John Oda

About John Oda

I’ve spent over 15 years working inside the action sports and beach lifestyle space, primarily on the brand side — building surf teams, managing athlete partnerships, overseeing events, and supporting marketing initiatives tied directly to product and cultural relevance.My background includes leading the global surf segment at Spy Optic, where I worked closely with executives, athletes, creatives, and retail partners on long-term brand positioning, contracts, and campaigns — not just seasonal promotions.Today, alongside running Icon Athlete Management, I work with select brands in a fractional capacity, helping them navigate athlete relationships, ambassador programs, and community-driven marketing in a way that feels credible to younger audiences and practical for leadership teams.Earlier in my career, I spent extensive time in retail operations, which gives me a grounded understanding of sales, inventory, margins, and what actually moves product — not just what looks good on paper.I tend to work best with brands that want real connection to ocean and beach culture, without chasing trends or forcing influencer strategies that don’t fit their DNA.

Experience

1. Marketing Manager

   Banzai Bowls

   Jan 2015 — Present · Costa Mesa, CA, US

   Contracted marketing manager supporting brand partnerships, ambassador programs, and community-driven initiatives for a surf- and beach-rooted food brand.I work closely with leadership on athlete and ambassador alignment, event activations, and long-term partnerships that connect the brand authentically to ocean and action sports communities.I also collaborate with Banzai Bowls’ café locations — from Huntington Beach through Pacific Beach — helping support relationships with nearby schools, charities, clubs, and local organizations so the brand stays connected to the communities surrounding each location.This ongoing relationship has given me a practical view into how lifestyle brands maintain relevance through consistent local presence, trusted partnerships, and cultural alignment over time.

Education

• Saddleback College

  Associate of Arts (AA), Graphic Design & Visual Communication

  1997 — 1999

Skills

• Creativity
• Media Relations
• Brand Awareness
• Talent Scouting
• Brand Development
• Event Planning
• Web Content
• Web Content Management
• Retail
• Film Editing
• Management
• Trade Shows
• Contract Management
• Marketing
• Budgets
• Contract Negotiation
• Creative Direction
• Sports Management
• Retail Sales
• Sponsorship
• Shooting Sports
• Retail Marketing
• Sports Marketing
• Retail Buying
• Video Blogging
• Brand Management
• Marketing Strategy
• Personal Branding
• Creative Strategy
• Marketing Management