Former CHEK Pres. John Pollard Joins Victoria Harbourcats Baseball Club

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 18, 2016

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Victoria HarbourCats continue to set up the organization for the future, hiring a well-known local media professional to spearhead the team’s marketing efforts going forward.

JOHN POLLARD has been named MARKETING DIRECTOR for the team, and will work side-by-side with Jim Swanson, the Managing Partner, and Brad Norris-Jones, who was recently elevated to the role of General Manager.

Pollard will guide the team’s partnership and sponsorship efforts, working closely with Richard Michaels (Community Partnerships/Marketing) and Shawn Petriw (Print Properties, through his company Sponsor Impact).

Pollard will also work with the Wilson’s Group, the parent company for Wilson’s Transportation Ltd., Vancouver Island’s largest bus transportation company. John Wilson, CEO of The Wilson’s Group, is a member of the HarbourCats ownership group and supports as Vice-President-Business, with team President Ken Swanson, team Treasurer Rich Harder, and Managing Partner/Vice-President-Baseball Jim Swanson. Wilson and Jim Swanson are part of the community ownership group of the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies, who Pollard will advise during hockey season. The Wilson’s Group also successfully owns and operates the YYJ Airport Shuttle, Grayline Sightseeing Victoria and the newly-launched BC Ferries Connector Service under contract with BC Ferries.

“We couldn’t be happier to add someone like John to our efforts to lead the HarbourCats to the next level within this community,” said Swanson. “John has a proven track record of leadership and involvement in the community that fits perfectly with our ongoing goals of providing affordable summer family entertainment in Victoria. The stronger we are off the field, the more we can put efforts and resources into being the best we can off the field, and the community support we receive allows that.”

Pollard is the former President at CHEK TV, leading that organization through its transition into an employee-owned company. Most recently, Pollard was working in Marketing for Ocean FM and Kiss-FM.

“This is such a great move for me to be working in sports marketing, and to work with the HarbourCats and the local ownership group,” said Pollard. “Marketing and community have been a passion of mine and this is something that fits well for all involved. I’m excited to play ball.”

Pollard is a member of the board of Central Saanich Little League, and also sits on the board of Crimestoppers Victoria. He is a Little League and minor hockey coach and is well-known in Victoria business circles.

Pollard’s work will be supported by new Assistant General Manager Brittany French, who operates ticketing and host family coordination for the HarbourCats.

“We are working toward growth of the organization and being positioned for the future, always continuing to look for ways to get better – and adding great people is the surest way to get better,” said Wilson. “John’s involvement in so many areas of Victoria that relate to what we do makes this a great announcement and a big step for the HarbourCats and our ownership group.”