Traditions Media, a pioneering provider of fishing-, hunting- and outdoors-focused public relations, media buying, and digital/social marketing strategy is proud to announce the onboarding of two exceptional talents, Kristine Fischer and Lee Rose Koza. Both have joined the marketing team under the guidance of Dena Vick, Director of Fishing and Marine Marketing Strategy and Communications.
“These two accomplished women have already established themselves as successful and respected tournament anglers and solid influencers,” says Traditions Media co-owner, Leslie Sundahl. “The fact that they want to leverage their authentic fishing skills and knowledge through communications is good for the industry and good for our clients here at Traditions Media. Women are one of the fastest-growing segments of the fishing population, but remain largely underserved in media coverage. We’re proud to help provide a platform for their voices, keyboards, and knowledge, and welcome Kristine and Lee Rose to the Traditions Media family.”
Kristine Fischer, who got underway with Traditions Media in October, works side by side with Dena implementing advertising strategies and delivering and tracking creative materials on behalf of several of the agency’s clients.
Kristine, a familiar fishing face on social media, worked at a major sporting goods retailer for five years before chasing her dream to live a freer lifestyle, while still being engaged in the outdoors industry. She left her fulltime job to pursue a career in competitive angling. Kristine now travels the country with her fiancé fishing in national kayak bass tournaments (Hobie Bass Open Series and Kayak Bass Federation), freelance writing, generating engaging social media content… and now providing valuable support to Traditions Media.
Results prove Kristine’s potency in competitive kayak angling; she earned three national-level victories and a runner-up in 2019 and claims the title of being the first women to qualify for the Hobie Fishing Worlds. Kristine is also co-founder of the Women’s Worldwide Fishing Federation (WWFF), an organization created to empower and educate women to get out and participate in the sport.
Lee Rose Koza, a communications major at Carson-Newman University and a proud member of the Carson-Newman Eagle Anglers, also joins the Traditions Media team. Lee Rose, as an intern, will be aiding Dena with media buying, in addition to developing and managing social media for Traditions Media clients.
An avid angler, Lee Rose earned several first-place tournament wins fishing the Georgia Bass Nation 2018-2019 season, even claiming Angler of the Year. Recently, she and her teammate Maddux Walters earned second place out of 216 boats on Lake Hartwell in the FLW College Southeastern Open, claiming a spot in the 2020 Yeti FLW College Fishing National Championship. Lee Rose also works with youth fishing camps to help children learn the sport of fishing.
Aspiring for a career in the industry, Lee Rose wants to “learn the business of fishing, versus just learning how to keep fishing better.”
Vick, a well-known fishing-industry veteran, has become a respected mentor to women who have what it takes to advance in the adapting, but still-male-dominated fishing biz. She gives specific thanks for being introduced to Kristine and Lee Rose: “Randy Hamilton, Regional Area Manager for St. Croix Rod encouraged both women to reach out to me. After meeting and learning more about them and their goals, I invited both to work with me at ICAST this past July. Their professionalism, work ethic and knowledge of the sport and business was impressive. Bringing them on was a no brainer,” says Dena.
“It’s refreshing to work with women who share my passion for fishing. In these roles, both can grow their communications and marketing careers while still pursuing tournament fishing dreams. Traditions Media has developed positions that allow for their growth in competitive angling while simultaneously learning the business side of the sport,” she adds.
Others in the industry share Vick’s enthusiasm while applauding her, Traditions Media and other companies for having the foresight to seek out hires that speak to recreational fishing’s increasing diversity.
“Over the last several years, women have increasingly made up a larger percentage of fishing participants overall, so it doesn’t surprise me that they’re making waves in the industry too,” said Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) SVP of Marketing & Communications, Stephanie Vatalaro. “Here at RBFF we like to say, ‘The Water is Open to Everyone,’ and I truly believe that having a diverse mix of fishing-industry talent that includes women and other non-traditional groups will give us the insight we need to help shape the future of the sport.”
Today, we have a new generation of young anglers with sharp marketing minds that, like me, dreaming of a career in the fishing industry. An increasing number of them happen to be women, which is a great thing,” Dena says. “Traditions Media is very fortunate to have reeled in two of the best.”