The Gold Standard
Oakley is one of those rare companies like Apple, Microsoft and Coca-Cola that enjoy instant brand recognition.
We asked Drew from Oakley SI (Standard Issue) to share some of his insights and experience from 8 years of working first as OSI’s Military Category Director to his current position supporting their digital marketing and social media.
As many of you are aware Oakley Standard Issue is a membership-based website that offers discounts on Oakley products to a wide variety of people who have served in uniform. Active duty military, police, first responders, and veterans all qualify for website access.
Oakley has long been a performance eyewear company at its core, always innovating to produce products that can better protect the users. As such, they frequently partner with like-minded individuals and companies to do the extraordinary and serve their community in more meaningful ways.
Most recently they produced a Limited Edition Frogskin in partnership with Multicam – all 500 units sold out within 24 hours. They have also recently partnered with the Best Defense Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity committed to bringing WW2 veterans back to battlefields for a once in a lifetime experience.
Drew shares: “We’ve outfitted WW2 veterans with eyewear and helped financially for their travel. We even created a Limited Edition SKU to celebrate the 75th D-Day Anniversary.”
Oakley SI’s impressive social presence and wide network of ambassadors and influencers allows them to continue connecting with customers, raising brand awareness, and activating new products, all of which have become increasingly more important in 2020.
As Drew says: “the biggest challenge is to have meaningful connections in a dominant digital age. We love the engagement and feedback from customers and celebrating our men and women who serve our country, and those who have now retired and now continue to serve in a different capacity.”
Like most organizations Oakley SI’s ability to interact with their clients face to face has decreased and led to a greater reliance upon virtual experiences to continue those connections. Drew says: “we have great people who love our company, and I want to tell their stories and celebrate their achievements however we can.”
We asked Drew to share about his experience using our HEL-STAR® range of multi-function lights. Here’s what he had to say:
“It’s a great product. I served in the 75th Ranger Regiment and completed 4 deployments as a Forward Observer. At that time, I used a very ‘old-school’ strobe with very limited functions. Since then, I’ve used the HEL-STAR® on a variety of tactical events and training. The product is durable, attaches easily, and is simple and easy to use. A great form factor, and I think the gold standard for strobes.”
When he’s not working Drew enjoys competing in a sport called Cowboy Mounted Shooting and is also planning and looking forward to his upcoming nuptials next August.
If you haven’t already be sure to check out Oakley SI on Instagram and all the other socials.
