McDonnell Haynes supports Derek Hatfield's attempt to win the 5-Oceans solo sailing race
McDonnell Haynes Integrated Communications Partners has developed a new fundraising advertising campaign to support Canadian Derek Hatfield's bid to sail around the world on board Spirit of Canada – the most sophisticated racing boat in the world.
Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) July 21, 2005 — McDonnell Haynes Integrated
Communications Partners has developed a new fundraising advertising campaign to
support Canadian Derek Hatfield’s bid to sail around the world on board Spirit
of Canada – the most sophisticated racing boat in the world.
The agency
recently launched a series of ads designed to heighten awareness of Canada's
only competitor in the upcoming 5-Oceans Challenge solo sailing race in 2006 –
Skipper Derek Hatfield aboard Spirit of Canada. The ads feature the names of
Canadians who have contributed to support Derek's bid for this coveted world
prize, including a 5-year-old boy, Canadian Naval Lieutenant Thomas Richard
Hilliard, and Wando, the Triple Crown winning thoroughbred. The advertising
campaign includes pro bono magazine, newspaper and radio.
This will be
Derek's second race around the world. In 2002 he finished third after his boat
pitch-poled off Cape Horn and he survived a terrifying hurricane off the
Falkland Islands. He is only the 126th sailor to survive this grueling
challenge. The entire mission is funded by strategically aligned corporate
sponsors and individuals whose names are immortalized on the hull of the boat.
In 2002, over 2,500 individual grassroots financial supporters donated money.
This year, the goal is 10,000 names on the boat. Derek has been taking his story
of determination and perseverance to corporate audiences and school kids across
the country, raising money and inspiring Canadians to pursue their own dreams
and to never give up when things get tough.
McDonnell Haynes is working
with a team of communications experts to keep Canadians informed of Derek's
progress as race day approaches. Then, an integrated communications campaign
will distribute the story to schools across Canada.
"Our ads encourage
Canadians to get on board and join Derek Hatfield on this incredible adventure
by visiting www.spiritofcanada.net and to contribute financially to help
support his bid for victory," says agency Co-Founder and Creative Director Phil
Haynes.
About the Boat
Construction of the new Open 60 ocean
racer, Spirit of Canada, began in September 2004 and the boat promises to be one
of the most technologically advanced racing machines in the world. Satellite
technology supplied by EMS Technologies will "wire" the boat with capabilities
that will include: satellite voice communications, weather tracking and
reporting, email and fax, as well as video transfer functions similar to those
used by embedded journalists to cover the Iraq war.
Using the satellite
link, Derek can conduct television interviews from the boat, support a daily
Internet blog, and exchange emails with kids as part of Spirit of Canada's
global education program that teaches children about the ocean and the
environment. As well, an array of video cameras attached at various vantage
points will provide daily webcam feeds featuring raw footage from the deck of
Spirit of Canada.
About Derek’s first attempt
Starting in
September 2002 and ending in May of 2003, Derek completed more than 28,700
nautical miles in the "Around Alone" Single-handed Yacht Race. Overcoming severe
obstacles, Derek was one of nine international competitors and the only Canadian
to finish the gruelling event.
The major challenge occurred in the fourth
leg of the race off South America's infamous Cape Horn. After fighting 60-foot
waves during a daylong Southern Ocean gale, a vertical breaking wave pitch-poled
Spirit of Canada. The boat stood on its nose, flipped upside down, then back up
again. Derek was thrown off the deck into the frigid water and then scooped up
again as the boat righted itself. Unfortunately, the mast of Spirit of Canada
was lost in the accident. Devastated, Derek switched on the boat’s motor and
powered his way for 36 hours to Ushuaia, Argentina. Over the next five weeks,
Derek and his team of friends and supporters worked diligently to repair the
boat and get him back onto the racecourse. With a new mast, sails and new
electronics, Derek was determined to make up the ground he lost.
On May
31st, 2003, after almost eight months at sea, Derek arrived at the finish line
in Newport, RI. He received a hero's welcome, as hundreds of people came out to
greet the man who just wouldn't quit. Despite the many setbacks, Spirit of
Canada finished third overall in Class II, making it the fastest 40-foot boat
throughout the event.
About the 5-Oceans solo sailing race
The
5-Oceans solo sailing race is acknowledged as the longest, hardest event for an
individual in any sport. Each skipper will spend approximately eight months at
sea, covering 28,700 nautical miles. These elite athletes will call on huge
reserves of self-reliance, courage and stamina to pass through some of the most
remote and dangerous places on Earth. Many will be on board hi-tech Open 60's -
the Formula One cars of sailing – 60 feet long and built from carbon fiber using
the latest composite technology. They are designed to be as light and as fast as
possible but strong enough to withstand the worst the world’s oceans can throw
at them.
This unique event occurs only once every four years. September
2006 will mark the sixth anniversary. The race is composed of three legs, each
scored grand prix style. This multi-leg structure provides more leverage
opportunities for sponsors, more peaks of excitement and drama for media and
race followers, and a much more international fleet of competing
skippers.
About McDonnell Haynes Integrated Communications
Partners
McDonnell Haynes Integrated Communications Partners is one of
the leading, independent marketing communications companies in Canada. Founded
in 1986, the agency specializes in brand management and prides itself on taking
an integrated, media-neutral approach to message creation. The agency is also
recognized for its innovative Maximized Collateral Marketing™ process. The three
simple principles of "Look deeper, aim higher and work harder" define the
agency's approach for developing creatively-compelling, results-generating
solutions for a wide range of clients including TD Bank Financial Group,
Schneider Foods, Michelina's, CHIP (Canadian Home Income Plan), TARION Warranty
Corporation, Toronto Transit Commission, Shade-O-Matic, ACE Bakery and George
Brown College.
Contact:
Patianne Verburgh
Spirit of Canada
Ocean Challenges
(416) 816-7446
Phil Haynes
McDonnell Haynes
Integrated Communications Partners
416-467-8068 ext. 224
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/7/prweb264065.htm