Kennett blog

It gives us great pleasure to announce a third-year renewal of our partnership with European Challenge Tour and Jamega Tour golfer, Chris Hanson. Chris is also joined by fellow golfer, Anna Scott, in signing with the brand as an ambassador in a new partnership to begin this summer.

Over the course of the year, both golfers will be playing across the world wearing Kennett watches at various different tournaments, and Anna will carry the Kennett logo on her playing caps and visors.

After winning the Europro Tour Order of Merit (OOM) in 2011, Chris, 27, played a full season on the Challenge Tour in 2012 travelling throughout the world to places such as Kenya, India and Russia.

This year Chris is splitting his season between the Challenge Tour and the UK based Jamega Tour which after 6 events he tops the OOM with three 3rd place finishes, a 2nd and a recent win at Mill Green in Hertfordshire.

On the renewal, Chris said: "It was an easy decision to continue with KENNETT for a third year after two great years so far. It is fantastic to see that whilst my results have been improving on the course and my stature in the game is growing, so too has the KENNETT brand grown within the watch industry.  No doubt 2013 will be another year of success for us both!"

Anna, also 27, from Newcastle in the UK, spent most of the past 6 years in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Anna’s season last year was injury hit, but now she is back to fitness and will be competing on the Symetra LPGA tour. KENNETT join Close House Golf & Hotel, who also sponsor Lee Westwood, as one of Anna’s partners for the year.

Anna said: “It’s fantastic to be working with KENNETT this season in what is a pivotal year for me. I’m very appreciative of their support and I’m proud to carry the logo as it’s a brand I really admire and their watches are great.”

Tom Kennett, founder of the Kennett brand, commented on the two ambassadors: "Golf is a sport I feel is a great fit with the brand, as it is all about precision, accuracy and timing. To have a pair of excellent ambassadors within the sport is a huge bonus for us and I’m very excited for the year ahead. From all at KENNETT, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Chris and Anna the best of luck for the season."

To follow Chris's life on tour check out his blog at chrishansongolf.com and also on twitter @hansonprogolf

To keep up to date with Anna’s season, please visit http://www.annascottgolf.com/ or on twitter @Anna_Scottie

KENNETT to sponsor polo’s Hazel Jackson

It is with great pleasure that KENNETT can reveal they have signed a sponsorship agreement with polo star Hazel Jackson. The English Lady Player from Hampshire, 22, will be carrying the KENNETT logo on her playing jeans throughout the upcoming polo season where Hazel will compete all across the UK and Europe.

Jackson joins fellow English polo player George Meyrick in signing with the brand, which had owner Tom Kennett very pleased: “The KENNETT brand has enjoyed an association with polo since last summer and we are delighted to have Hazel as part of our burgeoning presence within the sport.  The pair of them are both outstanding competitors and they portray elegance both on and off the polo field, which we feel is an ideal fit for the current direction of the brand.  I would like to take this opportunity to wish Hazel the best of luck – we’re very excited to be working with her.”  

With the British polo season just around the corner, Hazel said: “It’s really exciting to have signed as an ambassador for the KENNETT brand. I noticed their watches on a few players at Polo in the Park last year and the relationship with George Meyrick, so the opportunity to join was very welcome. I’m a huge fan of their watches and think KENNETT are a great fit with polo and the people who play and watch the sport.  It will be great to carry the KENNETT logo on my clothing logo across the UK and the world this year in what promises to be an action packed season!”

Follow Hazel on Twitter @hazel8jackson

KENNETT are delighted to announce that Keith Atkinson, the 12-time British Formula windsurfing champion, will continue as a KENNETT Sports Ambassador in 2013. Despite an injury-hit year in 2012, Atkinson was able to add another British title to his bulging trophy cabinet, underlining his star qualities.

On the news of the renewal, Atkinson said: “It’s a great honour to be continuing with KENNETT this year as a brand ambassador. 2012 was a difficult year for me with a number of injuries but I am feeling stronger than ever and determined to win more titles. I’m looking forward to flying the flag for the KENNETT brand throughout the year and feeling positive about my prospects – and I can’t wait to get my hands on the new Valour watch which looks fantastic!”

Founder of the Kennett brand, Tom Kennett, commented: “Keith’s outlook on life is admirable – he’s an incredibly active guy always looking for new challenges and to push himself further within his sport.  As I’ve said before, Keith’s record in is just incredible. To be a British champion just once is impressive, but to have eleven titles to your name is almost unheard of. We wish him all the best for this year and hope he gets a clean bill of health and gets back to winning ways.”  

To find out more information on Keith’s record-breaking windsurfing career, please visit: http://www.keithatkinson.com/Windsurfing_-_home/Windsurfing_-_home.html

Kennett is to officially launch in the USA this summer after confirming they will exhibit for the first time at the JCK Jewellery & Watch fair in Las Vegas this May. In their continuing drive for International growth, the aspiring British brand will start recruiting retail distribution partners across the USA this summer.

With their export efforts now supported by Scottish Development International’s growth fund, the brand is also currently developing routes to market in a number of countries like Russia, Germany & Australia.

The brand will extend its range this year; with a number of new models launching at the JCK show including first previews of their highly anticipated debut Swiss Made model.

“There is strong appetite abroad for British brands; with events like the Olympics last year only enhancing that iconic British imagery worldwide. We visited the USA at the start of this year to meet with potential partners and the response was very favorable. Having lived and worked in the states for over two years myself, I have a good understanding of the dynamics and opportunities ahead for the brand in launching across America and we are confident that America will become one of our biggest export markets. We are particularly excited to reveal our new product ranges, we have been working very hard on product development these last 18 months.“

Visitors can find Kennett at booth B2911 at JCK Las Vegas – 31^st May – 3^rd June – More info at http://lasvegas.jckonline.com

It gives us great pleasure to reveal that British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) driver, Frank Wrathall, and Ginetta G50 ace Tom Ingram have renewed their partnerships with KENNETT for the coming season. Both drivers with be racing on the prestigious TOCA package, which is shown live on ITV4 throughout the season, which begins at Brands Hatch on March 30.  

Wrathall, 26, who has fond memories of Brands Hatch after his memorable win there in the last race of the 2012 season, commented: “It was great working with the KENNETT brand last season and I was touched at how many compliments I picked up on my Altitude watch! The company enjoyed a great end to last year, just as I did, and I am really looking forward to pushing on this season and making frequent visits to the podium. Let’s hope for another strong year for both parties in 2013.”

19 year-old Ingram, from Buckinghamshire, is equally excited for the season ahead. “Testing has been going really well for this season and I am really focussed on winning the championship. It’s great to have KENNETT on board again for this year and I am looking forward to working more closely with the brand in 2013,” said Ingram.

Tom Kennett, founder of the Kennett brand, said of the two KENNETT Sports Ambassadors: “Both drivers are extremely talented, with numerous titles and accolades to their names. I’m still buzzing from Frank’s win on the last day of last year at a wet Brands Hatch and cannot wait for the start of the new season.

To read more about Frank’s and Tom’s impressive racing careers , please visit: http://frankwrathall.co.uk/about.cfm

http://www.tom-ingram.com/

To see both drivers in action, tune into the BTCC coverage on ITV4 for the first round at Brands Hatch, on March 31. 

Kennett extends partnership with polo ace George Meyrick

KENNETT are delighted to announce they have renewed their partnership with one of the world’s leading polo players, George Meyrick. The England player, 24, will be integrated into KENNETT’s marketing collateral through a range of avenues including modelling shoots as well as carrying out the more traditional ambassadorial duties.

The agreement will form part of KENNETT’s broader marketing strategy for the year and Tom Kennett, founder of the Kennett brand, was pleased to have the partnership concluded: “The Kennett Timepiece range will develop over the coming months and years to target an increasingly exclusive audience, so an association with polo – the sport of kings – is a great fit for us. Having George representing the brand at the back-end of last year was brilliant and this year we are really keen to incorporate him deeper into the brand. We will be doing this through photo shoots and a number of other special campaigns – keep your eyes peeled! 2013 promises to be a big year for both KENNETT and George, we wish him all the best for the season.”  

Before flying to China on Monday to play at the Snow Polo World Cup for England, George commented: “I’m delighted to be continuing my relationship with KENNETT this year. They’ve come a long way since we started working together just last summer which shows how ambitious they are to succeed in the market. I’ve got a packed schedule in 2013, playing all around the world, and I look forward to representing the brand throughout this busy period.”

Meyrick began playing Polo at the age of seven, turning professional in 2006. With a handicap of 5 in the UK and 6 in Argentina, George is now considered one of the best young Polo professionals around and has played with many of the world’s leading players. For a two year period, George played alongside the world’s best player Adolfo Cambiaso whilst representing Dubai in the British high goal, in which he won the Queen’s Cup.

For more information on George please visit his website: www.georgemeyrick.com/ or follow him on Twitter @georgemeyrick

British timepiece brand; KENNETT are delighted to announce that they will be supporting the “Ocean Row Events Trans Atlantic Sub 30 Day Expedition 2013”.

Kennett will be the official timekeeper for the trans atlantic challenge, where a crew of 8 will attempt to beat the 30 day barrier for rowing across the Atlantic. The team will be led by skipper Leven Brown; one of the world’s top rowing skippers.  Leven is also a multiple Guinness world record holder. (More details below)

The 8-strong team will crew a new purpose built boat; built of carbon kevlar with new design features which will aide self-righting and reduce drag significantly.

Their ‘Trade Winds’ route quest from Puerto Mogan, Gran Canaria to Port St Charles, Barbados will involve 3000 miles of unsupported rowing across the open ocean.  The Ocean Row Events crew will be on stand- by in Puerta Mogan, Gran Canaria from January 5th 2013 awaiting a favourable weather window.

Speaking of the agreement, Tom Kennett, Founder of Kennett said, “We are very excited to be supporting Leven and his team in this challenging, courageous and grueling dash across the Atlantic. Style & performance are central to our design approach at Kennett and we are proud to be associated with such an adventure – which will also rely on the accuracy & durability of our Timepieces.”

JANUARY 7^TH 2013

British timepiece brand; KENNETT are delighted to announce that they will be supporting the “Ocean Row Events Trans Atlantic Sub 30 Day Expedition 2013”.

Kennett will be the official timekeeper for the trans atlantic challenge, where a crew of 8 will attempt to beat the 30 day barrier for rowing across the Atlantic. The team will be led by skipper Leven Brown; one of the world’s top rowing skippers.  Leven is also a multiple Guinness world record holder. (More details below)

The 8-strong team will crew a new purpose built boat; built of carbon kevlar with new design features which will aide self-righting and reduce drag significantly.

Their ‘Trade Winds’ route quest from Puerto Mogan, Gran Canaria to Port St Charles, Barbados will involve 3000 miles of unsupported rowing across the open ocean.  The Ocean Row Events crew will be on stand- by in Puerta Mogan, Gran Canaria from January 5th 2013 awaiting a favourable weather window.

Speaking of the agreement, Tom Kennett, Founder of Kennett said, “We are very excited to be supporting Leven and his team in this challenging, courageous and grueling dash across the Atlantic. Style & performance are central to our design approach at Kennett and we are proud to be associated with such an adventure – which will also rely on the accuracy & durability of our Timepieces.”

Those wanting to follow progress of the crew’s world record attempt can do so at www.oceanrowingevents.com or on www.kennettonline.com 

Leven Brown Records:

Having stood for 114 years, the oldest record in ocean-rowing history was finally broken in 2010, when the crew of the Artemis Investments – Leven Brown, Don Lennox (both UK), Ray Carroll (Ireland) and Livar Nysted (Faroe Islands) – rowed the Atlantic west to east from Battery Park, New York, USA, to St Mary’s, Scilly Isles, UK, in just 43 days 21 hr 26 min 48 sec. The four men rowed from 17 June to 31 July 2010, beating the previous record, set in 1896, by more than 11 days.

The first to row the Atlantic East to West from mainland Spain to West Indies (Trinidad and Tobago) is Leven Brown (UK) who rowed solo in Atlantic Wholff between 26 August 2005 - 26 January 2006.

Kennett Watches are looking for a UK Regional Sales Manager.

Kennett is an international designer watch brand based out of Glasgow, Scotland. Currently manufacturing Timepieces in the Far East, Kennett specialise in the design & production of increasingly luxurious male & female watches, which are now exported to more than 10 countries. With an established network of online stockists in the UK like WatchShop.com, Debenhams.com and a number of independent Jewellers, Kennett intend to actively enhance and extend their product range in 2013 whilst significantly increasing their UK market presence; both offline & online.

A fantastic new opportunity has arisen for a passionate, dynamic and experienced Sales Manager.

Travelling throughout the UK and working closely with our Glasgow head office, the successful candidate will report into our CEO with an initial focus on the acquisition of new customer accounts throughout the UK.

 Role Includes

-        Establish new customer accounts in targeted areas of the UK.

-        Creating marketing materials & campaigns within budget to deliver appropriate and effective branding.

-        Researching & prospecting of target stockists.

-        Conduct sales meetings across the UK.

-        Visual Merchandising.

-        Retail training

-        Frequent analysis and forecasting.

-        Attendance of UK trade shows, this could include shows like IJL, Spring Fair, and possibly London Fashion Week.

-        Existing client account management.

-        Product feedback / market research

-        Financial Control of key accounts

Attributes necessary

- Organised

- Self Motivated

- Outgoing, personable and confident.

- Passionate about selling

- Strategic

- Keen to progress and take on responsibility

- Keen to establish themselves in an ambitious, young, international business

- The ability to prioritise tasks to deliver on targets

-        Driving license required due to frequent potential for travel.

Experience necessary

Previous management experience within a fast paced, high fashion, retail environment is essential as is the ability to demonstrate that you have helped to deliver sales growth within your previous roles. At least 2 years relevant sales experience within the Jewellery/Watch industry is essential.

Candidates should ideally have existing, relevant sales contacts within the UK Jewellery/Watch industry, particularly with nationwide department stores, multiple chains and independent jewellers. As the Kennett brand also has a B2C online sales channel, experience of web marketing, email marketing and online commerce would also be preferred. The successful candidate will be based remotely, ideally located with convenient access to key market areas like Central & greater London.

The successful candidate will be offered career progression as well as a superb opportunity to earn fantastic bonuses, receive great benefits and job satisfaction.

Attractive salary offered + benefits. Email your CV to jobs@kennettbrand.com quoting reference UKSMGRTK1