Ocean Park Named 2025 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Award Winner
MWN-AI** Summary
Ocean Park Asset Management has gained significant recognition by winning the 2025 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Award for Excellence in Marketing & PR, thanks to its innovative “Duck” marketing campaign. This accolade celebrates the effective use of a playful and memorable symbol, which communicates the firm's unique risk-management philosophy. The campaign, initiated in 2024, cleverly employs the metaphor of “ducking” as a response to market corrections. Central to the campaign's advancement is the introduction of Sortino, Ocean Park’s newly named duck mascot, inspired by the Sortino ratio—a recognized measure of investment performance that emphasizes downside risk.
The award highlights Ocean Park’s commitment to clarity in its marketing approach, distancing itself from the industry’s prevalent complexity. Co-founder David Wright’s philosophy of "ducking" when faced with adversity symbolizes the firm’s strategy of prioritizing downside protection. The campaign's humorous and straightforward design has resonated with financial advisors, becoming an iconic representation of the firm. With this award, the campaign has not only achieved public acclaim but has also solidified its foundation for continued expansion into 2026, where Sortino will lead a broader storytelling initiative.
This recognition is part of a productive year for Ocean Park, which has also garnered accolades at the 2025 FCS Portfolio Awards and recognition as a finalist in the MMI/Barron’s Industry Awards. Chief Marketing Officer Vanda Freesman expressed enthusiasm for Sortino’s impact, emphasizing the mascot's role in illustrating Ocean Park's serious approach to risk management, while keeping the tone light-hearted. With future initiatives in the pipeline, the firm aims to enhance advisor engagement through Sortino across various platforms, sending a positive message as they move forward.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Ocean Park Asset Management has recently garnered significant industry recognition by winning the 2025 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Award for its distinctive “Duck” marketing campaign, which exemplifies a refreshing approach to communicating its risk-management philosophy. As we analyze Ocean Park's achievement and its implications for the asset management market, a few key factors come to light.
The use of the playful “Duck” symbolism, particularly with the newly introduced mascot Sortino, reflects a conscious departure from the complex jargon often seen in the financial services sector. In an environment where market volatility remains a pressing concern—especially amid high valuations—Ocean Park's clear and humorous approach stands out as a compelling marketing strategy. As economic uncertainties loom, the emphasis on downside risk, evidenced by the Sortino ratio, positions Ocean Park as a forward-thinking manager dedicated to protecting investor capital.
Market participants should view this award-winning campaign not only as a branding triumph but also as a potential indicator of Ocean Park’s solid product offerings, including its ETFs (DUKQ, DUKX, DUKZ, and DUKH). The firm manages nearly $5 billion in assets as of December 31, 2024, showcasing its capability and credibility in a competitive landscape.
Looking ahead, the continued development of the Sortino character into a more extensive storytelling platform could enhance customer engagement, making its investment strategies more accessible and relatable to investors. Its planned initiatives for 2026 may further reinforce its market position and attract a broader client base. Consequently, investors should closely monitor Ocean Park’s evolving strategy, as it exemplifies the importance of innovation in the crowded asset management space.
In conclusion, as Ocean Park Asset Management expands upon its award-winning campaign, the firm presents a unique opportunity for investors seeking a manager that balances risk awareness with creative communication.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Further recognition for differentiated “Duck” marketing campaign ends year on high note
Ocean Park Asset Management is pleased to announce that its “Duck” campaign has been named the winner of the 2025 ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Award for Excellence in Marketing & PR. The recognition honors a simple, memorable symbol that has evolved into a cohesive platform for communicating the firm’s differentiated risk-management philosophy.
What began as a playful visual metaphor (when the market corrects you should “duck”) has transformed into a fully realized, multi-channel marketing initiative. This year culminated in the introduction of “Sortino,” the firm’s newly named duck mascot, whose name is a nod to the Sortino ratio, a widely used risk-adjusted measure focused on downside risk. Sortino will continue to anchor the campaign as it expands into 2026.
As the market contends with high valuations and economic concerns, Sortino underscores Ocean Park’s disciplined approach to managing downside risk.
Redefining How an Asset Manager Shows Up
While much of the industry competes with complexity, Ocean Park chose clarity and a rubber duck. The concept was built on co-founder David Wright’s long-standing analogy: When something comes at you, you duck. That philosophy is central to the firm’s disciplined approach to downside protection, and the “Duck” became a tangible expression of that ethos.
Since the first print ad launched in 2024, the campaign has stood apart for its humor, visual simplicity, and staying power. Advisors embraced it immediately — from bright-yellow ducks arriving in their mailboxes on National Rubber Duck Day to spotting the mascot integrated across ETF launches, conferences, digital ads, and field marketing.
The response to the duck concept has been so strong that Ocean Park formally named Sortino this year, signaling the next stage: expanding the character into a broader storytelling platform that will roll out across new advisor touchpoints throughout 2026.
A Culmination of Creative Momentum
Winning the ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Award caps a breakthrough year for the firm’s marketing initiatives, which have already earned Gold at the 2025 FCS Portfolio Awards and Finalist honors at the 2025 MMI/Barron’s Industry Awards.
“Sortino has exceeded every expectation we had for this idea,” said Vanda Freesman, Chief Marketing Officer at Ocean Park. “He’s helped us communicate something fundamental about who we are — a firm that takes risk management seriously, but doesn’t take itself too seriously. This Luminaries win celebrates the work we’ve done but also sets the stage for where we’re taking this story next.”
What’s Ahead?
Sortino will serve as the centerpiece of an expanded creative platform moving into 2026. The goal: continue turning a memorable visual into a meaningful tool for understanding of Ocean Park’s philosophy. More from Sortino on LinkedIn can be found here .
More information on Ocean Park’s investment offerings and suite of ETFs — DUKQ , DUKX , DUKZ , and DUKH — can be found at OceanParkAM.com .
About Ocean Park Asset Management
Ocean Park Asset Management, LLC is an SEC registered investment adviser that serves as an investment advisor to an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, where it provides investment management services to Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), namely the Ocean Park Mutual Funds and the Ocean Park ETFs. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Ocean Park manages nearly $5 billion of client assets as of 12/31/24.
RISKS and DISCLOSURES
Award criteria: Ocean Park Asset Management was named a winner in December 2025 for the ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards, based on work completed over the past 18 months. The award is organized and tabulated by ThinkAdvisor’s editorial staff and Luminaries advisory board with no application or participation fee required.
Award criteria: Ocean Park Asset Management was named a finalist in July 2025 for the MMI/Barron’s Awards, based on work completed from June 2024 to present. The award is organized and tabulated by the Money Management Institute in partnership with Barron’s with no application or participation fee required. As an MMI member firm, Ocean Park does pay membership fees not related to or taken into consideration for this award.
Award criteria: Ocean Park Asset Management was named a winner in May 2025 for the 2025 FCS Portfolio Awards, based on work completed from June 2024 to present. The award is organized and tabulated by the Financial Communications Society. All entries require a fee for consideration.
These awards are not based on investment advisory services or performance.
Advisory services are offered through Ocean Park Asset Management, LLC, a registered investment adviser (“RIA”) regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The advisory services are only offered in jurisdictions where the RIA is appropriately registered. The use of the term “registered” does not imply any particular level of skill or training and does not imply any approval by the SEC. For information pertaining to the registration status of Ocean Park Asset Management, LLC, please call 1- 844-727-1813 or refer to the Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website ( www.adviserinfo.sec.gov ).
Past performance does not guarantee future results and there is no guarantee that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives, generate profits, or avoid losses.
Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses of the Ocean Park Mutual Funds and Ocean Park ETFs (collectively, “Ocean Park Funds”). This and other information about the Ocean Park Funds are contained in the prospectus and should be read carefully before investing. The prospectus can be obtained by calling toll free 1-866-738-4363 (1-866-RETI-FND). The Ocean Park Funds are distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Ocean Park Asset Management, LLC is not affiliated with Northern Light Distributors, LLC.
There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives, generate profits, or avoid losses.
IMPORTANT FUND RISKS
While the shares of ETFs are tradeable on secondary markets, they may not readily trade in all market conditions and may trade at significant discounts in periods of market stress.
ETFs trade like stocks, are subject to investment risk, fluctuate in market value and may trade at prices above or below the ETF’s net asset value. Brokerage commissions and ETF expenses will reduce returns. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve its objective. ETFs are subject to specific risks, depending on the nature of the underlying strategy of the fund. These risks could include liquidity risk, emerging markets risk, foreign market risk, sector risk, as well as risks associated with fixed income securities, real estate investments, and commodities, to name a few.
Investing in Mutual Funds involves risk, including loss of principal. The value of the fund's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Other risks that may occur with, but not limited to Ocean Park Mutual Funds:
The funds may invest in mutual funds, closed-end-funds and ETFs, high-yield corporate bonds (junk bonds),or long-duration U.S. Treasury Securities, tax-exempt municipal bonds, as well as municipal money market funds. Fixed income securities are subject to risk as a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of the underlying funds owned by the fund.
Other risk factors impacting these fixed income securities include credit risk, maturity risk, market risk, high yield (junk bond) risk, management risk, geopolitical risk, extension risk, illiquid security risks, foreign securities risk, prepayment risk, treasury securities risk, portfolio turnover risk, and ETF risk.
Investments in underlying funds that own small and mid-capitalization companies may be more vulnerable than larger, more established organizations to adverse business or economic developments. Investments in underlying funds that invest in foreign equity and debt securities could subject the Fund to greater risks including currency fluctuation, economic conditions, and different governmental and accounting standards.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251219634006/en/
Tyler Bradford
Hewes Communications
(212) 207-9454
tyler@hewescomm.com
FAQ**
How has the "Duck" marketing campaign, which contributed to the recognition of Ocean Park Asset Management, specifically impacted the performance or visibility of the Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF DUKZ over the past year?
What strategies are in place to integrate Sortino, the duck mascot, into future marketing efforts for Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF DUKZ, and how might this influence investor engagement?
Considering the recent award wins, what metrics does Ocean Park Asset Management use to evaluate the effectiveness of the "Duck" campaign in relation to attracting new investments in the Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF DUKZ?
How does the risk management philosophy illustrated through the "Duck" campaign differentiate Ocean Park Diversified Income ETF DUKZ from competitors in the current market environment?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Ocean Park International ETF (NASDAQ: DUKX).
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