Outdoor Industry Foundation Repositions for the Future

Outdoor Industry Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing participation in active outdoor sports, is executing a repositioning effort that will change the way it supports and organizes programs going forward. As part of this effort, the organization will change its name to The Outdoor Foundation. In addition, The Outdoor Foundation contracted Verde PR & Consulting as their communications agency of record, effective April 1, 2008. In this new capacity, Verde will support The Outdoor Foundation in all public relations and marketing efforts, including strategic planning, social media outreach, and event support at multiple venues.

Through the repositioning effort, The Outdoor Foundation will maintain its support for Teens Outside and it will evaluate additional programs to ensure that the organization is supporting the most effective platforms to increase youth participation in outdoor activities. The Outdoor Foundation hired Verde PR & Consulting to help facilitate transparent and consistent communications during these efforts. The goal behind this transparency initiative is to allow the industry to fully understand and embrace The Outdoor Foundation’s stated goals.

“We were immediately impressed with the core competencies that Verde has to offer The Outdoor Foundation, especially their commitment to social responsibility and their long standing relationships within the outdoor industry,” said Frank Hugelmeyer, president of Outdoor Industry Association. “It is the board’s intent to make participation the number one issue in the outdoor industry. It is vitally important to all companies that we introduce the next generation to the joys of the outdoor activities we all love.”

Verde will support The Outdoor Foundation with a multi-channel approach to public relations and marketing. Broadcast, print, on-line and social media outlets will be addressed equally. Verde will also leverage their vast experience in grassroots marketing to help The Outdoor Foundation further their mission of introducing younger generations to outdoor recreation.

“We have been working with our existing clients for the past few years to develop transparent communications strategies. While much of our work has involved environmentally focused corporate and non-profit initiatives, we are acutely aware of the human side that ensures the next generation can still go outside and find a neighborhood park where they can run on a trail or learn to paddle a canoe,” said Kristin Carpenter-Ogden, president of Verde PR and Consulting.

The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 established by Outdoor Industry Association to inspire and grow future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. The Foundation introduces youth to outdoor recreation through nationwide youth programming and produces high-quality, groundbreaking research that quantifies the extent and quality of participation in outdoor recreation as well as its economic impact on the U.S. For more information visit http://www.outdoorfoundation.org or call 303.444.3353

Verde PR & Consulting is a full-service public relations, marketing, branding, and consulting agency, with an emphasis in sustainability. Visit www.Verdepr.com, or contact Kristin Carpenter-Ogden (kco@verdepr.com) for more information.