Exploring Life & Business with Eric Tomlinson of The OOO Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Tomlinson.

Hi Eric, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up right on the beach in Orange County, an aspiring professional surfer that was captivated by the sport and surfing culture. I was privileged to ride for a number of companies in my early years, and doing so introduced me to the way that industry functioned. During high school, I worked at landmark surf shop Katin in Seal Beach, eventually becoming the youngest manager in store history. While attending college, based on my experience, I was hired by global footwear giant Globe to be their North American Surf Marketing Manager, where I helped to guide worldwide major advertising and media efforts, the conceptualization, design and branding of retail surf merchandise, including highly-successful signature footwear lines, and managed and implemented global promotion of feature surfing films and related content with multimillion-dollar budgets. I had the pleasure of helping to build a team that included some of the top athletes in surfing from competitive legends like Mark Occhilupo and Taj Burrow to amazing free surfers like Dion Agius and Noa Deane.

I had the privilege of collaborating with Globe’s incredibly talented in-house filmmaker Joe G, becoming an associate producer for a number of films including a major feature film earning “Movie of the Year” accolades – the industry’s highest honor. I left Globe for a stint as Executive Producer of Sponsored Content for Surfline, the largest surfing and water sports media company in the world, which at that time boasted more than five million unique monthly viewers worldwide, and 40+ million average monthly page views. In that role, I helped to develop and manage global content, working with water sports and non-endemic brands in the conception, filming, direction and production of major media and advertising campaigns, films and online sponsored content for a host of prominent brands from major retailers to Fortune 500 companies. I graduated from Cal State Long Beach during this period, began a boutique athlete management consulting partnership, representing athletes including Jack Freestone, Mitch Crews, and Victoria Vergara, and then returned to Globe as Director of Marketing, where I took on the role of principal marketing executive for all Globe brand operations throughout North America, as well as global content. It was an amazing opportunity to help shape the company’s future, and to grow, personally and professionally, and I remain deeply grateful to CEO Matt Hill and Globe’s talented team for my time there.

From Globe, I moved into the beverage industry, becoming the chief marketing executive for brand partnerships and media collaborations for one of the nation’s fastest-growing national beverage companies, Health-Ade. During this time, I founded my own independent consulting company, The OOO Co., specializing in brand management, marketing, content creation, and representation for elite athletes and musicians. I have been privileged to continue my relationships with a host of some of the world’s most recognizable brands and most innovative artists. Presently, I continue my work as a consultant, while also serving as the Southern California field marketing and brand development lead for JuneShine,- the nation’s premier alcoholic kombucha beverage brand. I am currently based in Manhattan Beach, which places me in close proximity to a host of creative and talented individuals, organizations, and companies, but I continue to work for clients worldwide.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have certainly been privileged, but no one’s path is ever without obstacles or struggles. I have frequently worked more than one job, even while also in college, which at times stretched my abilities, but those times also taught me a great deal about discipline and time management. Ultimately, a lot of us can look back to that one lucky break that helped to elevate us and change our life trajectory, and for me it was landing that first big position as a marketing lead for a large and creative corporation. That position really required me to improve on a host of skills, feel comfortable working with executives and creative leads around the world, and to function effectively in fields that were sometimes new to me. With that and my other experience under my belt, I had the confidence to make a go of it on my own as a consultant, and running your own business is really where you encounter the greatest struggles. You have only your own abilities to fall back on to make ends meet, and that means finding a way to land clients, craft creative and effective solutions for them. I have the utmost respect for entrepreneurs, artists and others, who forgo the safety and benefits of traditional employment structures to take a chance at their dreams.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
An independent consulting company specializing in brand management, marketing, content creation, and representation for elite athletes, artists and musicians.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I am always consuming industry and trade magazines in areas in which I am focused, which helps to keep be abreast of competitive developments and market trends, but I also enjoy podcasts and listen to a number of them regularly while making time to work out and surf on a pretty regular basis.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @eric_tomlinson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-tomlinson

Image Credits
Julian Martin