New FTR owner to bring ‘new ideas and innovation’ to industry
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US industry magazine Fishing Tackle Retailer (FTR) has been sold. The new owner of the 45-year-old publication and its digital partner, The Fishing Wire, is Angie Thompson, an outdoor TV executive and part of the team that developed the FLW Tour.
Thompson said she plans to ‘inspire and educate consumers in support of the fishing industry.’
Former owners Brian Thurston and Carlton Veirs bought FTR 15 years ago. “For more than a decade, I believe our media have been positive impacts on the fishing industry,” said Veirs. “It’s hard to imagine a more capable staff or a more gifted editor than Ken Duke.”
Thurston said his co-ownership of the business had been the most exciting and rewarding of his 40-plus years in the industry. “The properties continue to be such an integral part of the business-to-business communication that impacts retailers, wholesalers, distributors and our industry partners who have played such an important role in our success.
“But it’s time to pass the reins and I can’t think of a more capable person than Angie Thompson to take these properties to new levels.”
Thompson said she wants to bring new ideas and innovation to the business while continuing to inform and educate industry professionals. “Tackle shops are the lifeblood of the fishing industry and I will use creative content and storytelling to inspire and educate consumers in support of the fishing business.”
The former graphic designer moved into producing and directing programming for ESPN Outdoors and in 1995 was involved in setting up the FLW Tour. Five years later she helped conceive and launch ESPN’s Great Outdoor Games before becoming Director of TV Programming Development for JM Associates.
In 2011 she joined B.A.S.S. as VP Events and Sponsorships and later became VP Sales. Most recently she founded Elevated Marketing and Development, an agency working with brands on marketing strategy, creative assets, integrated content and digital development. She is also host of The Fishing Business Podcast.
