US Masters Swimming is 50,000 members strong, and with their new Executive Director, Rob Butcher, at the helm, they're moving, shaking, and signing new deals!
Chattem Inc., already a proud sponsor of US Masters Swimming through its UltraSwim Shampoo product, is apparently very pleased with the relationship. They're renewing their support, and adding new products to the partnership.
“We developed a grass roots sampling and brand activation plan for UltraSwim to better take advantage of its sponsorship with the U.S. Masters Swimming membership, and it became apparent to both Chattem and us that the activation plan could naturally be extended to their BullFrog, Icy Hott and Gold Bond brands,” Rob Butcher said.
I bet Rob did. Rob's a smart guy. In any relationship, he always looks for the win-win. Since he took over at USMS, he's been on the road extolling the virtues of the best kept secret in swimming, something he calls "the circle of life." I've hear him say it over and over, and I understand. There's no reason to stop swimming, no reason not to extend your love of the sport, no matter what your age or level of fitness. Simply put: Swim.
I've drunk the cool aid. My wife and I are back in to water as well. We've benefited from Rob's mantra since we started hearing it two years before he became USMS's Executive Director.
IN OTHER NEWS
Milorad "Mike" Cavic, fresh off of his 100 fly win at the short course meters European Championships, is already setting his sights on World Championships in Rome next year:
"There is still room for improvement," Cavic told Blic Online Sports. "I don't know how quick Michael Phelps is going to be, but I believe I can swim the 100m butterfly in under 50.3 seconds, which is the current world record."
Cavic burst on the world stage when he was touched out by one-hundredth of a second in Beijing, by Phelps in the 100m fly. Here's a look back at Cavic moments after the dramatic loss:
Rebecca Adlington, Britain's Olympic gold medalist in the 400m and 800m free in Beijing, is snubbing her homeland's sport agencies, according to Jim Wilson of Australia's Herald Sun.
Adlington, the 19 year old media sensation on English soil for being the first Brit to win Olympic gold in the pool since 1988, has signed with Aussie agency, Elite Sports Properties, or ESP.
"Nationality was irrelevant and didn't even come into the equation and I thought ESP gave a very professional presentation and that was the clincher in the end," Adlington said.
ESP also reps high-profile sprint freestyler, Eamon Sullivan.
(Thank you to Mikayla Cooke for pointing this article out!)
I'd like to see Crocker go at it w/them too... That'd be an epic race....
Posted by: Mel Stewart | December 18, 2008 at 07:45 PM
That's right, MP's goal was 49.5 for the Olympics. Should be a thrilling race...
Posted by: Megan | December 18, 2008 at 03:03 PM
I'd love to see Ian Crocker give it one more shot against these guys and defend his world record. It would be a shame if the record was broken and Crocker was not in the pool competing for it too.
Posted by: Kris | December 18, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Cavic is short changing himself... MP might be as well. I think both can go sub 50 in the 100m fly in Rome.....
Posted by: Mel Stewart | December 18, 2008 at 01:08 PM
I've been toying with the idea of joining a Masters swim program...I have some personal goals to achieve first and hopefully will be a master swimmer soon!
Did we need another reason to get pumped up for Rome?? I didn't think so, but Cavic has brought it! The 100 fly will be so intense...I can't wait. I'm betting Crocker's record will fall...be it to Cavic or anyone else.
Posted by: Megan | December 18, 2008 at 12:25 PM