The leading outdoor brand ups investment in college market with the goal of increasing outdoor recreation among new audiences.
Washington, DC -(AmmoLand.com)- Merrell and Outdoor Nation launched the Merrell College Ambassador program today with the goal of engaging 2,500 college students, especially outdoor novices, in regular outdoor recreation experiences.
Through a competitive process and leveraging its access to the college market, Outdoor Nation will work with Merrell to identify 13 college students to serve as the first class and founding members of this pioneering program. Each ambassador will utilize their social media networks to engage and inspire new outdoor activities through creative campaigns. Ultimately, the goal is for each of the 13 ambassadors to help at least 200 peers, especially outdoor novices, engage in regular outdoor recreation experiences.
“At Merrell, we believe that nothing should get in the way of enjoying the outdoors which is why we’ve teamed up with Outdoor Nation,” said Linda Brunzell, Chief Marketing Officer, Merrell. “This program gives us an opportunity to inspire a new generation of outdoor enthusiasts and what better way than through their medium of choice, social media.”
Applications for the program are open through November 9th. The program will kick off mid-December with ambassadors planning outings, clinics, and social media campaigns to support local outdoor recreation and engagement.
“Outdoor Nation believes in empowering young people to motivate and mobilize their peers to get into the great outdoors,” said Chris Fanning, executive director of the Outdoor Foundation, the organization that founded Outdoor Nation. “We are thrilled to partner with Merrell in activating college students who love the outdoors to get more of their peers outside and active.”
The Merrell College Ambassador program is a powerful initiative to help combat the inactivity crisis prevalent among college students and young adults in America. The statistics are staggering.
According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average young person spends eight hours in front of a screen and only eight minutes outside and active.
About Merrell:
Merrell inspires people to seek outdoor challenges and enjoy the outside every day. Merrell hiking boots, trail running shoes and apparel are built on Merrell’s outdoor heritage, quality and performance. The trail is the core of our design philosophy and has continued to guide us in the development of innovative products that inspire and enable enjoyment of the outdoors. For more information, visit: www.merrell.com.
Socialize with us: Facebook: facebook.com/merrell; Twitter: @merrelloutside; Instagram: @merrelloutside; Blog: merrell.com/thepack; YouTube @merrelloutside.
About the Outdoor Foundation & Outdoor Nation:
The Outdoor Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing future generations of outdoor enthusiasts. Through groundbreaking research, action-oriented outreach and education programs, the Foundation works with partners to mobilize a major cultural shift that leads all Americans to the great outdoors. In 2010, the Foundation launched Outdoor Nation, a pioneering initiative that aims to empower young leaders to champion the outdoors on campuses and in communities across the United States.
For more information visit: OutdoorFoundation.org and OutdoorNation.org.