Archives: Press Releases

Despite the challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Swiss-based organization OEKO-TEX® reported positive business results. The association was able to issue a total of 24,205 certificates and labels in the past financial year, an increase of 13%. The focus was largely on the MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® label, for which growth of 115% was recorded.

Since 1992, OEKO-TEX® has stood for transparency along the textile and leather production chains, consumer protection and the guarantee of greater safety and confidence for all those involved. The annual report of the international association shows how essential this topic is at present. Over 16,000 manufacturers, brands and retailers formally work with OEKO-TEX® in almost 100 countries. The number of labels and certificates issued rose from 21,454 to 24,205 between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

Certifications increasingly in demand

The MADE IN GREEN by OEKO-TEX® label has recorded above-average growth. The label, which has also included leather articles since 1 January 2020, increased by 115% from 1,304 to the current 2,808 valid labels in the financial year 2019/2020. The numbers of other labels such as STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® and LEATHER STANDARD by OEKO-TEX® also continue to grow from a solid base year over year. STeP by OEKO-TEX®, the certification system for production facilities with environmentally friendly processes and safe and socially responsible working conditions, increased by 55% newly issued certificates, to 475 valid certificates worldwide. Over 470,000 people are currently employed in STeP-certified production facilities.

Together through the crisis

During the single biggest challenge, we have faced in recent decades, OEKO-TEX® has made every effort to continue with certification and avoid supply chain interruptions. Existing certificate renewals were temporarily processed without samples to give certificate owners three additional months to gather samples for testing. To provide people all over the world with mouth and nose masks that are safe from harmful substances, the OEKO-TEX® Association waived the license fee for certification of masks. Between April and June 2020, more than 50 manufacturers of face masks obtained certification according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®.

Expansion of the online presence

To create a uniform and clear message, the entire web presence was redesigned, optimized and successfully launched in August 2019. On the informative, user-friendly website, businesses and consumers will now find the more prominently placed Label Check, a tool for checking the validity of OEKO-TEX® labels. The improved myOEKO-TEX® customer management platform was launched for certificate applications and management.

OEKO-TEX® also significantly increased its communication on social media by adding WeChat in China and has also recorded growth in its other channels.

Diamondback Bicycles is furthering its commitment to exploring the road less traveled with the introduction of new gravel and adventure bikes. Defined by versatility and premiere capabilities on road or dirt, the Haanjo gravel and adventure bike collection will feature eight new and updated models ranging from entry level commuter bikes, to fully-featured, carbon do-it-all gravel bikes.

Debuting this fall, the new Haanjo 8C Carbon will be the premiere offering in Diamondback’s Haanjo family. With a relaxed headtube angle and carbon fork, it stays comfortable yet performance-oriented thanks to Diamondback’s Endurance Geometry – a proprietary design that keeps riders in the perfect position to hammer out long miles with ease. Easton EC70AX carbon wheels, carbon handlebars and seatpost ensure a lightweight ride, and a Shimano GRX drivetrain keeps shifting smooth, and the transition between road and trails seamless. $4,400 MSRP.

“My (amazing) job is to usually speed around on a triathlon bike most of the summer. However, for the past couple of years, I’ve transferred a lot of my training off-road and onto gravel,” said Rach McBride, Diamondback athlete and three time Ironman 70.3 Champion. “I’ve been spending 90% of my ride time on the Haanjo, and within two weeks, I put over 625 miles onto my brand new 8C! The flared handlebars make technical descents a whole lot more comfortable, and the GRX clutch system on the rear derailleur will be a game-changer for those folks running a single chain ring.”

The new Haanjo collection also includes two additional carbon models— an updated Haanjo 7C ($2,800 MSRP) and a new Haanjo 6C ($2,400 MSRP). Featuring a lightweight full carbon frame and fork, the Haanjo 6C is designed to balance stability and speed on-and off-road. Equipped with a SRAM Rival 1 drivetrain and a quick yet bomber HED Tomcat disc wheelset and powerful and reliable TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes.

The five new Haanjo alloy bikes give consumers a range of options for every kind of riding and price, starting at $750 to $1,800 MSRP. The versatility of the Haanjo collection means each bike could be used for multiple different riding purposes— from a daily commuter bike, to long days on gravel or competing in a cyclocross race. The Haanjo can do it all. The design and aesthetic of the collection is modern with fresh colors and sleek design. 

“It has been exciting to watch the success and growth of our Haanjo collection,” said Michael Brown, VP of Product Development for Alta Cycling. “The addition of a high-performance carbon model will only continue to bolster the series’ popularity among gravel riders, and the additional alloy models will make it more accessible for more people to make the jump from the road to gravel.” 

The Haanjo 1-5 will be available in late summer and the Haanjo 6C, 7C and 8C will be available this fall. Consumers can sign up for the waitlist and be notified when bikes are available.

For additional information on all Diamondback bikes, please visit www.diamondback.com or follow on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter.

About Diamondback Bicycles:

Born in Camarillo, California, in 1978 and today based in Kent, Washington, Diamondback designs and builds performance bicycles for every rider at every level. With roots in the BMX world, and ongoing innovations in road, triathlon, and full-suspension mountain technologies, Diamondback continues to build a legacy of quality, service, and community. For more about Diamondback Bicycles, visit www.diamondback.com.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT (August 27, 2020) — Ski Utah, the marketing arm of the Utah Ski and Snowboard Association, has teamed up with Backbone Media as its public relations agency of record. The lifestyle agency will lead public relations efforts for the organization, working with media to highlight the destination’s distinctive resorts and partners.

Ski Utah’s membership is comprised of Utah’s 15 ski resorts located within the state, along with visitors bureaus, lodging partners, transportation providers, retail shops, restaurants, and a variety of local businesses. The organization has worked to create awareness and demand for the Utah winter sports product since its inception in 1975, and its primary functions are concentrated in marketing, public policy and public relations.

“Our goal is to inspire skiers and snowboarders of all abilities and backgrounds to choose Utah when planning their next ski trip,” said Anelise Bergin, director of digital marketing and communications at Ski Utah. “Backbone’s work and relationships within the active lifestyle, travel and tourism, and endemic ski space provide a strong platform to tell Ski Utah’s story.”

The terrain in Utah is notably diverse and accessible, with ten of its 15 resorts under an hour from the Salt Lake City International Airport. Utah’s resorts also boast The Greatest Snow on Earth®, thanks to the state’s consistent, high-quality snowfall. With a mix of independently owned ski resorts, Epic and Ikon pass accessible mountains and a distinct mountain culture, Utah offers a variety of options for skiers and travelers.

“Ski Utah is a dream client for many people on the Backbone team,” said Penn Newhard, president at Backbone Media. “We’re a group of passionate skiers that live in Colorado, but we head to Utah every chance we get.”

For more information about Ski Utah, visit www.skiutah.com. Through their website and social channels, visitors can sign up for powder alerts, follow snow reports, and find more information on lodging, restaurants, ski passes, and inspiration and ideas for their next vacation.

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About Ski Utah
Ski Utah is the marketing arm of the Utah Ski & Snowboard Association and has been creating brand awareness of and demand for Utah’s winter sports product since its inception in 1975. The organization’s mission is to inspire the world to ski Utah. Ski Utah also owns and maintains skiutah.com, where visitors can find the most up-to-date snow and travel information.

 

About Backbone Media
Backbone Media targets, engages and inspires the active lifestyle market through public relations, media planning and buying, social media, and affiliate marketing. For more than 20 years, Backbone has worked with leading outdoor gear, apparel, technology, food and beverage brands, as well as tourism destinations around the world. Backbone has offices in Carbondale and Denver, Colorado, and has consistently been named one of Outside magazine’s “Best Places to Work.” For more about Backbone Media, visit www.backbonemedia.net.

SEATTLE, Wash. (August 27, 2020) – Filson and Ducks Unlimited, two iconic American heritage brands, today announce a limited edition collection of co-branded products. The collaboration supports Ducks Unlimited’s vision and steadfast commitment to wetlands conversation by offering classic Filson products branded with officially licensed Ducks Unlimited graphics and logos.

“Both Filson and Ducks Unlimited have histories rooted in hunting and conservation and we are thrilled to release our collection of licensed Ducks Unlimited products,” said Alex Carleton, Filson CCO “The collection features tried and true Filson products that support and promote a fantastic organization dedicated to conserving waterfowl habitats.”

Since 1937, Ducks Unlimited has protected more than fourteen million acres of wetlands across North America and boasts over six hundred thousand members. Filson is proud to join forces with Ducks Unlimited to keep their mission going and guarantee good stewardship of American land for years to come.

“Ducks Unlimited and Filson are both iconic brands with rich histories, so it only seemed fitting for us to align to provide DU members and supporters a unique, co-branded line of merchandise,” said DU CEO Adam Putnam. “The Filson brand is known for their quality, and we know our members will appreciate the craftsmanship of each piece. We appreciate the hard work and effort that’s been put into this partnership, and we look forward to a long relationship with the Filson team.”

 

Filson x Ducks Unlimited Collection:

 

Cover Cloth Mile Marker – MSRP: $395 –  A Versatile classic ideal for lightweight weather resistance in the field. Made with light oil finish Cover Cloth waxed cotton and fully lined with dry finish Feather Cloth. Ideal lightweight weather resistance in the field. The adjustable waist and cuffs ensure a custom fit, and the corduroy collar lining adds warmth and comfort. Ducks Unlimited® logo embroidered on chest pocket.

Waterfowl Blanket – MSRP: $395 – Wool-blend blanket with custom Filson and Ducks Unlimited® graphics that’s sized to cover a double bed. Custom-made for Filson by Pendleton Woolen Mills and features felt-bound edges to prevent fraying, and 18% cotton blended with 82% wool for next-to-skin comfort

Original Briefcase – MSRP: $325 – The classic Filson Original Briefcase is built with Filson’s signature Rugged Twill, an industrial-strength water-repellent fabric that resists wear and abrasion for years of dependable service. An adjustable Bridle Leather shoulder strap allows shoulder or cross-body messenger carry, and can be removed when you want to carry it by hand. The bag’s large interior compartment has dividers and slotted pockets for organization. With limited edition label in support of Ducks Unlimited®

Dryden Backpack – MSRP: $225 – Made to withstand the bumps and scrapes of travel and everyday use, the versatile Filson Dryden Backpack is constructed from 1000-denier Cordura® nylon to be durable and weather-resistant. It features a double-layer reinforced bottom for added durability and a zippered rear panel hiding a padded laptop pocket. Heavy-duty coil zippers help prevent snagging. The Dryden Backpack is finished with Bridle Leather and nylon webbing for multiple convenient carrying options. With limited edition label in support of Ducks Unlimited®

Medium Duffle – MSRP: $395 – The Rugged Twill Medium Duffle is made of rain-resistant Rugged Twill and Bridle Leather to create a durable, dependable travel bag. It’s designed to meet maximum airline carry-on size restrictions, so you only need one bag for all of your journeys. The rustproof brass zipper and storm-flap closure offer added protection from the weather, making this versatile bag great for overnight trips of all types. Interior pockets are made of dry finish Tin Cloth for added durability. With limited edition label in support of Ducks Unlimited®

Dryden 2-Wheel Carry-on Bag – MSRP: $325 – The Dryden 2-Wheel Carry-On Suitcase is built with abrasion-resistant 1000D Cordura® nylon for years of reliable travel. An extendable handle allows easy transport to your destination. With limited edition label in support of Ducks Unlimited®

Watch Cap – MSRP: $45 – This warm, wool watch cap is perfect for insulating against drizzle, snow and dropping temperatures. The size and coverage is easily adjusted by cuffing the cap as desired. With limited edition label in support of Ducks Unlimited®

Logger Cap – MSRP: $36 – Water-repellent 6-panel cap with Ducks Unlimited® logo patch

Large Ducks Unlimited Patch – MSRP: $15 – A large, colorfully embroidered patch with a flying mallard duck and the Ducks Unlimited® logo

Ridgeway Fleece Jacket – MSRP: $130 – Highly breathable, lightweight and fast-drying fleece jacket with Ducks Unlimited® logo

The Filson Polo Shirt – MSRP: $95 – A sturdy polo shirt built with 100% Tanguis cotton pique with a limited edition label in support of Ducks Unlimited®. Three-button placket with fold-over collar, anti-pilling 8.7 oz. cotton pique fabric and side-seam slit for comfort.

Outfitter Graphic T-Shirt – MSRP: $45 – Midweight cotton jersey T-shirt made in the USA, with officially licensed Ducks Unlimited® graphics.

The new merchandise is now available online at Filson.com, through the Filson catalog, at select wholesale partners and at Filson’s fourteen stores across the United States.

 

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About Filson:

Established in Seattle in 1897 to outfit prospectors headed for the Yukon, the company’s 122-year legacy is built upon its reputation for honesty, quality and durability. Filson’s long-lasting gear is the choice of explorers, adventurers, ranchers, hunters, anglers, engineers and anyone with a passion for the outdoors. Over a century after its founding, the Filson headquarters remain in Seattle, Washington. For more information, go to Filson.com.

 

About Ducks Unlimited:

Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 14.5 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org

Balega International, a leading sock brand in the run specialty market, offers runners visibility at dawn or dusk with the introduction of the new Reflective Enduro sock. With fall quickly approaching and daylight becoming more scarce, many runners run at night or early in the morning when it is important to wear reflective gear. The new Reflective Enduro is specifically designed to provide higher visibility in dark conditions. The Reflective Enduro socks will be available online and at specialty retail stores beginning September 15.

Building upon Balega’s popular Enduro collection, the new Reflective model features ultrabright refractive glass beads at the top of the sock that provide high visibility reflection for safer running in low-light conditions. One of the original sock models in the Balega collection, the Enduro remains a top seller. The Enduro is defined by Balega’s V-Tech Arch Support System, which creates the ultimate performance fit. The high-performance elastane and the pressure-free grip system ensure a secure hold while allowing your toes room to move.

“Each Balega sock model is designed for a specific purpose,” explained Tanya Pictor, Vice President of Balega Marketing. “With the addition of reflective yarn, the popular Enduro sock offers visibility and allows you to keep running even in darker conditions, while also providing lightweight support and comfort to the runner.”

Balega’s Enduro running sock offers enhanced compression bands on the top of the sock for structure and support. The socks feature Balega’s proprietary Drynamix® wicking fibers and ventilation panels for moisture wicking. A reinforced, extra deep heel pocket and a pressure-free grip system provide a secure hold. The sensitive rib top keeps the sock securely in place which eliminates pressure marks, and the midweight protective cushioning offers a high-performance plush under-sole cushion to help protect feet while eliminating extra weight. Unique to all Balega products, these socks feature a hand-linked toe closure system for a seamless, non-irritating fit. The new Reflective Enduro socks will be available in the Quarter length in three colorways, including Multi Neon, Midgrey/Neon Lime and Black/Neon Green.

The Reflective Enduro socks will be available to consumers beginning September 1, 2020, and will retail for $16 MSRP. For more information and to locate a Balega dealer near you, please visit Balega.com.

About Balega International


A leading performance sock brand in the run specialty market, Balega is a designer and manufacturer of technical performance socks and part of the Implus family of brands. With a proud American-South African initiative, the company develops its product in both South Africa and North Carolina production facilities utilizing the best performance yarns produced in the United States. Crafted for a superior fit and unmatched comfort, Balega is committed to the technical excellence, quality, and performance expected in the Balega brand. A brand with ‘sole,’ Balega prides itself on its commitment to the community with projects aimed at enriching those less fortunate than ourselves. For more information, please visit www.balega.com.

About Implus

Implus is home to more than 20 brands in the footwear accessories, hosiery, specialty running, outdoor, fitness and medical categories. As an industry leader in consumer packaged goods, Implus is committed to enhancing healthy and active lifestyles, providing innovative products to more than 80,000 retail outlets worldwide. Distributing across more than 70 countries, Implus is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, with five international offices and four domestic satellite offices. Key brands within Implus’ portfolio include Sof Sole®, Balega®, Yaktrax®, SKLZ®, TriggerPoint™, RockTape® and Spenco®. To learn more, please visit www.Implus.com.

The brand’s second Beauty Box social media contest reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting women in the outdoors

Today, Salomon announces the launch of the #BeautyBag campaign, the brand’s second Beauty Box Instagram contest for active women, as the latest step in its ongoing initiative to support the growing community of women in the outdoors. To participate, women must post an outdoor-themed photo or video on Instagram that challenges the stereotypes typically associated with beauty.

Posts must be set to public with the tag @Salomon and hashtag #SalomonWMN, showing a creative, cliché-fighting interpretation of a popular, beauty-related hashtag in order to be considered. Captions should include the phrase “My Kind Of” + a popular hashtag, such as #nofilter, #morningroutine or #hairstyle before the contest ends on September 13. Ten lucky winners will receive a box filled with prizes hand-selected by the female employees of Salomon.

The box will include items for both everyday life and outdoor adventures, including a pair of Salomon’s coveted OUTline Prism GTX hiking shoe, the OUTnight 28+5 backpack and the Sight Crewneck sweatshirt. Salomon partnered with female-owned small businesses that share in its values of inclusivity and female empowerment for the additional prizes in the #BeautyBag. Participating brands include Kula Cloth, which promotes the Leave No Trace practices by normalizing the use of an intentionally-designed pee cloth, Rooted Woman, a non-toxic, ethical nail polish and treatment brand which seeks to re-empower the concept of self-care, and Sno Eternelle, an organic body oil brand.

“Our goal with #SalomonWMN is to empower women to embrace their own unique definition of beauty while fostering a more inclusive outdoor community,” says Becky Marcelliano, outdoor marketing manager for Salomon in North America. “After seeing the outpouring of excitement and participation from the first WMN campaign and Beauty Box contest this spring, we knew we’d spoken to the outdoor women’s community. For this #BeautyBag contest, we’re thrilled to continue supporting women by partnering with female-owned businesses as part of the prize package to support the incredible work that they’re doing and to share in their messages of inclusivity and community.”

Salomon’s first Beauty Box campaign launched in spring 2020 as part of the successful WMN Campaign, which seeks to break down harmful stereotypes and clichés that women face when recreating in the outdoors. The new campaign addresses and redefines the word “beauty” as a concept that extends beyond mainstream beauty standards in order to foster a more inclusive space, so that people of all sizes, colors, interests and levels can enjoy the outdoors as a community.

For more information, please visit: https://www.salomon.com/en-us/outdoor/salomon-wmn

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About Salomon: Born in the French Alps in 1947, Salomon is committed to pushing the boundaries of mountain sports through the creation of innovative equipment that allows people to play, progress and challenge themselves in their chosen outdoor sports. The company produces and sells premium footwear, winter sports and mountaineering equipment, hiking equipment, and apparel specifically designed for all of those disciplines. Products are developed in the company’s Annecy Design Center, where engineers, designers and athletes collaborate to create innovative solutions that continually improve the outdoor experiences of those who see nature as a vast playground.   

Contact: Emily Banks

emily.banks@rygr.us
970-924-0704 ext: 103 

 

SBT GRVL, a world-class gravel bike experience presented by Canyon Bicycles, raised $30,000 dollars for its advocacy partners through its global virtual ride,  SBT VRTL . This free community ride experience was held on Sunday, August 16.

Leading up to SBT VRTL the SBT GRVL team enlisted a number of sponsors and members of the gravel community to create 150 suggested routes that riders could choose from. Encouraging safe riding and social distancing SBT VRTL had 1,360 cyclists from 48 different states and 12 countries ride. Participants chose where, when and how long to ride and shared their rides on social media.  

“We were grateful for the support from our riders and sponsors when we cancelled the 2020 event and announced SBT VRTL,” said Ken Benesh, co-founder and race director of SBT GRVL. “Through SBT VRTL we were able to stay engaged with our gravel community while still making a positive impact on our advocacy partners, which is a central part of our mission.”

Over 900 of the registrants donated to SBT GRVL’s advocacy partners which includes People for Bikes, NICA GRIT, Community Agriculture Alliance, Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club and Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Colorado. Participants were also able to donate to the recently formed Mark Satkiewicz Memorial Fund.

The SBT GRVL 2021 event will be hosted on August 15, 2021 with registration opening the first week of December.

About SBT GRVL

SBT GRVL launched August 2019 as a world-class gravel bike experience committed to Beauty, Inclusivity, Family, Challenge, and Fun. The event enables gravel fans of all ability levels to experience the unmatched gravel roads winding around and through the iconic, beautiful mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colo. Riders are invited to push their abilities on four course distances ranging from 37 miles to 144 miles. Those seeking the ultimate challenge can saddle up to 9,400 feet of climbing on the Black 144-mile racecourse—a sought-after title for endurance gravel pros. The Blue Course is a ‘best-of-Steamboat’ experience wrapped up in 103 miles and the Red course is a condensed 64-mile “best of” route offering challenge, beauty and fun. The Green Course is a 37-mile introduction to the area’s unrivaled gravel roads. Come experience high-altitude gravel, a weekend full of events for the whole family and ranch-town hospitality at SBT GRVL.

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Black Diamond Equipment^®, a global innovator in climbing, skiing and mountain sports equipment, announces plans to expand its retail footprint to Park City. In celebration of the grand opening of its Park City location, Black Diamond will host a series of in-store activations during the forthcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, September 5-6, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

“This weekend commemorates the grand opening of BD retail in Park City,” states James Santelli, manager of the Black Diamond Equipment Park City retail location. “It also marks the beginning of an opportunity for Black Diamond to partner, collaborate and serve as a hub to Park City’s community of climbers, skiers, snowboarders and mountain adventurers.”

The store on Main Street will be Black Diamond’s fourth retail location in Utah, following those in Salt Lake City, Millcreek and Lehi. The new Park City location will showcase the variety of Black Diamond products with a focus on its seasonal collections including equipment and apparel from climbing, backcountry skiing, snow safety and mountain running.

The grand opening weekend will feature appearances by BD athlete and renowned photographer, Chris Burkard, food, music, promotional giveaways, raffles and a silent auction. All proceeds from the raffles during the weekend will benefit community partners including Live Like Sam, Utah Avalanche Center, and Elevated Mountain Guides.

“We chose Park City as the newest location for a BD storefront because it plays host to a vibrant group of outdoor enthusiasts who already identify with our brand,” states Devin Battersby, Black Diamond Equipment’s director of retail. “Utah is our backyard and our intentions with retail extend beyond the transaction. As an active member of the Wasatch community already, we look forward to serving the community with monthly events, athlete lectures, equipment demos, special presentations and our own product launches.”

Please visit Black Diamond Equipment Park City at its 592 Main Street location. As a reminder, Park City’s Main Street will be open to foot traffic only as recommended COVID-19 guidelines will be in effect.

Black Diamond Equipment is a manufacturer of equipment and clothing for climbing, skiing and mountain sports. By consistently building innovative, standard-setting products and actively preserving the mountain/canyon environment, Black Diamond Equipment has assumed a leadership role in the international outdoor community. For more information on Black Diamond Equipment, visit BlackDiamondEquipment.com

A new poll conducted by The Conservation Alliance, a coalition of companies committed to protecting wild places, reveals the political potential of a growing outdoor voting bloc that is primed to mobilize around conservation issues in the November elections. Outdoor and sister-industry employees, and members of the broader outdoor community, were surveyed to gauge expected voting habits and greater understand potential impact of increased voter turnout. The survey showed that there are an estimated 7,600,000 outdoor industry employees in America, and 145,000,000 voters that can be identified as members of the outdoor community.

The poll found that the outdoor community is unified in wanting politicians and businesses to value environmental issues yet lags behind the general population in likelihood to participate in the November elections. Brady Robinson, Executive Director and Kirsten Blackburn, Advocacy Program Manager of The Conservation Alliance will be leading a webinar presentation on Thursday, August 27 at 10:00 a.m. PDT highlighting the poll results in more detail. Register for the webinar here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8251865961240287758.

An overwhelming majority (91-percent) of the outdoor community says a candidate’s environmental views are important to them, and 81-percent said they want companies to take a stance on environmental issues. Even in this time of deep political division, there is broad bipartisan support for conservation issues such as protecting public lands and combating water pollution.

“This poll affirms that protecting public lands and waters is a unifying call-to-action for not just voters of all political stripes, but for businesses too,” said Brady Robinson. “Consumers vote with their ballots and vote with their dollars by investing in candidates and brands who share their values.”

The poll also found the outdoor community is more likely to vote in 2020 than in 2016, with 57-percent of those surveyed indicating an increased likelihood of participating in this year’s elections. However, just 78-percent of the outdoor community plans to vote in November, 10-percent less than the general population.

“Unfortunately, voter turnout looks a little different,” said Kirsten Blackburn. “In 2016, just 57-percent of eligible voters in the United States voted. This means that the outdoor community could be leaving as many as 24.5 million votes on the table in November.”

“It’s up to all of us in the outdoor industry to step up and encourage our community to prioritize the environmental issues and concerns that bring us all together,” said Hans Cole, Director of Environmental Campaigns and Advocacy at Patagonia and Board President of The Conservation Alliance.

The Conservation Alliance does not endorse or oppose specific political candidates, however, encourages all eligible voters to cast a ballot in November.

About The Conservation Alliance:
The Conservation Alliance is an organization of like-minded businesses whose collective contributions support grassroots environmental organizations and their efforts to protect wild places where outdoor enthusiasts recreate. Alliance funds have played a key role in protecting rivers, trails, wildlands and climbing areas throughout North America. Membership in the Alliance is open to all companies who care about protecting our most threatened wild places for habitat and outdoor recreation. Since its inception in 1989, The Conservation Alliance has contributed more than $24 million, awarded 720 grants, helped to protect more than 73 million acres of wildlands and 3,575 miles of rivers; stop or remove 35 dams; designate five marine reserves; and purchase 17 climbing areas. For complete information about The Conservation Alliance, visit www.conservationalliance.com.

 

JAM Collective, an accomplished boutique agency specializing public relations, social media, communications and strategic partnerships is thrilled to announce its upcoming Instagram Live installment of JAM Sessions. This week, JAM Sessions presents: Listen to the Landscape: Enhancing the Modern Day Road Trip with HearHere, a conversation with Bill Werlin, co-founder of HearHere and former President of The North Face, and Gregory Harrison, actor of Trapper John M.D. fame and HearHere storyteller.

Listen to the Landscape: Enhancing the Modern Day Road Trip with HearHere

HearHere co-founder, Bill Werlin, joins
host and storyteller, Gregory Harrison to discuss the best new
accessory for your road trip and the magic of travel.

Thursday, August 27th @ 12pm PT
@jamcollective Instagram Live

JAM Sessions is a weekly series of events, classes, and discussions to help members of the outdoor community feel more connected. JAM Collective is dedicated to amplifying the voices and stories of nonprofits, BIPOC, and underrepresented communities, as a part of JAM Sessions.

HearHere is a new audio entertainment app designed to enable the curious road-tripper to discover the people, places and histories of the land they are traveling through. The app launched in early August 2020 with over 1500 stories covering the West coast (WA, OR, CA) and will soon feature stories spanning the United States.

“The idea of hearing about the land you’re traveling through originated when I was a traveling sales rep in the early 70s,” said Bill Werlin, co-founder of HearHere. “I had eight western states as my territory which equated to hours and hours behind the wheel. The scenery was spectacular, but I was always curious as to the backstories of what I was seeing. A chance encounter with Woody Sears and then Kevin Costner opened the door to creating HearHere. Notwithstanding a long and enjoyable relationship with JAM’s founder, there is no better voice to the Outdoor Industry and related markets. For all my attachments to the Outdoor Industry, both personal and professional, JAM was the definitive choice to speak about HearHere.”

HearHere features brief stories based on the listener’s geographical location narrated by various hosts, including Kevin Costner, Phil Jackson, and Gregory Harrison. The app is the creation of audio storytelling entrepreneur and technologist, Woody Sears, and Bill Werlin, former President of The North Face. In addition to serving as a writer, editor and narrator on HearHere, Costner is also a Co-Founder of the company.

Tune in to the JAM Collective Instagram Live discussion on Thursday August 20th, at 12 pm PST.

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About JAM Collective
Founded by Julie Atherton and based in San Francisco, California, JAM Collective focuses on strategic planning, effective social media networking and influential product placement to initiate brand visibility and further connect its clients with consumers. Over the past 20 years, JAM Collective has evolved into a versatile and accomplished public relations and media agency with an impressive roster of nationally and internationally recognized clients, all the while maintaining a deep level of client involvement. Current clients include: Osprey Packs, OtterBox, prAna, Snow Peak and Vasque Footwear. www.jamcollective.net

About HearHere
HearHere is an audio entertainment app for the curious road-tripper that shares the stories and history of the places they are traveling through and to – helping preserve the tradition of oral storytelling. Launched in August 2020 with more than 1500 stories for road trips on the West Coast (California, Oregon and Washington), HearHere will publish more than 10,000 audio stories across the United States by summer 2021 with themes including Colorful Characters, Culture, History, Local Insights, Music, Natural Wonders, Special Places of Interest and Sports. For a free trial of HearHere, download HearHere on the App Store for iPhone or visit www.hearhere.com for more information. 

App Store and iPhone are registered trademarks of Apple Inc.