DNN Thanks YOU, Part 6: Sponsors
In this, the sixth of seven installments in our DNN Thanks YOU feature, we focus on the businesses large and small who backed us financially through sponsorships, from the beginning of the site through the end of tournament season 2009.
Sin City Skates
Ivanna S. Pankin and Trish the Dish were ready to support DNN's coverage even before we had our act together enough to accept their help. Always ready to lead the way, the world's first derby-owned skate shop was our very first sponsor, and they've been with us all the way. In addition to providing good values and stellar sales support, they've also played an instrumental role in helping manufacturers develop equipment specifically tailored to the needs of modern roller derby. We're proud of our ongoing association with Sin City Skates.
Broken Cherry
During the 2008 WFTDA tournament season, we took our first plunge into extensive live coverage of major roller derby events. Chicago-based "Rock'n'Roll Lifestyle Boutique" (and eponymous derby girl) Broken Cherry stepped up in a big way to help make those efforts possible. She's helped keep the Windy City Rollers looking good since their inception. In addition to derby-friendly fashions, Broken Cherry also provides print and internet design services to help leagues present themselves effectively.
Bad Decisions
Often serving as a DNN satellite office location, derby-owned Baltimore bar Bad Decisions helped us make the best of an unpopular aspect of the WFTDA 3.1 ruleset, by sponsoring our coverage of Jammerless Jams during the 2008 WFTDA Championship Tournament. Committed a fourth minor when you should've been capitalizing on a power jam? Now that's a Bad Decision.
fiveonfive magazine
Published quarterly by Rocky Mountain Rollergirls Assaultin' Pepa and She Who Cannot Be Named, fiveonfive magazine is the best printed source for good advice on how to do everything right in modern roller derby. From coaching to equipment to business management to marketing to fitness and training, each issue has something for everyone.
Black Eyed Susan Skate Shop
Based in Baltimore, derby-owned Black Eyed Susan Skate Shop brings the skate shop directly to skaters, visiting league practices up and down the eastern seaboard.
Metro KC Sports
Regional cable outlet Metro KC Sports followed the Kansas City Roller Warriors throughout 2008 to produce the excellent seven-episode "Roller Warriors" series, now available on DVD.
Atom Wheels
Find the best skater you know, and ask her what her favorite wheels are. Odds are, she'll name an Atom brand... or two or three, or more. Atom Wheels works with legendary wheel chemist Neal Piper to create wheels tailored for the specific characteristics of many different surfaces. In 2009, they joined the DNN family of sponsors, becoming our top source of support. We look forward to a long, thriving future for our partnership!
RollerCon
Five years on, RollerCon remains the premiere networking event for modern roller derby skaters, refs, and support staff, with opportunities for on- and off-skates skills development -- and of course no shortage of off-the-books shenanigans and goings-on. Remember, what happens in Vegas stays on the internet!
Montréal Roller Derby
Much to Montréal Roller Derby's occasional frustration, people often forget that they're a fiercely competitive league on the rise. It's just that they so consistently bring the awesome when they're off skates, though, so whose fault is that? At their behest, we turned the site New Skidz colors just before the launch of DNN 3, to great critical acclaim. It's an experiment we're interested in repeating. If your league wants a unique way to get a message out to the derby world, contact us about skinning DNN in your colors!
Fast Girl Skates
In 2007, Rat City Rollergirls Wile E. Peyote and La Petite Mort opened the world's first brick and mortar roller derby skate shop. They strive to build every skater the perfect pair of skates for her individual needs, by verifying the precisely correct fit, selecting the right combination of components, and assembling every pair by hand... and they're getting really good at it. We're glad to have Fast Girl Skates on board as our first 2010 event sponsor, details to come soon.
Wicked Skatewear
The official outfitter of Derby News Network, Wicked Skatewear provided "I (heart) DNN" garb to major individual donors during our September 2009 tournament fund drive. When looking good just isn't good enough, count on Wicked to make you look *amazeballs*. Holler!
Have Derby Will Travel
Experienced derby smarties Lorna Boom, Mercy Less, and some dude I can't remember who it was helped DNN to get our business organized. If you're looking for help taking your league to the next level, they can help you too.
Cruz Skate Shop
Bay Area's Motley Cruz keeps 'em rolling in Northern California from her skate shop in San Francisco. Also, she's one of the forces behind Hellarad, the derby zine, our guilty pleasure, the yang to our yin.
DerbyLove
Look good off the track as well as on... show the world you love derby with fashions from DerbyLove.
