A look at the new GoPro HERO 4 with the team behind the launch

With HERO 4, GoPro quality even better

By Ken Lewis  

1:54 p.m. Oct. 13, 2014

Rick Loughery, director of global media relations, Todd Ballard, director of global sports marketing and Jeff Youel, director of software engineering (left to right) hold various versions of the new GoPro Hero 4. Rick Nocon

It has been an important couple of weeks for the San Diego offices of GoPro. I made a visit this past week while they were knee deep in the launch of the brand’s newest release: The GoPro HERO 4.
How does a company improve on a camera that has already taken the world by storm? Better quality, better price points and, most of all, killer new features were what I found when I got the tutorial from PR director Rick Loughery.
New features include the HiLight system, which allows you to tag key moments in your footage for easy retrieval while editing, plus a built-in LCD touchscreen (Silver edition only) for easy viewing and scrolling, and finally, the long-awaited 4K video at 30 FPS (Black edition only). GoPro also made an introductory model, simply called the “HERO,” which has 1080 video capabilities for $129.99 and is great news for the millions of kids (and parents) who will have a GoPro camera on their Christmas wish lists.


Cardiff
What quickly impressed me was how San Diego has played such an important role in the global release of the GoPro HERO 4. All the new software, sports marketing and PR is based out of the North County office in Cardiff, which is interesting because the company’s main campus is about an eight-hour drive north in San Mateo.

While GoPro has always had a few employees based in San Diego, the company increased that number significantly a couple of years ago when it bought Cineform Studios for its software components and online editing system, which is now simply called “GoPro Studios.” The Cardiff office is also the hub for the sports marketing rollout, which was orchestrated with deadly accuracy. It was no mistake that all schedules were planned, in some instances down to the minute. The print, Web, athlete, social media, in-store promotional campaigns and pretty much anything else you have seen come across your Instagram or Facebook feeds all started with a roundtable meeting in this office.


Living the Dream
I met with San Diego native Todd Ballard, director of global sports marketing, and Jeff Youel, director of software engineering, to discuss the culture and people behind the brand. I was quickly aware of how hard the employees work toward their goals and how happy they are to be doing it. There is a real sense of pride that comes out of these offices and it’s one that is genuine and appreciated. Ballard and Youel talked about how that comes from the top down from the ever-smiling and energetic CEO and founder, Nick Woodman.

While on the rooftop meeting area, Ballard and I discussed the company’s 130 athletes and how they are a large part of the marketing rollout and are truly living the dream. I couldn’t help but realize that that ideal is exactly what people are hoping for when they set out to use this product. They want to share their version of “the dream.” Ballard said the company’s most important marketing outlet is “our consumers, hands down. Their sharing of videos is more important than anything we can dream up.”

Isn’t that the truth? Thank goodness for GoPro giving us the chance to show the world how our cats chase lasers or gazelles ram us on our bikes in Africa. I know my life is way better because of this little camera. How about you?

How to sell your car at a Mecum auto auction

By Ken Lewis on October 23, 2014

So you want to sell your restomod at an upcoming auto auction? First ask yourself a few questions. Is your prized possession worthy of making the cut? Are you ready to part with your cherished whip? Do you know how much it’s really worth? All these questions need to be answered before you contact Mecum and start down the path of becoming an auction hero.

1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS -Photo: Mecum

First know that there is a consignment process you will have to go through before you can get your car listed. Get the payment and vehicle specs out of the way early and try to sign up for the express check in to avoid delays.

Photo: Patrick T. Fallon

Learn the rules that the auction house has posted. This is critical if you want to have your vehicle in a certain position in the auction and most of all you’ll want to know the details of how and when to expect your payment if your vehicle sells. All sold vehicles will have a commission taken from the sale price so study up and know what to expect. The selling process basically goes like this: pay your registration fees, provide all documentation, photos etc. and speak with your representative about your vehicle lot and order of presentation because once your car is there, its pretty much out of your hands until after it rolls onto the podium.

1969 GMC Sierra Grande – Photo: Mecum

Make sure you have your clean title and papers all in order. If you’ve gotten this far in the process I’m sure you laugh at this but make sure you know where they are. You never know when your wife might have “filed” them after your last fight.

350/300 HP Engine for 1969 GMC Sierra Grande-Photo:Mecum

Lastly, Take some professional photos. Don’t settle for a camera phone or trust your buddy who has an old polaroid camera to take them. Hire someone to shoot high -res images to give your car the best chance to create interest. Shoot outdoors and get creative with your angles and make your car look like the special beast it truly is.

Surf Artist Matt Beard

Surf artist brings his magic to SD

By Ken Lewis 3:58 p.m. 

Oct. 23, 2014

Nor-Cal artist, Matt Beard. — Ken Lewis

Surf art is something I truly love in all its different applications. From the hyper-realistic imagery of Phil Roberts to the cartoon worlds created by Bob Penuelas and Drew Brophy, it all resonates with me due to my love of the ocean and the seascapes that surround it. That being said, not many can do it any better than NorCal artist, Matt Beard.

I met Beard at the end of a steep La Jolla alley on a cloudy afternoon. I have gone down that alley hundreds of times over the decades to get to a favorite surf spot of mine so it was nice sorting through some of the old memories. As I approached, he looked up from his work, from under a baseball cap and through a bushy black beard, he gave me a genuine smile and greeted me like we were old friends. As we talked about the waves, his upbringing in Long Beach and his home in Humboldt County, I was stoked to see that good things do indeed happen to good people. But good people still have to work hard, and that was exactly what Beard was in San Diego to do. Each day he painted two 20-by-20-inch canvases; one in the morning and one before sunset, only breaking occasionally for burritos, beer and surfing.

This past week, Beard (yes that’s actually his last name) made a special trip to document 10 different ocean views from the La Jolla area. What made his trip down to San Diego unique is that most of the paintings were bought sight unseen, and each day he didn’t know where his host would be taking him or what he was going to paint. I asked Beard if that made him a bit nervous to which he replied, “No, but PMK knows the area really well, so I have complete faith in him.”

That “PMK” would be Beard’s good friend and San Diego native Pierce Michael Kavanagh, who produced the 2014 surf documentary “What the Sea Gives Me.” After a conversation with Beard about his upcoming trip to paint La Jolla’s best surf spots, Kavanagh offered to help him sell a few of the paintings. He put out the call through his extensive social media networks and the response was immediate. Kavanagh had half the paintings sold before the first post was even on his homepage. His friends and acquaintances didn’t even care what the paintings were going to be, because they too had faith that Kavanagh would pick the perfect locations in his hometown.

From the stunning cliffs of Black’s Beach to the rocky shores of Windansea, Beard has captured the feel and soul of the little beach community in only the way he can.
If you’d like to see Beard’s work firsthand and meet the artist, he will be at Windansea Beach from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. To learn more about the artist go to mattbeardart.com.


As a lifelong San Diegan, Ken Lewis has surfing and ocean life in his DNA. A 30-year surfer himself, Lewis has worked in the surf and skate industry for most of his career. Send him your thoughts about the surfing world to kenlewis760@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @hanger18.

Surf Images for 2013-2014