LAKE MARY, FL (Dec. 6, 2012) – Bionic Gloves, adidas Golf and Golf Mesquite Nevada as the three finalists in the Public Relations/Promotions Category of the 20th Annual ING Industry Honors awards program.
Called by some the “Academy Awards of the golf industry,” the ING Industry Honors program is conducted by the non-profit International Network Of Golf to recognize outstanding achievement in 12 categories of the golf business. Holly Geoghegan of Golf Marketing Services and The Golf Insiders radio show is the committee chair.
Over a dozen nominations in this category came to ING from all across the golf industry. A sub-committee vote narrowed the list to the final three. Winners in this and 11 other categories will be decided by a vote of the ING membership next month, and announced at the Industry Honors Presentation Press Conference January 25 at 12:30 p.m. at Orlando’s PGA Merchandise Show in ClubING, Room 309.
The International Network Of Golf is a non-profit, media-based networking organization whose mission since 1990 has been to enhance and promote communication and education in golf. Membership is open to anyone in the golf industry, related industries and media. “ING is where media and the golf industry connect.”
The three finalists in this category all had creative programs to gain exposure for their products or services. Here are descriptions:
adidas Golf – On the heels of The Open Championship and preceding the 2012 Summer Games, adidas Golf took over London’s River Thames, where PGA Tour stars Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia participated in a golf exhibition that celebrated golf’s re-entrance into the 2016 Olympics. The duo teed off a barge to a floating green positioned beneath the iconic Olympic rings that hung from the Tower Bridge, wearing special edition “Core Energy” red crossflex footwear that coincided with the red footwear that all adidas Olympic athletes wore at the 2012 London Games. The result was more than 158,775,000 media impressions.
Bionic Gloves created an innovative program that turned heads, generated publicity and increased sales. Humorous signs were paced on 130+ golf courses in 30 states. Signs were in bunkers, behind trees, by water hazards and out of bounds. Tongue-in-cheek messages like “You Again?” and “How Embarrassing!” reminded golfers they need a “Better Grip for a Better Game.” The campaign increased Bionic awareness and on-course sales while generating over $300,000 in national media coverage.
Golf Mesquite Nevada, headed by Executive Director Cody Law, has done a tremendous job gaining exposure with various events. The co-op golf marketing organization hosted or sponsored several events during the year that attracted players and coverage from all across the country. They included the World Long Drivers Championship, which drew national TV coverage, the Mesquite Amateur with 600 players, the ING Fall Forum with over two-dozen ING members, and the annual Media Classic with approximately 50 members of the media.
ING exists to bring golf media together with representatives from all walks of the golf industry to discuss issues, exchange information and improve communication. The group, which was formed 23 years ago, hosts the annual ING Spring Conference in May. Educational seminars, product testing, an appointment show and networking opportunities highlight schedule.
The next gathering for ING is at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando Jan. 24-26, 2013. ClubING (Room 309) will be open all day for members and their guests, with morning coffee, Happy Hour cocktail parties with celebrity guests and entertainment, and prizes and giveaways.
For more information regarding ING, call 407-328-0500 or visit www.inggof.com.
Contact:
Michael W. Jamison
mike@jamisongolf.com
407-328-0500, ext. 1