Justin Coté - SUPERbrand

When and where did you start surfing?
I started surfing when I was 8 years old at Stone Steps in Encinitas, CA.

What is it that you love about surfing?
So many things… The freedom, the health benefits, the challenge. Oh, and this thing called ‘lateral acceleration,’ that a guy nicknamed Slo-Mo talks about in his Youtube video, check it out!

Do you have a session that stands out as your most memorable?
Too many to list…but highlights include Puerto Escondido, Teahupo’o, and many more. The best session is the last one!

What kind of education have you had?
San Dieguito High School, Mira Costa Jr. college, and a degree in Communication from Cal State San Marcos.

Did you always want to use your skills for work in the Surf Industry?
I didn’t really plan it that way, but since I was a kid I’ve worked in the surf industry so it just kind of happened that way—from sweeping floors at Agua surfboards to Life’s A Beach to TransWorld SURF surfing has always kept me employed and stoked!

You did some time as an editor at TransWorld Surf and then again at GrindTV, what did you enjoy most about these jobs?
The best part of TransWorld SURF was the traveling. During its heyday, we’d see a swell forming, organize a crew and go! The good ol’ days for sure! GrindTV was cool in that it opened my eyes to other action sports and was asked to leave my comfort zone and report on skateboarding, snowboarding, etc. Still, surfing is where it’s at for me.

You're now the Marketing Director at SUPERbrand, how did that come about and what does your role involve on a day to day basis?
After ten years in the media, it was time to do something different. So when the opportunity arose, I jumped in and never looked back. My daily role involves being the team manager, coordinating and working on advertising campaigns, social media, surfboard demos, surfboard and apparel RnD and feedback. Basically everything from cleaning a demo board to figuring out where to spend our ad dollars.

What is it that you love most about your job?
Seeing people get stoked on what we create. Whether it’s a tee shirt, pair of boardshorts, or the look on a groms face when he or she gets a new board.

In what way has your time in primarily Media based roles been of benefit to your Marketing skill-set?
It’s benefitted me in that I have a lot of contacts in the industry. As well, I've had a lot of experience in the social media world which is a big part of marketing.

What are your greatest passions in life?
Family, friends, surfing, diving, fishing, and traveling.

How did you get to the position you are in today?
Guess I just got lucky…haha. Nah, in all seriousness, I’ve always tried to treat people with respect and do things the right way. If you stick to that mantra good things tend to happen

Where can we online? 

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Posted by: Troy Roennfeldt, on January 19, 2015
Categories: Interviews

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