IHRA Restructures/Expands for 2006

[rebelracewriter]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Media Contact: Travis Reynolds

 

(419) 660-4225

 

cjperry@ihra.com

 

 

 

Media Contact: Mike Perry

 

(419) 660-4213

 

mperry@ihra.com

 

 

 

 

IHRA Restructures and Expands Communications Department

 

 

NORWALK, Ohio (February 14, 2006) – The International Hot Rod Association, a division of Live Nation, has announced a complete restructuring of its Communications/Media department. The company has added two new team members while promoting from within to fill positions created by the organization’s new alignment.

 

 

 

Travis Reynolds, who served as IHRA’s media and public relations manager during the 2002 - 2004 racing seasons, has accepted the position of Director of Media Relations. Reynolds, a University of Akron graduate, left IHRA following the 2004 season to work in the automotive aftermarket field and will be relied on to further expand relationships between IHRA, its sponsors and national and local media outlets.

 

 

 

"After an extensive search to fill this vital position, we are pleased Travis has chosen to return to IHRA," stated IHRA Vice President of Marketing Jim Marchyshyn. "The experience and knowledge he gained over the past two years will be an asset to IHRA as we expand and improve our media service.

 

 

 

"Following seven years of consistent growth IHRA has a clear mandate from our tracks, sponsors and racers: to improve, grow and nurture our brand of motor sports entertainment. With three major series, the Hooters IHRA Drag Racing Series, ‘Thunder Jam’, our re-badged stand-alone ‘Night of Fire’ shows and the Kumho Street Warriorz presented by Hooters, Travis is the right person at the right time to grow our media and public relations efforts," added Marchyshyn.

 

 

 

Tommy Dupree has accepted the position of Director of Contingency and Official Products with IHRA. Most recently the Manager of Star Dodge Dragway in Abilene, Texas, Dupree will look to build on IHRA’s already-healthy contingency program as well as work on inside sales. Dupree has 20-plus years of inside sales experience in the motor sports industry.

 

 

 

"Tommy understands drag racing and racer service but most importantly, he is a great salesperson," stated Marchyshyn. "Tommy was responsible for over $250,000 in sponsorship sales in Abilene and brings that expertise and passion to IHRA. Tommy will also be responsible for bringing new sponsors, official products and related media sales to IHRA."

 

 

 

Within the organization, Mike Perry has been named Director of Communications.

 

Perry, a graduate of Kent State University, has 17 years experience in the media and communications fields. Initially hired by IHRA to assist Drag Review Magazine (DRM) Editor Pam Marchyshyn with day to day operations, Perry will now supervise IHRA’s communications staff while remaining heavily involved with the editorial content of DRM.

 

 

 

Kim Parsons, who has been the Senior Graphics Designer for DRM since 1998, has been promoted to a new position. Parsons, an Ashland University graduate, has been named IHRA Senior Graphic Designer. She will now design all printed material for IHRA, the Kumho Tires Street Warriorz Series and the Thunder Jam exhibition events. She will also be responsible for designing all in-house IHRA printed material. Parsons will assist IHRA Director of Internet and New Media Jeff Lee on designing a more visually appealing and user-friendly IHRA.com as well.

 

 

 

Jennifer Pohorence will now take over DRM’s graphic design. She has assisted Parsons in this capacity for two years. A graduate of Bowling Green University, Pohorence will be responsible for the layout and design of the magazine.

 

 

 

"The expansion and reorganization of the IHRA Communations and Media Department will accelerate our growth and best utilize the skills of this talented staff,” Marchyshyn said. “We have only scratched the surface of the vast talents of this team."

 

 

 

“As we continue to grow IHRA one of the most important cogs is the Communications Department,” IHRA President Aaron Polburn said. “We now have a system in place with very talented people taking charge. This will prepare us for huge gains in both print and electronic media.”