2011: Looking back on a great year!
It was a big year for us at Eagle Optics, with exciting things happening in nearly every area of the business! We’d like to share these highlights:
Staff news and changes:
Our dear Katie Vandegrift left our team and moved on to the higher calling of being a MOTHER. She and Nate welcomed Mara Marie to their family in July. While we certainly miss her, we were fortunate to hire Parker Reynolds to replace Katie. In a few short months, Parker has become a valuable team member, and has appeared in many of our Eagle Optics product videos. He also made a convincing Gilligan (below left, center) during our staff Halloween party!
Speaking of big year, in 2011 the movie The Big Year catapulted birdwatching into the mainstream media with A-list actors Steve Martin, Jack Black and Owen Wilson. “We are thrilled the birds are getting their first starring role in a major Hollywood film since Hitchcock,” said Audubon President and CEO David Yarnold. “The film tells an entertaining story, and its stars capture the enthusiasm that birds inspire in nearly 50 million Americans.”
New Product: We introduced a fabulous new binocular, the Eagle Optics Ranger ED, in February. Available in 8×42 and 10×42, it has been an extremely popular addition to the Eagle Optics line. The 8×42 captured “Best Birding Binocular 2011” honors from the Best Binoculars & Binocular Reviews Website.
Social Media: As a result of a summer sweepstakes conducted on the Eagle Optics Facebook page, we reached and surpassed a total of 4,700 friends, and two winners were awarded binoculars. Since then, we have continued to post links with birding news, information about optics, and challenging quizzes on our Facebook page. We invite you to join us by clicking “Like” and receiving our updates.
ABA Membership Promotion: In 2011, we strengthened our partnership with the American Birding Association (ABA) by offering a year’s membership at a significant discount with the purchase of select binoculars. This promotion is ongoing! For $15, you can receive a 1-year ABA membership (a $45 value) for yourself or to give as a gift. As a member, you’ll receive the ABA’s outstanding publication, Birding, while supporting North America’s only organization that caters specifically to recreational birders.
Media: It was an exciting year for the Eagle Optics website as we launched our new Product Videos. Now, instead of just a photo, our customers can see a video where that product is shown in detail. Find the product video, and other videos relating to that product, by clicking the Media tab on a product page. Videos will be added on an ongoing basis.
Festivals: Did you catch us on the road in 2011? Tom and Ben of the Eagle Optics team were kept busy traveling to various birding festivals from Alaska to Florida, Ohio, Texas, and New Mexico, including the annual ABA Birding Conference in Half Moon Bay, California. Our intrepid travelers always look forward to meeting and talking with customers around the country, and helping outfit them with the best optics. Yours truly got to attend her very first festival, the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival in Harlingen, Texas in November. It was a blast! You can see a complete list of festivals we attend here. We look forward to seeing you at the festivals in 2012!
The best thing about 2011 for all of us here at Eagle Optics is you, our customers. We enjoy talking with you on the phone, reading your e-mails, receiving your feedback, welcoming you in our Wisconsin store, and meeting you at the festivals. Thank you for a fabulous 2011, and all the best to you and yours in 2012!
Originally published on December 29, 2011