Early Life
James Jannard was born on June 8, 1949, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in Alhambra, California. His family owned a pharmacy. Jannard attended Alhambra High School and later enrolled at the University of Southern California (USC) to study pharmacy. However, he dropped out of USC after disagreements with professors over his dog's presence in class.
Rise to Success
In 1975, Jannard founded Oakley. He started the company with an initial investment of $300, selling motorcycle parts from the trunk of his car at motocross events. The name "Oakley" came from his English Setter dog, Oakley Anne. Jannard developed custom handlebar grips, motorcycle goggles, ski goggles, and sunglasses. Oakley sunglasses gained popularity after being used by cyclist Greg LeMond.
Oakley went public in 1995. In 2007, Jannard sold Oakley to Luxottica for $2.1 billion. In 2005, Jannard founded Red Digital Cinema Camera Company, which produced digital cinema cameras.
Key Business Strategies
Jannard's success can be attributed to several key strategies:
- **Innovation:** Focused on developing innovative products using proprietary materials and technologies.
- **Branding and Exclusivity:** Built a strong brand image through strategic partnerships and controlled distribution. Restricting sales to Sunglass Hut in the 1980s enhanced their exclusivity and appeal.
- **Vertical Integration:** Oakley controlled the design, development, manufacturing, and distribution of its products.
Philanthropy
James Jannard is a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to various charities. Information regarding specific amounts is not readily available from a search.
