Stephen Keir steered AKUBRA on to the World Stage
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
One of the most important strategies he implemented to get AKUBRA on the world stage, apart from seeking new markets in the United States, was the agreement with the then world number one golfer, Greg Norman. Norman was to wear either the Great White Shark or the Fairway in every tournament he played and his AKUBRA became his signature accessory. Fans world wide, whether in the gallery or watching on television, only had to look for the hat to find Norman.

Sport played a big part internationalising AKUBRA with the hat becoming part of the Australian team uniform at four Olympic Games (Melbourne, Los Angeles, Seoul and Barcelona).At the Sydney 2000 Olympics all the medal presenters wore AKUBRAS.


In 1991 AKUBRA became one of the first sponsors of the women's professional surfing circuit and entered into an agreement with Australia's Pam Burridge, then the world number one.

Away from sport AKUBRA developed a relationship with Lee Kernaghan who launched the Outback Club hat which he wears at every concert.

In 2001 Stephen Keir saw all his hard work rewarded when AKUBRA became one of only six Australian companies to be awarded a Centenary of Federation star along with BHP Billiton, Qantas, Fosters, Hills Hoists and Holden.

AKUBRA had officially become an Australian icon.