The 2013 spring fishing and boating season is fast approaching with big hopes to continue the upward trend in participation. Prep time for creating new enticing marketing materials can be limited, so we encourage partners to take advantage of the Take Me Fishing™ Marketing Guide and materials.
The Marketing Guide provides detailed information about the Take Me Fishing national brand campaign which aims to increase awareness and participation in fishing and boating, thus supporting the industry as a whole. In addition, partners can utilize these materials in a customizable format to fit their own needs.
The Guide includes:
-Customizable artwork for event signage, web banners, direct mail postcards, print ads, radio commercials
-Customizable and turnkey television, magazine and radio PSAs
-Industry Research
-Logo and photo library
-Information on National Fishing and Boating Week
-Added this year, email marketing tips and tricks
-Added this year, social media tips and a suggested content calendar
"We at RBFF strive to enhance your marketing efforts," said RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson. "Working together we can streamline work, share resources, and get down to what's most important: getting more anglers and boaters out on the water."
The Marketing Guide is just one tool that RBFF provides for industry and state partners. Also available is the embeddable Places to Boat and Fish Map, Boat Ramp App and Event Planning Kit. For all these resources and more, click here.
Just how much does the recreational fishing industry impact the U.S economy each year? By a hefty $115 billion according to a new study published by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA).
The report, Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force for Conservation , highlights how recreational fishing permeates the American economy as well as plays a significant role in helping conservation. The study notes that America's nearly 60 million anglers spend an estimated $46 billion on equipment and transportation and lodging, fueling an estimated $35 billion in jobs and wages, and $15 billion in federal and state taxes. In fact, if fishing were a company, the amount spent by anglers onretail alone would rank 51 on the Fortune 500 list.
What's more is the impact this makes on the conservation of our nation's aquatic natural resources. In addition to the taxes,anglers are raising an additional $400 million for conservation each year through various organizations. All this combined, anglers are contributing nearly $1.5 billion annually, more than any other group in the U.S.
And all these numbers are growing. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation study revealed that number of anglers is up 11 percent over the past five years. "Fishing is continually ranked as a top choice for family outdoor activities," says RBFF President and CEO Frank Peterson."We are dedicated to increasing fishing and boating participation each year to help our industry and ultimately, to help fund conservation of our aquatic natural resources."
Read full Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force for Conservation report.
Post-it notes, string tied to a finger, Outlook appointments,and direct mail postcards. What do all of these tricks have in common? They all remind us that something needs done. RBFF has successfully used direct mail to remind people to renew their fishing licenses and boat registrations, and is gearing up to launch its 2013 State Fishing and Boating Marketing Programs.
The programs reach out to lapsed anglers and boaters reminding them to renew their fishing license or boat registration. RBFF fully funds and implements the programs on behalf of state agencies, with the participating state agencies receiving 100 percent of the revenue generated.
The State Fishing License Marketing Program, which launched in 2008, is now assisting more than 35 states to win back anglers and drive fishing licenses sales. Last year alone, the program generated more than $4.8 million in gross revenue for the states.
The State Boat Registration Marketing Program, which kicked offnationwide last year with 15 states, generated $1.16 million in gross revenue for participating states.
This year, the programs will feature new fresh artwork, with state customizable components. Additionally, a test group of states will send out a follow up email to further encourage fishing license renewals. New state agencies taking advantage of RBFF's State Marketing Programs are:
Fishing License Marketing Program:
- Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
- Alaska Department of Fish & Game
- Arizona Game & Fish Department
- Arkansas Game & Fish Commission
- Colorado Division of Parks & Wildlife
- Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection
- Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Georgia Wildlife Resources Division
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Indiana Department of Natural Resources
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism
- Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries - NEW!
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources - NEW!
- Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
- Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks
- Missouri Department of Conservation - NEW!
- Nebraska Game & Parks Commission
- Nevada Department of Wildlife
- New Hampshire Fish & Game Department
- New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife
- New Mexico Department of Game & Fish
- New York Department of Environmental Conservation
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission - NEW!
- Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
- Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
- Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
- South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
- Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
- Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
- Wyoming Game & Fish Department - NEW!
Boat Registration Marketing Program:
- Arizona Game & Fish Department
- Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Georgia Wildlife Resources Division
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries
- Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife - NEW!
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources
- Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries & Parks -NEW!
- Nevada Department of Wildlife - NEW!
- North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Ohio Division of Watercraft
- Oregon State Marine Board
- Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
- Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
- Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries - NEW!
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The programs will launch on April 1, with opportunities still available for states to get on board.
If you'd like more information about participating, please contact RBFF State Initiatives Director Stephanie Hussey at shussey@rbff.org or (703)778-5152.
