Black Diamond Strengthens Senior Global Operations and Sales Teams With Four Key Hires

SALT LAKE CITY, Nov. 29, 2012 (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 filled four newly created positions to bolster its operational and sales teams, both domestically and internationally.

"These four exceptional new hires mark the culmination of our two-year process to invest in the people necessary to support our global platform," said Peter Metcalf, President and CEO of Black Diamond.

Olav Nietzer – Director of European Sales, Black Diamond Equipment

Swiss national Olav Nietzer has been appointed to the newly created position of director of European sales for Black Diamond Equipment. Nietzer's sales experience includes director of European sales for Burton, Red and Anon, where he was specifically responsible for apparel and winter sports hard goods. Prior to that, he held various positions at Johnson & Johnson, UBS and Credit Suisse. Nietzer is an avid off-piste skier, mountaineer and outdoorsman, and will be based in Black Diamond's Basel, Switzerland offices.

Andrew Campbell – European Financial Controller, Black Diamond

Black Diamond welcomes Andrew Campbell to the newly created position of European financial controller for Black Diamond. A dual citizen of Australia and France, Campbell previously served as the finance and human resource director for Pure Fishing, a subsidiary of the Jarden Corporation, as well as various positions at Patagonia Europe and Price Waterhouse Coopers Australia.

Colin Israel – PLM Global Integration Coordinator, Black Diamond

Colin Israel has been hired as Black Diamond's product lifecycle management (PLM) global integration coordinator. Israel's previous work experience includes senior director of information technology for Volcom North America and senior manager for Deloitte & Touche's North American controls assurance. He also served in various positions within consulting and enterprise risk services for Deloitte & Touche in Paris, France.

Martijn Linden – Design Director of Apparel, Black Diamond Equipment

Martijn Linden has joined Black Diamond Equipment as the design director of apparel. Linden's prior experience includes senior European design positions at O'Neill and Rip Curl, as well as various creative roles with Quiksilver and Patagonia in North America. Dutch-born Linden will be based in Salt Lake City, Utah to support the fall 2013 global apparel launch and lead the creation of future collections. Linden is a backcountry snowboarder, ultra runner and mountain sports enthusiast.

Metcalf concluded: "Our success is built upon innovation derived from the complete and deep understanding of the markets we serve, and each of these individuals brings significant experience to help lead our company. These new positions also complete a global initiative to augment our senior management with an eye towards cultural and language diversity. I am confident these new hires will help our organization advance towards our boldly envisioned future."

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, cycling and other outdoor recreation activities for a wide range of year-round use. The Company's principal brands, Black Diamond®, Gregory™, POC™ and Pieps™, 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 outdoor and action sport 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, slopes, crags, roads 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 50 countries around the world. For additional information, please visit the Company's websites at www.blackdiamond-inc.com, www.blackdiamondequipment.com, www.gregorypacks.com, www.pocsports.com or www.pieps.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Please note that in this press release we may use words such as "appears," "anticipates," "believes," "plans," "expects," "intends," "future," and similar expressions which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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 press release are based upon information available to the Company as of the date of this press 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 press 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

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

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Source: Black Diamond, Inc.