Otter Box Blog

OtterBox Thinks the Sea Otter Classic ROX!

OtterBox just returned from Monterey, California as sponsors of the 2008 Sea Otter Classic. We were excited to leave the Rocky Mountain snow behind and enjoy some California sun. We spent four days experiencing the cycling culture and putting a friendly face to the OtterBox name. We even came face-to-face with a real otter (pictured here).

The persistent wind seemed to be the biggest challenge for competitors that weekend. However, it helped us test our theory that our cases are protective against dust and dirt. The outside of our cases looked like sandboxes!

Overall the trip was a great adventure and we look forward to attending again in 2009!

Strength by OtterBox: Pink Cases to Support the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade

Did you know?

• Approximately 240,480 total cases will be diagnosed this year
• 40,460 women and 450 men in the U.S. will die from the disease annually
• In the US, one person is diagnosed approximately every 3 minutes
• In the US, one person dies from this disease approximately every 14 minutes

The disease is breast cancer.

Breast cancer has impacted nearly all of us at OtterBox, encouraging us to do our part and work towards finding a cure. Joining with the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, we will offer two limited edition pink "Strength" cases, the OtterBox for iPhone and the OtterBox for iPod nano Defender™ Series.

OtterBox will donate 10% of the purchase price to the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade to support access to care and finding a cure for breast cancer, with a focus on the medically underserved.

Check out these links for breast cancer resources and information on how you can get more involved in the fight against breast cancer.

The Customer Limelight: Vern Graham

Okay, so there are conventional ways to use an OtterBox, and there are extremely creative ways as well. We have noticed that a lot of people like using our dryboxes as a housing for electronic devices. Vern Graham, out of Allentown, PA decided that he was sick of his whitewater canoe being filling up with H20. We thought it was really cool when he decided to house the battery and switch for his new pump with an OtterBox. Now, when his boat is full of water, all he has to do is flip a switch and the water gets pumped out. The OtterBox, a patented drybox designed by our very own Curt Richardson, keeps his electronic equipment dry and safe--in a very wet and dangerous environment. Keep on paddlin' Vern! Be sure to visit Planet OtterBox to read more stories like this, or shop our OtterBoxes if you have just been inspired to build something really cool.

"As a whitewater canoer, one of the problems is having to empty out your canoe after a roll or playing in a hole and getting filled up with water. After having many problems with a pump system in my canoe, I used an OtterBox to house the switch and battery for the pump in my new canoe. I just tried it out rolling and playing in holes on the Lehigh River in PA, and it works great! After rolling up, or being filled up playing in a hole, I just hit a switch and the water is pumped out. -Vern Graham"

Bradford Washburn: The Father of American Mountaineering

You might be asking: "Who was this man and why is he so cool?" Well, Golden, Colorado thought he was so cool that a 3.5 million dollar museum has been built in order to chronicle a collection of the most awe-inspiring mountain photography one can imagine. Some say that his work is right up there with Ansel Adams--even though he remains virtually unknown in the photography realm. Hey, I didn't know who he was either, until I found this article. I bet if OtterBoxes existed back in the 1920s through the 1950s, Washburn would have used them while putting up first ascents and new routes in the wild Alaskan territories. They make a great climbing/hiking/mountaineering accessory! To see some of Bradford Washburn's amazing photography, click here. Be aware that stunning emotions and inspiration are common side effects.

Featured artist: Jake Shimabukuro

Immediately after watching this video, I started shopping for ukuleles. Soon after I found out how much ukuleles cost, I gave up and made a b-line for the iTunes store. I figured if I couldn't have a ukulele, I could at least download some of Jake's music onto my iPod (check out our iPod cases). After doing some research, I found out that this young man has played with the likes of musical geniuses such as Bela Fleck, Darol Anger and Mike Marshall. If you don't know who these gentlemen are and you like acoustic string music, do yourself a favor and check them out. For now, here is a video of Jake Shimabukuro performing George Harrison's beloved "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" on the ukulele.

We like Peter Ottersbach.

Before I started working at OtterBox, I knew of the OtterBox 1000. Of course, at the time, I called it "that cool little box that you can put underwater". When we received this Planet OtterBox post from a scuba diver in Monterey Bay, California, the whole office was pretty stoked. Not only did this photo win January's Planet OtterBox contest, but the entrant's surname bears a striking resemblance to our company's name! Peter Ottersbach, of Monterey Bay, using his OtterBox 1000 while scuba diving 40 feet below the water's surface just off Cannery Row. Thanks so much for sharing your story Peter! In case any of you were wondering, everything inside his OtterBox 1000 was totally dry at the end of the day.

Shop in Your PJs: OtterBox Tech Cases for the Holidays

The holidays are always the biggest time of the year for OtterBox and with the introduction of new iPod, iPhone and BlackBerry cases, we been extra busy! Check out our new cases for all the tech gurus on your list this year.

If you’re not sure what to get that special someone, we now offer E-Gift Certificates available in $25 or $50 increments. Just visit this link: http://www.otterbox.com/products/gift_certificates/ and follow the instructions.

With convenient shopping online at www.otterbox.com or by phone at 888-695-8820, OtterBox has you covered this holiday season!!!

Curt Richardson

CEO

Pick Your Poison: Two Levels of iPod & iPhone cases from OtterBox

He’s too cute to resist our little pirate Otter, the character for our “Pick Your Poison” tagline. Created by Jon Schild, Graphic Designer here at OtterBox, this little otter represents two new choices you now have from OtterBox to protect your iPod and iPhone, so Pick Your Poison.

Looking for something sleek, sexy and slim fit with semi-rugged protection for your busy, on-the-go lifestyle, then check out the Defender™ Series. Living an untamed active lifestyle and need the most rugged case available? The Armor™ Series is a perfect fit.

Cases for the iPhone, classic, nano and touch will become available individually over the next few weeks, order, pre-order or sign up for notifications at www.otterbox.com.

Thanks,

The Otter Gang

OtterBox BlackBerry Pearl & Curve Cases: A Home Run

   Companies that were once hesitant to provide BlackBerry® devices to their employees are now willing to launch these smartphones due to the protection the OtterBox case offers. Employees can now take their device on the go and companies don’t have to worry about expensive replacements and repairs. The initial response to the OtterBox Pearl™ and Curve™ cases from RIM and several of the Wireless Carriers has been "Wow!  I think you have hit a home run with this one."

We have the Pearl case available for ordering online and the Curve case for pre-order.

Brandy Hansen

Strategic Account Manager

Now Available!!! OtterBox for iPhone, Genius in Design and Surprisingly Sexy

It’s finally here…The OtterBox for iPhone Defender™ Series!

Slim, yet rugged, stylish, yet protective…introducing the OtterBox for iPhone, the first semi-rugged iPod case from Otter Products, LLC. Satisfying the need for protection without compromising style, this “skin on steroids” offers interaction with volume control, camera, touch-screen and phone functions in an attractive new line known as the Defender Series™.

See it online at: http://www.otterbox.com/products/ipod_cases/iphone_case/

Happy iPhoning,

OtterBox