Natasha Lloyd, retiring after 28 years, to remain on board as Publisher Emeritus

For Immediate Release
For inquiries, contact [email protected]

January 17, 2025 – WINTER PARK, FL – The Marlin Group, the world’s largest big-game fishing network, has named industry veteran, Dave Morel, as Publisher. Morel, who previously served as the group’s Sales Director, replaces Natasha Lloyd, who is retiring from day-to-day responsibilities after 28 years of service. Lloyd will continue to manage special projects for the brand as Publisher Emeritus.

“When we brought Dave Morel aboard as Sales Director, we did so knowing that we were also hiring Natasha Lloyd’s eventual successor,” said David Ritchie, Marlin Group CEO. “Dave has been a successful sales professional for some of the biggest media brands in the boating and fishing industry. He’s launched his own magazine, so he knows intuitively how to balance the needs of the client against the needs of the reader. And he also has been a client, working to manage a vibrant boat dealership during turbulent times. We know the Marlin brand is in good hands under his leadership.”

For Morel, the appointment represents a natural progression of leadership after selling across Bonnier’s former network of marine brands, which included the appointment as Publisher of both Salt Water Sportsman and Sport Fishing.

“This is such an amazing opportunity,” Morel said. “We are coming off the most significant year of strategic enhancements in Marlin’s 40-plus-year history, as we transformed what was just a magazine into a fully integrated network of complementary business pillars. Where we had advertisers before, we now have brand partners who benefit from integrated products and solutions that span across traditional media channels as well as a robust portfolio of best-in-class experiential events. The Marlin Group stands as the undisputed flagship for the global big-game community, and to be named Publisher at a time where we are positioned to strengthen that standing further is truly a dream come true.”

In announcing her retirement, effective at the end of February, Lloyd looks back on an impressive legacy in the big-game fishing industry.

“For more than 28 years, Natasha has carried the Marlin pennant proudly, and we are incredibly grateful for the many wonderful years that she dedicated to Marlin and to Bonnier,” Ritchie said. “Natasha is an icon in this industry, and for good reason. Setting Marlin up for success has been her steadfast mission, and she’s done that yet again in her departure, by hand-picking her successor. We are excited for her and wish her the very best in the future.”

In her new Publisher Emeritus role, Lloyd will provide consulting services and manage special projects for The Marlin Group. Recruiting is currently underway for an Associate Publisher/Sales Director to join The Marlin Group in a leadership position, reporting to Dave Morel. Interested candidates can apply here.

About The Marlin Group
The Marlin Group is the world’s largest big-game fishing network reaching more than one million captains, anglers, mates and boat owners annually across a variety of touchpoints. The group publishes Marlin magazine, the industry’s No. 1 source since 1981, and operates the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica; Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Scrub Island Billfish Series in the British Virgin Islands; and the Bermuda Triple Crown, making it the worldwide leader for international billfishing tournaments. Marlin Expeditions, formerly Marlin University, has led anglers on educational excursions to the globe’s top big-game fishing destinations for more than 20 years. The Marlin Group is a core division of the US-based outdoor adventure company Bonnier LLC.

For Immediate Release
For inquiries, contact [email protected]

December 13, 2024 – WINTER PARK, FL – The Marlin Group, the world’s largest big-game fishing network, and The Billfish Foundation (TBF) have announced a strategic partnership in which TBF will be the foundational partner for Marlin’s new Advocacy platform. 

As part of this initiative, TBF will author regular Advocacy articles in Marlin’s print edition and contribute to a new series of Advocacy newsletters that aim to educate and engage big-game anglers on key issues affecting the fishery and the industry. 

“We at The Marlin Group are focused on a handful of pivotal issues that are really important to our audience, and chief among them is furthering our understanding, and therefore better protecting, these majestic fish,” Ritchie said. “We’re excited to sign this foundational partnership with TBF, which has been at the forefront of this movement since 1986.”

The two globally respected brands will also engage in a series of joint promotions to build and enhance TBF membership and Marlin subscription benefits. As part of this agreement, all new and renewing TBF members will receive a free one-year digital subscription to Marlin as a member benefit. 

“The Billfish Foundation and Marlin have been leaders of change in this sport since the 1980s, and this strategic partnership reflects our shared interest in the long-term viability of this fishery,” said Ellen Peel, TBF President. “We’re excited to work more closely with Marlin to ensure that everyone in this community understands how they can play a role in the protection of this great resource.”

The Marlin Group aims to bring additional strategic Advocacy partners aboard later in the year.

About The Marlin Group
The Marlin Group is the world’s largest big-game fishing network, closely engaged with more than one million boat owners, anglers, captains and mates annually. The group publishes Marlin magazine, the industry’s No. 1 source since 1981, and operates the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica; Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in Cabo San Lucas; Scrub Island Billfish Series in the British Virgin Islands; and the Bermuda Triple Crown, making it the worldwide leader for international billfishing tournaments. Marlin Expeditions, formerly Marlin University, has led anglers on educational excursions to the globe’s top big-game fishing destinations for more than 20 years. The Marlin Group is a core operating unit of the US-based outdoor adventure company Bonnier LLC. Learn more at marlinmag.com and bonniercorp.com. To subscribe, go to marlinmag.com/subscribe

About The Billfish Foundation
The Billfish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works globally to advance the conservation of billfish and associated highly migratory species to improve the health of oceans and economies. TBF combines data collection, research, and advocacy into one collective voice on behalf of anglers, the fishing community, and billfish. Learn more at billfish.org.

Image credit Jon Whittle

For Immediate Release
For inquiries, contact [email protected]

June 10, 2024 – WINTER PARK, FL – The Marlin Group, the world’s largest big-game fishing network, completes a senior management makeover nearly six months in the making with the appointment of Jack Vitek as its new Editor-in-Chief. Vitek joins Marlin after nearly 15 years of service to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), most recently as its Marketing Director.

“When we set out to find a new Editor-in-Chief who could help us elevate our content strategy across all Marlin Group activities, we were looking for someone who checked three boxes,” said David Ritchie, Marlin Group CEO. “First, we needed someone who has time in the cockpit and understands the big-game fishing industry. Second, we were looking for someone who had experience in the publishing of print and digital content. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we needed a good cultural fit for the team, someone who could represent Marlin out on the docks or at a boat show. That’s a tall order, but we found that and more in Jack Vitek.”

In taking on the new role with Marlin, Vitek will be charged with developing and executing a content strategy that fully integrates all four Marlin Group pillars – media, tournaments, expeditions and advocacy. 

“Jack’s personal enthusiasm for big-game fishing, combined with his long experience at the IGFA, gives him a strong foundation to help us better leverage our tournaments and expeditions as content factories,” Ritchie said. “And given his wide-ranging efforts to promote the conservation of game fish, he will play a key role in helping us build out Marlin’s advocacy platform.” 

At the IGFA, Vitek was responsible for all of the association’s media activities, corporate partnerships, tournaments, and world records, leveraging content to promote the association’s membership while also advocating for responsible stewardship of all pelagic species. 

“For more than 40 years, Marlin has been the definitive voice of big-game angling and synonymous with excellence,” Vitek said. “I’m honored, humbled and excited to join the talented team at the Marlin Group, where we will work to raise the bar on Marlin’s tradition of excellence as we promote the lifestyle, culture and passion of big-game angling.”

The hiring of Vitek, effective July 1, follows new appointments for all senior management positions within the group, starting with Natasha Lloyd to Publisher & Vice President in January of 2024. Other recent appointments include Dave Morel as Sales Director, Jennifer Dudas as Tournament Director, Capt. Jen Copeland as Expeditions Director, and Andrea Winters as Marketing Director.

About The Marlin Group
The Marlin Group is the world’s largest big-game fishing network reaching more than one million captains, anglers, mates and boat owners annually across a variety of touchpoints. The group publishes Marlin magazine, the industry’s No. 1 source since 1981, and operates the Offshore World Championship in Costa Rica; Los Cabos Billfish Tournament in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Scrub Island Billfish Series in the British Virgin Islands; and the Bermuda Triple Crown, making it the worldwide leader for international billfishing tournaments. Marlin Expeditions, formerly Marlin University, has led anglers on educational excursions to the globe’s top big-game fishing destinations for more than 20 years. The Marlin Group is a core division of the US-based outdoor adventure company Bonnier LLC.Learn more at marlinmag.com and bonniercorp.com.