9 episodes

Over the past two decades, I've been privileged to build relationships and strategize with some of the most distinguished thought leaders in the Outdoor Industry and Sporting Goods brands. We dive deep into the backstories of these industry titans, as well as personal and professional development. Hosted by Tony O'Neill, Founder and President of Highline Outdoor Group, a purpose-driven executive search firm specializing in placing high-impact leaders in the outdoor industry and sporting goods companies and brands. Learn more at: https://highlineoutdoor.com

Outdoor Industry Executive Voices Highline Outdoor Group | Tony O'Neill

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 2 Ratings

Over the past two decades, I've been privileged to build relationships and strategize with some of the most distinguished thought leaders in the Outdoor Industry and Sporting Goods brands. We dive deep into the backstories of these industry titans, as well as personal and professional development. Hosted by Tony O'Neill, Founder and President of Highline Outdoor Group, a purpose-driven executive search firm specializing in placing high-impact leaders in the outdoor industry and sporting goods companies and brands. Learn more at: https://highlineoutdoor.com

    Accelerating Your Brand Mission - Christian Lepley

    Accelerating Your Brand Mission - Christian Lepley

    Today, I sit down with a marketing maven with deep roots in the outdoor, endurance sports, nutrition, and fashion industries.

    Christian Lepley takes us through his journey from an ad agency to spearheading innovative campaigns for Levi Strauss & Co., The North Face, a VF Company, and GU Energy Labs.

    Listen now to hear us discuss launching buzz-worthy campaigns and professional pizza making.



    Christian's curated magazine list



    Like The Wind

    https://www.likethewindmagazine.com/



    Adventure Journal

    https://adventure-journal.com/



    Trails Magazine

    https://trailsmag.net/



    Monocle

    https://monocle.com/



    01:28 Christian's entry point into the outdoor industry

    04:20 MO when taking on VP of Marketing at GU Energy Labs

    08:51 Creating Buzzworthy content

    09:17 We don't know exactly

    10:21 creating emotion

    10:58 Most powerful emotions

    16:09 Do you need to be authentic?

    20:33 Difference between agency side versus brand side

    29:50 Endemic or general Marketing agencies in the outdoor industry

    33:05 Transitioning your marketing from agency to in-house













    Highline Outdoor Group 

    https://www.highlineoutdoor.com/



    LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/outdoorindustryrecruiter/

    • 55 min
    The Mind Of An Outdoor Footwear Brand Leader - Keith Denny

    The Mind Of An Outdoor Footwear Brand Leader - Keith Denny

    Tony O'Neill sits down with Keith Denny, an outdoor and athletic footwear pioneer.



    With a career spanning decades working at iconic brands such as Keen, Converse, Timberland, and Nike, Keith has grown businesses with integrity and excellence, focusing on people development and innovative product creation.



    He shares his experiences and insight into the industry, stressing the importance of strong team culture, effective consumer insight and the necessity of innovation for growth. Keith also highlights the significance of sustainability and the future of the industry.



    Keith Denny's book recommendations



    Leaders Eat Last

    https://a.co/d/cN0YWva



    The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World

    https://a.co/d/b6BY9oO





    01:13 Nike Rep brings a bag of shoes to choose from

    02:39 Second part of this clip

    05:59 Hiring the right fit for Nike retail

    06:38 Nike Ekin Team

    13:51 Using consumer insights

    22:08 Overcoming challenges to grow Timberland globally

    26:14 Building culture on a global scale

    29:17 Global culture in the footwear industry

    31:40 Balancing brand integrity, innovation and P&L globally

    40:16 Outdoor Industry Sustainability Progression



    Highline Outdoor Group 

    https://www.highlineoutdoor.com/



    LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/outdoorindustryrecruiter/

    • 57 min
    Building Authentic Action Sports Brands - Troy Michels

    Building Authentic Action Sports Brands - Troy Michels

    Today, I sit down with the remarkable Troy Michels, an active lifestyle enthusiast and brand leader in the action sports, CPG, and the Outdoor Industry.Troy's passion for outdoor activities has led him to experiences with various pro athletes, renowned brands and properties, including; Shaun White to Tiger Woods, Aspen Skiing Company/Snowmass, Budweiser, Burton Snowboards, @Coachella, JOCKO FUEL, K2, Nike, Oakley, ORIGIN® USA, Outside Magazine, the Olympics, Red Bull, Target, Universal, WME Sports/IMG, X Games, to name a few.We dive deep into Troy's life as he crisscrossed North America, accumulating experiences that most of us can only dream of being part of.



    Books discussed

    How Highly Effective People Speak: How High Performers Use Psychology to Influence With Ease 

    https://a.co/d/aeDxz3C

    The Ride of My Life

    https://a.co/d/hpiSO9o 

    Decodedhttps://a.co/d/hIYBdBg



    Highline Outdoor Group  https://www.highlineoutdoor.com/

    LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/outdoorindustryrecruiter/

    • 38 min
    EX-Nike Exec Creates New Shoe Category - Brian Lockard

    EX-Nike Exec Creates New Shoe Category - Brian Lockard

    Join me today as I sit down with Bala Footwear Founder and CEO Brian Lockard, who developed a new footwear category after parting ways with Nike. Brian shares his incredible story of resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination in this episode. Discover how losing a job drove his mission to transform how healthcare professionals are treated and supported, just like elite athletes.

    With a passion for bridging the gap between business and impact, Brian reveals the pivotal role that codified values and a strong company culture play in overcoming challenges and fostering success.

    His story will inspire as he takes you behind the scenes of his groundbreaking healthcare footwear venture, where he listens and learns from healthcare professionals and actively involves them in the product creation process.



    Book of Basketball

    https://www.amazon.com/Book-Basketball-NBA-According-Sports/dp/0345520106

    • 38 min
    How to Get a Job in the Outdoor Industry - Katie Crafts

    How to Get a Job in the Outdoor Industry - Katie Crafts

    Insider Tips from an Outdoor Industry Career Transitioning Coach and Executive Recruiter.

    Join our host, Tony O’Neill, as he sits down with fellow Outdoor Industry career expert Katie Crafts to discuss how to land the best jobs in the Outdoor Industry. Katie shares valuable insights and actionable tips for job seekers looking to break into exciting and meaningful work.

    From customizing your resume to networking effectively on and off Linkedin, you'll discover the strategies that can make a difference in landing the best Outdoor Industry jobs in this highly competitive market.

    How to stand out and succeed in your Outdoor Industry job search.

    Proven strategies for success in navigating your job search.

    Secrets to landing your dream job in the Outdoor Industry.

    00:00 How to get a job in the Outdoor Industry
    00:55 Katie's path into the Outdoor Industry
    07:19 How to align your passion to your career in the Outdoor Industry
    12:28 Misconceptions about breaking into the Outdoor Industry
    14:29 Making one of the most important life decisions
    27:08 Internal goal vocalization and networking to land your dream job
    28:17 The Outdoor Industry Job Market is Highly Competitive


    Katie Crafts https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiecrafts/

    The KC Approach https://www.thekcapproach.com/

    Katie’s Linkedin tutorial https://www.thekcapproach.com/freebie-linkedin-download

    • 35 min
    Elite Engineering Wins MTB World Cup Races - Devon Sullivan

    Elite Engineering Wins MTB World Cup Races - Devon Sullivan

    Today, I'm sitting down with Devon Sullivan, a mountain bike engineering savant, to discuss the world of mountain bike product development. We'll explore the differences between products designed for enthusiasts and those tailored for UCI Elite professional mountain bike racers.

    Notably, Devon isn't just a mountain bike engineer; he's also an accomplished rider. He'll share his industry journey and emphasize the importance of patience and trust in product development.

    We'll cover everything, from the significance of the product development process to the intricacies of engineering the Mountain Bikes that UCI World Cup racers use to secure the top spot on the podium.

    Whether you're a passionate mountain biker or simply curious about the behind-the-scenes aspects of cycling industry product development, this episode promises to captivate and inform.

    Highline Outdoor Group 



    https://www.highlineoutdoor.com/



    LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/outdoorindustryrecruiter/

    • 42 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
2 Ratings

2 Ratings

Top Podcasts In Business

Private Equity Podcast: Karma School of Business
BluWave
Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin
Money News Network
The Ramsey Show
Ramsey Network
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Vox Media Podcast Network
REAL AF with Andy Frisella
Andy Frisella #100to0
The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett
DOAC