Outdoor USA Magazine

Ventura, CA – Patagonia is increasing corporate transparency with the relaunch of their “Footprint Chronicles” website. The site allows consumers an interactive view into every supplier in the brand's supply chain and outlines the environmental and social footprint of a majority of its Spring 2012 product.

Tubbs Snowshoes has launched an essay contest to choose participants in its new ambassador program. Those essays deemed to best capture the snowshoe experience in a brief essay submission will be named Tubbs Snowshoes Ambassadors for the year and win prizes such as new Tubbs snowshoes.

With four different categories and prize packages, Tubbs invites everyone from beginners to seasoned veterans to capture their snowshoe experience in words and photos. It is seeking two ambassadors for each of the four main snowshoe categories in the Tubbs Snowshoe line, including trail walking, day hiking, backcountry and all-ages family snowshoeing.

Darn Tough Vermont has been named co-title sponsor of the Tecnu Darn Tough USARA Adventure Racing National Championships. In its 13^th year, the event is touted as the premier amateur adventure racing event in the U.S. This year's race takes place in the Catskill Mountains from October 11 to 13.

Merrell has launched a women's-specific website created to educate and train women on barefoot running and fitness. The title of the site is "Pretty Strong," and it is meant to help women set and meet personal fitness goals. Merrell aims to engage the powerful community of women runners, reported by the National Sporting Goods Association to be 16.9 million strong—a 23 percent increase since 2006.

After encountering trouble with the trademark for “Stem,” Stem Footwear is officially changing its name to Leming Footwear. The shoes and company will remain the same just with a different label. According to the brand Leming was chosen because the animals represent abnormal action, mimicking the company's desire to continue to make unique products.

Polartec has started 2012 with a flurry of activity, sponsoring festivals, running sweepstakes and even appearing on the silver screen.

The brand is sponsoring the 15^th annual running of Scufoneda, the biggest European telemark and freeride festival. The seven day event begins on March 4^th and takes place in Moena, Italy.

Yaktrax introduced a new logo and packaging at the past OR Winter Market show in an effort to update their brand image and prepare for exciting new product launches. Appearing next fall, the new logo will appear on packaging, in-store displays and other marketing materials.

Yakima has announced two new members of its marketing team, Ashley Williams joins as marketing manager and Jenna Fallon is on-board as digital and ecommerce manager.

Ashley is responsible for the consumer marketing strategy and other facets of marketing including social media, strategic partnerships and consumer promotions. Williams was previously with Adidas for 15 years, most recently as head of marketing communications for Adidas US.

Fallon brings her 12 years of experience to create and manage the consumer digital experience for Yakima. She previously was a senior digital marketing strategist with C[IQ] Strategies.