All good things…
For over quarter of a century, Berghaus has been a part of my working life. I’ve had the privilege of publicising the brand’s many excellent products, marketing campaigns, and the inspirational adventures of its athletes. I’ve managed Berghaus’ reputation during good times and tougher moments, and I’ve gone above and beyond to offer what I hope has been sound guidance and valuable support. Along the way, I have worked for and with a lot of amazing, talented and committed people, some of whom have become good friends (too many to mention here – you know who you are). Best of all, it was at Berghaus where I met my wife Catherine Lines – a thread of Berghaus DNA will always run through our family of five.
I first started working at Berghaus back in November 1998. It was a dream come true – managing PR for an outdoor company that was rooted in the North East, just like me. For the last 14 years, I’ve been representing the brand as an external consultant here at RIGHT LINES COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED. That partnership is now coming to an end. As I reflect on all that has happened in 27 and a half years (there was a short break at one point, but even then I got Berghaus involved in a project that I was working on elsewhere to promote our region to the rest of the world), I think that I am justified in taking some pride in the work that I have done for one of the foundational brands of the UK outdoor industry.
Working closely with the Berghaus team I’ve: chronicled the brand’s fortunes at home and in markets around the world; tackled the business challenges presented by foot and mouth disease and a pesky pandemic; rolled out range after range after range at trade shows big and small; played a part in getting the brand involved in amazing events like Kendal Mountain Festival, Keswick Mountain Festival and the Dragon’s Back Race; hosted multiple media events; managed the welcome and (sometimes) less welcome moments when the brand and popular culture have intersected; helped open flagship stores in London and North East England; best of all, I’ve put kit through its paces in places where it was designed to help all of us explore.
I’ve met Peter Lockey and Gordon Davison, founders of Berghaus. I’ve been there at the launch of projects that have grown into something very special. I’ve worked with and learned from people from every part of the outdoor sector, who in different ways have played really significant roles in its development. I’ve composed a prize winning limerick during an industry dinner in Harrogate. And I’ve had the chance to spend cherished time in the outdoors with great people, near to home and far away, and call it work.
Thanks to Berghaus, I’ve climbed and skied with Sir Chris Bonington, hiked with Alan Hinkes and Mick Fowler, snowshoed (!) with Leo Houlding, ticked off a few Wainwrights with Steve Birkinshaw and Sabrina Verjee, and got to know the wonderful Doug Scott. As well as sharing some of my own adventures with them, I’ve lived vicariously through their numerous much more impressive endeavours, and those of others, such as Karen Darke, Ed Jackson, Alex and Thomas Huber, Anniken Binz, and Philippe and Anna Gatta.
Over the decades and on behalf of Berghaus, I’ve taken huge satisfaction from articulating all of the above and more, and making sure that stories of substance reach as relevant and big an audience as possible.
Now it’s time to move on (though not from PR or the outdoor industry!), but as is the case for many other people who have worked for Berghaus, it will always be a part of me. It has been a huge honour to represent the brand and I will always be grateful for the opportunities that this role has presented to me, a tiny selection of which are showcased in the image with this post.
And yes, I still have the very first Berghaus product that I owned, and it remains in excellent condition (the Helium jacket for those gear geeks out there).
Chris.
rightlines.info 