Friday, April 15, 2011

Job Opening Alert: American Quarter Horse Association Manager of Communications

POSITION TITLE:  Manager of Communications 
DEPARTMENT:      Marketing and Communications
                                                                                              
BASIC FUNCTION:
The Manager of Communications is responsible for executing AQHA’s communications and marketing plans. The Manager of Communications will create and distribute content that position AQHA as the industry leader and the American Quarter Horse as the preferred breed on a worldwide basis. The Manager of Communications will work with the marketing and publications staff to efficiently distribute all marketing, communications and e-commerce efforts.
                                                          
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
Serve as the primary traffic coordinator in the development of AQHA communications and marketing materials
Track brochures, signage, advertisements, press releases and other collateral materials from creative development through final production
Communicate with program and marketing managers to gather art, creative direction and materials prior to sending to production.
Track materials through the proofing process to ensure approval by appropriate parties and that all materials meet AQHA standards
Assist Association and Foundation departments in the development of material necessary to achieve their marketing goals.
Monitor materials through traffic system to achieve economies of scale and efficiencies in developing promotional material.
Look for ways to use already developed content in multiple ways.
Write or assign press releases, brochures, Web content and other marketing and information materials
Oversee distribution of all AQHA/AQHF material ensuring it reaches target market.
Establish and meet press release deadlines, ensure Web material is updated frequently
Write public service announcements, scripts, internal communications and speeches or executive communications, as needed.
Maintain AQHA’s media contacts list
Assist in coordinating pressroom and promotional activities for AQHA’s World shows, Convention and other promotional activities, banquets and receptions.
Serve as the main marketing point of contact for the AQHA Corporate Partner department and as the secondary contact for the Foundation and Hall of Fame & Museum.
Other duties as assigned

INTERNAL RELATIONS:
Reports to Director of Communications and maintains regular contact with Association staff and employees.

EXTERNAL RELATIONS:
Maintain contact with media, advertisers, AQHA members, industry officials, vendors and participants at various events.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, journalism, English or related degree
Display a high-degree of organization and ability to function in a fast-paced, multi-faceted area.
Ability to oversee, guide and manage multiple projects
Must have exemplary writing skills with deep knowledge of AP style and English grammar
MS Office skills with some design experience a plus
Meticulous attention to detail

Eventing: USEF: David O'Connor Recommended by Eventing Eligible Athlete Committee and Eventing High Performance Committee to be the Next US Eventing Chef d'Equipe/Techincal Advisor


From the USEF Communications Department
Lexington, KY - The Eventing Eligible Athlete Committee and Eventing High Performance Committee have unanimously recommended David O'Connor to be the Eventing Chef d'Equipe/ Technical Advisor to succeed Capt. Mark Phillips in 2013. The recommendation will go to the USEF High Performance Working Group before being presented to the USEF Executive Committee.

The search for Capt. Phillips replacement began in 2010. Nine applications were received by the Search Committee. The Committee shortlisted two applicants: O'Connor and Leslie Law.  

The USEF hosted an Open Rider Forum at the Red Hills Horse Trials on March 13 where both O'Connor and Law made presentations and answered questions from the floor. The Search Committee then confirmed their recommendation of both O'Connor and Law to the Eventing Eligible Athlete Committee and the Eventing High Performance Committee.  

After the forum at Red Hills, the Eventing Eligible Athlete Committee met three additional times to review all eligible applicants and decided to conduct another round of interviews. They met with the two shortlisted candidates (O'Connor and Law) again at the Fork Horse Trials on April 7 and held a telephone interview with British-based Australian Andrew Hoy.

The depth of quality of the applicant field was impressive - it included some of the biggest legends in the sport and after extensive research, thorough discussions and candid interviews the Eventing Eligible Athlete Committee unanimously voted to recommend O'Connor. On April 15, the Eventing High Performance Committee voted to unanimously to endorse this recommendation. The High Performance Working Group and the Executive Committee will meet to review this recommendation.

O'Connor has extensive knowledge of the sport in the U.S. and across the globe. He was the Individual Eventing Gold Medalist at the Sydney Olympic Games and he coached the Canadian Eventing Team to Team Silver at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games. O'Connor has proven leadership skills having served as the President of the USEF and the Chairman of FEI Group IV since his retirement from International competition in 2004. On the field of play he is renowned for producing top results from both horses and riders.

Identifying a Chef D'Equipe/Technical Advisor now will allow for a smooth transition for the riders and the eventing program when Mark Phillips retires in 2012.  Phillips has successfully led the program since 1994, having won medals at four Pan American Games, four World Equestrian Games and four Olympic Games.

Eventing: Adelaide: FEI WELCOMES ADELAIDE TO HSBC FEI CLASSICS™ 2012 SEASON

FEI PRESS RELEASE
Lausanne (SUI), 15 April 2011

The FEI is delighted to welcome the Australian International 3 Day Event to the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012 season.

The Adelaide-based event, which in 2002 became the first CCI 4* in the southern hemisphere, will host the second leg of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012 season against the stunning city centre backdrop of Adelaide Park Lands on 18-20 November 2011. 

“The Australian International 3 Day Event is the country’s premier equestrian competition and one of only six 4* events held around the world,” explained Event Director and dual Olympic gold medallist Gillian Rolton (AUS). “For the last 10 years, Adelaide has been the chosen host city of this hallmark equestrian event. We are now extremely proud to take our place in the HSBC FEI Classics™2012 season and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and competitors to an action-packed event in our unique City of Adelaide Parkland setting.” 


The Adelaide Cross-Country phase on Saturday 19 November will see competitors tackling a demanding course designed by Wayne Copping (AUS). It will start in front of the Heritage Grandstand in Victoria Park, cross two dual carriageways closed for the event, wind through Rymill Park featuring water jumps regarded as some of the most challenging in international Eventing and culminate back in Victoria Park on the Heritage Oval.

HSBC has supported the HSBC FEI Classics™ series since 2008 and will be contributing US$1 million in prize money over the next three years, which represents the biggest prize fund on offer in Eventing on an annual basis.

At the end of the 2012 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected among the six HSBC FEI Classics™ events will be awarded their share of a total prize pot of US$333,000.

Photo caption: Wendy Schaeffer on Koyuna Sun Shine - winner of the 2010 Australia International 3 Day Event 2010 © Jim Hillman InMotion Photography

“The inclusion of this event in the HSBC FEI Classics™ is testament to how successful the series has been and shows how this sport continues to grow globally. We are delighted to welcome Adelaide as part of the prestigious series and look forward to seeing the competition evolve,” said Giles Morgan, HSBC Group Head of Sponsorship.

HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012 calendar
The HSBC FEI Classics™ 2012 season will begin at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) on 12-16 October 2011.

This is also the location for the final leg of the 2011 season.  

Competitors therefore have the unique opportunity to secure points for both the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 and 2012 seasons by competing at Les Etoiles de Pau.

1.    Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) - 12-16 October 2011
2.    Australian International 3 Day Event (AUS) - 18-20 November 2011
3.    Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) -  26-29 April 2012
4.    Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) - 4-7 May 2012
5.    Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by E.ON (GER) - 14-17 June 2012
6.    The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) - 30 August-2 September 2012

Notes to editor:

HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 Calendar:

1. Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (GBR) - 22-25 April
2. Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event (USA) - 28 April-1 May
3. Luhmühlen CCI 4* presented by E.ON (GER) - 16-19 June
4. The Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials (GBR) - 1-4 September
5. Les Etoiles de Pau CCI 4* (FRA) - 12-16 October

At the end of the HSBC FEI Classics™ 2011 season, the five riders with the highest number of points collected among the HSBC FEI Classics™ events will be awarded their share of a total prize fund of US$333,000, split as follows:

1st - US$150,000 (Series Champion)
2nd - US$75,000
3rd - US$50,000
4th - US$33,000
5th - US$25,000