Congratulations, Kenji!

Kenji Haroutunian named FlyFishing Retailer Show Director


Nielsen Sports Group is proud to announce Kenji Haroutunian as the new show director for the FlyFishing Retailer (FFR) trade show, where he will manage strategic planning, staff, sales, marketing and budgeting for the annual event.

Haroutunian will work closely with the American Fly Fishing Trade Association (AFFTA) to encourage growth opportunities for core partners and explore relationships with new markets. He fills the vacant position most recently held by Peter Devin.

“Kenji has cultivated exceptional relationships with many groups within the outdoor industry, including our partners at AFFTA which I feel will greatly benefit all of our customers and the industry,” said Joseph Flynn, vice president, Nielsen Sports Group. “He is already tuned in to the needs of emerging and established manufacturers, chain retailers, specialty retailers and industry influencers, so we are confident he will hit the ground running. As FFR approaches, we look forward to Kenji’s expert leadership and dedication.”

Haroutunian has been a member of the Nielsen Sports Group team since 1999, most recently as a senior account executive for the Outdoor Retailer and FlyFishing Retailer trade shows. He was instrumental in producing the acclaimed Backcountry Base Camp event at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and also helped to develop Outdoor Retailer’s Green Steps program, an environmentally-conscious business model now being adopted by other Nielsen events.

“I am thrilled and honored to lead the FlyFishing Retailer team,” commented Haroutunian. “The challenge of representing Nielsen’s integrated business solutions to the markets we serve is one I’m looking forward to meeting head on. For over 20 years I’ve been advocating for people to get outdoors, and I hope to continue my work from this new post, serving the industry with the same mission.”

Prior to his time with Nielsen Sports Group, Haroutunian spent 14 storied years at Adventure 16, where he ascended from salesperson to store manager. He has spent more than a decade teaching climbing and advanced outdoor skills through the American Mountain Guide Association and has worked with Outward Bound, Big City Mountaineers and Summit Youth Adventures, among others. Haroutunian also served as president of the Friends of Joshua Tree, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the historical tradition of climbing in Joshua Tree National Park.

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