The Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), the nation’s premier organization of outdoor media, announced a new partnership with Boulder-based Formidable Media as its agency of record and a supporting partner.
OWAA said it is experiencing a renewed focus on human powered outdoor sports in addition to its broader focus on helping elevate and connect all media in the outdoors, from the hunt and fish markets to bike, ski, trail, overlanding, and more. Currently the non-profit has more than 650 media members and nearly 130 supporting groups.
“We’re exceptionally excited to work with the outdoor industry veterans of Formidable Media,” said OWAA executive director Chez Chesak, who took the reigns of the 93-year-old organization at the end of 2019. “They have the talent, skills, expertise and contacts to really help get the word of OWAA’s good work in front of key consumer and trade media.”
Chesak comes to OWAA with more than 20 years’ experience in the outdoor and travel industries, most recently as a travel writer and tourism consultant. He served as Vice President of Business Development for the Adventure Travel Trade Association and as Executive Director of the Family Travel Association. He also spent nine years working for conservation-focused outdoor organizations. Chesak recently attended Outdoor Retailer representing OWAA at the preeminent gathering of the outdoor industry in January.
Formidable brings the background in publishing, digital media, and public relations necessary to propel the group into the future.
“Working with groups like the Outdoor Writers Association of America and with people like Chez is exactly why we started this agency,” said Formidable Media co-founder and creative director Aaron Bible. “If we can rise the tide and lift all ships, then that’s what we will do. It’s all part of connecting the dots for our writers, editors, video producers and influencers, and the brands that make this industry spin.”
