AUSTIN, Texas – Guidefitter, the industry network for professional outdoor guides and outfitters, and the leading influencer marketing platform for hunting and fishing brands, announced today that it has launched the outdoor industry’s first influencer marketing solution compatible with federal firearms license requirements, enabling firearms manufacturers to operate their pro purchase programs on Guidefitter’s “Grid” software and ecommerce platform.
The company also announced that it has added Sheridan, Wyoming-based Weatherby to its growing list of outdoor gear partners and Guidefitter’s first firearms brand partner. Weatherby, founded in 1945, is an American icon which produces rifles, shotguns and other shooting accessories that are popular with hunting enthusiasts across the world and a favorite amongst professional hunting guides and outfitters. The company recently moved its headquarters from California to Wyoming due to state regulations restricting gun manufacturing in California.
“Efficiently reaching thousands of professional hunting guides with incentives to use and recommend our products is a mostly untouched opportunity for us and other firearms manufacturers,” said Luke Thorkildsen, vice president of sales, marketing and product development at Weatherby. “Guidefitter’s vast network of verified pro hunting guides and other industry pros, along with their FFL-compliant business processes and tech platform, make them a strong partner for us as we continue to grow Weatherby’s influence in the hunting industry.”
Last year, Guidefitter worked with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to obtain its Federal Firearms License and upgraded its Grid software platform to enable firearms brands to facilitate the legal transfer of firearms to verified outdoor professionals who enroll in the brands’ pro purchase programs operated by Guidefitter. The Weatherby pro program is open for enrollment now on Guidefitter.com to verified guides, outfitters and select outdoor industry brand employees, with products available for purchase expected in May 2019.
“Pro hunting guides are asked by their clients all the time for recommendations on particular firearms brands and calibers. But until now, we have not been able to help gun manufacturers expand their sphere of influence in the hunting industry,” said Bryan Koontz, founder and chief executive officer of Guidefitter. “After working with the ATF and spending months upgrading our systems and software to facilitate regulatory compliance, I’m excited to help firearms brands like Weatherby grow their share of voice and sales by leveraging our sizable pro network.”
Guidefitter, headquartered in Austin, Texas, was founded in 2011 by Bryan Koontz. The Grid enterprise influencer marketing platform for the hunting and fishing industry, was introduced in January, 2016. Guidefitter now operates the largest verified opt-in network of outdoor industry professionals in the world, including pro hunting and fishing guides, military, law enforcement, outdoor government employees, wildlife conservation pros, industry employees, outdoor educators, first responders, and more.
More information about Guidefitter’s solutions for outdoor brands can be found at https://www.guidefitter.com/grid. Individuals seeking to join Guidefitter’s growing audience of industry influencers, including employees of select outdoor gear and related brands, can apply at https://www.guidefitter.com/insiders.
About Guidefitter
Guidefitter is the industry network for professional outdoor guides and outfitters, the trusted destination for consumers seeking and sharing guided hunts and fishing adventures, and the enterprise influencer marketing and sales channel for outdoor brands. Guidefitter members and the information they share through web and mobile apps, represent the pulse of the guided hunting and fishing industry. For more information about Guidefitter, visit Guidefitter.com. ?
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Erik Jacobs