SeaSports Southwest
Sector
Service
Partnership
Support
- Marketing Strategy
- Brand Development
- Website Development
- Social Media Marketing
- Email Marketing
- Advertising Campaigns
- CRM Implementation
- Customer Communications
- Content Creation
- Outsourced Marketing Management
Growing a Respected Watersports Brand Through Partnership and Purpose
SeaSports Southwest are an important part of the worldwide watersports network and were a highly respected RYA-accredited watersports centre. Established in Teignmouth by Tim and Sue Cox, the family-run business built an outstanding reputation for delivering training, experiences, equipment sales and hire across a wide range of watersports disciplines. From children taking their first steps on the water to experienced instructors developing their skills, SeaSports Southwest welcomed customers at every stage of their journey.
In 2017, they brought Fruit Marketing into the team to create a strategic sales and marketing plan that could be integrated into the day-to-day operation of the business and aligned with their long-term growth ambitions.
With such a broad range of services, multiple audiences and plenty of opportunities for growth, it was a challenge we were excited to dive into, quite literally.
The Challenge
Like many successful owner-managed businesses, SeaSports Southwest had no shortage of ideas, ambition or expertise.
What they needed was clarity.
They wanted a straightforward marketing strategy that would support business growth, provide direction and focus efforts on the activities that would deliver the greatest return. There was no interest in chasing vanity metrics or marketing for marketing’s sake. Every decision needed to support the wider business objectives.
Busy running the centre, managing instructors and delivering exceptional customer experiences, there simply wasn’t enough time to consistently plan, implement and review marketing activity. The team knew there was potential to achieve more, but needed an experienced partner to help turn ideas into action.
“We at SeaSports have been worked with Jo Wood and the Fruit marketing team from 2017 to 2024.
We have been very impressed by many aspects of Jo’s work, including:
- Creating an annual marketing plan, budget and regular reviews and reporting
- Creating and maintaining a new and fresh website and refreshed branding
- Managing social media, advertising and all our marketing needs
- Helping to organise and always attending promotional events
But what really makes Jo stand out is that she has worked tirelessly to understand our business inside out. She listens to us and as a consequence her advice to us is sound and her marketing campaigns are successful.
I recommend Jo and Fruit Marketing with confidence.”
Sue Cox, business owner SeaSports Southwest
“We at SeaSports have been worked with Jo Wood and the Fruit marketing team from 2017 to 2024.
We have been very impressed by many aspects of Jo’s work, including:
- Creating an annual marketing plan, budget and regular reviews and reporting
- Creating and maintaining a new and fresh website and refreshed branding
- Managing social media, advertising and all our marketing needs
- Helping to organise and always attending promotional events
But what really makes Jo stand out is that she has worked tirelessly to understand our business inside out. She listens to us and as a consequence her advice to us is sound and her marketing campaigns are successful.
I recommend Jo and Fruit Marketing with confidence.”
Sue Cox, business owner SeaSports Southwest
Our Solution
Fruit became an extension of the SeaSports Southwest team.
A dedicated account manager from Fruit, immersed themselves in the business, spending time understanding the customer journey, the marketplace and the realities of operating a busy watersports centre. That even included getting out on the water to experience first-hand what made SeaSports Southwest different.
Following a detailed review of the business, customers and competitive landscape, we developed a clear and achievable strategy covering:
- Marketing infrastructure set up and streamlining
- Product and proposition development
- Resources and processes
- Brand positioning and identity
- Integrated marketing campaigns
- Customer communications
- Digital marketing and social media
- Website development
The focus throughout was simple: create a practical marketing strategy that could support sustainable growth and evolve alongside the business.
Fruit became an extension of the SeaSports Southwest team.
A dedicated account manager from Fruit, immersed themselves in the business, spending time understanding the customer journey, the marketplace and the realities of operating a busy watersports centre. That even included getting out on the water to experience first-hand what made SeaSports Southwest different.
Following a detailed review of the business, customers and competitive landscape, we developed a clear and achievable strategy covering:
- Marketing infrastructure set up and streamlining
- Product and proposition development
- Resources and processes
- Brand positioning and identity
- Integrated marketing campaigns
- Customer communications
- Digital marketing and social media
- Website development
The focus throughout was simple: create a practical marketing strategy that could support sustainable growth and evolve alongside the business.
The Process
Over the next seven years, Fruit worked alongside the SeaSports Southwest team as their outsourced marketing department.
Together, we refined the brand, developed a clearer visual identity and created consistent messaging across every customer touchpoint. A new website was designed and launched, helping customers navigate the wide range of products, courses and experiences while making it easier to convert enquiries into bookings.
Alongside this, we developed a structured communications plan including social media, email marketing, advertising campaigns and content creation. We introduced CRM processes to improve customer engagement and retention, while regular review meetings ensured activity remained focused on commercial priorities rather than simply generating more marketing activity.
As the business evolved, so did the strategy. What began as support for a thriving watersports centre grew into helping position SeaSports Southwest as one of the world’s leading names in ocean rowing training.
The Outcome
The partnership delivered consistent and measurable growth from 2017 through to 2024.
Overall sales increased by 35%, while advertising spend became more efficient and generated a significantly stronger return on investment.
Key outcomes included:
- Social media following increased by 212%
- Off-season sales grew by 200%
- A clearer and more consistent brand identity
- A new website designed around the customer purchase journey
- An integrated communications plan including social media and email marketing
- CRM processes introduced to strengthen customer relationships
- A more effective advertising and marketing programme delivering greater return on investment
- Regular strategic review meetings to maintain focus and momentum
- Ongoing support as a fully integrated member of the SeaSports Southwest team
Most importantly, SeaSports Southwest strengthened its position as a recognised leader within the watersports industry and developed an international reputation in the specialist world of ocean rowing training.
This put Tim and Sue in a strong position and enabled them to close the watersports centre in 2024 and begin a new chapter focused solely on ocean rowing. After 17 successful years, they did so with a business that had grown significantly, built an enviable reputation and left a lasting mark on the watersports community.
For Fruit, it was exactly the kind of partnership we enjoy most: becoming part of the team, keeping things practical and helping good businesses grow.