Alabama founded company Anderson Media Corp. has acquired a majority interest in B.A.S.S., the largest fishing organization in the world. The 100-year-old family business made the announcement Tuesday.
This partnership isn’t new, as Anderson Media has been an investor in B.A.S.S. for years. The increase in shares occurred this past Tuesday, but the company promises things will be “business as usual” for B.A.S.S.
Bruce Akin will continue as CEO of B.A.S.S. while Chase Anderson, a shareholder of Anderson Companies and director of Anderson Media will join B.A.S.S. fulltime.
“This will provide seamless continuity for B.A.S.S. and those connected with it,” said Anderson. “For the fishing professionals, the loyal sponsors and advertisers and, most importantly, the millions of people nationwide who love this sport, things will both remain as they are and continue to improve.”
“During the past several years as an investor in B.A.S.S., we have had a chance to get to know B.A.S.S. and the bass fishing industry, and we feel so strongly about B.A.S.S. and the industry that we decided to acquire a controlling interest in B.A.S.S.,” Anderson added. “We are excited about the long-term growth potential for the B.A.S.S. business.”
“The family-owned Anderson Companies share the same roots and principles as B.A.S.S. and will provide new opportunities for growth thanks to their internet marketing, consumer products brand representation and retail services experience,” Akin said. “They are dedicated to the same objectives that have guided the previous B.A.S.S. owners, Don Logan, Jerry McKinnis and Jim Copeland. When they bought B.A.S.S. in 2010, they were intent upon strengthening the company and growing the sport of bass fishing, and they’ve been successful. Anderson Media plans to continue to build upon those achievements.”
“The Anderson companies have a century of business expertise, particularly in marketing,” said Anderson. “We believe we can apply that expertise in ways that will help B.A.S.S. and the sport itself grow and prosper.”
With any change in a company like this, there is fear that things will change for customers and employees. Don Logan, one of the previous B.A.S.S. owners, assures us B.A.S.S. is in good hands.
“They have a long-term strategy to help the companies they acquire achieve their full potential,” he said. “They do business like we do.”
