Kicks Analysis 2017 #2: Conference Sponsorships
Not much to say other than the powerhouse conferences have an affinity to Nike. The ACC has the most teams this year with eight followed by seven from the Big Ten.
Passion
Xbox Accessories
Need to pick up a few things.
A controller.
A charging station with batteries for two controllers.
Kicks Analysis 2017 #1: Shoe Sponsorship
The first kicks analysis of every Big Dance is the overall makeup of the dancing shoes, specifically who makes’em. My first kicks examination failed for several teams – North Dakota, Middle Tennessee, Dayton, NC Central, Vermont, Iona, and the play-in matchups. Obviously, I’ll have to update my charts after the first round when I get another look at the teams. So far, the 2017 breakdown looks like this.
Nike’s numbers are significantly down from 2016, going from 62% to 53%, and Adidas took a five-point hit dropping behind Under Armour. Looks like Under Armour rode the success of the Curry line and sponsored more teams who found their way to the Dance. Again, things are going to be different after my info is finalized and that remaining 11% is properly allocated.
The annual sponsorship chart doesn’t show a favorable trend for Nike, losing ground the past two years.
Adidas surprisingly has been relatively flat. With their latest shoe successes, future trends should definitely show an uptick, probably at the cost to Under Armour. Since the successes of the Curry 1 and 2 models, attraction to the Curry 3 has been mild, and with Steph himself having an off-year, the hype for UA shoes just isn’t the same.
Update
Here are the updated charts, and Nike and Adidas picked up more teams with UA staying even.
Launching Kicks Analysis 2017
Last year, I was late with my 2016 Kicks Analysis with the Warriors of Hawaii making a run in the Dance. But in 2017, Hawaii’s done (although they did get to play in the postseason), so I have some time to launch this year’s Kicks Analysis – a little early but also a little incomplete.
With the overall March Madness underway, I have to recognize Adidas for their team shoe lineups. Adidas has done a fantastic job outfitting teams with customized shoe models based on the Crazy Explosive, Dame 3, and Harden Vol 1. Check them out.
In fact, I’m so enthralled by Adidas’ offerings that if my bracket is a winner, I made a kicks vow to get one of these team shoes (aiming for the Kansas Crazy Explosive Low). But that’s if these team kicks become publicly available. If not available, the general release version will have to suffice.
Rediscover Pulpconnection
With some self-imposed downtime, I used this opportunity to look over my site, make some updates, and even rediscover a thing or two.
Amazon Store
Heh, I had forgetten that I have a store on Amazon where I highlight items mentioned here. I had strayed away from this Amazon store for awhile, trying different things, but the store’s still there so why not clean it up?
I removed some older products and added in more items including a section dedicated to the Olympus OM-D EM10 Mk II. I added a few more sections and moved products around to better fit the new sections. This store is also a good place for me to bookmark often used consumables that I need to restock on periodically.
Menus
I didn’t like the feel and flow of my previous menus, so I changed things up a little. I’m still not certain if the current menus will stay though. I need to include more categories to really capture the content on my site. Building these content pages are harder than I would have thought unless I’m doing it wrong.
Email Subscription
Although I had never sent out an email newsletter for Pulpconnection before, I did set up a TinyLetter account where you can sign up to get email notifications. And yes, I actually did send out my first email newsletter this weekend (more so to learn about TinyLetter). Will I keep this up? Not sure, but again, it is a resource that I can tap into.
Fruity Background
With a 20% discount at iStock, I figured it was time to get a high quality image to serve as the background image of Pulpconnection. Going with a pulpy theme, I like the dark wood backdrop with the bright citrus fruit accents.
So take a look around and rediscover Pulpconnection like I have. Sign up for email updates and check out (and maybe even buy) stuff from my Amazon store.
North Face at Ross
Yup, North Face is yet another popular brand you can find discounted at Ross. While I’ve see some North Face shoes and shirts at Ross, I had never paid attention to the jackets. But one fateful day at the Hawaii Kai Ross, one shopper had pulled out a few North Face jackets, and that’s when I saw the Millerton jacket in Laurel Wreath Green Depth Camo. Not the classic or digital camo pattern but interesting nonetheless, I found my size and bought it.
That same day, I was at Ala Moana and stopped in the North Face retail store to see more of the Millertons. Displayed at the store entrance was this Millerton in “tigrid” camo.
Also eye catching, but that price tag was a full price $110 unlike the $60 cost at Ross. $60 is still steep for a jacket but compared to the quality and design of other jackets on the rack, I can’t be bummed with this latest Ross find.
North Face Millerton on Amazon
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A Switch for Me
Not a Ninetendo Switch but a Switch from my Canon DSLR to a mirror less Olympus.
And another switch – I bought this OM-D E-M10II locally from Best Buy, not online from Amazon. Camelcamelcamel told me that my target Amazon price was reached and went even lower at $650. Wanting to actually see the smallish camera, I checked Best Buy and wow, it was in stock at $550!! So I switched and bought from Best Buy.
Nordstrom Rack Waikiki Did Not Disappoint
Oh I forgot, but there was one tiny disappointment on my first visit to the Nordstrom Rack in Waikiki, but more on that later. Unbeknownst to me, this location was open from late 2016!
Anyways, a smart marketing ploy of two $5 store credits got me in the store in early 2017, and there was a lot to take in.
Men’s shoes was my first stop and the quantity and quality was superb. Luckily, I didn’t find any shoes for myself, but there were some good ones that I haven’t seen at a Rack before.
The selection of aloha shirts were decent but also overrun with tourists. I’m thinking the Ward location is better for local business attire. I did manage to find decent Reyn Spooner shirts.
Even though I did not buy this Mighty Mouse tee, I think this trip definitely did elevate my style.
Oh, the lone disappointment of this otherwise success? Those store credits weren’t valid until later on. So yes, another trip is in order…
Mr. Tea Ala Moana Now Open
Nitrogenie closed for business only in the beginning of February, but already its space has been occupied. Mr. Tea is open for business, and although the store interior does look a little Spartan, customers are exiting with drinks in hand.
I don’t know about Mr. Tea or if there are other locations, but with a name like that, I was hoping for some kind of rtheme based on the larger-than-life Mr. T who starred in Rocky and the A-Team. But no, I did not see workers sporting Mohawks or adorned with gold chains. And I doubt the marquee drink is called the “I pity the fool.”
In any case, I’m hoping this business survives in the challenging food environment of the Ewa Wing. Looks like shave ice will be finding its way in the former Magnolia kiosk.
The B. Stands for Box
It should have been obvious. After three visits to B. Patisserie for in-store treats, we’ve always come home with a box of even more goodies. So of course, the “B” must stand for box.
The Changing Profile of Ward
The Ward area in town continues to change Before the Ward Warehouse are is razed, here’s a shot of the changing profile that now includes high rises.
Starbucks Evenings on Oahu
Heh, I didn’t realize that there’s a Starbucks on Oahu featuring its Evenings Menu. Even though the Evening program has been officially cancelled, it still lives on across from Rumours in the Ala Moana Hotel.
The Evenings Program pairs alcohol offerings along with the coffee and espresso lineup with the idea of bringing in customers during the evenings. Although the program is cancelled, it sort of lives on in upscale Starbucks Roastery locations.
If you want to experience the Evenings experience, head on over to the lobby of the Ala Moana Hotel and look for the spacious Starbucks. I’m sure the lines get long when guests visit, but during (daylight) off hours, it’s a pleasant visit compared to the crowds in the mall locations.
