Clarion welcomes Austin Keen as elite brand ambassador

Clarion Corporation of America announced that it has signed world-champion skimboarder and pro wakesurfer Austin Keen as a brand ambassador for the company’s line of marine-grade multimedia audio systems and accessories.

“Spending so much of my time on boats, I have grown to notice and appreciate the quality of Clarion’s marine audio systems. Wakesurfing sessions and spending time on the water with friends is made even better with great music cranking out of Clarion marine radios and speakers,” said Keen. “I only endorse and support brands that are connected to my lifestyle. Clarion has been in the marine space a very long time, and their commitment to developing the best marine audio systems, components and accessories makes them a stand out brand in the market. They also have a creative approach to marketing that I find exciting. I look forward to working with Clarion to expose a new generation of watersports enthusiasts to the Clarion brand and its long list of innovative marine-focused products.”

As a brand ambassador for Clarion’s marine division, Keen will be a key contributor in expanding the brand’s awareness and reach among a new-generation of watercraft and water sports enthusiasts. The company said Clarion’s sponsorship of Austin, combined with the company’s commitment to support his craft and lifestyle, is expected to ignite excitement for the Clarion brand and its marine products among Austin’s fans, friends and followers, all of whom are at the forefront of the trends impacting today’s marine lifestyle. To that end, Clarion recently greenlit the production of a successful music video for up-and-coming rock band Funk Shui Planet that was filmed aboard a Clarion-equipped wakesurf boat and featured Austin Keen performing stunts and hanging out with the band.

“From his champion attitude and genuine love of being out on the water, to his dreadlocks and overall cool, laid back personality, Austin doesn’t just appeal to, but effortlessly embodies the essence of, today’s water sports and marine enthusiast,” said Allen H. Gharapetian, vice president of marketing and product planning at Clarion Corporation of America. “Our marketing team is looking forward to working with Austin to integrate his cool style and presence into our marine marketing activities, while leveraging his keen audio interest and lifestyle to design innovative new products that appeal directly to his diehard fan base.”

Keen has made a name for himself through his personality, lifestyle and wave-riding skills. In 2007, Austin drove his 1975 BMW 2002 from Tybee Island, Ga. to Laguna Beach, Calif., to follow his dream. Two years later, Keen competed in his first professional skimboarding contest and went on to tour Australia, Bali, Brazil, Costa Rica, Japan, Mexico and Philippines. In 2013, he was crowned World Champion of Skimboarding after competing in the eight-stop international, United Skim Tour Circuit. In 2014, he was listed in SurferToday.com’s Most Influential in Wave Sports next to greats like Kelly Slater. Then, in 2015, Keen branched out into a new sport – wakesurfing. In addition to multiple action sports and lifestyle magazines, Keen has become an internet sensation, starring in dozens of viral videos. In 2016, Keen won the 40th Annual Victoria World Championships of Skimboarding in Laguna Beach. He now strives to push the sport to new limits, helping promote and grow skimboarding around the world.

Keen will be working closely with Clarion USA’s marketing team to script and produce lifestyle-oriented content, including videos. He will also participate in Clarion’s marine marketing activities in both traditional and social media categories including support of industry events on a national scale. Keen is also expected to work closely with the company’s product planning team to design new products and solutions for today’s very active marine lifestyle and trending applications.  

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