Lach Hall's Vacation Inc. Revives Sunscreen Fun

Source: adage.com

TL;DR

The story at a glance

Ad Age profiled Lach Hall, founding partner and executive chair of marketing at Vacation Inc., as part of its 2023 Breakout Brand Leaders special report. The piece highlights how his two-year-old sunscreen brand revived the category with fun, nostalgic packaging and TikTok virality, including over 80 million organic views.[[1]](https://adage.com/article/special-report-breakout-brand-leaders/breakout-brand-leaders-2023-lach-hall-vacation-inc/2516646) This recognition came in November 2023, amid growing buzz for the Miami-based startup founded by Hall and partners including Dakota Green and Marty Bell, launched in 2021.[[2]](https://adage.com/article/special-report-breakout-brand-leaders/breakout-brand-leaders-2023-lach-hall-vacation-inc/2516646/)

Key points

Details and context

The article appears as a profile in Ad Age's annual Breakout Brand Leaders report, focusing on marketing executives driving emerging brands. Vacation Inc. differentiates in a functional category by prioritizing scent, texture, and aesthetic—such as whipped formulas and retro designs—that recall carefree summers, helping it stand out on social media.

Launched amid the pandemic, the brand built early momentum through direct-to-consumer sales and creator partnerships, leading to retail expansion at places like Ulta, Target, and Nordstrom by later years. Its approach contrasts with traditional sunscreens focused mainly on protection claims.

No specific sales figures or future plans appear in visible portions, though the profile underscores early viral success as key to Hall's recognition.

Key quotes

None reliably sourced from the article.

Why it matters

Breakout profiles like this spotlight marketing strategies that turn commodity products like sunscreen into cultural hits, influencing how brands compete via vibe over specs. For marketers and entrepreneurs, it shows the power of TikTok and nostalgia in launching DTC brands into retail success. Watch Vacation's growth trajectory and potential funding or acquisition, as later reports suggest scaling to $80 million in projected sales, though uncertain without article confirmation.[[3]](https://www.inc.com/jennifer-conrad/vacations-80-million-sunscreen-brand-is-surfing-on-more-than-just-vibes/91181448)