Examine individual changes

'{{Refimprove|date=July 2009}} {{Infobox company | name = | logo = Blind_OG_Logo.jpg | type = | traded_as = | genre = <!-- Only used with media and publishing companies --> | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = 1989 <!-- {{Start date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | founder = | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | location_city = [[El Segundo, California]] | location_country = United States | location = | locations = | area_served = | key_people = [[Mark Gonzales]], [[Steve Rocco]], [[Jason Lee (actor)|Jason Lee]], [[Guy Mariano]], Bill Weiss, [[Ronnie Creager]], James Craig | industry = | products = Skateboard equipment | services = | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum = <!-- Only used with financial services companies --> | assets = | equity = | owner = | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|blindskateboards.com}} | footnotes = | intl = }} '''Blind''' (stylized as '''bLind''') is a skateboard [[company (law)|company]] founded by [[Mark Gonzales]] in 1989 under [[Steve Rocco]]'s [[World Industries]] distribution company.<ref name=transworld>{{cite web|title=686® X Blind Skateboards® Winter 2012-2013 Capsule Collection Now Available|url=http://snowboarding.transworld.net/1000190245/news/686-and-blind-skateboards-release-collaboration-line-2/|work=Transworld Business|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|accessdate=6 February 2013|author=John Poulin|date=26 November 2012}}</ref> Gonzales has since left the company and today the company continues under the ownership of [[Dwindle Distribution]]. The company produces [[Skateboard#Deck|decks]], wheels, soft goods and accessories. The company's logo for many years was a stylized [[grim reaper]]. ==History== ===1989–1993: Formation, ''Video Days'', Gonzales departs=== The name "Blind" was devised as an intentional slight to Gonzales's former sponsor, [[Vision Street Wear|Vision Skateboards]].<ref name="sm">[https://web.archive.org/web/20051204024750/http://skateboardermag.com/skateboarder-news-features/features/16thgsgnz/ ''16 THINGS: GONZ (16 Things You Didn’t Know About Mark Gonzales)''] by Kevin Craft ([[Skateboarder Magazine]], 12 October 2005)</ref> Upon the brand's launch in 1989, [[Jason Lee (actor)|Jason Lee]] moved from [[World Industries]] to Blind as its second professional rider (as founder, Gonzales was the team's first). Blind then signed Rudy Johnson and [[Guy Mariano]], both from [[Powell Peralta]], and Jordan Richter as its [[Vert skateboarding|vert]] rider. [[Danny Way]] rode for the company for a very brief period of time, and a signature skateboard deck, featuring a pink-colored car, was designed and released for Way.<ref>{{cite web|title=RAIDERS OF THE ARCHIVES: DAVE SWIFT Pt. 3 of 3|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Lf2mTSyuCQ|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|accessdate=10 February 2013|author=skateboardermagazine|format=Video upload|date=2 October 2012}}</ref> Blind released its first video in 1991, entitled ''Video Days'', which featured full-length parts from Gonzales, Mariano, Richter, Lee, and Johnson. The video was filmed and directed by [[Spike Jonze]] and is considered one of the most influential skateboarding videos of its era.<ref>{{cite web|title=BEHIND THE SCENES: VIDEO DAYS REUNION SHOOT|url=http://www.skateboardermag.com/features/videodays/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110109034555/http://www.skateboardermag.com/features/videodays/|dead-url=yes|archive-date=9 January 2011|work=Skateboarder Magazine|publisher=GrindMedia, LLC|accessdate=6 February 2013|author=Jaime Owens|date=18 January 2011}}</ref> While filming a second full-length video, Plan B director, Mike Ternasky reviewed progress footage and came to the conclusion that Tim Gavin and [[Henry Sanchez]], also members of the Blind team, were the only two riders who had produced footage of a high enough quality—the release of ''Tim and Henry's Pack of Lies'' followed in 1992.<ref name=tandh>{{cite web|title=Blind - Tim & Henry's Pack of Lies|url=http://www.skatevideosite.com/skatevideos/blind-tim-and-henrys-pack-of-lies/online|work=SkatevideoSite.com|publisher=SkatevideoSite.com|accessdate=6 February 2013|year=2005–2013}}</ref> By 1993, the team had grown, with the formal inclusion of new professional riders, Gavin, Sanchez, [[Brian Lotti]], and amateur skater, [[Jeron Wilson]]. Lotti, who formerly skated for Planet Earth (founded and owned by professional skateboarder Chris Miller), was recruited by Lee and filmed several tricks for the opening section of ''Tim and Henry's Pack of Lies''. However, in a 2010 interview with the "chrome ball incident" blog, Lotti expressed regret in regard to his departure from Planet Earth, a company that he described as a "small and tight family": "I loved skating with everyone, but I wasn’t always psyched on the whole World Industries thing. I definitely felt at times like I blew it with Miller and wished I would have just stayed on Earth… I was really involved there. I had a good thing going."<ref name="Eleven">{{cite web|title=chrome ball interview #11: brian lotti|url=http://chromeballincident.blogspot.com/2010/08/chrome-ball-interview-11-brian-lotti.html|work=the chrome ball incident|publisher=Google, Inc|accessdate=23 March 2013|author=chops|date=6 August 2010}}</ref> The company later signed [[Ronnie Creager]] from Foundation Skateboards. In late 1993, Johnson, Mariano, Gavin, and Wilson left Blind to join the newly formed [[Girl Distribution Company|Girl Skateboards]], and Gonzales had also left by this time, along with Lee—the latter proceeded to form [[Stereo Skateboards]] with Chris "Dune" Pastras, another sponsored skateboarder. Wilson later revealed in a January 2013 interview for the "Weekend Buzz" segment of the internet-based RIDE channel that a transfer tape of skateboard footage, originally filmed for a Blind video that was never produced, is in existence but has not been released by Socrates Leal (skateboard videographer)—footage of Wilson and Mariano, among other skateboarders from the early 1990s, forms the tape's contents.<ref name="Dime">{{cite web|title=Brandon Biebel & Jeron Wilson part 2: Dime Squad, Brawls & Bar Tricks! Weekend Buzz ep. 47|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tstqNq49rxs|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|accessdate=23 March 2013|author=Ride Channel|format=Video upload|date=25 January 2013}}</ref> ===1994–2010: New recruits, ''What If?'', 21st anniversary=== During the early 1990s, Blind was one of the largest skateboard brands in the world, due to board sales and sales of Blind's jean products.<ref>{{cite web|title=A brief moment into skateboard history that shaped today|url=http://magnetoelectricskateboard.com/blogs/news/63672709-a-brief-moment-into-skateboard-history-that-shaped-today|work=Magneto electric skateboard|publisher=Magneto|accessdate=6 November 2015|author=Magneto|date=6 November 2015}}</ref> During the 1990s and early/mid-2000s, additional team members, such as Kris Markovich, James Craig, [[Jake Duncombe]], Jake Brown, Corey Shepard, Grant Patterson, Danny Cerezini, and Jani Laitala were recruited by brand manager Bill Weiss.{{Citation needed|date=February 2013}} Vert (skateboarding on a vertical "u"-shaped ramp) skateboarder Rob Loirifice was recruited to the team in 2008 and Cerezini was assigned professional status in the same year.<ref>{{cite web|title=ROB LORIFICE ON BLIND|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000070554/news/rob-lorifice-on-blind/|work=Transworld SKATEboarding|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|accessdate=23 March 2013|author=Carleton Curtis|date=12 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Blind Skateboards - New Pro Danny Cerezini Ad (2008)|url=http://skately.com/library/ads/blind-skateboards-new-pro-danny-cerezini-2008|work=Skately – Library|publisher=Skately LLC|accessdate=23 March 2013|year=2013}}</ref> The second full-length Blind video, ''What If?'', premiered in early 2005,<ref>{{cite web|title=Blind What If? Premiere, Mada & Volcom News|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/news/blind-iwhat-ifi-premiere-mada-volcom-news/|website=TransWorld SKATEboarding|publisher=TEN|accessdate=31 October 2014|date=22 February 2005}}</ref> and featured parts from Creager, Markovich, Craig, Sheppard, Brown, Duncombe, Aaron Artis, Evan Schiefelbine, Patterson and Carlos Ruiz.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blind Skateboards - What If? (2005)|url=http://skately.com/library/videos/blind-skateboards-what-if|website=Skately|publisher=Skately LLC|accessdate=31 October 2014|date=2014}}</ref> The company's third video then premiered in 2009, and featured parts from Morgan Smith, Craig, Cerezini, Patterson, Brown, Lorifice, Creager, Filipe Ortiz, Duncombe and Laitiala.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blind Skateboards - The Blind Video (2009)|url=http://skately.com/library/videos/blind-skateboards-the-blind-video|website=Skately|publisher=Skately LLC|accessdate=31 October 2014|date=2014}}</ref> In 2010, the company celebrated its 21-year anniversary and returned to using the original logo. The company also began to reissue a series of boards from the early 1990s that were based on original shapes—reissued boards included Mariano, Way, Johnson, Gavin, and Sanchez designs.{{Citation needed|date=February 2013}} ===2010–present: ''Damn ...'', Creager departs, New professionals=== Former Plan B rider, Sean Sheffey, Filipe Ortiz, Sewa Kroetkov, TJ Rogers, and Yuri Fachini were recruited to the Blind team in the latter half of the first decade of the 21st century. The company's amateur video, ''This Is Not A Test'', was released in 2011, and focused upon team riders who were amateur at the time: Kroetkov, Kieran Reilley, Rogers, Smith, Ortiz and Kevin Romar. Cerezini was featured in the video as a "guest pro."<ref>{{cite web|title=Blind Skateboards - This Is Not A Test (2011)|url=http://skately.com/library/videos/blind-skateboards-this-is-not-a-test|website=Skately|publisher=Skately LLC|accessdate=31 October 2014|date=2014}}</ref> In an official statement released in April 2012, Brown's departure from the Blind team was announced and a comment from Weiss was included: "Jake Brown is one of the most dynamic, positive and genuine skateboarders I have ever met and been lucky enough to call my friend and I wish him nothing but the best on his next adventure. I cant wait to see what Jake’s got up his sleeve next.” (Brown had been a team member for eight years).<ref name="Brown" /> Cerezini then parted ways with Blind in October 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=BLIND & CEREZINI PART WAYS|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000166988/news/blind-cerezini-part-ways/|work=Transworld SKATEboarding|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|accessdate=23 March 2013|author=TWS|date=24 October 2012}}</ref> In 2012, team members, Kevin Romar (who moved to the company in 2009<ref>[http://espn.go.com/action/news/story?id=4511334 ''This Week on ESPN Action''] ([[ESPN]], 28 September 2009)</ref>) and [[Morgan Smith (Skateboarder)|Morgan Smith]] were both assigned professional status. On March 22, 2013, at the Tampa Pro contest in Tampa, Florida, US, Ortiz was presented with his inaugural Blind signature model skateboard deck to signify his introduction into the professional ranks of the company—the graphic on the skateboard deck features a handcuffed [[mummy]] figure with the facial section of the bandages peeled away.<ref>{{cite web|title=DAMN ... Filipe Ortiz Turns Pro!|url=http://blindskateboards.com/2013/03/22/damn-filipe-ortiz-is-pro/|work=Blind Skateboards|publisher=Blind Skateboards|accessdate=23 March 2013|author=Bill Weiss|date=22 March 2013|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522201500/http://blindskateboards.com/2013/03/22/damn-filipe-ortiz-is-pro/|archivedate=22 May 2013|df=}}</ref> Cody McEntire, a Texan skateboarder who was formerly a team member of the Think Skateboards brand, was recruited to the Blind team in March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=CODY MCENTIRE SKATER PROFILE|url=http://skateparkoftampa.com/spot/sk.aspx?ID=1910|work=SPoT Skate Shop|publisher=Skatepark of Tampa|accessdate=18 July 2013|date=22 March 2013}}</ref> McEntire explained the process of joining the Blind team in a ''TransWorld Skateboarding'' "Roll Call" interview: <blockquote> I’ve known [Bill] Weiss [Blind brand manager] for a while because we worked together on the Digital ''Smoke And Mirrors'' video. I was always stoked on how down he was for skating. One day I called him and told him I was really stoked on Blind and just wanted to see if anything would be possible with it. A few weeks later we sat down and talked and it worked out. It was crazy how fast it happened. I’m glad it all worked out because now I feel like I’m exactly where I want to be.<ref>{{cite web|title=ROLL CALL: CODY MCENTIRE|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000178961/videos/roll-call-cody-mcentire/|work=TransWorld Skateboarding|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|accessdate=18 July 2013|author=TWS|date=28 May 2013}}</ref></blockquote> In April 2013,<ref>{{cite web|title=LE {{!}} Jake Duncombe is on LE!|url=http://blitzdistribution.com/?p=4006|work=Blitz Distribution|publisher=Blitz Distribution|accessdate=19 April 2013|date=15 April 2013 }}</ref> Duncombe left the company to ride for Life Extension (LE) Skateboards and announced the news on his [[Instagram]] profile: "Just want to thank everyone at blind for helping me out for all those years and putting up with my shit and to let everyone know LE is my new family!!!" A photograph of Duncombe with a bottle of beer that is above a forum post that reads "LE, where formerly great pros go to die" served as the official press release for LE.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jake Duncombe on LE|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000176868/news/jake-duncombe-on-le/|work=Transworld Skateboarding|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|accessdate=19 April 2013|date=15 April 2013}}</ref> Duncombe later explained in December 2013: "There were a couple of times when I’d thought about quitting but didn’t due to loyalty. But at the end of the day new kids come in and older guys get let go."<ref>{{cite web|title=THE JAKE DUNCOMBE INTERVIEW|url=http://sba.org.au/Blog/the-jake-duncombe-interview|work=Skateboarding Australia|publisher=Skateboarding Australia|accessdate=20 December 2013|author=Andrew Currie|author2=Andrew Mapstone|date=19 December 2013}}</ref> The full-length video ''Damn ...'' was released on May 27, 2014, after more than two years of daily filming, and was co-directed by Weiss and English filmer Mike Manzoori. The video features Kevin Romar, Ronnie Creager, Yuri Facchini, Cody McEntire, Morgan Smith, TJ Rogers, Sewa Kroetkev, and Filipe Ortiz, and was filmed in numerous global cities, including Barcelona, Spain; Toronto, Canada; Amsterdam, The Netherlands; and Sacramento, U.S.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Zac|title=Bill Weiss' Top 10 Facts On Blind's 'DAMN' Video|url=http://www.caughtinthecrossfire.com/skate/features/bill-weiss-top-10-facts-on-blinds-damn-video/|website=Caught In The Crossfire|publisher=Division Media|accessdate=28 September 2014|date=22 May 2013}}</ref> The Blind brand released a new product line in early July 2013 and published a video advertisement on its YouTube channel on July 9, 2013. Under the heading "A damn good deal!", Blind promoted a new line of skateboard decks constructed from North American maple and resin glue with a retail price of [[United States dollar|US$]]29.95.<ref>{{cite web|title=A DAMN GOOD DEAL!! (US version)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGwuowzgyAQ|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|accessdate=11 July 2013|author=BlindSkateboards89|format=Video upload|date=9 July 2013}}</ref> In March 2014, longtime team rider Creager announced his departure from Blind after more than 20 years with the company. In the official press release, released on March 13, Blind stated: "We cant thank Ronnie enough for all his contributions,memories and fun times over the years. We wish Ronnie nothing but the best and look forward to seeing more amazing skating from him in the future.” As of September 28, 2014, Creager was not yet associated with a new skateboard deck sponsor.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ronnie Creager Off Blind|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/news/ronnie-creager-blind/|website=TransWorld SKATEboarding|publisher=TEN|accessdate=28 September 2014|date=13 March 2014}}</ref> Rogers was assigned professional status in August 2014 after his "Recruit" video part was published on the [[The Berrics|Berrics]] website in late July. Blind released a limited edition skateboard deck, designed in collaboration with the Berrics, which were signed by Rogers. The decks sold out within their first day of availability.<ref>{{cite web|title=TJ Rogers Pro For Blind|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/news/tj-rogers-pro-blind/|website=TransWorld SKATEboarding|publisher=TEN|accessdate=28 September 2014|date=1 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=TJ ROGERS IS PRO!|url=http://theberrics.com/news/tj-rogers-is-pro.html|website=The Berrics|publisher=The Berrics|accessdate=28 September 2014|date=August 2014}}</ref> Blind released a two-part video on September 15, 2014, in which Facchini and Rogers were the only skateboarders featured. Manzoori was again enlisted for the project, entitled ''X2 Vision'', and premieres were held in 18 cities internationally.<ref>{{cite web|title=Blind X2 Vision: Q&A with Mike Manzoori|url=http://www.abriefglance.com/abg-news/blind-x2-vision-qa-with-mike-manzoori.html|website=A Brief Glance|publisher=Fake Donkey Skateboard asd project|accessdate=28 September 2014|date=11 September 2014}}</ref> Kroetkov was then assigned professional status in September 2014, during a team event at the Lafayette skate park in Los Angeles, California, U.S., on September 22. A "Subject" segment was published on the Berrics website the following day, in which new street-based footage of Sewa was featured.<ref>{{cite web|title=SUBJECT: SEWA KROETKOV|url=http://theberrics.com/gen-ops/subject-sewa-kroetkov.html?autoplay|website=The Berrics|publisher=The Berrics|accessdate=28 September 2014|format=Video upload|date=23 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=SEWA'S FIRST DAY AS A PRO|url=http://theberrics.com/gen-ops/sewas-first-day-as-a-pro.html?autoplay|website=The Berrics|publisher=The Berrics|accessdate=28 September 2014|date=22 September 2014}}</ref> ==Team== *Morgan Smith *Cody McEntire *Filipe Ortiz *Kevin Romar *T.J. Rogers *Sam Beckett *Micky Papa *Yuto Horigome *Jordan Maxham ==Former team members== {{col-begin}}{{col-break|width=200px}} *Mark Gonzales *Guy Mariano *Grant Patterson *Jason Lee *Jordan Richter *Rudy Johnson *Jovontae Turner *Henry Sanchez *Brian Lotti<ref name="Eleven" /> {{col-break|width=200px}} *Jeron Wilson<ref name="Dime" /> *Kyle Reed *[[Keenan Milton]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Keenan Milton Profile|url=http://skately.com/library/people/keenan-milton|work=Skately – Library|publisher=Skately LLC|accessdate=23 March 2013|year=2013}}</ref> *Kris Markovich<ref>{{cite web|title=Blind Skateboards - What If|url=http://vimeo.com/27852757|work=Skaaate on Vimeo|publisher=Vimeo LLC|accessdate=23 March 2013|author=Skaaate|format=Video upload|date=March 2012}}</ref> *Danny Way<ref>{{cite web|title=Blind In Paris (Mark Gonzales/Jason Lee/Danny Way)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWa0u4oem_g|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|accessdate=23 March 2013|author=skateboardingisall|format=Video upload|date=22 October 2007}}</ref> *Lavar McBride<ref>{{cite web|title=Lavar McBride|url=http://www.48blocks.com/lavarmcbride/|work=48 Blocks|publisher=48 Blocks|accessdate=23 March 2013}}</ref> *Gideon Choi<ref>{{cite web|title=Blind Skateboards - Gideon Choi Ad (1997)|url=http://skately.com/library/ads/blind-skateboards-gideon-choi-1997|work=Skately – Library|publisher=Skately LLC|accessdate=23 March 2013|year=2013}}</ref> *Josh Kasper<ref>{{cite web|title=Blind Skateboards - Josh Kasper Ad (1997)|url=http://skately.com/library/ads/blind-skateboards-josh-kasper-1997|work=Skately – Library|publisher=Skately LLC|accessdate=23 March 2013|year=2013}}</ref> {{col-break|width=200px}} *Jani Laitiala<ref>{{cite web|title=JANI LAITIALA OFF BLIND|url=http://dailysesh.com/news/jani-laitiala-off-blind|work=Daily Sesh|publisher=Daily Sesh|accessdate=23 March 2013|author=Sutherland Boswell|date=3 November 2009|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230122/http://dailysesh.com/news/jani-laitiala-off-blind|archivedate=3 March 2016|df=}}</ref> *Jake Brown<ref name="Brown">{{cite web|title=JAKE BROWN & BLIND PART WAYS|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000157063/news/jake-brown-blind-part-ways/|work=Transworld SKATEboarding|publisher=Bonnier Corporation|accessdate=23 March 2013|author=Blair Alley|date=27 April 2012}}</ref> *Corey Sheppard<ref>{{cite web|title=Corey Sheppard - Blind Skateboards - What If|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4hk87cuyJ8|work=YouTube|publisher=Google, Inc|accessdate=23 March 2013|author=Jigglipuffication|format=Video upload|date=19 September 2012}}</ref> *Rob Lorifice *Danny Cerezini *Jake Duncombe *James Craig {{col-break|width=200px}} *Ronnie Creager<ref>{{cite web|title=RONNIE CREAGER OFF BLIND|url=http://skateboarding.transworld.net/1000192786/news/ronnie-creager-blind/|work=Transworld SKATEboarding|publisher=Unknown|accessdate=17 March 2014|author=Unknown|date=13 March 2014}}</ref> *Yuri Facchini *Sewa Kroetkov *Evan Schiefelbine *Sean Sheffey {{col-end}} ==Videography== *''[[Video Days]]'' (1991) *''Tim & Henry's Pack of Lies'' (1992)<ref name=tandh/> *''What If?'' (2005) (''Video Days'' was included as a separate disc for the special edition release<ref>{{cite web|title=skateboarding dvd video review: Blind's What If - Special Edition|url=http://www.skate-the-planet.com/reviews/dvd_whatIf.html|work=Skate The Planet|publisher=Skate The Planet|accessdate=23 March 2013|year=2003–2013}}</ref>) *''The Blind Video'' (2009)<ref>[http://www.tacky.no/skateboard/article/?id=104056 Jølba Review: ''The Blind Video''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220130800/http://www.tacky.no/skateboard/article/?id=104056 |date=December 20, 2013 }} by Jørgen Johannessen (Tacky, 2009)</ref> *''This Is Not A Test'' (2011) *''Damn...'' (2013)<ref>{{cite web|title=Damn... Blind Skateboards|url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/movie/damn...-blind-skateboards/id648598069|work=iTunes Preview|publisher=Apple Inc|accessdate=20 December 2013|author=Mike Manzoori & Bill Weiss|year=2013}}</ref> *''X2 Vision'' (2014) ==See also== *[[Flip tricks]] *''[[Thrasher (magazine)|Thrasher]]'' *''[[Transworld Skateboarding|Transworld SKATEboarding]]'' ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== *{{official website|blindskateboards.com}} *[http://www.dwindle.com/ Dwindle Distribution] [[Category:Skateboarding companies]] [[Category:Companies established in 1989]]'