Callaway Golf Company announces new Marketing Director (EMEA); Dawn Gough celebrates 25 years at Ransomes Jacobsen; Glenmuir supplies shirt for Scotland’s First Minister; Pete James signs major new sponsorship deal with Spectra Group; Laidlaw join forces with Paul Waring.
Callaway Golf Company announces new Marketing Director (EMEA)
Callaway Golf Company announces the appointment of Nick McInally to the role of Marketing Director, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Nick, a keen golfer and experienced marketer, joins the business from Nestle Purina in Switzerland where he has been European Marketing Manager for the past 5 years. Previous to this, he was a Brand Manager with Procter & Gamble based in the UK working across a range of brands including Bounty and Olay.
He will have full marketing responsibility across Callaway Golf‘s European, Middle East and Africa territories developing clear trade and consumer marketing initiatives, robust strategic plans and effective communication platforms to drive awareness and sales of Callaway products.
Commenting on this appointment, Neil Howie, President of Callaway Golf Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "Nick‘s experience in fast moving consumer goods markets will be a great asset to our European business and we look forward to utilising his skills and knowledge to drive richer marketing initiatives, heightened awareness of our product ranges and increases sales of Callaway products."
Nick, a 4-handicapper who grew up playing golf in Scotland, said: "Callaway is one of the biggest brands in the world of golf and I believe my experience gained in other markets will help deliver strong consumer and brand marketing plans to support the fantastic range of golf products. Callaway Golf already has a strong marketing team and I look forward to further developing their skills and knowledge."
Nick is based at the company‘s European headquarters in Chessington, Surrey, UK and took up his role on Monday, 3 August. www.callawaygolf.com
Dawn Gough celebrates 25 years at Ransomes Jacobsen
Dawn Gough, Personal Assistant to David Withers Managing Director of Ransomes Jacobsen, has recently celebrated 25 years of employment at the company, which is one of the leading turf maintenance equipment manufacturers, based at Ipswich in Suffolk.
Dawn joined Ransomes Sims and Jefferies, the forerunner of today’s Ransomes Jacobsen on 2nd July 1984 as a shorthand typist in the Buying Department. In August 1985, she became secretary in the Buying Department and soon after was promoted to secretary working for the Financial Director, a position she held until 1994. The next four years were spent in varying roles, including working in the CEO’s office, in Human Resources and for the Property Division. She was appointed PA to the Marketing Director in 1998 and through to 2004 also worked for the Sales Director and Customer Support Director.
Since 2004, Dawn has worked as PA to the Managing Director. As well as her usual PA duties she is also responsible for arranging European customer visits to Ipswich and, since 2002, has regularly organised and attended the annual customer visit to the Golf Industry Show in the USA.
Dawn said, “I’ve always enjoyed working here; the culture is great and the people are very friendly. I was fortunate to have been given various opportunities to move between departments, which has given me a great insight into how the different sections of the company work together. It has provided a good grounding for my current position.”
Dawn is married to Matt, Ransomes Jacobsen’s Demonstration Fleet Manager. www.ransomesjacobsen.com.
Glenmuir supplies shirt for Scotland’s First Minister
Glenmuir, one of Europe‘s leading golf apparel companies, provided a commemorative golf shirt for First Minister of Scotland, Alex Salmond MSP, at The Open. Mr Salmond, a keen golfer, flew the flag for Glenmuir in a specially embroidered ‘Dublin‘ shirt as he helped to launch Homecoming Scotland‘s Putting Challenge on one of Turnberry‘s famous practice greens.
Glenmuir, based just 60 miles from Turnberry at Lanark, also provided shirts for EventScotland, the national events agency who organized the putting competition, which was open to budding golfers of all ages and took place as part of Homecoming Day at The Open. The proceeds of the competition were donated to clubgolf, Scotland’s national junior golf initiative.
Colin Mee, managing director of Glenmuir, said: "We were very proud to play a part in this extremely popular event and to have the opportunity to provide Scotland‘s First Minister with a Glenmuir shirt. We presented Mr Salmond with a shirt that had been especially embroidered with the Homecoming Scotland 2009 logo and he was very complimentary." www.glenmuir.com
Pete James signs major new sponsorship deal with Spectra Group
Pete James, an upcoming young professional golfer, has signed a new 5 year sponsorship deal with Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, a leading UK-based telecommunication service provider to governmental, humanitarian and commercial organisations. www.spectra-group.co.uk
Pete James is twenty-two years old and based at Hereford’s Belmont Golf Club where he has been playing since he was twelve. He joined the professional ranks after a successful year playing on the Celtic Pro Tour which culminated in his winning the amateur Order of Merit. He is now playing on the PGA EuroPro Golf Tour.
As part of the sponsorship agreement, Pete James will wear the Spectra logo on his clothing and golf bag during all tournaments and events, ensuring a high-profile presence for the Spectra Group. He will also be featured in internal and external communications and marketing materials.
Pete James is also working with the Tournament Golf Association (TGA), an organisation dedicated to providing young players with the skills, both golfing and business, to handle a career as a professional golfer. Through the TGA, Pete has access to a support team that includes fitness experts, biomechanics, psychologists and golf skills coaches.
Carl Watts, who founded the Tournament Golfers Association, said: “Pete James is an exceptionally gifted young golfer with an impressive future ahead of him. We are working hard on developing his game, attitude, fitness and business skills to enable him to maximise his opportunities over the coming years.”
Laidlaw join forces with Paul Waring
Paul Waring, the 24 year old Englishman currently enjoying a rich vein of form on the European Tour, has signed a sponsorship agreement with Laidlaw, the leading manufacturer of specialist ironmongery solutions for the remainder of the 2009 season and the duration of 2010.
Waring, who enjoyed a T6 finish in the Open de France ALSTOM, will wear the Laidlaw logo on his clothing as well as on the front pocket of his golf bag.
Laidlaw boasts a network of branches throughout the UK and the Middle East, and is the UK’s leading supplier of architectural ironmongery, doorsets and handrailing systems. Generating sales of approximately £30m annually, Laidlaw will utilize its sponsorship of Waring to add unique value to corporate golf days, with appearances by Waring, as well as having the rights to use imagery of Waring on their marketing and PR activities.
“I am delighted to have Laidlaw as one of my sponsors and look forward to representing them on tour,” commented Waring. “I have continued to improve my game throughout 2009, and feel that I am getting closer to my maiden tour win. Hopefully I will continue to put myself in position to do that, which will bring real value to Laidlaw both on and off the course.” www.laidlaw.net