ICYMI: Industry News
From March 3–7, 2025

New OtterText + Celerant Integration

An innovative new integration between OtterText and Celerant provides FFL dealers with comprehensive SMS marketing capabilities, including abandoned cart recovery, shipping notifications and automated customer communications.

Dealers can leverage customer data from their Celerant eCommerce platform through pre-built templates and custom automation workflows to trigger personalized text campaigns.

The platform works directly with digital carriers to ensure firearm brands receive proper approval, making it easy for dealers to maintain compliant communication channels with their customers.

“By integrating OtterText’s SMS marketing platform with Celerant’s eCommerce system, businesses can automate communication, drive sales and enhance customer loyalty, saving valuable time. This integration represents a big step forward in helping our clients connect with their customers more effectively and efficiently,” said Ben Nelson, OtterText CEO.

For more info: celerant.com

Crow Wholesale Launches C.L.A.Y.S. Program To Support Scholastic Shooting Sports

Crow Wholesale introduced the C.L.A.Y.S. Team Program (Collegiate Level And Youth Shooting Team Program). This initiative is designed to support academic shooting teams by providing exclusive benefits, streamlined purchasing and priority fulfillment to help sustain and grow competitive shooting sports at the scholastic level.

Recognizing the importance of collegiate and youth shooting teams in fostering the next generation of competitive shooters, Crow Wholesale has tailored the C.L.A.Y.S. Program to address the unique needs and challenges these teams face. Participation in the program is completely free, offering teams an opportunity to access crucial resources without additional financial burden.

“We are excited to launch this program with the goal of making shooting as affordable as possible for shooters and their families,” said Shawn McGuire, VP of sales at Crow Wholesale. “By offering benefits like free shipping, priority fulfillment, and discounts on gear, we’re making it easier for teams to focus on training and competition instead of logistics and costs.”

For more info: crowwholesale.com

“Partner With A Payer” Shows Manufacturers & Agencies Working Together For Wildlife

NSSF, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) and Beretta USA, released the latest installment in the Partner with a Payer video series. This video offers a behind-the-scenes look at how Pittman-Robertson federal excise tax dollars — generated by firearm, ammunition and archery manufacturers — are directly funding conservation, habitat restoration and public access to hunting and shooting opportunities.

Representatives from USFWS and TWRA visited Beretta USA’s manufacturing facility in Tennessee to see firsthand how the federal excise taxes paid by manufacturers contribute to conservation. These funds, paired with hunting and fishing licenses funds from hunters and anglers, provide vital support for state-led wildlife restoration efforts, helping to protect and enhance populations of species like elk, deer, turkey and bear, while also maintaining shooting ranges and improving access for hunting and fishing opportunities.

“Wildlife restoration dollars are so important to our agency. They touch just about every project that we have on the ground,” said Emily Buck, director of communications and outreach at Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. “We’re so incredibly grateful for our hunters and anglers who contribute to the funding model, as well as the federal excise taxes that come from manufacturers that really make what we do possible.”

Pittman-Robertson funding is one of the most successful conservation models in history, ensuring those who participate in hunting and shooting sports directly contribute to wildlife restoration. Beretta USA, a company that has been in business for nearly 500 years, is one of many manufacturers that play a key role in this funding model.

Through the Partner with a Payer initiative, federal and state wildlife agencies, industry leaders and hunters continue to work together to ensure the future of wildlife conservation and public access to the outdoors.

For more info: nssf.org

Texas Honors A Girl & A Gun

The Texas Senate celebrated a significant milestone in women’s empowerment as it honored A Girl & A Gun for the 14th anniversary of its first Girls Night Out, held on February 28, 2011. A resolution, signed by Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Senator Brian Birdwell, recognizes the organization’s profound impact of inspiring women through firearms education, competition and community. A Girl & A Gun President and CEO Robyn Sandoval accepted the resolution on behalf of the organization, alongside many members of the club, who were present in the Capitol Rotunda to celebrate this momentous occasion.

The inaugural Girls Night Out in 2011, hosted by Julianna Crowder, ignited a movement that would grow into the most influential program for women in the firearms community. A Girl & A Gun has since grown into a nationwide network, inspiring thousands of women to take ownership of their safety, learn new skills and discover the strength that comes from being part of a supportive and dynamic community.

The resolution compliments the organization and recognizes its unwavering commitment to education and safety, highlighting the essential role the club has played in transforming the way women view firearms and self-defense. It states, “The Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby commends A Girl & A Gun for their commitment to empowering women and promoting firearms safety and proficiency and extend to all best wishes for continued success.”

Sandoval expressed, “What began as Julianna’s vision to welcome women to the range has grown into something much greater.” “We have seen women transform before our eyes — finding confidence, building lifelong friendships and investing in themselves to protect and defend their families. This anniversary is not just a celebration of our past, but a reminder of the limitless possibilities ahead as we continue to grow and inspire.”

For more info: agirlandagun.com

Murray Road Agency Launches New Website

Murray Road Agency announced the launch of its new website. The redesign aims to improve user experience and exemplify Murray Road’s services, showcasing the agency’s commitment to excellence.

The new iteration features revamped aesthetics, as well as improved accessibility and navigation. With its streamlined layout, visitors can easily access the variety of services offered by the agency. The new visuals enhance the look and feel of the page, aligning it with the agency’s branding and giving potential partners a glimpse into the agency’s capabilities.

“We’re thrilled to officially launch our new website, which reflects our agency’s innovative approach and dedication to our clients. The redesign enhances how we tell our story and showcases the dynamic work we produce at Murray Road,” said Kelsey Puryear, COO of Murray Road Agency. “It’s a pivotal step in continuing to elevate our brand and expand our reach.”

Murray Road offers a full suite of marketing services tailored to the unique needs of outdoor brands. The agency provides services in digital advertising and paid media, social media strategy and management, content creation, video production, event marketing, brand activations, public relations, storytelling and more.

For more info: murrayroadagency.com

Henry Repeating Arms Honors IHEA NY Instructor Of The Year

Henry Repeating Arms Founder and CEO Anthony Imperato recently honored Ralf Hartmann as the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) New York State Instructor of the Year, recognizing his exceptional contributions to hunter education and firearms safety. Imperato presented Hartmann with a custom serial-numbered Henry Side Gate Lever Action Rifle chambered in .360 Buckhammer.

The IHEA State Instructor of the Year award is given to educators in each state who go above and beyond in their efforts to instill safe hunting and firearms handling practices in new hunters. Hartmann was selected for his dedication to the field over the past 11 years, during which he has introduced over 1,000 students to hunting and the outdoors. Fluent in German, Hartmann has been instrumental in expanding hunter education accessibility to Amish and Mennonite students. He has worked diligently to recruit, train and supervise Amish and Mennonite instructors, the first of whom were certified in 2024.

In addition to celebrating Hartmann’s achievements, the Saranac Lake Fish & Game Club recognized Anthony Imperato, receiving a Certificate of Appreciation and Life Membership for his ongoing dedication to hunter education and conservation efforts.

Imperato said, “Henry Repeating Arms has always recognized the unsung heroes of the firearms industry, the firearms instructors, who give up their own valuable free time and take money out of their own pockets to teach firearms safety, discipline and the enjoyment of our shooting sports traditions to the youth and the first-timers of our great country. Congratulations to Ralf Hartmann, a most deserving NY State Instructor of the Year.”

For more info: henryusa.com

Otis Presents 2024 International Distributor Of The Year Awards

Otis Technology presented its 2024 International Distributor of the Year Awards to Dave Sheer Guns located in Johannesburg, South Africa. This award celebrates outstanding achievements in sales performance, customer service excellence and an unwavering commitment to representing Otis Technology’s values and products.

“Dave Sheer Guns has demonstrated remarkable dedication to our brand, achieving record-breaking sales and delivering unparalleled support to customers in South Africa and beyond,” said Brad McIntyre, Otis VP of international sales. “Their passion and professionalism exemplify what it means to be a truly exceptional partner.”

For more info: otistec.com

SAAMI Welcomes Migra Ammunitions & Fierce Firearms

The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute Inc. (SAAMI) announced Migra Ammunitions and Fierce Firearms have joined the organization as Supporting Members.

Migra Ammunitions is a manufacturer of shotshell ammunition, headquartered in Charleston, S.C., and Fierce Firearms is a manufacturer of firearms and ammunition, headquartered in Redmond, Utah.

As new Supporting Members, Migra Ammunitions and Fierce Firearms will have full access to SAAMI firearms and ammunition technical standards, as well as SAAMI’s reference ammunition program assessments. This status also lets their customers know they support the work SAAMI does for the entirety of the industry and the safety of participants of the shooting sports.

For more info: saami.org