Lessons From SHOT Show: How Regulated Brands Must Adapt to Win
Written by Dan Kahn, CEO of TREAD Agency Three weeks ago I was in Las Vegas for the SHOT Show, and now that I have been back for a few weeks, it is clear the industry marketing for regulated brands is in a different place than it was even a year ago. I’ve attended SHOT many times in different capacities. Most years, I am there representing TREAD Agency. One year, I attended as media for “Only The Strong Survive,” using the podcast as a way to have deeper conversations with leaders in the firearms and outdoor industries. This year was a first
Finding Direction in 2026 with Purpose-Driven Marketing for Outdoor Brands
Purpose isn’t a tactic; it’s a compass The outdoor industry is evolving fast. Purpose-driven marketing for outdoor brands is becoming essential as consumer habits change, discovery shifts and trust becomes harder to earn and even harder to keep. And while most brands are still planning next year’s marketing around platforms and promotions, the smartest outdoor companies are asking a better question: Where are we actually going? Because in this market, campaigns won’t carry you, clarity will. Don’t confuse momentum with direction At TREAD, we talk to a lot of outdoor brands this time of year. Most of them are moving fast with launching products,