Interstate
Universal, a Baltimore based actions sports media production company
announced today the launch of a worldwide online initiative to offer
skateboarders across the globe the opportunity to interact and share
their love of skateboarding
Baltimore, MD (PRWEB)
March 3, 2008 -- Interstate Universal, a Baltimore based actions sports
media production company announced today the launch of a worldwide
online initiative to offer skateboarders across the globe the
opportunity to interact and share their love of skateboarding.
The website (www.interstateMag.com)
features the latest in skate news, contest results, video and equipment
reviews and skating commentary from around the globe. The accompanying
social network, interstateNation (www.interstateNation.com),
allows skaters and skate fans to express themselves and share the ideas
that bring them together. Members of interstate can build personal
profile pages, interact with skaters worldwide through live chat and
discussion forums, and post music, videos, photos, and blog entries
regarding any skate topic they choose.
The Interstate sites incorporate all disciplines of skateboarding and
actively promote the creation of skater art, music, and photography
through user generated content areas and monthly contests and
promotions.
"It doesn't matter whether you are a street skater in NYC, a bowl
skater in Southern California, a longboarder from New Zealand or a
skate photographer living in Tokyo, you are still a member of the
skater community and our plan is to give skaters and skate fans all
over the world a platform to meet, interact, and share ideas," said
Thomas Rowe, co-founder of Interstate Universal and a lifelong skater.
"Skating gave me a better childhood, taught me life lessons, and
allowed me to meet some of my best friends in life", said Rowe, who
grew up in Baltimore and skated alongside the likes of eventual pros
Bucky Lasek, Brandon Novak, Rodney Jones, and Gary Smith. "Over the
years, I've watched some of our friends that became pro giving so much
back to the skating world and admired their efforts. That's why our
primary goals with interstate will be to promote skating, bring skaters
together, and teach the world all that's good about skating."
Since beta launching in October, the social network has welcomed over
3,000 worldwide members and has made arrangements with a number of pro
skaters and skate industry insiders to contribute editorial, commentary
and answer member questions through interstate's "ASK the PRO" section.
The sites also feature real-time chat, personal profile pages, an
active member discussion area and monthly promotions and contests.
"When Rowe first brought this project to our attention, our first
reaction was to question the need for another online skate property,"
said Spiro Alafassos, president of TheSpiroGroup who is providing
interstate with development and marketing assistance. "Then Rowe
proceeded to show me news stories and documentaries featuring skaters
from all corners of the earth and pleaded his case that there was
nothing 'out there' that could bring these kids together and allow them
to learn about their skating brethren across the globe. That was enough
to get us to sign on and assist in this worldwide movement to unify
skaters and showcase different cultures through the world's fastest
growing sport."
Besides the skater website and social network, Interstate Universal
plans to launch a number of skate initiatives in 2008 including an
emerging skater program that will help promote up-and-coming skaters, a
contest series that will feature live webcasts, and a weekly online
magazine show that will cover skating news and events from around the
world using contributions from interstate members worldwide.
About Interstate Universal:
Interstate Universal was founded by
Baltimore home builder (and lifelong skater) Thomas Rowe as a media
company that focused on the growth of skateboarding and other action
sports. Interstate Universal's mission is to use the power of
technology and world-class multimedia content to bring together skaters
and skate fans from all parts of the world to advance the sport and the
skater lifestyle.
About TheSpiroGroup:
TheSpiroGroup is a Baltimore based
Marketing and Branding firm that provides incubator and venture
marketing services to start-up companies in need of branding,
marketing, interactive development, and business strategy. Founded by
Spiro Alafassos, a former major league baseball executive with over 15
years of experience in sports marketing and interactive publishing,
TheSpiroGroup helps launch companies and new business ventures and
provides ongoing management and operational support to those ventures
until they are able to operate independently.
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