The Professional Outdoor Media Association's (POMA) 2013 Pinnacle Award honorees were announced by Tim Anderson, public relations director and pro staff manager of Mossy Oak, at POMA's Annual Business Conference in Columbia, S.C. on Friday, March 8. Mossy Oak has been the presenting partner of the Pinnacle Awards since the program's inception.
The Pinnacle Awards honor journalists for remarkable achievement in traditional outdoor sports-focused communications, including writing, photography/illustration/art, broadcasting as well as content focused on wildlife conservation.
"When Mossy Oak started on a hope, a dream and a lot of hard work 27 years ago, our first efforts at marketing and public relations were made through the members of the outdoor press," stated Toxey Haas, founder and CEO of Mossy Oak. "They are the men and women who took the photos, shared our stories, and spread our obsession and passion for the outdoor lifestyle. Their words and pictures helped communicate our story better than we could have alone. They helped make our brand what it has become."
"POMA is such a key part of everything we do and everything we are, sponsoring the Pinnacle Awards is just a natural for us," Anderson added. "We're very proud to be a part of the POMA Pinnacle Awards."
2013 POMA PINNACLE AWARD WINNERS
Conservation:
Winner - Bob Humphrey, "The End of an Era," Buckmasters Whitetail Magazine
Outstanding Achievement - Bob Humphrey, "The 'Other' Hunters," Petersen's Bowhunting; Ron Spomer, "Wild Heritage - Political Attacks," Sporting Classics
Magazine:
Winner - Ron Spomer, "Sometimes It's Quick But It's Always Steep," American Hunter
Outstanding Achievement - Ron Spomer, "Big Bears of Kamchatka," Sports Afield; Zeke Pipher, "Zero Regret Bowhunting," Petersen's Bowhunting
Newspaper/Web:
Winner - Brenda Valentine, "Outdoor Legend's Tour Diary - Day 10," NWTF Website - Blog Outstanding Achievement - Harry Guyer, "Rags," Bedford Gazette; Dan Small, "High-Tech Help for Great Lakes Salmon," Wisconsin Outdoor News
Broadcast:
Winner - Tammy Sapp, "Hunter Safety Education Videos," Hunter-ed.com and available as a menu-driven DVD
Outstanding Achievement - James Towle, "The Pirates of Texas Carbine Championship," Pursuit Channel/Dish and Direct TV
Photography/Art:
Winner - Doug Stamm, "Schooling Stripers," U.S. Fish and Wildlife "Eddies" Cover
Outstanding Achievement - Richard Bernier, "Cover Image - Fawn," Whitetail News
Book:
Winner - Zeke Pipher, "Man on the Run," Howard Books (Simon and Schuster) Outstanding Achievement - J Wayne Fears, "Isaac - Trek to Kings Mountain," Amazon/ Kindle
Mossy Oak, one of just six POMA Diamond Cornerstone members, joined forces with POMA to promote excellence in communications at all levels and encourage members of the media to set the bar high - knowing the importance to the industry of a professional and dedicated media corps.
"The fact that Mossy Oak is willing to make such a generous investment in POMA and the future of outdoor media speaks volumes about the kind of company it is," stated Tammy Sapp, POMA's president. "Mossy Oak is there for us, from supporting members' professional development to sponsoring a program to recognize journalistic excellence."
POMA Mission
To foster excellence in communications at all levels, help members build their businesses, connect media and industry, promote fair and honest communication of the traditional outdoor sports and conservation stories, and mentor the next generation of traditional outdoor sports communicators.
Pictured above, left to right: Tammy Sapp, Tim Anderson, Brenda Valentine
