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Brian Chandler with the catch under Mayo Bridge. (Photo provided by Brian Chandler)
When Brian Chandler wanted to hook up a few more clients for his business, the PR professional naturally turned to his favorite hobbies: boating and fishing.
I thought, “Well, I like doing those things,” and I said, “I want to start doing some business in the marine, boating, and fishing industry.” How much fun would it be to work in the industry, too?’ Chandler recalled.
“We previously had a strong Virginia/Mid-Atlantic book of business. My mind went, if I can work with the feeling that I know and can speak intelligently, then we can grow the company even more.
Ten years later, Chandler’s company, Commonwealth PR, has established a client base that regularly includes marine companies, boat manufacturers, charter fishing companies and similar businesses. Customers over the years have included the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), Barker Boatworks, BoatUS, Sea Tow, Shakespeare Marine and Sportsman Boats.
Brian Chandler at the gas station in Short Pump, where Commonwealth Public Relations is now located. (Photo by Jonathan Spiers)
He also had a hand in the industry, working with the ASA in the Senate’s passage of the federal Modern Fish Act. And earlier this year he was appointed to the board of directors for the American National Association of Marine Marketers.
Such engagements led to his own fishing and boating trips, which in turn introduced Chandler to both his professional network and the fishing community in Richmond.
“I’m definitely more knowledgeable now about different things with the industry – engines, boat handling or piloting, conditions. To me, that’s made me a safer boater,” he said. they are.
It all started when Chandler decided to combine work and pleasure after sitting in on a seminar on helping clients with social media. In an effort to appeal to the maritime industry, he said, he sought his own online presence and moved away from it.
Brian Chander has combined his passion for boating and fishing into his public relations career. (Photos courtesy of Brian Chandler.)
“I changed my profile to say, ‘My tweets are 50-50 PR/marketing and saltwater fishing and boats,'” he said. “Literally overnight, I more than doubled my followers.”
He began following some on Twitter, including industry giant National Marine Manufacturers Association, which is looking to hire a PR firm to promote a private watercraft safety campaign for its sister association.
“We responded to their RFP, and instead of our usual dress code and standard
“For headshots, I had a picture of me holding a big red drum[fish]and I had the team send a picture of me on the water,” he said. “They responded and said, ‘We like your idea, it’s definitely done with our industry in mind,’ and they took that tag down. Then the word started to spread.
The Virginia native began fly fishing on streams and has since moved into saltwater fishing.
These days, the five-person firm’s client list includes two full-time marine clients and others who regularly call on the firm for contract work. Despite the organization’s inland location, Chandler said businesses in fishing areas such as Florida and California are often among them.
“At this PR firm in Richmond, we heard from them that when they first learned about their industry, they were a little skeptical. But after five minutes of talking to me, they said, ‘He’s in. He understands what we’re trying to do and he knows our industry very well.’ That was great to get that feedback.
Chandler, 47, who grew up in Dublin in southwest Virginia, began fishing and fishing in nearby streams and nearby Claytor Lake State Park. In college, Emory and Henry Alm said he started saltwater fishing with a friend who owned a boat in South Carolina.
Today, the married father of two fishes on the beach, though he says he still does some shore fishing. He owns a 20-foot Key West fishing boat that plies the Chesapeake Bay and often hits popular fishing spots along the James River near the floodwall and Mayo Bridge in Richmond, he said, becoming part of the team. Fishing community.
Brian Chandler’s favorite fishing spots in Richmond include the riverfront just across from downtown.
“They’re a group of guys who go down the floodwall right over the 14th Street Bridge and that’s it,” said Chandler, referring to other locals who gather to catch the ster and shad that travel from the bay to Richmond in the spring. As a community. They share tips; We text each other, like, ‘The bite is today!’
“They make a fire and cook fresh fish right there on the banks of the James. There is a tight knit community here in Richmond when it comes to walleyes and shad, and the smallmouth bass you can find right now at Pony Pasture.
Finding ways to combine fishing with work, Chandler said, gives him a much-needed break from the daily grind.
“It’s just a chance for me to be in nature, away from the day-to-day activities of work and life,” he said. Whether you’re on a boat or bank fishing, it calms you down and brings you peace and tranquility.
This is the final installment of our daytime series focusing on business people outside the office. If you, a colleague, or someone you know around town has a unique way to spend time off the clock, submit suggestions for [email protected] For previous episodes of Downtime, click over here.
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