// INDUSTRY NEWS
Yamaha U. S. Marine Names Jason Berry Director of Marine Service
Yamaha U. S. Marine Business Unit recently promoted Jason Berry to Director of Marine Service. In his new role, Berry will oversee all U. S. service operations for marine product lines including call centers( customer and technical), field service, warranty, technical service( factory communications and support), training and service publications.
" Jason’ s deep understanding of our service operations and unwavering commitment to customer experience make him the ideal leader for this role,” said Joe Maniscalco, General Manager, Marine Service.“ His broad background across multiple product lines and functions positions him to drive continued excellence in our marine service organization.”
A Yamaha team member since 2005, Berry most recently served as Customer Experience Division Manager, responsible for leading and supporting Marine Field Service and call centers for Outboard, WaterCraft and Bennett. Berry began his career as an Outboard Inside Parts Sales Representative and held positions including WaterCraft Accessory Product Planner, Parts and Accessory Sales and Marketing Supervisor for Golf Car, Snowmobile, WaterCraft and Yamalube, Parts and Accessories National Sales and Field Support Manager for WaterCraft, Motorsports and Golf Car, and WaterCraft Service Manager.
Berry reports directly to Joe Maniscalco, General Manager, Marine Service.
Jason Berry is the new Director of Marine Service for the Yamaha U. S. Marine Business Unit.
Brunswick Reports Record Engine Share and Retail Sales Growth
Sharing the news with the industry at the West Palm Beach Boat Show, Brunswick Corporation announced two standout achievements: Mercury Marine’ s continued growth in outboard share and retail sales growth for the company’ s premium boat brands.
Mercury Marine captured a record-setting 70 % outboard engine share at the show, the company reported, an increase of five percentage points vs. the 2025 show.
Meanwhile, Brunswick’ s premium boat brands, Boston Whaler and Sea Ray, also delivered a strong performance, with increased unit sales amplified by an increasing shift towards larger, more premium boats resulting in a 40 % year-over-year revenue increase.
“ Our success in West Palm Beach reflects continued strong demand for our premium boat brands and Mercury’ s industry-leading range of highhorsepower outboards,” said Dave Foulkes, Brunswick Corporation CEO.“ We also saw increasing excitement about the capabilities of Simrad’ s AutoCaptain autonomous boating system and we are working on a range of OEM applications.”
New Boating Safety Campaign Developed for Water Sports Foundation
For the first time in its 15 years, the Water Sports Foundation( WSF) has contracted the Black Oak Creative of Winter Haven, Florida to design new boating safety campaigns.
The WSF has so far debuted seven new advertisements targeting distinct segments of the boating and paddling markets. The photo-driven designs include powerboating, saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, towed water sports, canoeing and kayaking, and kayak fishing.
WSF Executive Director Jim Emmons said,“ For many years, we’ ve wanted to include the
services of a top creative design agency in our boating safety campaigns, but it wasn’ t until this year that we were able to pull it off. The designs from Emily Dale and the team at Black Oak are outstanding and have helped push the Water Sports Foundation into a new era of outreach.”
WSF Content Director, Jeff Moag, added,“ We’ re extremely pleased with these dynamic new ads, which showcase the experiences that make boating so rewarding. These are activities we share with people we love, so of course, enjoying them safely is a natural part of that message.”
The first ad, called the Moment That Matters, depicts a couple holding hands as their young son walks toward their boat. The ad appears in the April issues of Boating, Lakeland Boating and Southern Boating magazines. Other ads capture the thrill of paddling a wilderness river canyon, landing a trophy fish or simply boating with family and friends.
Throughout the spring and summer, the WSF will publish print and digital ads in 35 boating and paddling media brands.
The WSF’ s recreational boating safety outreach projects are funded by grants from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund administered by the U. S. Coast Guard. In October, the Coast Guard awarded funding to the WSF for six recreational boating safety outreach projects.
www. boatingindustry. com april 2026
7