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Archive for November, 2010

Lauren – Nike Signage

November 22nd, 2010, on the topic of Sports Print

While you’re out shopping on Black Friday, you may see Lauren’s face in-store!

Meet Drisana – Athleta Model & Real Life Yogi

November 22nd, 2010, on the topic of Catalog, Lifestyle Commercials, Lifestyle Models, Lifestyle Print, Sports Commercials, Sports Print, Talent Features

Article courtesy of Nadia Murdock NY Fitness Examiner

Athleta showcased their versatile clothing line to a select group of fitness writers and offered an amazing yoga class with astound yoga instructor, and SLU model Drisana Carey. Carey has been practicing and teaching yoga for several years. I decided to interview her to get insight on the practice of yoga.

How long have you been teaching yoga?

I started guiding my roommates and friends in yoga classes while living in France in 2004, I had been practicing for 4 years and couldn’t find any classes in the area so we used my living room/bedroom to do yoga together, while I talked through the movements and postures. The following Spring of 2005 I returned to the states and took my first teacher training course in Los Angeles and started teaching at the same studio just after finishing the training I’ve been teaching at different studios around Southern California ever since.

In your opinion what are some benefits from practicing yoga?

There are many positive changes people experience during each class and even more benefits unfold after practicing yoga regularly. The more obvious ones are increased flexibility, strength, balance, improved posture, stable moods, and a reduced stress.

Many students have mentioned that they were surprised when they started sleeping better, relaxing more deeply and recognized a better sense of awareness, so less mistakes in their day to day life. The benefits are so numerous it all depends on what you really want to get out of the practice. I’ve found that when I set an intention then letting go of it while I practice surprising changes and gifts appear in my life.

What do you love most about this form of exercise?

I love the sense of connection. Connection with what is going on in my body; what is circling around in my mind and especially the connection with my breath. Connection also with the people and the environment around me, I love practicing outside near the ocean or in the sun on a warm day and even inside the dinkiest of studios have surprised me with a warmth of energy and connection with friends and strangers that cannot be quantified but fills me with a wonderful sense that keeps me continuously inspired to practice.

What are some other ways you stay in shape?

I love just about anything active. I run a lot, play beach volleyball, Pilates, plyometrics, biking, swimming, surfing, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, hiking. I’m usually up for whatever friends, weather and time supports. Regular trips to the gym bore me, so I love to mix it up and use the outdoors as my gym/playground.

Lastly what do you love most about Athleta clothing?

Athleta really gets the female athlete. The clothes are functionally designed extremely well, with performance, comfort and style in mind. Its clear when you feel the clothes that the designers are female athletes themselves. The materials are the kind that once you feel them on; you never want to take them off. I’m always on the go, being active is only part of my day and Athleta’s clothing can take you anywhere from the studio to the shops, to dinner wherever.

For more information visit http://athleta.gap.com

Featured Article – Portland Business Journal

November 18th, 2010, on the topic of Agency News, Press

Date: Monday, October 18, 2010

RESUME

Name: Dave Weiss.

Title: President /Owner.

Organization: Sports + Lifestyle Unlimited.

Description of organization: Founded in 1991, SLU is a sports and lifestyle talent agency that provides skilled sports talent and lifestyle models to the advertising, entertainment, and marketing industries.

The company’s headquarters is in Portland, with an additional office in Los Angeles.

Professional background: Before founding SLU, 11 years as a commercial talent and sports model for companies like Nike, Columbia Sportswear, REI and Adidas. Worked as a fit model for Nike for 10 years.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in fine arts from Black Hills State University in South Dakota.

Residence: Southwest Portland.

BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY

Essential business philosophy: Understand what makes us unique and special and capitalize on it.

Best way to keep competitive: Never stand still, always be open to making adjustments. Appreciate what your competitors bring to the table.

Guiding principles: Do everything with integrity, work hard to earn our clients trust, always strive to over-deliver.

Yardstick of success: Every time our valued clients choose to re-engage us.

Goal yet to be achieved: Having a physical presence on the East Coast.

JUDGEMENT CALLS

Best business decision: Bringing in our partner Paul Herschell. Paul brings invaluable skills to chart strategy, keep us focused and grow the business.

Worst business decision: Opening our original Los Angeles office just before the Screen Actors Guild strike in 2000.

Toughest business decision: Making an adjustment in our branding. It has also been one of the most positive decisions we have made.

Biggest missed opportunity: Under-communicating our ability to compete against the traditional fashion-orientated agencies in the commercial modeling market, until our recent re-positioning of our Sports Talent and Lifestyle Models divisions.

Mentors: A number of close advisers.

Word that best describes you: Honest.

TRUE CONFESSIONS

Like best about the job: Working with sports and active lifestyle talent. By nature, they are high achievers, competitive, and very passionate individuals. We get to live vicariously through our talent.

Like least about the job: Navigating uncertain times.

Pet peeves: Pettiness.

Most important lesson learned: Taking responsibility for your actions. Learn to strengthen relationships through trying situations.

Person most interested in meeting: Neil Armstrong. How cool to be the first person to step foot on the moon.

Most respected competitor: All of them.

Greatest passions: Besides my kids, cars.

First choice for a new career: Collecting and restoring classic autos.

PREDILECTIONS

Favorite quote: “I believe in the law of compensation — when things are most challenging, keep a positive attitude and you will be repaid in threefold.”

Most influential book: “The Magic of Positive Thinking.”

Favorite websites: Anything related to classic cars.

Favorite cause: Boys and Girls Aid, Special Olympics, Kusewera.

Favorite movie: “Saving Private Ryan.” I can relate. My dad had five brothers in World War II at the same time.

Music: Varies depending on my mood.

Treasured possession: Family, health.

Favorite restaurant: Chez Jose.

Favorite vacation spot: Costa Rica.

Favorite way to spend free time: Watching my three teenage kids play sports.

Artcile Courtesy of: Portland Business Journal