Tony Hawk's New Video...

I just watched Tony Hawk’s 'Secret Skatepark Tour 2'.  Something about the megabrand “Tony Hawk”, I expected it to be a made-for-tv-sham.  Instead, I was shocked at how inspiring and back-to-basics the video turned out to be.  This isn’t just another video documenting how cool and talented pros are.  This one isn’t for the ego; it’s for the kids. 

Hawk traveled with his posse—some of the biggest name skaters in the world—to skate with fans in their small home-towns, unannounced.  I imagine it means a lot when your hero stops by to meet you…when that hero has the money to travel the world, but he instead makes time to stop at YOUR piece of crap town to skate—with YOU.

Anymore, it’s as if this Tony Hawk guy doesn’t even exist—video games, magazine ads, television shows shot half way around the world—he’s a brand!  …But somehow, this video makes him a person again.  Finally: a celebrity using star-power to hands-on-inspire fans!  He’s taking the time to be one of them, teaching them tricks, slapping hi-fives!  It’s awesome!

You’ve got to check out Tony Hawk’s 'Secret Skatepark Tour 2'.  I love the scene where Hawk came over the intercom at a small town, Montana middle school, announcing himself at first as simply a “professional skateboarder” who can’t tell you enough to ‘say no to drugs’, for they will rob you of your motivation.  All the kids faces say 'who is this guy preaching over the intercom???'  But at the same time, you can see the kids are hearing this mystery skaters’ words crystal clear, as somehow very important.  Then the words 'I’m Tony Hawk. I’ll be at the skatepark after school' echo over the loudspeaker and all the kids start SCREAMING! …Those kids were so excited it brought tears to my eyes!  It was something out of a Make-A-Wish Foundation commercial.  I’m telling you…there are tons of cool moments like that.

Check out the Have It / DTS episode of Ten80 coming out this week for a sneak peak into Tony Hawks 'Super Skatepark Tour 2'!  I’ll be in the chat!  Tell me what you think…