February 18, 2010
In This Issue
Latest News
Newsmakers
Conferences
Online Seminars
Career Opportunities
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Endurance Sports
Business News
 
Latest News
TriUSA Event Directors Association Launched at USAT Meeting
 
TriUSA Event Directors Association was officially launched at last weekend's USA Triathlon Race Directors Symposium in Colorado Springs, CO.  The purpose of the new trade association is to support multi-sport event directors and events with the goal of complimenting the efforts of USA Triathlon.  More
 
Myrtle Beach Marathon Organizers Still Considering Refunds
The Sun News
Myrtle Beach Marathon organizers said Monday they have made no decision yet about refunds for those who didn't get to run Saturday when snow Friday night prompted the city of Myrtle Beach to call off the events.  The city pulled the plug on last Saturday's marathon and half-marathon when snow began piling up Friday night. It continued to fall, up to 5 inches in some places, until about 4 a.m. Because the course is not closed, runners would be on the streets with cars for part of the race, and the city said it was concerned about that scenario. More 
 
London Marathon to Pass £500M Fundraising Mark
The Independent
The amount raised for charity by runners in the London Marathon since it began in 1981 is set to top half a billion pounds this year, it was announced last week. The race, which saw runners raise £47.2 million for charity last year, boasts of being the largest annual one-day fundraising event in the world. More 
 
K-Swiss Reports Loss in 4th Quarter
SportsOneSource
K-Swiss reported a loss in the fourth quarter of $12.5 million, or 36 cents a share, from $13.7 million, or 39 cents, a year ago. Revenues in the quarter decreased 21.4% to $42 million from $53.5 million. Domestic revenues decreased 31.8% to $18.1 million, and international revenues decreased 11.2% to $23.9 million. More
 
Red Sox, Mass General Hospital Create 9K Run to Home Base
RedSox.com
Boston Red Sox and Massachusetts General Hospital officials announced this week the new 9K Run to Home Base. The May 23 event will provide financial support for the new Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Home Base Program, which serves local veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries. Participation in the run is limited to the first 3,500 registered runners 16 and older, and each participant is required to raise a minimum charitable donation of $1,000 for the Red Sox Foundation to be directed to the Red Sox Foundation and MGH Home Base Program. More 
 
SRAM Signs Deal to Sponsor High School Mt. Bike Association
Bicycle Retailer
SRAM has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement to be an establishing partner with the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA). "We are most grateful to SRAM for showing their confidence in our ability to bring great mountain biking opportunities to high school students across the USA," said Matt Fritzinger, executive director of NICA. The NICA vision is to develop high school mountain biking coast to coast by 2020 by providing successful models of league development to interested regions. More
 
Peachtree Road Race Again to Host U.S. 10K Men's Champs
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
For the third time in the past four years, the Fourth of July AJC Peachtree Road Race will play host to the USA Men's 10k Championship. The men's 10k is part of the USA Running Circuit (USARC) which is a USA Track and Field road series featuring championship races from one mile to the marathon. More
 
WTC Selects Ketchum Sports as PR Agency
PR Newswire
World Triathlon Corporation has selected Ketchum Sports & Entertainment (KSE) as its global public relations agency of record, beginning this month. Ketchum will work across the WTC portfolio, which includes Ironman, Ironman 70.3, IronKids, and Iron Girl, to strengthen each brand's global presence by building incremental consumer and trade awareness in the traditional and social media space. The team also will support WTC's strategic corporate initiatives, including expansion of domestic and international events and the brand's licensed products. More
 
Indy Monumental Marathon Donates $51K to Local Organizations
Inside Indiana Business
The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon organization says it plans to donate $51,000 to several educational institutions programs. The Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation, College Summit and The Mind Trust will receive $17,000 each. Organizers say proceeds from last year's marathon were more than double the amount from the previous year. More
 
Puma Doubles Net Income in 4th Quarter
Business Week
German sportswear company Puma AG says it doubled its net income for the fourth quarter to euro16.2 million ($22.4 million) as the company lowered expenses and saw higher operating profits. The company embarked on a large cost-saving and restructuring plan in 2008. More
Puma Launches Puma Phone with Sports Features
 
SkirtSports Hires LA's SnL Communications
RunnersWeb.com
SkirtSports,  has signed Los Angeles-based SnL Communications as its public relations agency.  "SkirtSports products lend inspiration, fun and style to the daily activities of women everywhere and we are thrilled to partner with SnL to further communicate this message," says Nicole DeBoom, CEO and founder of SkirtSports. More
 
Sof Sole Signs Sponsorship Deal with Competitor Group
SportsOneSource 
The Competitor Group and Implus Footcare have announced that Sof Sole will become the official insole sponsor of the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series. The two-year partnership will begin at the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras Marathon & Half Marathon in New Orleans on February 28.
 
GO! St. Louis Increases Half Marathon Field Size
 
GO! St. Louis announced this week that 2,500 additional registration spots have been opened for the 2010 half marathon race, set for April 11. The half marathon race, presented by National City (Now PNC) is the largest of the ten different races presented during the 10th annual GO! St. Louis Family Fitness Weekend. The half marathon had originally sold out at 10,000 participants on February 2.  The additional spots will be available online starting on February 19.
 
Crim Fitness Foundation Opens Second Office
 
Flint, MI's Crim Fitness Foundation is opening a second office in Rochester Hills, close to where it holds its Brooksie Way Half Marathon. According to Crim 10-Mile Run race director Deb Kiertzner, the satellite office will offer convenience for Crim staff handling race operations as well as The Crim Training Program for The Brooksie Way, which will kick off later this spring.
 
Marine Corps Marathon Announces Crossroads Race Sponsors
 
The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM), organizers of the Crossroads 17.75K to be held on June 12 in Prince William County, VA, has recognized Navy Federal Credit Union, Geico, Prince William County/Manassas Convention and Visitors Bureau, Brooks, Mic
Ultra and The News & Messenger as the new event's founding sponsors. More
 
New Mankato Marathon Sets Race Course
Mankato Free Press
Organizers of the Mankato (MN) Marathon have found a way to design a marathon course that takes some of the hilliest parts of Mankato out of play. "As crazy as it sounds, this is a fairly flat course," race director Mark Bongers said. "The rest of it is downhill." The Mankato Marathon, presented by HyVee, will be held on October 23. The event will also feature a half-marathon, a 10 kilometer race and a kids run. More
 
Blue Ridge Marathon Changes Course to Avoid Construction
The Roanoke Times
Organizers of the inaugural Blue Ridge Marathon on the Parkway have changed the race's course. Race director Ronny Angel said today that he has had to alter the final few miles of the course - but leaving alone the course's signature massive climbs - because he was concerned that work to replace the low-water bridge over the Roanoke River between Wasena Park and Smith Park would not be complete by race day, April 24. More
Mike Plant
Newsmakers
Maria Casada Estupinan of Spain, head of the International Triathlon Union and Pat McQuaid of Ireland, president of UCI, the international cycling federation, have been elected to the International Olympic Committee. 
 
Tarbell Patton has been hired by Hincapie Sportswear, the manufacturer of cycling clothing, as a retail sales representative for Kentucky, Mississippi, and northern Alabama.
magnatreads
Conferences
(March 3-4, 2010)
4th annual conference for athletic event fundraising organizers in Dallas, TX.
 
IEG Sponsorship Conference
(March 21-24, 2010)
27th annual sponsorship conference in Chicago, IL.
 
(April 13-15, 2010)
Annual conference of the Bicycle Products Suppliers' Association for bike industry leaders in Monterey, CA,
 
RRCA National Convention
(April 21-25, 2010)
52nd national convention of the Road Runners Club of America in Lakeland, FL.
ClubRunning
Online Seminars
Facebook Tips and Tools to Increase Participation
Organization: Active Endurance
(February 24, 4 p.m. eastern)
Justin Ramers, Director of Social Media for The Active Network, will take you for a deep dive into the world of Facebook and show you how to leverage it to create a successful presence for your organization and increase participation.
 
Fast-track Your Sales: 20 Proven Ideas in 90 Minutes
Organization: IEG, LLC
(February 25, 2 p.m. eastern)
Hear sales tips from the industry's best and brightest sellers, covering the gamut of property types from sports to nonprofits. Each idea is something any sponsorship sales person could put into practice. A great opportunity to refresh your approach and change your game.
Career Opportunities
 
The Field Marketing and Strategic Partnership Manager will be responsible for developing consumer experiential brand and product presence strategies across all categories. The person will develop, manage and execute event promotion and athlete and team sponsorships programs -while integrating with Marketing, Sales, On-line and Product Development staff. Additional responsibilities include fulfillment of contractual obligations and day-to-day management of strategic and industry partnerships.
 
 
The PLM is responsible for the seasonal direction of the apparel and accessories collections, providing leadership and merchandising expertise while monitoring the processes through on going interaction with internal and external cross functional teams.  Reports to and works closely with Director of Merchandising.  From brief to commercialization the PLM provides merchandising expertise with a comprehensive understanding of the competitive landscape.  Managing the approval process for materials, fit and prototype sign off. Ensure key calendar milestones are met for on-time delivery and adoption of styles.  Foster a collaborative work relationship with Sales, Operations, Marketing and Footwear counterparts.  
 
Specialty Retail Account Manager
Company: Sports Group International
 
Sports Group International is conducting a client search for a promotions and grassroots events manager with a "nose for sales" needed to work with specialty run, cycling and triathlon retailers.  Supervision of several direct marketing reps. Chosen candidate will work out of corporate headquarters in mid Atlantic area for this well known sports accessories company.  Salary and bonus.  Paid relocation if required. Interested persons should contact, Dave Reinhart, SGI, dkreinhart@aol.com.

Project Engineer - Future Concepts
Company: Brooks Sports, Inc.
 
Primary responsibilities of the Project Engineer - Future Concepts will be to identify and create new research, footwear concepts, technologies and materials that will make Brooks footwear the most innovative and high-performance running company in the industry. This position will work directly with vendors and manufacturing partners to source and build prototypes for the lab test team and deliver completed projects to the in-line development or commercialization teams.  They will also provide engineering expertise in all areas of footwear design, testing, and development.
 
Assistant Product Manager - Team Apparel and Accessories
Company: ASICS America

Primary responsibilities include the ability to utilize product, process and market knowledge to assist in the execution of the product marketing process for the ASICS running line. This position reports to the Product Manager in the Apparel Division. Please send cover letter with salary history and resume to appareljobs@asicsamerica.com.
 
Regional Advertising Sales Representative
Company: Competitor Group, Inc.    
          
Competitor Group New York (formerly MetroSports NY Magazine) is looking for a self-motivated individual who is hungry to make a difference in their job and make money for themselves. Qualified candidates will be outgoing, goal-oriented and have a passion for adventure and the active lifestyle.  In this growth position, you will be fully responsible for the New York region while selling print and digital advertising for all Competitor Group publications, including the regional editions of Competitor Magazine, as well as the Competitor Group's national titles: Triathlete, Inside Triathlon, and VeloNews. You will also sell regional event sponsorships and other marketing opportunities while maintaining and up-selling existing clients and developing new business. We provide a flexible, fun, non-corporate environment with tremendous growth opportunities. 
 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
 
·         Manage and maintain Regional accounts
·         Lead generation and new business creation
·         Developing and presenting of sales materials
·         Create new revenue opportunities for clients
·         Coordination of all production with Art Department
·         Maintain client database
·         Attend local events and trade/consumer shows
·         Client collections
 
Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year College or university; or a minimum of three years related sales experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  Microsoft Word, Excel, Sales Database and Power Point experience preferred.
 
Compensation: Draw against commission.
 
We offer a relaxed environment, a friendly staff, health benefits, vacation and a 401K with employer matching.  Qualified candidates are encouraged to send resume or C.V., cover letter with salary history and requirements to jobs@competitorgroup.com. 
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