakthrough year through product development and/or increased brand recognition and appeal. Nominated companies can be new or established brands, but must have annual U.S. sales of at least $1 million and no more than $25 million. Atwater
Criteria: Awarded to the accessory product at retail between January 1 and December 31, 2008 that featured the most exciting design, appeal or innovation. Accessory products such as watches, eyewear, bags, fins, etc. can be considered. See a complete list of the nominees at simaimageawards.com.
SURF INDUSTRY MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES NOMINEES FOR 2009 SIMA IMAGE AWARDS
Breakthrough Brand of the Year
Firewire Surfboards
Sanuk Footwear
Skullcandy (skullcandy.com)
Von Zipper
Accessory Product of the Year
Double Agent Headphones by Skullcandy - See Product
Infiniti Drylock Boot by Xcel
iPhone Application by Electric Visual
Master Blaster Headphones by Nixon
Ultimate Tide Watch by Rip Curl
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony during SIMA Surf Summit 12 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, May 6-9, 2009. The awards ceremony will again feature a video component highlighting and introducing each nominee and winner.
