Yamaha brings PR in-house
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – After a relationship spanning more than 24 years, the Walker Agency and Yamaha Outboards will no longer be working together, the Walker Agency reported in a recent statement.
“… agencies evolve, as do companies, and we began discussion on this change in June of this year,” stated the agency’s president, Mike Walker, in a note sent to the boating media. “Despite this amazing, incredible quarter century with Yamaha, it’s time to move on. We have resigned the Yamaha Outboards public relations account and our last day will be Oct. 31.”
The agency said it will focus on OEM boat builders “that want to develop or improve public relations, owner loyalty and communications.”
Yamaha has been working on a long-term plan to move its PR in-house, according to the Walker Agency, an initiative that was moved forward when it hired Martin Peters as Communications and Dealer Education manager in 2006.
“Until now, he’s focused on developing and managing Yamaha Marine University’s dealer training program,” stated Walker. “The new training program is soon underway, allowing Martin to complete the public relations function move in-house.”
“In the client-agency business, long-term relationships like the Yamaha-Walker relationship are rare, no matter what the product or industry. For any agency, regardless of size, getting the nod from an international giant like Yamaha was a plum assignment and a real coup,” summed up Walker.
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