MINNEAPOLIS – FLW Outdoors recently landed a media limit by adding another facet to its information repertoire – radio.
FLW Outdoors announced it will launch a new radio show July 7 on Fox Sports Radio 1190 AM, giving the organization a clean sweep of modern media outlets. America’s premier bass-fishing organization, which operates the most lucrative sport-fishing tournament trails in the world, will add radio to its list of media formats that includes television, print and the Internet.
FLW Outdoors’ presence in the national spotlight will further crystallize when it launches its new radio show on Fox Sports 1190, also home to nationally known sports broadcasters like Tony Bruno, Jim Rome and Mike Fisher. The show will be broadcast from radio station KTRA in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area of Texas and will reach a myriad of listeners throughout Texas and parts of Oklahoma.
The show, called “FLW Outdoors Presented by Wal-Mart,” will be broadcast live each Sunday from 10 a.m. until noon CST beginning July 7. Those who do not have Fox Sports 1190 available to them outside the Texas and Oklahoma markets will be able to listen to the show via an Internet link provided by FLW Outdoors: “FLW Outdoors Presented by Wal-Mart.”
A key element that made the deal attractive to FLW is the format of the new radio show. FLW believes it will be of interest to the whole spectrum of outdoor enthusiasts. Hosts Keith Lebowitz and Travis Smith will interview a variety of celebrities to discuss all facets of outdoor activities – like NFL great Tony Casillas’ love for hunting quail.
“FLW Outdoors Presented by Wal-Mart” will also offer coverage of FLW Outdoors fishing tournaments, interviews with respected pro anglers and an ask-the-pro segment during which listeners can call in and have their questions answered by fishing experts.
Another alluring attribute of KTRA’s presentation of “FLW Outdoors” is the time slot: It provides the runway to Fox Sports Radio Network’s popular Sunday program “We are There Sunday” that kicks off at noon and provides complete coverage of the major sporting events of the day. Similar to the “We are There Sunday” program, discussion topics on “FLW Outdoors Presented by Wal-Mart” will run the gamut and include all segments of sports and outdoor activities.
Irwin L. Jacobs, chairman of FLW Outdoors, said he is excited by, as well as impressed with, the totality of the upcoming radio show. With a variety of national personalities – from professional sports to Hollywood to the music industry – discussing their outdoor experiences and interests, the show will combine the best of all worlds, he said.
“The line between traditional sports and outdoor activities is a fine one,” Jacobs said. “Most everyone loves sports and celebrities as well as the outdoors. We believe the public would love to hear what their favorite athletes and performers do for fun with their families when they aren’t on the field or the stage.”
Lebowitz said the sports celebrities and performers will keep listeners coming back to the show, but it will be the core values touted by the show that will impress fans and sponsors alike.
“Most fans know only the highly competitive side of pro athletes,” Lebowitz said. “`FLW Outdoors Presented by Wal-Mart’ will reveal their human side – the side that is passionate about hunting, fishing, the outdoors, conservation and spending time with family.”
Lebowitz’s experience as a sports reporter and sports show anchor is considerable. He’s been acknowledged with industry awards numerous times: a 2001 honor from The Associated Press for the Fox Sports Net show “Southwest Sports Report,” a 1996 Emmy winner in the Los Angeles area for outstanding sports reporting on KTTV Fox Television, a 1990 Golden Mike Award for best sportscast at KCSN in Los Angeles and honors for his work as a reporter in 1999 for the Emmy Award-winning “Season of Speed” at KTVT CBS 11 in Dallas. He has interviewed many of the greats including Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky and Troy Aikman.
Smith, to serve as co-host of “FLW Outdoors Presented by Wal-Mart,” has worked 10 years covering major teams in the Dallas area including the Cowboys, Rangers, Stars and Mavericks for Metro Sports Communication. With his experience covering professional and college sports in radio for AP, ESPN and Fox, Smith is carrying on the tradition established by his father, the award-winning broadcaster Jess Smith.
The prestigious company sponsors of “FLW Outdoors Presented by Wal-Mart” will include Wal-Mart, Castrol, Dean Foods, Energizer, Fujifilm, Ranger Boats and Yamaha Motors.
FLW Outdoors operates the world’s most lucrative and prestigious fishing tournament circuits including the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, EverStart Series, Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League (BFL), Texas Tournament Trail (TTT) and Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit. As much as $21 million will be awarded to anglers in 2002 at the 170 plus tournaments operated by FLW Outdoors.
FLW Outdoors produces and markets – through its members and Wal-Mart stores – a bi-monthly bass-fishing magazine, operates a news Web site devoted to tournament and industry news, and produces a television show that airs on the Outdoor Life Network.
For more information visit FLWOutdoors.com or call Bill Petrowiak, vice president of communications at FLW Outdoors, at (612) 337-1945. Keith and Travis, show hosts, may be contacted at [email protected].