While on assignment for Acadiana Outfitters, I was able to attend the Nations Best Sports (NBS) Spring Market in Fort Worth Texas last weekend. The NBS Market filled the Forth Worth Convention Center, wall-to-wall, with all of the hottest hunting, camping and outdoor gear that will be hitting the shelves of your favorite stores in 2012.
The outdoor industry is very strong this year and I took this opportunity to learn about several companies that are taking their product branding to the “next level.” Here are a few that stood above the crowd.
Yeti Coolers
Yeti has successfully taken a boring cooler, and made it into one of the hottest “must-have” items on every man’s birthday and Christmas wish list. With funny, unforgettable television commercials featuring beers failing to rip the coolers apart, to “hunting show celebrities” throwing them off a cliff, their advertising leaves nothing to the imagination. They clearly demonstrate that their product is indestructible. Yeti has also managed to endorse every major player in the outdoor industry, from fishing show legend Jose Wejebe to hunter Jim Shockey.
Banded
The Banded line of waterfowl products looks very promising for 2012. With a slick contemporary logo, great camo patterns, excellent calls and a very targeted product line designed exclusively for waterfowlers, banded is one to watch.
Vortex Optics
I enjoyed speaking with Booner Beck of Beck and Associates, the sales representation company handling Vortex at the show. I learned a lot about the outstanding quality that Vortex builds into every scope, binocular and optic they produce. Their outstanding website, product branding and endorsements make them a company that will dominate in 2012. Partnering with up-and-coming outdoor “rock star” Steven Rinella was a particularly brilliant move on their part.
Acadiana Outfitters
This retailer is one of Lousiana’s best kept secrets. For the last 10 years Acadiana Outfitter’s has been providing amazing products and customer service to sportsman in the New Iberia area. Acadiana Outfitters hired us to help polish their marketing efforts and bring them into the online community as a serious contender. With their vast inventory that rivals the big box stores, new online sites and social media efforts, and the superb personal service they offer every customer, Acadiana Outfitters will be seeing tremendous growth in 2012.
