Channel Mastery - Ep. 53: Rich Hill, Grassroots Outdoor Alliance
“A lot of companies are experimenting with new tactics, building their own direct to consumer business, really figuring out how to work with Amazon, getting aggressive in those, and then kind of realizing what the reality is, and I always like to share with people that there is no easier path. ”
- Rich Hill
EPISODE PREVIEW:
Holy &#%@! It’s a live show recorded at the Verde Brand Communications’ Outdoor Retailer Happy Hour! My first….and maybe my last.Just kidding. It was phenomenal to have this conversation with Rich Hill, of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, in front of an audience of media, brands, retailers and other industry types. Talk about keepin’ us honest! I always try to get the absolute most out of all my guests in service to you, dear audience. And the live aspect added another level of positive pressure. There’s one “get to know ya” question, and then….boom…off to the races. No softballs in this arena.Rich is in the unique position of working with retailers and brands, so he is an extraordinary resource for determining how varied channels fit into the overall puzzle. Today we talk about brand/retailer relationships, what a healthy outdoor industry looks like and how understanding transactional value can help determine strategy for distribution and sales channels.
GUEST PROFILES:
Rich hill
Rich is the president of Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, a member organization uniting over 60 independent outdoor retailers, with over 127 doors in 31 states. He is a strong advocate for protecting and promoting the experience of outdoor enthusiasts across the United States.
With 30+ years of history in the specialty outdoor industry, Rich has experienced almost every aspect of the outdoor industry, from river guide to front office executive, Patagonia to prAna, and now as president of Grassroots Alliance.
SELECT QUOTES
“A lot of companies are experimenting with new tactics, building their own direct to consumer business, really figuring out how to work with Amazon, getting aggressive in those, and then kind of realizing what the reality is, and I always like to share with people that there is no easier path.”
“There's no magic that could focus on the consumer, get the best possible experience, and that's what serves all of us best."