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Vans announces Tony Hawk as brand ambassador
In the partnership, which is seen to last beyond 2020, Hawk will promote Vans’ skate initiatives around the world and produce a new professional vertical skateboarding competition.
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Pro-skater Tony Hawk is also a successful entrepreneur. (AFP/Rich Polk)
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etired professional skater Tony Hawk from the United States has teamed up with footwear brand Vans as its global brand ambassador.
Welcome to the @VansSkate family, @TonyHawk 🏁
A post shared by vans (@vans) on
In the partnership, which is seen to last beyond 2020, Hawk will promote Vans’ skating initiatives around the world and produce a new professional vertical skateboarding competition.
“Vans has supported skateboarding since the very beginning and never wavered in its commitment, even with massive mainstream success,” said Hawk as quoted in Hypebeast. “I have always respected their integrity, so it is an honor to officially join forces and help continue to grow skateboarding culture in the most authentic way possible.”
Hawk is known as a pioneer and the best vert skater in the world, unbeatable with 15 X Games vert medals under his belt. He was also the very first skater to complete the 900 trick, a 2.5-revolution or 900 degrees aerial spin performed on a skateboard ramp.
Hawk was previously known to skate in Lakai sneakers and in footwear released through his own skateboarding equipment and clothing brand, Birdhouse.
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Hawk said Vans had been his very first pair of skate shoes. On Vans’ official website, it was reported that 10-year-old Hawk purchased his first pair of Vans in 1978.
“I remember stepping on my board and feeling like I suddenly had the best grip tape ever,” he said as quoted on the website.
Now 51, Hawk is one of the most renowned skaters in the world and also a successful entrepreneur. He became a professional skateboarder at the age of 14 and was considered one of the top players in the world by the time he was 16.
He joined forces with Activision in 1999 to launch Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, a billion-dollar video game franchise. Along with Birdhouse Skateboards, Hawk has also created Hawk Clothing and the Tony Hawk Signature Series, sporting goods and toys.
His charity project, the Tony Hawk Foundation, has given away US$9 million to over 600 skate park projects around the US. (gis/wng)
