FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 6, 2019
Contact: Hillary Fujii, Marketing Communications Manager
831-625-6226 / hillary@bsim.org
Big Sur Marathon Foundation Hires SLB Consulting and Activate Marketing
Consultants will elevate existing VIP Program and manage new Ambassador Program
CARMEL, CA. – As demand for the Big Sur International Marathon continues to grow, the nonprofit Big Sur Marathon Foundation (BSMF) is poised to expand its existing VIP Program and introduce its first-ever Ambassador Program. To manage these expanding initiatives, the Big Sur Marathon Foundation has hired a Phoenix-based consultant team: Staci Brown of SLB Consulting and Shannon Williams of Activate Marketing. The duo, who bring over 40 years of combined experience to the organization, will work with BSMF staff to expand upon the marathon’s exclusive VIP Program offerings and manage the newly launched Ambassador Program.
“It’s truly an honor to have the opportunity to work with such an esteemed organization,” said Shannon Williams of Activate Marketing. “We’re excited to work with the Big Sur team to create memorable and unique touchpoints that will enhance the participants race-day experiences.”
SLB Consulting and Activate Marketing intend to impact the Big Sur VIP Program by facilitating additional sponsor activations, providing personalized customer service, and creating memorable race weekend experiences.
In late July, BSMF selected twenty-two individuals from over 450 application submissions for its inaugural team of 2020 Big Sur International Marathon Ambassadors. SLB Consulting and Activate Marketing will lead the marathon’s team of Ambassadors to help cultivate community around the Big Sur Marathon brand through a number of efforts, including utilizing social media and hosting community events.
“It’s a privilege to align with one of the most beautiful and iconic races in the industry,” said Staci Brown of SLB Consulting. “We’re really looking forward to working with Ambassadors from all over the country who are passionate about health, running, and supporting the Big Sur Marathon community.”
The Big Sur Marathon Foundation’s mission is to “create beautiful running events that promote health and benefit our community.” BSMF aims to expand upon their mission by employing the strategic, relationship-focused experience of Brown and Williams and strengthening the Foundation’s community reach.
“The Big Sur Marathon course is among the most memorable in the world and we want our participant experience to be just as memorable,” said Doug Thurston, Executive Director and Race Director for the Big Sur Marathon Foundation. “Bringing highly-experienced professionals on board to manage these specialty programs allows us to provide additional unforgettable experiences throughout the race weekend.”
In addition to managing these two key specialty programs, Brown and Williams will also assist in volunteer management, sponsor activation, and branding opportunities.
About SLB Consulting
Staci Brown, President of SLB Consulting, is a 20-year veteran of the Peer-to-Peer fundraising industry with a concentrated specialty in the endurance charity space. Staci has worked with nonprofits of all sizes from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Team In Training), American Cancer Society, and ASPCA to lesser-known nonprofits such as the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (Team Challenge) and more. Staci has presented on webinars and speaking opportunities for the Peer-to-Peer Professional Forum on her knowledge and experience in order to help advance the industry. She is able to share rare insight into these programs as she has worked her way up from being a Team Manager, hitting the streets and generating leads, to being a National Director of multi-million dollar programs and one of the most well-known endurance fundraising leaders in the industry. Staci has also started working with races across the country to work on corporate wellness programs, charity partnership and volunteer programs.
About Activate Marketing
A visionary marketing and business development executive, Shannon Williams brings 20+ years of experience in live events and the sports marketing industry to develop, execute, and evaluate strategic sales and marketing initiatives. As the Founder and President of Activate Marketing, she has worked with organizations including P.F. Chang’s, Oakley, Special Olympics, the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, Jamba Juice and the Pat Tillman Foundation, to develop and execute creative events, sponsorship activations and experiential campaigns.
About the Big Sur Marathon Foundation
The Big Sur Marathon Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create beautiful running events that promote health and benefit the community. Under the brand are three individual race weekends: Big Sur International Marathon in April, Run in the Name of Love 5K and 2K in June, and the Monterey Bay Half Marathon, 5K and 3K in November. In addition, the Foundation oversees the award-winning JUST RUN® youth fitness program. www.bsim.org #bigsurmarathon
Media Contact:
Hillary Fujii, Big Sur Marathon Foundation
hillary@bsim.org / 831-625-6226
