Skiing + Hot Springs > Peanut butter + Jelly. No where is that combination better than the Eastern Sierra, and we’re happy that Conde Nast Traveller agreed with us (and Visit Mammoth)

When the “best of” lists come out this time of year, it’s a good time to quickly reflect on what marketing and communications can and can’t do. The truth is – clever ideas and a well-executed campaigns only get you so far. Especially when it comes to a category like craft beer. When we’re objectively talking about comparing the very best of anything, ultimately the product/ service/ experience has to stand on its own.

But to be in those conversations, you have to put yourself in the room. And how you do that goes a long way in determining the outcome of the conversation and if it involves you.

This week, Men’s Journal named Anderson Valley Brewing Company its favorite Winter Warmer. The beer is excellent, and the brewery has as sterling a reputation in craft brewing circles as there is; those things ultimately matter more than anything else. But so does a six-pack of Anderson Valley Winter Solstice landing on the writer’s porch in the weeks leading up to publication.

There’s nothing complicated about it; if your horse isn’t at the starting gate, it doesn’t matter how fast they are. At a minimum, that’s what a good communications campaign should do: get you to the right gates.

The thing about hidden gems is, they’re usually hidden for a reason. Not June Mountain.

Forbes on June Mountain, Mammoth’s sister resort:

“Touted as “The Switzerland of California,” June Lake is the oft-overlooked jewel of the Eastern Sierra’s. Known for its fishing and camping in the summer, June Lake is also a great winter escape from the crowds and bustle. If you like rustic charm, low-key skiing, and cozying up to a fire for a quiet night, add June Lake to your list of winter destinations.

Located twenty-five miles north of well-known Mammoth Mountain, June Mountain Ski Resort offers a slower-paced family mountain experience. The unassuming resort features 1,500 acres of family-friendly slopes with unparalleled panoramic views.”

Visit Mammoth’s Lara Kaylor talks with Outside Magazine on dispersed camping and how to do it responsibly. Over-tourism is a hugely important and difficult problem for mountain tourism destinations to navigate. Proud of the way our partners in Mammoth Lakes have navigated it; seeking to educate, instead of shame.  This one’s behind a paywall (good journalism is always worth it):

Your 101 Guide to Dispersed Camping

BluBird client HearHere is lucky enough to have Kevin Costner as a founder. That certainly helps the cause when it comes to telling their story. But celebrity only opens the door, what do you once it’s open? How do translate the audience’s interest in an actor into a download of an audio storytelling app? By placing stories like this:

“That curiosity led him to join the startup audio app HearHere as a cofounder. “[It] was the idea that wherever I was driving through, I could somehow tie into that and that same plaque could go from being a paragraph to being a four- or five-minute story or an overview of an entire area,” he recounted. “That alone got my interest.”

Read the Full Piece

“SoCal’s Mammoth Mountain doesn’t lack in size or terrain variety. In fact, with 35 percent of its runs rated advanced or expert and 40 percent classified as intermediate, Mammoth offers up a very well-balanced skiing experience.”

Read the Full Piece

For many outdoor and enthusiast brands the path to real growth requires widening the funnel, speaking to new audiences and bringing core stories to a wider consumer audience set in a way that lowers the barrier to entry. It’s a major focus of our communications work, something we think about and execute against every day.  Check out the New York Times reporting on mountain biking’s explosive growth and where to ride with some love for our client – Mammoth Mountain.

Read the full piece

Gravel Cycling’s Superbowl needs no introduction, but its participants do need a support team and some local knowledge. For cycling media and brands – we’re that.

“I was lucky enough to get on board with the crew from BluBird Communications, who in turn had folks from Enve, Wahoo, and Ventum bikes pitching in to help with the multi-day effort.”

Read more about the Unbound experience of VeloNews’ Ben Delaney

SBT announces plans for the first-ever professional broadcast of a gravel cycling event. This one was a long time in the making. Make sure you tune in on Aug. 15 to hear our pals Matt Lieto and Jayson O’Mahoney on the call. Read the coverage.

Ski Magazine knows: There’s only one mascot that matters in the world of skiing and snowboarding, and he has a Mammoth Lakes address.