Chapter 7/ Business Marketing

Vans is a company that markets itself as a "reckless" and "exciting" brand immersed in skateboarding culture. It's clothing is sold in approximately 70 countries globally and in events like The Vans Warped Tour and The Vans Downtown Showdown.

The Vans Warped Tour is a concert series that markets to teenagers in the summertime before they go back to school. The company attracts teenagers by featuring their favorite bands on tour dates and giving away free shoes and clothing during tour stops. When the target audience goes back to school after a summer at the Warped Tour, they will most likely pick Vans as their pair of "back to school" sneakers. http://vanswarpedtour.com/

The Vans Downtown Showdown is a skateboarding competition that targets teenagers after the "back to school" season to generate sales of sneakers, apparel, and accessories. The company features skateboarders and especially Vans sponsored skateboarders like Tony Trujillo to teens while they are in school. Athletes like Tony Trujillo compete and are featured at the event to generate sales of their Vans sponsored sneakers. http://www.vans.com/events/38128/downtown-showdown/