As a baby he flipped himself upside down in his jolly jumper. As a kid he rode his Big Wheel so hard it broke in half. When he received his first skateboard at age twelve, he had found his vehicle of choice and his life was forever changed. In DROPPING IN WITH ANDY MAC, world champion skateboarder Andy Macdonald shares his experiences, victories and lessons learned on the road to becoming one of the most influential professional skateboarders of all time.
With eleven X Games medals (eight gold), a Guinness World Record, and seven consecutive years as World Cup Skateboarding Overall Champion, Andy’s list of accomplishments reads like a history of skateboarding. But it wasn’t always an easy ride for him to reach the_literal and figurative-_heights he’s achieved today. There were years of scraped knees as well as scraping by with little recognition before Andy made his mark. In his own forthright way, Andy Mac explains the importance of perseverance and dedication, and that the best way to succeed is by trying, again and again and again. His lesson - without a lot of spills along the way, you don’t appreciate the view from the top.

DROPPING IN WITH ANDY MAC
The Life of a Pro Skateboarder
by Andy Macdonald with Theresa Foy DiGeronimo
Simon Pulse; original paperback
May 2003; 0-689-85784-5; $9.99

San Diego Skateboarding Legends Bucky Lasek and
Andy Macdonald Take Gold and Silver at First Ever
X Games Global Championship in San Antonio

To execute this brand philosophy and build a powerful foundation for the andy mac™ brand, Macdonald has partnered with a team of industry-leading partner companies. Colorado-based TARĒ7, owner of the airwalk, genetic, ripzone USA and alphanumeric footwear brands, is responsible for andy mac™ Footwear, available now at Payless Shoe Source. California-based RandS Trading, owner of the No Rules and Sugar labels, will serve as one of the licensees for andy mac™ Apparel, available in retail department and sporting goods channels beginning Spring 2003. Wheat Acessories, Ltd. also based in California, will serve as strategic licensee for andy mac™ Accessories, to include a variety of andy mac branded backpacks, school supplies and housewares, available beginning in Spring 2003 in mainstream retailers nation wide.

In addition, longtime sponsor Pro-Tec has established a strategic partnership with the andy mac™ brand and will produce a line of value-driven andy mac™ Safety Gear including helmets and safety pads to be distributed in mainstream sporting goods channels. Similarly, longtime Skateboard partner Skate One will launch a value-driven line of andy mac™ Skateboards to be marketed and sold as affordable completes

(complete skate deck, trucks, wheels and bearings) for children as young as six years of age. andy mac™ Skateboards will be available in mainstream retail chains nationwide in two segments, the "Grom Series" designed specifically for children from six- to eleven-years, and the "Rookie Series", suited for children 11-years or older. Each of these boards will feature quality materials and distinct graphics, and will come complete with a signature Andy Mac trick tip DVD.

About Andy Mac

As a world-class athlete, celebrity, and author, Andy’s down-to-earth demeanor and accessibility, coupled with his unprecedented level of contest victories and skateboarding achievements have distinguished him as one of the most successful and popular professional skateboarders today. Andy is the current World Cup Skateboarding overall points champion, having held that title for seven consecutive years. He also has earned eight X-Games gold medals, first-place at the 2000 Gravity Games, and set a Guinness World Record for his skateboard ramp jump of nearly 57 feet. His likeness was published on a U.S. postage stamp, and he was the focus of a leading public service announcement for The Partnership for a Drug-Free America, which brought him to the White House to speak and to introduce President Bill Clinton. Additional accomplishments include an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, 60 Minutes and more. In addition to sponsor support from andy mac™ brand footwear, apparel, accessories, safety gear and skateboards, Andy enjoys endorsement relationships with SoBe Beverage Company, Swatch Watches, and Skatewave. Andy continues to skate the worldwide pro tour, encouraging young kids everywhere to participate in his favorite sport. Look out for the debut of Andy’s inspirational autobiography with Simon & Schuster "Dropping in With Andy Mac" to be released May 2003.

About Tare7

TARĒ7 has a vision to lead and inspire the action sports industry as parent company to the airwalk® (including genetic® airwalk skateboarding), and andy mac™ skate brands, and as licensee for the ALPHANUMERIC™ footwear and ripzone® outerwear brands. Founded in 1986 as the leader in marketing, sales and manufacturing of action sports and youth lifestyle products, the company’s airwalk® brand remains recognized as an industry original. All endorsements of airwalk® products by pro team athletes are compensated. ©2003, All rights reserved.

Lego, Andy Macdonald, and CASL Connect Together
(Posted 7/3/2002)

What do skateboarding and legos have to do with each other? They're both cool and fun for kids! In a non-obvious interconnection, LEGO, the California Amateur Skateboard League (CASL), and Andy Macdonald agree to cross-promote for a second year.

(Provided by Lego Corporation)

LEGO Company Continues to Cater to Skateboard Enthusiasts with BIONICLE

LEGO Continues to Cater to Skateboard Enthusiasts with BIONICLE™, Renews Partnership with Skateboarding Pro Andy Macdonald

ENFIELD, Connecticut – LEGO® Americas announced a renewed partnership with Andy Macdonald, seven-time X-Games skateboarding gold-medallist and six-time World Cup Skateboarding overall points champion. The world’s third largest toy company signed Macdonald for a second year of sponsorship to promote its wildly successful line of BIONICLE™ action heroes.

The company also renewed partnership with the California Amateur Skateboard League (C.A.S.L.), a grassroots organization that encourages young skateboarders by providing safe venues for them to practice, compete in and excel at the sport of skateboarding.

“The average age of BIONICLE consumers last year was slightly older than the average LEGO enthusiast. These kids aren’t easy to reach through standard communication vehicles,” says Colin Gillespie, brand manager for BIONICLE in the Americas. “We went outside the box and found partnerships in Andy and C.A.S.L. that are relevant and targeted, and we’ve worked hard to keep our relationships with both meaningful. We’re thrilled to team up with them again to continue the success of BIONICLE.”

As part of his agreement with LEGO, Macdonald will sport the BIONICLE logo on the deck of his board, will make appearances at BIONICLE events planned for 2002 and will participate in BIONICLE promotions at various locations this summer. The company also may use Macdonald’s likeness in promotional materials.
“BIONICLE, skateboarding and kids are a perfect match,” says Andy Macdonald. “BIONICLE is cutting- edge and creative, and it’s awesome to be skating for the mighty heroes of Mata Nui again this year.”
For the second year, LEGO Americas will be a presenting sponsor of C.A.S.L., helping to offset their costs of organizing and implementing regional amateur skateboarding competition series in northern, central and southern California, and the culminating California State Championship in December.

BIONICLE is a series of quick-build, collectible action heroes accompanied by an epic story line. After its release in the summer of 2001, BIONICLE quickly became one of the top-selling toys in the industry and has gained popularity with children around the world. The line was recognized by the Toy Industry Association with two Toy of the Year awards for “Most Innovative Toy” and “Best Boy Toy,” and continues to top the sales charts for overall toys with new Bohrok foes released in February.

“BIONICLE has revolutionized the way children think of and play with LEGO toys,” says Andrew Black, president, LEGO Americas. “Translating LEGO values of creativity, imagination and construction, BIONICLE delivers an innovative play experience in a story-driven universe, bringing a new face to the construction category and reaching a new population of kids.

“The success of BIONICLE lies not only in product innovation, but also in innovative marketing,” Black continues. “Premiere partners like McDonald’s, DC Comics and Upper Deck, combined with the pure passion for skateboarding demonstrated by Andy and C.A.S.L., have helped us achieve a strong success with our own intellectual property. We look forward to announcing more strong partners for BIONICLE this year.”
For more information, visit www.BIONICLE.com, www.andymacdonald.com, or www.caslusf.com.

Andy Macdonald's laundry list of accomplishments has cemented his position as one of the top professional skateboarders in the world, both on and off his board, including: seven X-Games gold medals, a first-place finish at the 2000 Gravity Games, a Guinness World Record, six consecutive World Cup Skateboarding overall points championships, a U.S. postage stamp modeled after his likeness, a leading public service announcement for The Partnership for a Drug-Free America and an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Andy’s unique style and determination have made him one of the most popular athletes in skateboarding today.

The California Amateur Skateboard League (C.A.S.L.) is organized and staffed by the United Skateboard Federation, Inc. (U.S.F.). Throughout the year, U.S.F. staff and volunteers work with young skateboarders, their families and various communities to promote the sport of skateboarding as both a recreational and serious athletic endeavor with emphasis focused on communities providing skaters with safe skateboarding environments.

LEGO Americas, the division of the privately-held LEGO Company, based in Billund, Denmark, services the United States and Canada. LEGO Americas employs nearly 1,200 people – approximately one half of whom work at the company’s 203-acre headquarters in Enfield, Connecticut. The LEGO Company is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities, and its employees are guided by the motto adopted in the 1930s by founder Ole Kirk Christiansen: "Only the best is good enough." For more information, visit www.LEGO.com.
 
Media Contact: Michael McNally, LEGO America, Phone: 860-763-7825