What’s Happening at Rapid Media – October 2019

New Websites and Online Guides Drive Product Sales and Trip Bookings

After the release of the new Paddlingmag.com and Kayakanglermag.com websites showcasing Rapid Media’s trusted boat, board and gear reviews and news we integrated the new online Paddling Buyer’s Guide and Paddling Trip Guide directly connecting readers with 1000s of boats, boards, gear, trips, adventures and services.

Improved and Expanded 2020 Paddling Buyer’s Guide – Call for Entries

The annual 2020 Paddling Buyer’s Guide hits newsstands and mailboxes early December, just before Christmas. Want your brand and new or top-selling products inside? Booking deadline is soon, drop us a line today at ads@rapidmedia.com. See who was in the 2019 Paddling Buyer’s Guide.

With a record-breaking 134 screenings so far in 2019, we’re excited to bring another year of world-class paddling films to thousands of enthusiasts and friends around the globe. The 2020 Paddling Film Festival World Tour kicks off at the Royal Cinema in Toronto, Canada in early February. We are accepting film submissions until November 1st. A few select partnership opportunities are still available, ads@rapidmedia.com.

Meet 3 New Staff at Rapid Media

We’re growing our team as part of our commitment to expanding our paddlesports editorial coverage, industry growth and integrated advertising solutions.

Mike Bright

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT REP
Mike Bright has worked in the media sales and commercial print scene for 29 years. And, as a lifelong nature lover with a penchant for the silent sports – paddling, fly fishing, backcountry camping and skiing—he gets the outdoor industry. Before joining Rapid Media, he worked for Eyes Only Media where he lives and plays in Traverse City, Michigan.

mbright@rapidmedia.com

“Having this new opportunity to combine my love of storytelling—language, art, photography, design and marketing—with the joy that paddling and exploring the outdoors brings me is a dream come true. I look forward to helping our advertising partners tell their stories to our readers.” – Mike Bright

Marissa Evans

DIGITAL EDITOR
Marissa is our new full-time, in-house digital editor. Her three years at Perk.com, Wilfrid Laurier University Honours Degree in English and Film Studies and passion for the outdoors makes her a perfect fit for the Rapid Media editorial team. Focussed on growing digital readership, she’ll be working closely with Director of Marketing Cristin Plaice, Paddling Magazine managing editor, Kaydi Pyette, and Kayak Angler editor, Ric Burnley.

marissa@rapidmedia.com

“I’m very excited about joining the Rapid Media team as the digital content editor and writer. It’s an opportunity to put my editorial experience to good use in an industry aligning perfectly with my passions. Being able to live in an area as outdoor-oriented and beautiful as Palmer Rapids and work with a team as knowledgeable and dedicated as the staff at Rapid Media is a real privilege, not to mention, a lot of fun.” – Marissa Evans

Robyn Plantinga

FINANCE MANAGER
We’re stoked Robyn is returning to Rapid Media. She is a Lakehead University graduate from way back and a new mom of two. Her previous experience as our advertising coordinator makes her familiar will our partners and a perfect fit for her new role as finance manager.

2020 High-Impact Magazine Designs Unveiled

Art director Mike Hewis recently modernized our Paddling Magazine and Kayak Angler designs to better showcase our high-quality images, merge images with text treatments, makeover our table of contents and improve readability. Kudos to Mike—our industry-leading magazines have never looked better.

When We Aren’t Working

We’re media professionals with a passion for the outdoors. Here’s what a few of our 13 staffers got up to this summer.

Founder and Publisher Scott MacGregor and his son, Doug, sea kayaked down the French River out to Georgian Bay and back. It rained all day, every day, except for this photo.

Social Media Manager Alex Traynor slogged 840 kilometers across northern Quebec and Labrador on a 35-day lost canoe route. Watch for Alex’s feature story of this journey in an upcoming issue of Paddling Magazine..

Managing Editor Kaydi Pyette spent a week kayaking on the Sea of Cortez in Baja, Mexico. She’s just back from testing boats and gear in the Tetons and is fostering her second puppy for Dog Guides Canada.

Director of Business Development Cristin Plaice has been on the water and on her bike as much as possible. She’s preparing for a 21-day, self-guided Grand Canyon raft trip this coming January.

Art Director Michael Hewis spent his summer mornings watching smallies smash his favorite floating Rapala. He’s also been teaching his secrets to his six-year-old daughter Fiona.

Interested in working with us? Have advertising questions? Contact us.

Now Available

Paddling Business: The 2020 New Product Edition

The year’s hottest gear for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, whitewater and paddleboarding, as see in the Paddlesports Retailer Paddling Magazine New Product Showcase. Plus: Industry leaders on surviving SUP, beating Amazon, brand consolidation, Trump’s Trade War, and more.