Orlando, FL – Orange County Convention Center -The Professional Outdoor Media Association’s (POMA) and the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) prestigious Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award was presented to veteran communicator
John E. Phillips of Birmingham, Ala.
The POMA/ASA Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award recognizes a journalist who exemplifies the spirit, dedication to fishing, extraordinary talent, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of sportfishing communicators as displayed by outdoor journalist legend Homer Circle, aka Uncle Homer, during his storied career.
The award was presented during the New Product Showcase, the flagship feature of the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades, better known as ICAST. ICAST is produced by ASA, the sportfishing industry’s trade association. POMA is a professional association representing the traditional outdoor sports media.
“I’m honored to receive an award named for the man I’ve admired the most in the fishing industry,” said Phillips. “Uncle Homer not only mentored and showed me the way in outdoor writing but also helped hundreds of other fishing writers who followed in his footsteps.”
“No award is won by one person. It’s won by all the people who have supported, encouraged, taught, and endured that individual. So, I accept this award not just for me and my family, but for all the people in the fishing and writing industries who have been a part of my life and my career.”
Known as Bubba by most, Phillips is one of the industry’s most prolific communicators. In 2007 John was inducted into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame as a Legendary Communicator. As a freelance writer, he’s had 6,000-plus magazine articles, several thousand newspaper columns and 42 books published. He’s also served as a magazine editor, magazine and catalog photographer (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, radio personality, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, and daily Internet content provider.
He is also president of Nighthawk Publications and Creative Concepts.
Homer Circle aka Uncle Homer “Although John’s accomplishments as a communicator are virtually unequalled, his greatest gift to our industry, as is the case with Uncle Homer, is his commitment to mentoring folks, particularly young people, who want to launch a career in the outdoor industry,” said Laurie Lee Dovey, CEO of POMA. “John’s family of mentees and interns are now successful writers, photographers, broadcasters, editors and business executives. Our industry and the craft of communications are better because of John.”
“The POMA/ASA award recognizes the important role all outdoor communicators play in educating and informing the public about fishing, boating and wildlife conservation,” said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. “John is not just a prolific writer with a passion for fishing and the outdoors, he is also a committed conservation advocate. This is a well-deserved honor.”
POMA accepts nominations year round for the Homer Circle Fishing Communicator Award. Nominees are not required to be affiliated with a communicator’s organization. The award is presented as deemed appropriate, not necessarily annually, during ICAST.
Professional Outdoor Media Association is the premier professional association in the traditional outdoor sports industry. POMA and its members are focused on fishing, hunting/shooting sports and ancillary activities. POMA Mission is to foster excellence in communications at all levels, help members build their businesses, connect media and industry, promote fair and honest communication of the traditional outdoor sports and conservation stories, and mentor the next generation of traditional outdoor sports communicators. www.professionaloutdoormedia.org The American Sportfishing Association (ASA) is the sportfishing industry’s trade association, committed to looking out for the interests of the entire sportfishing community. We give the industry a unified voice speaking out when emerging laws and policies could significantly affect sportfishing business or sportfishing itself. We invest in long-term ventures to ensure the industry will remain strong and prosperous as well as safeguard and promote the enduring economic and conservation values of sportfishing in America. ASA also gives America’s 60 million anglers a voice in policy decisions that affect their ability to sustainably fish on our nation’s waterways through KeepAmericaFishing™, our angler advocacy campaign. America’s anglers generate over $45 billion in retail sales with a $125 billion impact on the nation’s economy creating employment for over one million people.
