Questions For Jim Jannard!

[InfiniteHero]

What Bat Said..........

 

[Herbsley]

Indeed . . . . well, except for the bit he tends to put on the end of his X-Metal sermons about not many companies keeping product lines running for 15 years.

Obviously there are loads. Look at the automotive industry, then confectionery, wristwatches, clothing/footwear, stationery/pens etc etc. In fact pretty much anywhere you look.

Hell, how long have Big Macs been made?


But I digress. Back to topic.
(Oo, there's another. Topic. Long-standing chocolate bar.)

 

[MEACRO]

Jim,

I hope all is well.

First, I can't say how appreciative I am personally to be able to sit down and read your interactions with the amazing people on this forum.

Second, I would like to get a few questions off my chest.

I am just curious what your thoughts are on the production of select female styles in Italy?

Do you consider these the inevitable children of your daughters relationship with an Italian?

Also more disturbingly the production of the soon to be released Frog Skin LX in China...

I hate to ask the hard question...but how does it feel to see a product come full circle like this?

You had said when returning from Japan that you felt embarrassed from the way the Frog Skin was born. And really that experience is what set the tone in your mind for what you wanted to accomplish with this amazing brand.

As much of a drop in the bucket this may be, Bravo!

You created a brand that inspired generations to look at everything in this world with possibility, creativeness, and innovation.

I do not not quantify my modest collection to be a sum of sunglasses but instead a history of technology, architecture, and design.

I hope to make it to Hollywood in August for the chance to share in the experience.

 

[jim jannard]

The balance of brand honesty and business is never easy. I struggled with this for over 30 years, particularly after we went public in 1995.

The world is ever changing and decisions that made sense even 10 years ago may not make sense today. Having said that, I do feel that there is a strong group of people at Oakley that fully understand the spirit of my original vision for the brand and they are doing a good job of balancing the pressures of this ever changing world. I do not make any decisions at Oakley, but I have a great love and respect for those that do. Remember, everything in life changes.

Jim

 

[jim jannard]

"Wisdom comes with age... and age is heavily discounted for being out of touch".

Jim

 

[MEACRO]

Thank you for the insight!

I guess we could say that adapting to the environment is also another amazing trate that your brand has always had.

The world is certainly an ever changing place.

Also I do agree that there is an amazing team working with Oakley right now.

Having met Colin and a few of the design team members on a few occasions, I would say that your daughter is in the best hands possible.

Now we just need to make sure the Italians to let Oakley make her own decisions. Haha

 

[MEACRO]

Hey...while I have you.

SwitchLock.

Did you have your hands in this before parting ways with Oakley?

 

[brewc]

I would like to know about the Subzero prototypes in the Max fearlight commercial. I saw that not long after getting my Mumbo/M-frame and eagerly awaited them ended up getting a 0.6 Blue iridium and always wanted those in the commercial.

 

[jim jannard]

SwitchLock was not mine. Zeros and Sub Zeros were.

Jim

 

[digi7alph0enix]

This is something that's been on my mind ever since I got my first eye exam, maybe you can offer some insight Jim-

While Oakley was under your control, or even since you've moved on, was there ever any talk or development work for an Oakley contact lens?

Maybe I'm connecting dots that aren't there but I would assume there are some similarities between glasses and contacts that Oakley could have used to make a better contact lens if they so desired. And since Oakley already makes Rx lenses, it seems natural in my head that they would explore that area as well. If there were any discussions or development work done for this idea, what was the deciding factor that kept it from being brought to market?