ProLink Solutions, a provider of Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) golf course management systems and digital out-of-home on-course advertising – announced today that Chris Kager has been named Executive vice president of its ProLink Media division.
Kager was formerly president of The Media Group, a leading provider of interactive and transactional programming and advertising for television. He will use his wide-ranging experience to partner ProLink with major brands seeking to advertise on the company’s 10.4-inch, high-resolution color screens affixed to golf carts. From his New York office Kager will work directly with Andy Batkin, CEO of ProLink Media (the advertising sales division of ProLink Solutions).
During his term with The Media Group, Kager implemented sales and marketing strategies for the EchoStar/DISH Network platform, selling to national market advertisers across 110 cable networks. Kager signed 30 national charter advertising partners and was directly responsible for $200 million in sales revenue.
From 2002-06, Kager was executive vice president of NBC Universal TV Distribution, overseeing media sales. Under Kager’s direction, annual revenue exceeded $150 million as he implemented the successful merger of two distinct corporate cultures into a seamless entity. As president of Rainbow Advertising Group from 2000-02, Kager developed sales and marketing plans for Rainbow Networks – American Movie Classics, Independent Film Channel, Much Music USA and WE: Women’s Entertainment.
At Columbia TriStar Television, Kager was vice president from 1992-99 before his promotion to president in 2000. His efforts garnered $300 million in national broadcast revenue while Kager devised comprehensive sales strategies for off-network syndication launches of programs including Seinfeld and Mad About You.
“Chris Kager is a true heavyweight in the sales and marketing business and we are thrilled to welcome him to ProLink’s executive team,” says Lawrence D. Bain, c.e.o. of ProLink Solutions. “Chris’ experience and contacts within the advertising and media world are simply unmatched and will serve him well in this new position. His decision to join ProLink Media, paired with Andy Batkin’s recent hiring, is a great indication of our company’s stature and potential within the digital out-of-home advertising sector. With Chris on board, ProLink’s ability to attract high-caliber ad partners is stronger than ever.”
“As a big believer in ProLink and its product, I am extremely excited about this new opportunity,” Kager says. “ProLink has the ability to carve its own niche in the marketplace because advertising on these GPS screens reaches the consumer in an environment where they are truly enjoying themselves. It’s a very relaxed setting, where participants aren’t surrounded by distractions, and the screens’ graphic presentation is superior to similar products on the market.
“I also believe advertisers are looking for viable alternatives beyond basic media. The demographic ProLink reaches – men with an average household income of $185,000 and net worth of more than $1.5 million -- is almost unattainable through other avenues. ProLink has that audience in scale and mass and it’s only growing every day.”
In 2007, ProLink has secured advertising commitments from brands including General Motors, Citibank, RE/MAX, Toyota and other major companies. Brands that currently appear on or have used ProLink’s more than 500 advertising-ready systems worldwide include Jaguar, Lexus, British Airways, HBO, Red Bull, Cadillac and Visa.
With its ProFit program, ProLink manages all ad sales and shares those revenues with its partner golf courses. Through this model, courses can significantly reduce the cost of leasing the ProLink system and potentially generate revenues exceeding those expenses.
