Declaration of Importance of the NPAA – Fishing Tackle Retailer
Forestville, Wisconsin The fishing industry includes a select group of people that “everyone knows”. Instead, Mark Copley is one of them. Just visit the “Rather Outdoors” booth at ICAST. Copley is packed with media, pros, and rookies who want to be in and keep an eye on it.
His fishing journey began 17 years ago with Strike King, in August of 2007, when Copley was commissioned to produce TV shows. Strike King’s Pro Team Magazinewhich is broadcast to this day under the title Professional Team Magazine, and folds into the Lew’s and Strike King Brothers’ trademarks. In his production capacity, Copley has directed three unique television programs, including one dedicated to the Academy Outdoors.
Climbing the corporate ladder at Strike King, Copley was named Director of Marketing in 2011, a position he held until 2018 when Strike King was sold to Peak Rock Investments, which also bought Lew’s and Hunters Specialties, eventually leading to the formation of Never Outdoors. . and the accumulation of many other fishing tackle brands, including Mr. Crappie, Salmo, and others. In 2019, Copley became Director of Professional Personnel and Media Relations for all North American brands. And in 2020, he added the trade show manager job, which he maintains perfectly to this day.
Introduction to the NPAA
Strike King burst into the walleye market in 2016. With decades of momentum in the bass fishing market, Copley knew Strike King needed new weapons to make a mark on walleye anglers. And that’s when he met Pat… Pat Niu, president of the NPAA.
“I really got to know Pat, and I appreciate everything the NPAA does for the walleye market,” Copley said. “So, in 2016, Strike King joined as a silver partner. It was a real no-brainer for us.”
“Marc immediately saw the value of aligning their brands with an organization that was working to help fishing influencers become better at promoting themselves, the sport and the products of their sponsors on and off the water,” New said.
Copley continued, “The whole point of the NPAA is to get product into the right hands – individual members. These guys and girls are no ordinary fishermen – they make their living from fishing and they have a lot of influence. There is no better way for a company to get the products that high-value anglers use.” leverage.
“It’s a win-win for us. We use a channel to sell our products at a discount to the fishing pros, and they get a bargain once they’re members of the NPAA. Think about it. If a guide or angler in a tournament has to pay full price all the time, then running a business is profitable.” It will be almost impossible.
The NPAA is also able to distribute “Rather Outdoors” content. “Through the NPAA’s weekly NewsBLAST and other member connections, we can share product and company news right away, and with the right people,” Copley said.
Copley came in with walleyes to the brain, but he quickly realized the reach of the NPAA on multiple species. “I know the NPAA started as a group of professional anglers, but it’s become so much more than that. Members include professional anglers, saltwater guides, ice fishing nerds, muskies, and just about every category of professional angler out there.
“Companies miss out on sales and don’t connect with legitimate influencers if they don’t support the NPAA. And for individual professional and student anglers, if you’re not a member, you’re missing out on amazing offers from some of the biggest fishing brands. $100 a year for pros, $50 for student anglers. Seriously? Stealing…” Copley concluded.
Adds New, “The partnership that the NPAA has developed with the Raz Outdoors corporate team is one of many meaningful and long-term partnerships the NPAA has established. We rarely lose a partner, and our exceptionally large list of partners continues to grow because the value of the partnership with the NPAA is one of Best marketing spend in the industry We thank all our partners for their support and look forward to continuing to develop more long-term partnerships within the industry.”
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The National Professional Anglers Association (NPAA) is a non-profit, member-based association dedicated to sport fishing. NPAA membership consists of professional guides, championship anglers, angler educators, and sport fishing/marine industry professionals who are passionate about the sport. For more NPAA partners, members, and industry news, go to www.npaa.net.
