Pro Surfer Alana Blanchard Claims Rip Curl Ended Sponsorship After She Fell Pregnant
Professional surfer Alana Blanchard has responded to fan questions as to why her partnership with surf brand Rip Curl ended.
The partnership, which has been ongoing for almost 15 years, ended earlier this year. Eagle-eyed fans began to notice Blanchard’s surfboard no longer had the iconic Rip Curl stick on its nose and started asking questions as to whether the surfer was still working with the brand.
In a recent YouTube video on her personal account, Blanchard revealed the reason she believed the partnership ended, which according to her, was because she fell pregnant.
She said in the video: “As some of you probably already noticed, I’m no longer sponsored by Rip Curl.
“It was kind of a big change for me from going from being sponsored my whole life, pretty much since I was like 14 to now not having a main sponsor.”
You can watch her talking about the relationship ending below (from around the 8.03 min mark).
The surfer said while “things ended OK” with the brand, it “pretty much stopped” working with her after she had her child.
She said: “They really didn’t like that I had a kid,” adding: “They no longer really wanted to use me anymore and I kind of want to be with a company that really supports me, who I am today and that just wasn’t Rip Curl at the time.”
Rip Curl’s last appearance on Blanchard’s Instagram page, which has 1.8 million followers, was January 25.
In a statement to Stab magazine, Rip Curl denied the partnership breakdown was due to Blanchard having a child.
“Rip Curl has supported Alana Blanchard for the past 12 years and she has been a legend within our brand and a huge influence in our sport. When Alana stepped into the next phase of her life as a mother, we went to great lengths to support her throughout her pregnancy and months after.
“Rip Curl wanted to re-sign Alana and continue her relationship on our surf team, and made an offer to do so, but unfortunately could not agree to terms.”
The brand said it was “surprised” by her comments in her recent video, but that it “can empathise with her disappointment in leaving the brand”.
“We wish her all the best; we value her contribution and legacy at the brand and we are sad to see her go,” the statement read.
Latest News
A Decade On, DonateLife Week Is One Of Australia’s Most Important Health Campaigns
B&T's editor is said to be donating his organs. It's like an offal tray marinated in gin, red wine & Marlboro Lights.
Dairy Australia Launches Latest “Buy. Support. Enjoy Aussie Dairy” Via Elmwood
The latest instalment of Dairy Australia’s “Buy. Support. Enjoy Aussie Dairy,” campaign has launched via elmwood. The ad aims to highlight the health benefits of getting your daily dose of dairy while also supporting local farmers and communities. The new Enjoy phase of the Dairy Australia campaign follows on from the initial scene-setting campaign, (around […]
Retired Marketing Man Andrew Piccoli Speaks About His Children’s Book ‘Dexter The Dahu’
Andrew Piccoli spent his career overseeing some of Australia’s most memorable ad campaigns. Now, he has turned his attention to a particular area of passion: children’s literature. Now retired, Piccoli spent the COVID-19 lockdown writing the story of Dexter the Dahu for children aged between five and nine. He has donated a copy of the charming […]
A Clearer Lens: Restoring Trust In Out Of Home Measurement
Outdated and modelled legacy measurement metrics being used by OOH companies have hindered confidence in the channel. Robin Arnold [pictured], Chief Technology Officer for LENS Technology & Analytics explores the few hero systems emerging to bring trust back to the channel. What do marketers really want? It’s a hard, nuanced question that has many answers. […]
Volkswagen Launches “The Power Of Vrrr Pha” Via Ogilvy
Absolutely nothing says "I couldn't quite afford an Audi" quite like a 20-something male in a Volkswagen Golf GTI.
Mars Appoints IRI As Data And Analytics Partners In Australia
Mars heaps you work, rest and play. As do a couple of Quaaludes followed by half a bottle of Bombay Sapphire.
Brent Liebenberg Joins Khemistry As Executive Creative Director
Brent Liebenberg has joined Khemistry. And, in the process, given B&T's spell checker heart failure.
Pinterest Introduces New Ways For Creators To Earn
Got a little side hustle going on? This Pinterest initiative could help. Unless it involves stripping at hen's nights.
Visual Domain Brings ‘Support Local’ To Life In Campaign Featuring 22 Aussie Businesses
Australia’s largest video production company, Visual Domain, was engaged by online luxury handbag business, She Lion, to bring to life an ambitious project to support local, showcasing the resilience of small business owners during trying times.
B&T’s Tokyo Olympics Wrap: Your Daily Dose of Hysterics, Romance & Foul Language
As you'll read here, the Olympics brings out the full gamut of emotions - joy, heartbreak & slimy, cheating Russians.
Sonos Collaborates With The North Face For Radio Station Exploring The World Through Sounds, Via M&C Saatchi
If B&T ever contemplated going out into the wilds to be eaten by pack animals, we'd definitely do it in The North Face.
Klarna Names New Marketing Director, Zip Co’s Katrina Ang
More proof that July is definitely the month for marketers to shift jobs comes further news of a marketer shifting jobs.
Sydney Comics Make Hilarious Mock Ad “Thanking” Anti-Lockdown Protestors
Fights in the toilet paper aisle! Anti-vaxxers! Lockdown protesters! COVID's shone a real light on our education system.
Airtasker Nabs Facebook’s Noelle Kim For CMO Role
B&T would like to suggest a top tagline for the Airtasker business - "Airtasker: for you when really can't be f@cked!"
10ViacomCBS Appoints Sports Sales Director
10 ViacomCBS announces Nick Bower as sport sales director. Now to find some actual sports.
oOh!media Names Raechel Gavin As Chief People & Culture Officer
Raechel Gavin named oOh!'s chief people & culture officer. Contemplating blaring Deepak Chopra through office PA system.
Tuesday TV Wrap: Olympics Helps Seven Continues Domination Of The Ratings
Who's not LOVING Seven's Olympics coverage? Well, aside from the shit sports where the Aussies get knocked out early.
JCDecaux Promotes Bronwyn Clementson To GM Of Commercial, As Paul Osborne Departs
The question remains: if you work for an outdoor company, do you have to enjoy going on camping trips?
FORWARD Announces New Purpose-Led Comms Platform
Here's news for B&T's PR readership. Well, now lockdown's killed off their nine-hour lunches & teeth whitening sessions.
How An Australian App Grew Programmatic Revenue 33% With A Diverse Ad Tech Stack
This article offers top advice on growing revenue by 33%! So, ignore it completely if you're growing yours at 44%.
Your Fast Food Take-Away: It’s New Work From Pizza Hut, Burger King & KFC!
Even if you've completely sworn off all junk food unless drunk at 4am, you can still enjoy this witty fast-food ad wrap.
Crypto Exchange Company BTC Markets Launches Australian-First DOOH Campaign Via QMS
Here's your obligatory cryptocurrency Tech Bytes story. Now will someone please explain to us what cryptocurrency is?
Octagon Promotes Simone Errey To MD
Simones definitely dominating news headlines this morning with Biles quitting gymnastics and Errey made Octagon MD.
Koala Says “Sorry” In New Campaign Via The Royals
Mattress brand unveils "sorry" campaign. You'll be relieved to know it has nothing to do with coming way too early.
Facebook Introduces New Restrictions Around Advertising To Minors Amid Slew Of Safety Measures
Instagram is introducing restrictions, which sadly don't include deleting every influencer or reality star's account.
IAS Launches Partnership With The Global Disinformation Index To Help Brands Avoid Misinformation
Brands looking to avoid misinformation can look at this partnership or simply not listen to anything Alan Jones says.
Snapchat Profiles Release A Brand New Look, With 3D Bitmoji
Snapchat Profiles now have a brand new look and a new dimension, with 3D Bitmoji in Profiles.
Simone Biles Makes History… Becoming The First Olympian With Their Own Emoji
A Simone Biles emoji is clearly an improvement on current favourites the eggplant, peach and smiley with sunglasses.
“Up In Smoke!” Aussie Study Says Guidelines Are Needed For Vaping On TikTok
Warning: this article might make your days of sneaking the odd ciggy in the school bathroom seem wholesome.
Have Twitter And Snapchat Debunked Advertisers’ Concerns About Apple’s iOS 14.5 Privacy Changes?
We've gone full MythBusters with this investigation, sans the beret and moustache.
