Veteran river outfitter and adventure travel company, O.A.R.S., just announced that Chaco is the new official footwear sponsor of the O.A.R.S. Family of Companies. As part of this new alliance, Chaco will be outfitting the company’s 300-plus river guides with performance footwear for the river and trail, making O.A.R.S. guides official Chaconians.
Chaco will have exclusive access to O.A.R.S. guides for product testing and development, noted Steve Markle, O.A.R.S. Director of Sales and Marketing. “This relationship allows us to raise the bar on employee perks for our guides with professional-grade footwear designed for the river, and in turn, our guides will help share the Chaco story.”
"Chaco was born on the water, so supporting river enthusiasts is what we do best, which is why our partnership with O.A.R.S makes perfect sense," notes Josh Weichhand, Chaco marketing associate. "As O.A.R.S.’ official footwear sponsor, river guides across the world will benefit from Chacos and we couldn't be more excited to have the best in the business in our footwear."
Last summer on Oregon’s Rogue River, a handful of O.A.R.S. guides helped facilitate a commercial photo shoot for Chaco. Their reward was “Chaco Cash” that they redeemed online. According to O.A.R.S. Rogue River Manager, Kate Wollney, many guides chose to "Build Your Own Chacos," customizing color and style. “Let me tell you, some of these sandals were pretty unique…river guides like to blaze their own trail and stand out from the crowd, but one thing we all have in common, is a love of Chaco sandals. For as long as Chacos have been around, they have always been the favorite footwear of river guides.”
In addition to outfitting the company’s guides, O.A.R.S. and Chaco are teaming up to share their respective love for rivers and wild places with digital marketing campaigns that will feature stories, interviews, videos, and opportunities to win free stuff from O.A.R.S. and Chaco.