Iaconelli Now With Abu Garcia, Spiderwire, and Berkley
By ttnews | January 7th, 2010
What happened? Ike no longer with Daiwa?????
Here's a Pure Fishing release that came out today.
Renowned angler Michael Iaconelli and fishing industry leaders Abu Garcia, Spiderwire and Berkley entered into agreement for the upcoming 2010-tournament season. Beginning January 1, 2010, Iaconelli will fish Abu Garcia rods and reels, Berkley and Spiderwire line and Berkley PowerBait and Gulp! products exclusively.
"We are very excited to have Mike join our Abu Garcia and Spiderwire Teams," said Chris Derrick, Brand Manager. "He is one of the best athletes in the sport and this partnership will help us develop new and innovative products while helping Mike elevate his game."
The Pittsgrove, NJ native has enjoyed an illustrious career on the fishing tournament trail wrapping up 6 first-place titles, 42 top-ten finishes, 67 top-twenty finishes and amassing over $1.6 million in career earnings. Iaconelli also claimed the 2006 Angler of the Year title and hosts City Limits Fishing that is featured on the Versus network.
"This partnership is huge," said Iaconelli. "It is a privilege to be working with Abu Garcia, Spiderwire and Berkley. When you think about fishing these are the big names that everyone recognizes. The partnership with these major fishing brands is one that holds a lot of promise. Their technologically advanced products will be a tremendous asset to me on the competitive circuits. I look forward to continuing a very successful relationship with the folks at Pure Fishing."
It's all about the $$$$
Abu Garcia belongs to the " Pure Fishing " conglomerate, aong with Berkely and Spider Wire.
Daiwa does not.
I was willing to take the same deal...
Quote from: Eli on January 07, 2010, 10:28:26 PM
I was willing to take the same deal...
Not what I heard.
I was talking to John from Pure Fishing and He told me You were out because You insisted on using Ugly Stick rods for tournaments instead of pushing the Garcia line.
It's all about the money. No loyalty to anything when you're a pro or a business. You want loyalty :rolleyes: buy a dog. Sponsors pimp thier stable of pro's who sell for the sponsors, that's how they all make their living. I really don't care who a Pro's sponsors may be, or what Company sponsors a particular Pro. I'd much rather get product information from guys that are not getting paid to use a particular product, I think their judgement is less "clouded".
Two items right off the top of my head as examples from very respected Professional Anglers - KVD and his line of Quantum crankbait rods, wouldn't have one in the boat. Same for Skeet and his Wright and McGill bumblebee rods, not only are they plum (rather banana) ugly but they're heavy and (for me) have an absolutley terrible feel. Both these guys are terrific anglers, but any product advise from either of them would have to include a few grains of salt. I purposely avoided any mention of Roland, or second runner up, Shaw G. who are the worst.
i was kinda surprised when i heard some of these guys talk about products at bass u. i figured theyd push their stuff pretty hard, but alot of them said it doesnt matter much.
ike was pushing GULP! though. not really saying that its all there is, but just saying, "GULP! makes a great product for this technique."
Sponsorship is merely and advertising agreement. For money and product you agree to appear on their adds and promotions, and to appear to use the products. This is contractual, not built on a relationship or loyalty. Oh, and there is nothing wrong with it.
Like when Joe Dimaggio used to sell South American Drug Paraphinalia to the youth of America.
(Mr. Coffee)
QuoteFor money and product you agree to appear on their adds and promotions, and to appear to use the products. This is contractual, not built on a relationship or loyalty. Oh, and there is nothing wrong with it.
Key word is "appear" to use their products. I find that deceptive and while not ILLEGAL, kinda rubs me the wrong way. These guys have reputations and their voice carries a lot of weight for a lot of people. Makes me think their word isn't worth very much (to them it's worth a lot - literally). The other side is that if a spokesman is seen changing sponsors and promoting similiar products in a similiar fashion as the product that dropped him - how serious really can you take him. For me it makes him UNbelievalbe and a poor choice to have represent a product. If I was marketing an angling product...... Roland would be the LAST guy I'd have hawk it. :rolleyes: But I would use Duckett. :grin:
Im jealous. If anyone ever calls me to pay me to where there shirt, Im wearing it. Money is everything, Believe it. Without money..........well you know. Besides thats how he eats and feeds his kids. Whats wrong with that?
i hate toyota, but if they want to give me a truck and money for wearing their shirt, id be hauling in a tundra in no time. :grin: