Company also launches innovative conservation program designed for children
ELMSFORD, N.Y. – Continuing its commitment to the sport of tournament bass fishing, Fuji Photo Film USA., Inc., is renewing its sponsorship of several Operation Bass fishing tournaments, as well as returning for a second year to sponsor an eight-man pro fishing team. In addition to its core sponsorships, Fujifilm is launching a new conservation program that will target children and tie photography in with fishing through a partnership with Hooked on Fishing International.
For a fourth consecutive year, Fujifilm will be sponsoring fishing tournaments run by Operation Bass, the nation’s premier bass tournament organization. These sponsorships include the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the EverStart Batteries Series, Texas Tournament Trail and the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League.
Additionally, Fujifilm is sponsoring a pro fishing team of eight anglers for a second year. The Fujifilm team travels throughout the year participating in fishing tournaments across the United States. The anglers also visit schools and community organizations to teach kids about fishing and the importance of environmental conservation.
The eight-member pro team is comprised of: Scott Bonnema, Forest Lake, Minn.; Sean Stickler, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Wesley Strader, Spring City, Tenn.; Joel Richardson, Kernersville, N.C.; Sam Swett, Covington, La.; Wes Thomas, Hanover, Ind.; Brent Brady, Hixson, Tenn.; Randy Blaukat, Lamar, Mo.
“In the past four years, Fujifilm has witnessed an incredible benefit to our brand with professional and amateur anglers. Fishing is a growing sport and we are seeing more and more interest from consumers every day,” said Bruce Fleming, Vice President, National Accounts- Wal-Mart, Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc. “Our partnerships with Operation Bass and Wal-Mart provide us with tremendous opportunities to reach our target audiences and expand our role in this sport.”
Growing the company’s involvement even stronger with the fishing community, Fujifilm is launching a new conservation program “Fish, Photograph & Release” (FPR) with Hooked on Fishing International that will be targeted to children throughout the nation. The program encourages children to catch a fish, take a picture of the catch and then release the fish back into the water.
The program will be launched in April with the start of the Wal-Mart 2001 Kids All-American Fishing Derbies. More than 700 derbies are held throughout the United States with approximately 250,000 kids and parents participating in these events.
In addition, Fujifilm will host the “Fujifilm FPR Photo Contest” inviting kids to submit their photos of their catches along with a brief statement (50 words or less) on why they like fishing and why they released the fish back into the water.
“Fujifilm is excited to join with Hooked on Fishing and introduce a comprehensive program to show kids that fishing is fun while driving home the message that keeping lakes and rivers stocked with fish is important,” said Fleming.
Fuji Photo Film U.S.A., Inc., Elmsford, NY, is the U.S. marketing subsidiary of Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, a leading manufacturer of imaging and information products.