ProLink Solutions, a provider of Global Positioning Satellite ("GPS") systems for golf courses, announced that former GOLF Magazine Publisher Christopher P. Wightman has been named President of the newly established ProLink Media division.
Wightman, 43, joins ProLink after five years as publisher at GOLF Magazine, a Time Inc. property and the world's most widely read golf publication. ProLink will establish an office in New York, where Wightman will oversee all media operations including advertising sales and partnerships with advertisers seeking access to the high net worth golf demographic viewing ads on ProLink's golf-cart-mounted GPS screens. Wightman will assume the new position Jan. 2, 2007.
Through Wightman's extensive media experience and relationships with major national advertisers, ProLink further distances itself as the GPS category leader while his hiring should produce an immediate impact on ProLink's advertising sales revenues.
"The addition of Christopher Wightman is a huge boost to ProLink's advertising sales initiatives, and demonstrates our substantial commitment to expose even more major advertising partners to a highly desired and sought-after golfer audience," says Lawrence D. Bain, c.e.o. of ProLink Solutions. "Chris enjoys a sterling reputation in the business world and his contacts and acumen will help ProLink grow in this area. As our advertising strategy unfolds, the value proposition for golf courses to own ProLink's coveted systems will increase -- reducing the barrier of entry for our golf course partners."
As publisher of GOLF Magazine, Wightman provided business leadership and directed a 40-person advertising sales and marketing staff that generated approximately $70 million in annual revenue. During his tenure, GOLF acquired Golf.com, launched GOLF Magazine Living, produced a reality-television show, and realized net-revenue gains of approximately 100 percent.
"ProLink is leading a paradigm shift in the way ad space is perceived," Wightman says. "ProLink offers the ultimate in targeted demographics to a hard-to-reach audience. With the current competitive pricing, the company's explosive worldwide growth presents tremendous opportunities for advertisers. I am delighted to join the ProLink team as the company embarks on this exciting new phase in its development."
Wightman also held increasingly vital positions at Golf Digest, including vice president-national sales director and national resort and travel manager, and national advertising manager for Golf Digest Woman. His non-golf career includes stints with MTV/Viacom, Chief Executive Magazine and MONY Financial Services. Wightman graduated Penn State University with a degree in journalism.
A sampling of international advertisers that are on or have used ProLink's more than 500 advertising-ready GPS screens worldwide include Aquafina, Jaguar, Lexus, British Airways, HBO, Red Bull, Cadillac, and Visa. In addition to national brands, ProLink's trusted partners include a strong contingent of local and regional advertisers in key markets.
Recent independent tests reveal unprecedented levels of ad "stickiness" (roughly 14 minutes per hole) with more than 70 percent message retention and unaided recall rates among golfers. The company's innovative ProFit program gives courses access to financing options that provide substantial cash flow from revenues generated by the ads.