Johnson Outdoors Taps Darby Communications as PR Agency of Record

October 18, 2017

Agency to manage public relations for Old Town® Canoes and Ocean Kayak™ with focus on paddling, fitness, health and outdoor markets

Old Town, ME – October 18, 2017 – Johnson Outdoors, a global leader in innovative outdoor recreation equipment products, has selected Darby Communications as PR agency of record for its Watercraft Recreation division, effective immediately. Johnson Outdoors Watercraft Recreation contains brands dedicated to inspiring life on water, including Old Town® Canoes, Ocean Kayak™ and Carlisle® Paddles.

“We selected Darby for their reputation and demonstrated connection within the core outdoor and paddlesports communities,” says Johnson Outdoors Brand Manager, Ryan Lilly. “Moving forward, we anticipate increased brand awareness for our leading paddlesports products within the publications and media outlets that serve our trade and consumer markets so well.”

Based in Asheville, NC, Darby Communications represents category-leading brands in the outdoor, fitness and wellness industries. The agency will highlight new and celebrated products from all three brands as part of a comprehensive PR and media relations campaign.

“We have admired the craftsmanship of Old Town and Ocean Kayak for many years, and are proud to represent these iconic Made in the USA brands,” Says Darby Communications Founder, Coral Darby. “The Darby team is looking forward to offering very experiential and unique testing opportunities to our media contacts that showcase the ingenuity and integrity of these fine boats.”

With deep roots in the world of outdoor recreation, Johnson Outdoors and Darby Communications find a natural partnership that will bring growth and success.

ABOUT JOHNSON OUTDOORS INC.

JOHNSON OUTDOORS is a leading global outdoor recreation company that inspires more people to experience the awe of the great outdoors with innovative, top-quality products.  The company designs, manufactures and markets a portfolio of winning, consumer-preferred brands across four categories: Watercraft Recreation, Fishing, Diving and Camping.  Johnson Outdoors’ familiar brands include, among others: Old Town^® canoes and kayaks; Ocean Kayak^™ and Necky^® kayaks; Carlisle^® paddles; Extrasport^® personal flotation devices; Minn Kota^® motors; Cannon^® downriggers; Humminbird^® marine electronics and charts; SCUBAPRO^® dive equipment; Jetboil^® outdoor cooking systems; Eureka!^® camping and hiking equipment; and Silva^® compasses. Visit Johnson Outdoors at www.johnsonoutdoors.com 

ABOUT DARBY COMMUNICATIONS

A public relations firm dedicated to meeting and surpassing the needs of their clientele with customized PR and promotional programs, Darby Communications works with many of the outdoor industry’s most respected companies. The firm’s clients include Astral, Aventura, Ecōths, Feetures, Headsweats, Hyland’s, Industrial Revolution, Johnson Outdoors, Paddlesports Retailer, Rollga, Sierra Designs, SNEWS, Tailwind Nutrition, and Trailfoody. For more information, visit darbycommunications.com