Jim Jannard
{{short description|American businessman}}
{{Infobox person
|name = James Jannard
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|06|08}}
|birth_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|death_date =
|death_place =
|alma mater = University of Southern California (dropped out)
|occupation = Businessman
|known for = founder of Oakley
founder of Red Digital Cinema Camera Company
|parents =
|children =
}}
James Jannard (born June 8, 1949)[http://www.cityofalhambra.org/community/FamousResidents.html City of Alhambra: "Famous Residents & Graduates from Alhambra"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101213091950/http://cityofalhambra.org/community/FamousResidents.html |date=2010-12-13 }} retrieved September 9, 2013 is an American designer, businessman and founder of Oakley, an eyewear and apparel company; and Red Digital Cinema Camera Company.
Early life and career
Jannard was born in Los Angeles, the son of a pharmacist.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-16-tm-38675-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |title=A trip to Planet Oakley |author=Ed Leibowitz |date=March 16, 1997}} He was raised in Alhambra, California and was graduated from Alhambra High School. He attended the USC School of Pharmacy, but dropped out to travel the southwestern U.S. on a motorcycle.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/wired/archive/7.12/oakley_pr.html |magazine=Wired |title=Supreme O - It all started with a pair of sunglasses. 441 patents later, Oakley hopes its sports gear will make extreme history |author=Andrew Tilin |date=July 2012}}
In 1975, Jannard started a one-man business selling motorcycle parts out of his car at motocross events. He named his company after his dog, Oakley. He began developing his own products, including custom handlebar grips that conformed to the shape of one's hand, motorcycle goggles, ski goggles and sunglasses. Oakley sunglasses were used by bicycle racer Greg LeMond, raising the company's profile. In the 1980s, Jannard restricted the sale of Oakley sunglasses to the Sunglass Hut, although small specialty shops could continue to sell Oakley sunglasses. In 1991, his company had 200 employees. In 1995, the company went public. Jannard sold Oakley in November 2007 for $2.1 billion to Italian company Luxottica, the world's largest eyewear manufacturer and retailer.{{cite web |last=Bellantonio |first=Jennifer |title=Why Jannard Opted to Sell: Price, Changes, Side Project |url=http://www.allbusiness.com/consumer-products/digital-cameras/8906352-1.html |publisher=AllBusiness.com |accessdate=15 September 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007132456/http://www.allbusiness.com/consumer-products/digital-cameras/8906352-1.html |archivedate=October 7, 2011}}
In 2005, Jannard started Red Digital Cinema Camera Company, maker of some of the most popular digital cinema cameras in the industry.{{Cite web|last=Mendelovich|first=Yossy|date=2019-05-23|title=The Cameras Behind Cannes 2019: From Cheap Camcorders to High-end ALEXA|url=https://ymcinema.com/2019/05/23/the-cameras-behind-cannes-2019-from-cheap-camcorders-to-high-end-alexa/|access-date=2021-12-19|website=Y.M.Cinema - News & Insights on Digital Cinema|language=en-US}} In 2009, he was named one of the 100 Most Creative People by Fast Company magazine.[http://www.fastcompany.com/100/2009/jim-jannard] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202071146/http://www.fastcompany.com/100/2009/jim-jannard|date=December 2, 2009}}
On Oct. 24, 2019, Jannard announced his retirement, citing his age and "a few health issues."{{cite web|url=https://h4vuser.net/t/everything-changes/10600|title=Everything changes|date=24 October 2019|publisher=h4vuser.net}}
Personal life
Jannard owns the Fiji islands of Kaibu and Vatu Vara.{{cite news |last=Lealea |first=Sai |url=http://www.yacatafiji.org/2010/10/sun-glass-billionaire-buys-kaibu-and.html#.UPb0h_KsqSo |title=Sun Glass Billionaire Buys Kaibu and Vatuvara Islands in Northern Fiji |publisher=YacataFiji.Org |date=2010-10-23 |accessdate=2013-09-15}} He also owns the 500-acre Spieden Island in the San Juan Islands archipelago. In 1999, Jannard purchased two properties in Newport Beach, California for about $15 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-oct-12-fi-21415-story.html |title=Oakley CEO Buys Home (and View) for $7 Million |work=Los Angeles Times |date=1999-10-12 |access-date=2013-09-15}} On June 18, 2024, the Los Angeles Times announced that Jannard had sold his Malibu oceanfront estate for $210 million, setting a California state record.[https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-06-18/oakley-founder-james-jannard-sells-malibu-mansion-for-210-million-a-california-record Los Angeles Times:California:2024-06-18: Oakley Founder James Jannard sells Malibu mansion for 210 million a California record]
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://jannard.com}}
- [https://www.forbes.com/sites/erincarlyle/2012/12/15/the-hobbit-director-peter-jackson-how-billionaire-jim-jannard-made-the-film-possible/ 'The Hobbit' Director Peter Jackson: How Billionaire Jim Jannard Made The Film Possible] Forbes
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jannard, James}}
Category:American billionaires
Category:American chief executives
Category:University of Southern California alumni
Category:Latter Day Saints from California