Eastman shares perspective during UW RMAL seminar series

During the third installation of the University of Wyoming’s (UW) Ranch Management and Leadership (RMAL) Ranching in the West Seminar Series, Ike Eastman, president and chief executive officer of Eastmans’ Multimedia, shared his perspective on building a career in wildlife media.

His comments focused on the history and evolution of Eastmans’ Multimedia, a three-generation, media-based hunting company which focuses on promoting elk, deer and western big game hunting; navigating the ever-changing digital landscape and embracing technology as the family business continues to expand.

Company history

Eastmans’ Multimedia began in 1957 with Ike’s grandfather Gordon Eastman. An avid outdoorsman, Gordon strove to tell stories about the untamed wilderness of the American West through filmmaking. 

Thirty years later, in 1987, the family business began building up its print presence through Eastmans’ Hunting Journal (EHJ). 

Founded by Ike’s father Mike Eastman, EHJ has published stories about wildlife and hunting since its founding and continues to evolve today.

Ike grew up hunting and fishing throughout Wyoming and attended college at UW. After spending his early career in finance, he returned home to run the family business in 2023.

Under Ike’s leadership, Eastmans’ Multimedia has continued to evolve into a flourishing multimedia company, integrating both print and digital platforms to serve outdoorsmen all over the world.

“My family has always been adventurers,” Ike shared. “We’ve figured out how to take adventure, communicate it and generate revenue so we can go on to the next.”

Embracing technology

Using the evolution of the family business as evidence, Ike emphasized the importance of embracing technology to move a business forward, whether it be a family ranching operation or another endeavor.

“Technology is absolutely critical in movement,” Ike said, noting advancements in technology continue to drive progress forward for Eastmans’ Multimedia all the time. 

He explained, over the years, the changing media landscape has brought many challenges and opportunities to the Eastmans’ Multimedia empire. 

By building on relationships and reputation in the early years and adapting to changing times, the business has continued to grow and reach new audiences, all while serving lifelong customers.

Ike’s presentation em-
phasized every product from the original magazine all the way to the modern app was designed to solve a specific problem for Eastmans’ Multimedia customer base, striking a balance between honoring tradition while relentlessly innovating to provide for future generations of customers.

Leadership advice

In addition to his comments on technology, Ike offered some leadership advice to attendees gathered at the evening seminar. 

His comments focused on the value of building a trustworthy tribe of people who push each other to succeed and implementing the “golden rule” in business relationships, as well as embracing failure and learning from mistakes.

“In life, you’re only as successful as the people you surround yourself with,” Ike said. “Surround yourself with a tribe of people who enjoy things together and help each other out.”

He also shared his belief in the golden rule of treating others – specifically his employees – with the same level of respect he would hope for in return. 

“I treat every person in my organization the way I would want to be treated,” Ike shared. “I want to be the captain of my own destiny and let them be the captains of theirs.”

In closing, Ike stressed the importance of viewing failure as a stepping stone to success by taking risks and learning from mistakes.   

The RMAL Ranching in the West Seminar Series is set to conclude on April 15 with the Rocky Mountain Land and Resource Management Conference in Laramie – an in-person, all-day event featuring panel discussions on ethics, land use, negotiations and reclamation, as well as comments from Gov. Mark Gordon.

Grace Skavdahl is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net