Ryan Gellert Appointed Black Diamond Equipment Brand President

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 28, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Diamond, Inc. (Nasdaq:BDE) (the "Company" or "Black Diamond"), a leading global provider of outdoor recreation equipment and active lifestyle products, has promoted Ryan Gellert to the newly established position of Black Diamond Equipment brand president, effective January 2, 2012.

Peter Metcalf, who currently assumes this responsibility, will remain president and CEO of Black Diamond, Inc. while Gellert will move on from his current position as vice president of Black Diamond supply chain management. Gellert began his career at Black Diamond Equipment in 1998 and quickly ascended the ranks to project leader and managing director of Black Diamond Asia from 2005 to 2010.

"Ryan's appointment marks the culmination of an important objective our company set out to achieve since becoming public in May 2010," said Warren Kanders, executive chairman of Black Diamond. "The creation of this new position will allow Peter to keep his fingers on the pulse of the Black Diamond brand while at the same time focusing on the organization's most compelling strategic initiatives which are currently apparel and acquisitions."

Metcalf announced the pending split of his role at a companywide meeting in February 2011, after which Black Diamond Equipment began the search for a highly qualified individual to fortify the top of the organization and provide focused leadership for the Black Diamond Equipment brand.

Metcalf commented: "Ryan has been fully committed to our team for over ten years and has proven himself as a highly effective leader. These qualities, along with a deep connection to the values and ethos of Black Diamond, will be a tremendous asset as this brand enters its next stage of growth."

Gellert will focus globally on all brand functions and will become only the second person to manage and lead Black Diamond Equipment since its inception in 1989 and only the third person in the 54 year heritage of the business, dating back to Chouinard Equipment.

"The vibrant energy, human capital and technological innovation at Black Diamond Equipment, combined with its commitment to being the world's leading active outdoor equipment and lifestyle companies, is truly inspiring," said Gellert. "I am both thrilled and honored to undertake this challenge and advance this brand in the increasingly competitive global marketplace."

Gellert earned a J.D. at the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law in 2005. During his time in law school, Gellert studied European Union Law and Chinese Law and Legal Institutions at East China University of Politics and Law in Shanghai, China. His prior education includes a B.S.B.A in Finance from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte and an M.B.A. from Florida Institute of Technology. Gellert is an avid backcountry snowboarder and an active climber for over 15 years, having climbed in Asia, Europe, North America, Australia, the Middle East and South Africa.

About Black Diamond, Inc.

Black Diamond, Inc. is a global leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of innovative active outdoor performance products for climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, skiing and other active outdoor recreation activities for a wide range of year-round use. The Company's principal brands, Black Diamond® and Gregory™, are iconic in the active outdoor industry and linked intrinsically with the modern history of these sports. Black Diamond is synonymous with performance, innovation, durability and safety that the climbing, mountaineering, skiing and backpacking communities rely on and embrace in their active lifestyle. Headquartered in Salt Lake City at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, the Company's products are created and tested on some of the best alpine peaks, crags and trails in the world. These close connections to the Black Diamond lifestyle enhance the authenticity of the Company's brands, inspire product innovation and strengthen customer loyalty. The Company's products are sold by leading specialty retailers in the U.S. and 40 countries around the world. For additional information, please visit the Company's websites at www.blackdiamond-inc.com, www.blackdiamondequipment.com, or www.gregorypacks.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and therefore involve a number of risks and uncertainties. We caution that forward-looking statements are not guarantees and that actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results of operations or financial condition of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, the overall level of consumer spending on our products; general economic conditions and other factors affecting consumer confidence; disruption and volatility in the global capital and credit markets; the financial strength of the Company's customers; the Company's ability to implement its growth strategy; the Company's ability to successfully integrate and grow acquisitions; the Company's ability to maintain the strength and security of its information technology systems; stability of the Company's manufacturing facilities and foreign suppliers; the Company's ability to protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights; fluctuations in the price, availability and quality of raw materials and contracted products; foreign currency fluctuations; our ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards; and legal, regulatory, political and economic risks in international markets. More information on potential factors that could affect the Company's financial results is included from time to time in the Company's public reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this release, and speak only as of the date hereof. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

CONTACT: Company Contact:

         Warren B. Kanders
         Executive Chairman
         Tel 1-203-428-2000
         warren.kanders@bdel.com
         or
         Peter Metcalf
         Chief Executive Officer
         Tel 1-801-278-5552
         peter.metcalf@bdel.com

         Media Contact:

         John L. DiCuollo
         Backbone Media, LLC
         Tel 1-970-963-4873
         jld@backbonemedia.net

         Investor Relations:

         Liolios Group, Inc.
         Scott Liolios or Cody Slach
         Tel 1-949-574-3860
         BDE@liolios.com

Released November 28, 2011