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Heliconia

Heliconia Brings in James McBeath as the New Director of In4adventure.com

Heliconia, the video production company behind award-winning TV series such as Epic Trails, Facing Waves and Adventure Cities, is excited to announce the hiring of long-time industry marketer, James McBeath. McBeath joined the team earlier this month as Director of Heliconia’s new In4adventure.com project, overseeing its strategic, technical, and promotional development. James will also be involved with strategic sales and marketing initiatives spanning all Heliconia’s projects.

“James comes with experience in all aspects of the outdoor industry and shares Heliconia’s values,” says Brendan Mark, Heliconia Vice-President. “James has invaluable experience in creating instructional content and in working with projects like World Kayak. He brings with him a wealth of modern web marketing savvy to Heliconia.”  

Launched in mid-2022, in4adventure.com is a consumer-focused website that embodies Heliconia’s mission of helping get people outdoors and creating lifetime outdoor participants. The site focuses on four primary pillars intrinsic to the company: Influencers who introduce, inspire, instruct, and inform. In4adventure.com also provides a key new component to Heliconia’s media projects and their content marketing outreach and distribution.

“I am looking forwards to continuing my work within the outdoor adventure industry,” shares James McBeath. “This project opens the door to getting back in touch with outdoors brands who share my passion in encouraging outdoors lifestyles. I look forward to connecting these brands and others to this incredible new initiative and with Heliconia.”

ABOUT JAMES MCBEATH: James has spent most of his professional career working to encourage people to get out and play. A 35-year veteran of the outdoor industry, James’ career has seen him partnered with leading kayak schools in the ‘90’s, spending two decades heading mainstream sport web marketing strategy including pioneer initiatives with the NHL, followed by a decade as an adventure sports marketing strategist with Breathe Productions and, most recently, a fifteen year stint as the Director of Marketing for Jackson Kayak. James was also the Director of World Kayak, an initiative that focused on the growth of Paddlesports. James can be reached at 613.256.0598 or at james@heliconia.ca.

ABOUT HELICONIA: Heliconia’s goal is simple – to get more people outside and to help them become lifetime outdoor participants. The award-wining video production company does this by showcasing outdoor adventure and adventure travel through inspiring and educational content with industry-leading influencers. Heliconia currently produces six unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic TrailsFacing WavesAdventure CitiesGreat Family AdventureChad Hoover Fishing, and Road Trip Angler. Heliconia has a proven formula that marries inspiring video production with guaranteed television and digital distribution, ensuring that your message is heard in a unique and impactful way. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.  

We’re Hiring! Sales Assistant (Part-Time)

Interested in joining a cutting-edge production company that produces adventure travel television shows around the world?  Heliconia is currently looking for:

Sales Assistant

Part-time (20 hours per week) with potential to full-time, starting at $20/hr

Location: Beachburg, ON (in house position) with opportunity for hybrid work

Start date: Immediate Start

Job Purpose:  Acting in a supporting role to the Tourism Partnership Manager, the Sales Assistant will be tasked with searching and locating pertinent information to help progress the sales and sponsorships of various Heliconia projects. In particular, the Sales Assistant will do research, using various sources (mostly online) to locate new sales leads and opportunities, and to obtain the appropriate contact information for the sales department. The Sales Assistant will also be responsible for helping with sales automation, database upkeep, and other various sales-related duties.

Sales Assistant Job Duties:

  • Research to find new sales leads and opportunities for the sales team
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date database
  • Create sales flow templates and coordinate the automation of email campaigns
  • Work collaboratively with sales & marketing staff
  • Report directly to the Tourism Partnership Manager
  • All other duties as assigned

Skills/Qualifications:

  • Motivated by finding vital information. Must have a “hunter” mentality
  • Excellent ability and use of the internet
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office
  • Strong organization (task/time management, prioritization, ability to quickly locate information as requested)
  • Knowledge of global geography
  • Knowledge and interest in outdoor activities a bonus
  • Sales interest and/or expertise an asset

Please send your resume and cover letter to the Betterteam online application portal by May 30th :

https://helipress.betterteam.com/sales-assistant

Only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. Candidates who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of colour, LGTBQ2S+, and/or a person with a disability are encouraged to apply.

About Heliconia

Heliconia is an award-winning video production company that helps destinations and brands reach the outdoors and adventure travel audience. The company produces a varied and growing number of unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, The Great Family Adventure, Chad Hoover Fishing and the Road Trip Angler. Heliconia has a proven formula that marries inspiring video production with guaranteed television and digital distribution. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.

Great Family Adventure – Trip Report: Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods

Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods in sunny Florida is well known for their family-friendly vacation and recreation opportunities.

The Jackson-Troutman family recently spent some time in Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods while filming an episode of Great Family Adventure. They experienced the region’s pristine beaches, cycling trails, mangroves, accessible wildlife, and varied paddling opportunities.

It’s safe to say that after a week of exploration and unique experiences, the family ranks Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches and Neighborhoods a hard-to-beat family vacation destination.

Catch all of the action in Season 2 of Great Family Adventure, premiering this summer on Outside TV and Bally Sports Network.

About Great Family Adventure: Great Family Adventure is an exciting and inspiring TV series that follows World Champion kayakers, Nick Troutman and Emily Jackson, and their family on a new-age family road trip. Join the family as they learn about new cultures, paddle wild rivers, exploring rad bike trails, swim in the ocean, and camp out under the stars. Each 30-minute TV episode airs on Outside TV and Bally Sports Network. Networks interested in carrying Great Family Adventure are encouraged to reach out to Heliconia’s Vice-President, Brendan Mark, at brendan@helipress.com.

Heliconia Seeks Tourism Destination for its Epic Trials Short Film Giveaway

Eric Hanson - About Epic Trails

Behind every great trail is a great story. A story about the people who built it…about its inhabitants and its habitat…about the cultures it has shaped and the lives it has changed. 

Heliconia, the award-winning production company behind the popular television series Epic Trails, Facing Waves and Adventure Cities, is excited to launch their first ever Epic Trails Short Film Giveaway.

Heliconia is looking to tell the story of the world’s most remarkable trails. The adventure travel production company invites Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOS), Tourism Boards, and Agencies, to share what makes the story of their trails, whether they are renown or yet unknown, so special. The winning region will receive the full creation of a short film by Heliconia, including story writing, film production, editing, exposure through film festival entries and a digital campaign in support of the film’s launch. The contest is open to trail destinations world-wide.

“We are storytellers here at Heliconia, and as such we are constantly on the search for tales that encourage people to get outside, enjoy the outdoors, and embrace adventure,” explains Tourism Partnership Manager, Stefanie Manton-Ward. “With COVID-19 and the global restrictions that were placed on travel, our story-telling capabilities were hindered. Now that things are beginning to open up again, we are excited for the opportunity to create a film festival worthy show-piece and support tourism destinations who have been so hard hit by the pandemic.”

Destinations interesting in submitting their trails for consideration to the short film giveaway may enter the contest online at www.heliconia.ca/epicshortfilm, or by calling 1.613.582.7154 from 9 am to 5 pm EST. Heliconia will be considering locations throughout the next couple of months, and will work with the winning destination to come up with a filming date that works best for both parties, with the aim to have filming wrapped up by summer 2022.

ABOUT HELICONIA: Heliconia is an award-winning video production and marketing company that helps destinations and brands reach the US adventure travel audience. The company produces eight unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Epic Trails: Mountain BikingFacing WavesAdventure CitiesGreat Family AdventureBA FishingChad Hoover Fishing and Road Trip Angler. Heliconia has a proven formula that marries inspiring video production with guaranteed television and digital distribution, ensuring that your message is heard by the adventure travel community in a unique and impactful way. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.

ABOUT EPIC TRAILS: Epic Trails is an exciting and inspiring adventure travel media series, and one of the popular platforms that Heliconia uses to share the stories that move and inspire us. More than just a television series, Epic Trails is a multi-faceted TV, digital, and social media project designed to showcase partner destinations to a dedicated and engaged audience of outdoor adventure lovers. Throughout the series, host Eric Hanson explores the people, places and adventures surrounding the world’s top trails. The TV show, and accompanying digital and social media, resonate with those who seek adventure and share a passion for the outdoors, while fostering an interest in local culture and authentic experiences. Each 30-minute TV episode airs on Outside TV and Bally Sports Network, and has aired internationally through National Geographic Channel—Asia and Extreme Sports Channel across Europe. Tourism destinations interested in partnering with Epic Trails are encouraged to reach out to Heliconia’s Tourism Partnership Manager, Stefanie Manton-Ward, at stefanie@helipress.com.

Heliconia Announces Departure From The Kayak Fishing Show with Jim Sammons

After twelve incredible years, this will be Heliconia’s final season producing The Kayak Fishing Show with Jim Sammons.

The first, and longest running kayak fishing show, The Kayak Fishing Show with Jim Sammons has captured hearts and inspired anglers from all over the world. Jim’s passion for the sport, charismatic personality, and ability to overcome challenges has kept fans tuning in year after year.

A San Diego, California native and certified fish and game licensed guide, Jim has long been recognized worldwide as a pioneer of big game kayak fishing. The past twelve seasons of The Kayak Fishing Show has brought Jim to incredible destinations including Panama, Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Sweden, and to top angling destinations in the US and Canada. Jim’s adventures have had him catching salmon, halibut, all types of bass, tarpon, yellowtail, roosterfish, redfish, muskie, pike, alligator gar, snapper, dorado and everything in between.

While this is the final year that Heliconia will be producing The Kayak Fishing Show with Jim Sammons, fans can be certain that Jim’s fishing adventures will not stop. More than 170,000 fans now follow Jim on The Kayak Fishing Show’s Facebook Page , while 40,000 subscribers follow him on his Kayak Fishing Tales YouTube Channel. Armed with a fishing kayak, reel, rod, and the open water – the question isn’t whether Jim’s fishing adventures will continue – it’s where those adventures will take him.

ABOUT HELICONIA:

Heliconia is an award-winning video production company that helps destinations and brands reach the US adventure travel audience. The company produces nine unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic TrailsEpic Trails: Mountain BikingFacing WavesAdventure CitiesGreat Family AdventureBA FishingPeak ExperienceChad Hoover Fishing and The Kayak Fishing Show. Heliconia has a proven formula that marries inspiring video production with guaranteed television and digital distribution, ensuring that your message is heard by the adventure travel community in a unique and impactful way. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.

For information on the future of The Kayak Fishing Show please reach out to Jim Sammons at Kayak4fish@gmail.com.

Upgrade Your Paddling Sweepstakes Winner

We are pleased to announce a winner in the UPGRADE YOUR PADDLING SWEEPSTAKES! Steve Rowan is the happy winner of a paddling trip with TRAK Kayak’s NEW Paddling Trip Passport, an Aqua Bound Tango kayak paddle, a Yakima JayLow kayak rack, an Orion Cooler and a swag bag from TRAK Kayaks. Steve is quoted as saying “Amazing” when he replied to the email we sent him announcing he won the contest. We hope Steve enjoys the paddling gear upgrades.

We had a lot of interest from the paddle community with over 2700 entries! This was a fun sweeps with our partners. We thank them for the support and a big thanks to all the paddlers who entered the contest. Stay tuned for future chances to win more paddling gear. Check out our partner sites and have fun paddling this summer!

We’re Hiring: Production Manager

Interested in joining a fun, dynamic, and totally unique business that produces outdoors and adventure travel TV and digital series from around the world? 

Heliconia, is looking for a full-time Production Manager. The Production Manager’s role is to ensure filming for our productions (TV episodes, digital videos/series, commercial work) runs as smoothly as possible and meets the needs of all stakeholders. The Production Manager’s primary responsibility is to organize and coordinate Heliconia shoots. This includes researching locations to identify filming opportunities, managing filming plans with tourism partners and/or brands, coordinating and communicating plans with everyone involved with shoots (filming team, host, special guests, guides), and managing the logistics involved with shoots. 

The successful candidate must be a strong communicator, very organized, personable, self-guided, motivated, and a determined problem solver. The Production Manager works under the direction of the Director of Productions. This is the second Production Manager position within Heliconia.  Both production managers will manage their own projects, independently of each other.

Start Date:  June/July 2021
Location:  Remote or on-site
Type: Full-Time
Salary:  TBD – based on experience

Responsibilities:

  • Work with Director of Productions and/or Project Director to develop appropriate production plans for each project.
  • Lead and manage communications and coordination with tourism and brand partners during all phases of production.
  • Lead tourism partners through the production process.
  • Research filming locations as necessary.
  • Coordinate with brand partners as necessary before, during and after filming.
  • Identify any special partner requests / needs before filming.
  • Gather promotional assets and key information from tourism partners.
  • Follow up with tourism and brand partners after each shoot.
  • Coordinate production logistics
  • Secure any permits required for shoots.
  • Book travel for production team as necessary.
  • Main point of contact for production team members with logistical related issues before and, when absolutely necessary, during shoots.
  • Lead and manage communications with production team before and during shoots.
  • Communicate production plan and production partner needs to production team.
  • Work with the Sales, Marketing, Social Media, and Production teams as required.
  • Identify ways to improve production efficiencies.
  • Fill in, as necessary, within Heliconia’s other departments.


Skills/Qualifications: 

  • Project management or production management expertise
  • Strong communication skills
  • Logistical expertise with strong attention to detail
  • Self-motivated, with ability to effectively multitask and manage time, without supervision
  • Reliable access to a computer and high speed internet if working remotely
  • Significant travel experience is an asset
  • Outdoors experience is an asset

Candidates who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of colour, LGTBQ2S+, and/or a person with a disability are encouraged to apply.

Please send your resume and cover letter to online application portal: https://helipress.betterteam.com/production-manager. Only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

About Heliconia

Heliconia is an award-winning video production company that helps destinations and brands reach the International outdoors and adventure travel audience. The company produces a varied and growing number of unique media projects, providing authentic storytelling opportunities for every adventure and every destination. These series include: Epic Trails, Facing Waves, Adventure Cities, The Great Family Adventure, BA Fishing, Peak Experience, Chad Hoover Fishing and The Kayak Fishing Show. Heliconia has a proven formula that marries inspiring video production with guaranteed television and digital distribution. For more information, visit www.heliconia.ca.

Chad Hoover Fishing presented by Fishing Chaos: Trip Report – Kentucky Lake, TN & Stafford, VA

The Production Team behind Chad Hoover Fishing presented by Fishing Chaos recently wrapped up another successful film shoot in southeastern US.

Once all was said and done, three episodes for the upcoming season were filmed. One episode was filmed on Kentucky Lake, TN, and two were filmed in Stafford, VA. Here’s what Director of Photography, Mat Willder, had to say about the episodes captured:

Exploring Kentucky Lake – Paris, TN

In this episode Chad is joined by local angler Anthony Winkleman on Kentucky Lake. Anthony takes the spotlight showcasing the impressive bass fishery. It doesn’t take long for Chad to get ‘bass thumb’ as the fish wouldn’t stop biting. While in town, Chad visits the World’s Biggest Fish Fry and the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Tennessee. 

Pre-Fishing for a Tournament – Stafford, VA

In this episode Chad meets up with local tournament organizer and angler, Greg Nosar, to explore the Tidal Potomic River. As the two fish for bass, they offer advice and insight on how to have more success while fishing new waters. Chad shows off his smart-casting reel before hooking into a monster bass. This episode is filled with plenty of knowledge and hooksets.

Snakehead Fishing – Stafford, VA

In this action-packed episode Chad teams up a group of anglers that are passionate about catching snakehead. These large, prehistoric looking fish offer an adrenaline rush to anglers once hooked up. Chad gets advice from Steven Kambouris, an angler who is very knowledgeable about this species of fish. Also featured in this adventure are John Calagaz from Fishing Chaos and John Hipsher from YakAttack. This episode offers a first-time experience and a personal best with a seventeen-pound snakehead caught. 

The above TV episodes will premiere later this summer on Bally Sports. In the meantime, fishing fans can head on over to the Chad Hoover YouTube channel for special sneak peeks and consistent content releases to help tide them over.

ABOUT CHAD HOOVER FISHING: Staring funny-man Chad Hoover, Chad Hoover Fishing is an engaging and entertaining fishing show jam packed with thrilling kayak fishing action and valuable fishing tips. The Telly Award winning TV series is designed to excite and educate viewers—whether or not they have ever considered fishing from a kayak. Each 30-minute TV episode airs nationwide on Bally Sports. Brands interested in partnering with Chad are encouraged to reach out to Malvin Young at malvin@helipress.com. Learn more about the series at www.heliconia.ca.

We’re Hiring: Social Media Manager

Interested in joining a fun, dynamic, and totally unique business that produces outdoors and adventure travel television shows from around the world?

  • Social Media Manager
  • Full-time, immediate start
  • Location: remote or on-site
  • Salary: TBD based on experience

About the job:

Heliconia, is looking for a full-time Social Media Manager to manage and grow all social media channels associated with Heliconia projects. The Social Media Manager will be coordinating with Heliconia influencers and helping with content creation, scheduling, social media strategy, advertising, and reporting.  Heliconia social media projects currently include 6 Facebook pages, 8 Instagram pages, 7 YouTube channels, with expansion to other social media platforms in the near future. 

The successful candidate must be personable, self-guided, very motivated, well organized, and have a strong social media background. The Social Media Manager will work under the direction of the executive team and will be an integral part of all Heliconia projects. 

Social Media Manager Job Duties:

  • Manage and understand deliverables associated with each Heliconia media project
  • Create social media briefs for influencers and production team before film shoots
  • Understand audiences and influencer voice for each project
  • Help schedule, curate, and create photo and video content on social media channels
  • Run and coordinate sweepstake programs with partners
  • Create reports and monitor social media metrics and activities
  • Create YouTube thumbnails, titles, descriptions and manage each video for SEO
  • Help influencers manage community and engagement
  • Work with partners and partner deliverables
  • Help influencers develop new social media channels that could include TikTok, Pinterest, etc.
  • Work with Heliconia executive team to manage paid advertising and boosting  
  • Stay informed on social media trends and platforms; learn new platforms as needed
  • Present strategies to management to grow audience and increase engagement across sites and platforms
  • Participate in team calls and contribute brilliant ideas
  • Administrative support, general team player as needed


Skills/Qualifications:

  • 3-5 years of social media management experience (minimum) with proven results (mandatory)
  • Experience managing multiple social media accounts
  • Must be able to define success on different social media handles
  • Up to date on the latest social media trends in the industry, able to learn new platforms quickly
  • Self-motivated and able to effectively multitask without supervision
  • Must be familiar with or able to quickly learn social media and publishing tools such as Hootsuite, TubeBuddy, and iContact
  • Excellent communications, organizational, and time management skills
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Reliable access to a computer and high speed internet if working remotely
  • Experience working on remote teams
  • Knowledge of basic HTML is an asset
  • Design and layout skills are an asset (use of Adobe suite)
  • Outdoors experience is an asset

Candidates who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, a person of colour, LGTBQ2S+, and/or a person with a disability are encouraged to apply.

Please send your resume and cover letter to online application portal: https://helipress.betterteam.com/social-media-manager by May 24th, 2021.  Only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.