SALT LAKE CITY, UT (BRAIN)—SOAR Communications, a full-service public relations and marketing communications agency for the outdoor recreation industries, has separated from its parent company, Politis LLC, after a successful five-year partnership.
Chip Smith (pictured) has assumed the role of chief executive officer of SOAR Communications. David Politis, who founded SOAR Communications in 2004, will continue as the CEO of Politis LLC and Politis Communications, which serves the high-tech industry.
Smith, who previously held a 30 percent stake in SOAR Communications, bought out the remaining shares owned by Politis. He is now the sole owner.
“I’ve basically been running the agency,” said Smith, who joined SOAR Communications in 2005 as its president. “David needed to focus on tech and I needed to focus on outdoor so we decided to part ways.”
“We’ve accomplished quite a bit working within the Politis LLC family of businesses,” Smith added. “This change, though, will help the SOAR team dedicate more resources to growing the agency in the markets we represent, and at the same time, continue to provide the great level of service our clients and the media know us for.”
SOAR Communications’ clients currently include Nielsen Business Media trade shows Outdoor Retailer, Interbike and Health+Fitness Business. The agency, based in Salt Lake City, also represents Ogden Weber Conventions and Visitors Bureau, bicycle component brand Ritchey Design and non-profit organizations Bikes for Kids Utah and Trips for Kids.
Smith, who worked as global marketing communications manager for Specialized Bicycles and as marketing manager for Shimano USA, said most of its clients have been in the bike industry. He hopes to further develop that business with the help of his current two-person staff.
