About Gen 3 Outdoors
What if you took two of the strongest outdoor sales companies in the U.S., each having three generations of outdoor sports sales representation and marketing experience, and added to them the best technologies available in today’s rapidly changing marketplace?
That was the question we asked. The answer we came up with is Gen 3 Outdoors.
And what began as our vision of how to best serve both outdoor sports manufacturers and dealers in today’s challenging retail environment, is now operating in 12 Northeastern states:
Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C.
…and we’re growing fast!
We chose Gen 3 Outdoors to honor three generations of outdoor sports sales and marketing, dating back to 1950. But we also realize that there is a new generation of outdoor consumers, whose purchasing patterns have changed. Even though members of the Outdoors Community respect our sporting traditions, to be successful at selling outdoor products today, you simply cannot do business the same way as in the past.
Rather than resist all of the changes occurring in today’s marketplace, we choose to embrace them–and we’ve adapted to them. The staff at Gen 3 Outdoors has a vast knowledge of the digital world and of how to leverage it to help our business partners. At the same time, we understand that, as always, there is no substitute for hard work and for having feet on–and ears to–the ground.
Gen 3 Outdoors brings you everything you could want in your sales representation: three generations of sales experience and a savvy knowledge of how to speak and market to today’s customers.
We are excited about our new agency and would love to show you what Gen 3 Outdoors can do for you!
Our History
Gen 3 Outdoors brings together two long-established outdoor industry powerhouses, Ferguson-Keller Associates (Midwest) and Rogers Sports Marketing (Southeast).
FERGUSON-KELLER ASSOCIATES Inc.
For more than 50 years Ferguson-Keller has been providing a professional sales support system to their partners in the outdoor sport and recreational industries. They strive to deliver a successful working relationship through experienced industry knowledge, time management with partner dedication and a large, effective team of professionals and specialists.
Their success lies in the power of the Central U.S. marketplace, along with a positive reputation and a combined 180 years of experience from a team of industry professionals.
TIMELINE
- In 1956, Jim Ferguson founded the James E. Ferguson Company to represent sporting goods manufacturers in 13 Midwestern states.
- In 1971, he joined forces with John Keller to form Ferguson-Keller Associates, Inc.
- When Jim Ferguson retired in 1993, Bill Kunzer became President, while partner Gary Spaulding became CEO.
- In 1993, Bill Kunzer was named CEO and President.
- Bill Kunzer stepped down in 2017, selling his shares to Sandra Larson and Sean Kunzer, who became president.
The Ferguson-Keller Team circa 1991, including (top left to right) principals Bill Kunzer, Gary Spaulding and Jim Ferguson.
ROGERS SPORTS MARKETING
Rogers Sports Marketing is the largest outdoor sales and marketing group in the Southeast. Their 12-man sales force is made up of sales professionals who know the outdoors and understand marketing. Covering 10 states, the secret of their success is making frequent customer visits and offering hands-on professional advice.
Rogers Sports Marketing, a third-generation company, is the result of a merger between two dominate outdoor sales agencies, Rogers Southeast Associates and Sports Marketing South.
TIMELINE
- Rogers Southeast Associates, Inc. began in 1950 as a marketing and sales organization serving manufacturers of sports equipment.
- Sports Marketing South, Inc. was established in January 1983 with the merger between BDGR Associates (founded in 1960) and the R. M. "Dick" Noyes Company (founded in 1955).
- In 2016, Trent Rogers became Managing Partner and was named president in 2023.
The original Sports Marketing Team, circa 1950.