Western & English Today

Spring 2016

W&E; Today provides retailers and manufacturers with education and ideas that provoke innovation in the Western and English markets.

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6 Western & English Today SPRING 2016 INDUSTRY news HOOEY TEAMS UP WITH BULLFIGHTERS ONLY Popular clothing brand Hooey is taking the bull by the horns and sponsoring the new rodeo sports venture, Bullf ghters Only. Formed in 2015, Bullf ghters Only is a quickly expanding initiative to promote the sport of American freestyle bullf ghting. "Basically, our goal is to develop the sport of bullf ghting from the ground up," Bullf ghters Only founder and CEO Aaron Ferguson says. The organization is doing that through edgy social media marketing ef orts, by providing resources to bullf ghters, and by scheduling a 2016 tour of shows featuring well-known professional bull riders. At the end of 2015, the organization collaborated with Hooey's f lm-media marketing platform, HooeyTV, to make an inaugural action video of bullf ghters showcasing their skills. "We partnered up, which was a huge propellant for us on social media and opened a lot of doors for us," Ferguson says. Hooey's support of Bullf ghters Only has continued into 2016, because the partnership is a perfect f t. "It was a natural tie-in," Hooey founder Joey Austin says, "because I built Hooey to celebrate rodeo athletes as action sports athletes. Rodeo was part of my childhood, and I vividly remember some of the great bullf ghters from that era. So when I thought about being able to make this generation of bullf ghters be perceived as modern-day athletes, I jumped at the opportunity." www.bullf ghtersonly.com, www.getyourhooey.com AMBER VANWY JOINS TWISTED X BOOTS Twisted X Boots has named Amber Vanwy, former brand manager for Durango, as its new director of marketing. Vanwy plans to put her many years of marketing experience to good use helping to grow the 10-year-old company. "I'm excited about the company itself," Vanwy says. "It's relatively new, but it's been experiencing a lot of growth, and it's really focused on the people and the products. I'm excited to be part of that." In addition to Twisted X's estab- lished Western-style footwear, Vanwy hopes to expand the company's reach into other fashion, comfort, and casual-wear markets as well, especially through Twisted X's moccasin line. www.twistedxboots.com AMERICAN HORSE COUNCIL PRESIDENT HICKEY TO RETIRE Longtime American Horse Council president James J. Hickey Jr. will re- tire in June. For 23 years, Hickey has served as president of the council, which represents all aspects of the equine industry with regard to fed- eral regulations in Washington, D.C. Formed in 1969, the AHC is supported by members and organizations throughout the horse industry, from veterinarians and breeders to racetracks and rodeos. Hickey came on staf in 1989 before becoming president in 1993. During his service, he formed division-specif c representative committees, a marketing alliance, and an "Unwanted Horse Coalition," among many other initiatives. www.horsecouncil.org 3-D BELT COMPANY PURCHASES ALAMO HAT COMPANY When you've got a good belt, per- haps the only thing that could up your style is a good hat — and vice versa. T at's the ideology behind the acquisition of Alamo Hat Company by the Texas-based fashion acces- sory company 3-D Belt. "Adding Alamo hats to our assortment en- sures we are better able to serve our dealers with a larger product line," 3-D Belt owner Steve Dees says. "T is will add to our convenience as a complete solution for accessories." T e Alamo Hat Company's in- ventory is now being shipped from the Schulenburg, Texas, distribution center already home to 3-D Belt. Alamo Hat founder Trini Traylor will stay on board as a consultant through the transition. www.3dbelt.com — Lindsay Whelchel P H OTO G R A P H Y: A N DY WAT S O N/B U L L S TO C K M E D I A

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