Sean “WATTIE” Watkins Launches a Sports Marketing Group, Signs with Ironman
1/19/10 - What started out as a passion in the endurance sports market eventually led Wattie to the prestigious position of VP of Sales & Marketing at Triathlete Magazine. Wattie has since followed this passion and has officially launched a high performance sports marketing group, WATTIE INK. “After working in the industry for twenty five years, I’ve witnessed firsthand a disconnect on the marketing side of the triathlon industry. I started kicking around the concept of putting together a solid agency that would better link events, athletes and media together with the concept to connect the dots between these three touch points. With the goal of ultimately enhancing the promotion and exposure of the triathlon industry, Wattie Ink. was born” Wattie says.
The development of Wattie Ink. is ramping up quickly. Multiple projects are lining up and the future looks bright. Wattie has sought out the support of industry veteran, Kirk Bausch, to aid and assist in the development, logistics and management of Wattie Ink. Wattie says, “ KB is a great fit, he gathered great industry knowledge while working as a Sales Manager for respectable companies like, Smith Optics, Spy Optics & Oakley. In addition, he also has a rich sports marketing background while heading up the sports marketing department at Monster Energy Drink. His skill set will help manage the multiple projects we have lined up.”
Sean "Wattie" Watkins is ready to get down to
business with his new Sports Marketing Group Wattie Ink.
Wattie Ink. Signs with Ironman
The development of Wattie Ink. is ramping up quickly. Multiple projects are lining up and the future looks bright. Wattie Ink has just entered into an agreement to handle future promotion and sales of North American event expos at Ironman and 70.3 events, as well as head up endemic sales for Ironman’s website sales.
Additionally, select event expos will now include “Demo Days,” as seen at the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship, an interactive experience that includes the latest in triathlon gear and apparel. The first event on the calendar is Ironman 70.3 California on March 27, 2010. “I started the “Demo Days” experience in Kona two years ago. The goal was to enhance the event experience for the participants and fans, while giving the manufacturers a platform to promote products and allow potential consumers to test them. The Kona experience has been extremely successful and as a result, the 2010 “Demo Days” expo in Kona is already close to being sold out. That success drove the decision to allow that experience to live beyond Kona,” said Sean Watkins of Wattie Ink.
The following 2010 events will include “Demo Days” within the expo:
Ironman events
June 27, 2010 Ford Ironman Couer D’Alene
July 25, 2010 Ford Ironman Lake Placid
Oct 9, 2010 Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, HI
Ironman 70.3
March 27, 2010 Ironman 70.3 California Oceanside
Aug 8, 2010 Ironman 70.3 Boulder
May 16, 2010 Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3
Similar to the Ford Ironman World Championship, all events will include a three-day expo area where consumers can test the latest in tri-bikes, aero wheels, running shoes and even take a dip in one of the on-site Endless Pools to test the latest wetsuit technology. Each expo will include a stage with vendors announcing the debut of new products, clinics, professional athlete signings and press conferences. In addition, each event will include a formal Bike Count with the Bike Count Championships to be at the Ford Ironman World Championship in October.
“Sean took the Ford Ironman World Championship Village in Hawaii from an expo to an interactive demonstration and testing ground for the athletes and spectators. We are excited to have Sean bring this new experience for the athletes to other Ironman races in the U.S.,” says Andy Giancola Director of Licensing and Sponsorship for Ironman.
