Agent18.com - Cases and Accessories for iPods and iPhones

About US

The Agent 18 company spans back many generations of music device protection, starting with its founder, Wilhelm von Agent, maker of the first glass harp cover back in 1579. Over 300 years later, the family business was passed onto Vesputi Virginina-Agent, an Italian cousin and inventor of the first wooden phonograph cover (Il Protectoro del Fonopodo) back in 1888. He took the business with him to America, where his great grandson eventually created the aluminum record player cover in 1957. As technology flew forward, so did the Agent family's music protection… with the Rubber Jukebox Glove, the Cover-man for Walkmen and the neon Ka-boom Box Plastic Dome. Now, 18 of the descendants of Wilhelm von Agent live and work at Agent 18 headquarters, located in the attic of the Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles, California, creating breakthrough protection for music devices and other electronics accessories for the world.

Okay...the real truth is Agent18 is a small company made up of nine friends and three dogs. From a little guesthouse in sunny, southern California, we design accessories that are sold all over the world. Our goal is user-friendly, high quality and innovative products....just what we want for our own iPods, computers, and phones. We believe you don't have to be a big business to have big ideas - We're extremely proud of our eco-friendly line, our trendsetting designs, and our first-of-a-kind accessories.

Mr. Sargam Patel

NAME: Mr. Sargam Patel

JOB TITLE: President

HOMETOWN: Troy, Michigan - The safest city in Michigan.

FAVORITE AGENT18 PRODUCT: All of them are my favorite!

ON AN AVERAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON YOU’LL FIND ME:
I'm either on my computer or looking for good taco. I like 'em.

HIT RANDOM ON YOUR iPOD, WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES UP:
"A Brief History Of Time," Chapter 2 by Mr. Steven Hawking.

iPHONE APPLICATION THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE:
Apple Remote App. I love it!

HOW YOUR AGENT18 CASE HAS SAVED YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN A PICKLE:
I hear the best stories everyday about how our little cases keep saving the day. Hearing these stories is a big part of why we do this and why we started this company. I've heard everything from our cases protecting iPhones and iPods against hungry dogs to speeding cars. I can't pick just one. Please keep the stories coming.

FAVORITE ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT OR GO GREEN TIP:
Only wash your clothes after two people tell you that you stink

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB:
Seeing our ideas come to life. It all starts with me in the shower thinking “wouldn’t it be cool if...” Having an idea start there and make it to the shelf is great.

Bill House

NAME: Bill House

JOB TITLE: Chief Operating Officer

HOMETOWN: One of the few who can say beautiful Los Angeles, California

FAVORITE AGENT18 PRODUCT: iPhone EcoShield

ON AN AVERAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON YOU’LL FIND ME:
Planning my next trip to Maui. My favorite day of the year is the day I leave for Maui. My worst day of the year is the day I have to come home.

HIT RANDOM ON YOUR iPOD, WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES UP:
The Eagles - Hotel California

iPHONE APPLICATION THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE:
Sportstacular/Shazam

HOW YOUR AGENT18 CASE HAS SAVED YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN A PICKLE:
I get to make a living by helping produce the coolest Apple accessory in the world. How could it get any better then that?

FAVORITE ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT OR GO GREEN TIP:
My favorite new eco product is Corn based plastic. Is there anything you can’t make from corn?

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB:
The Team…they’re the best.

Glen

NAME: Glen (you know like Cher…only one name needed)

JOB TITLE: Señor CAD Monkey

HOMETOWN: Woodland Hills, California, home of the original Flooky’s Hot Dogsa

FAVORITE AGENT18 PRODUCT: White 3G iPhone Slim EcoShield (you can color on em with Sharpies!)

ON AN AVERAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON YOU’LL FIND ME:
Working on A18 products of course. I may take a break to run the dogs, BBQ something tasty, or plan my next adventure.

HIT RANDOM ON YOUR iPOD, WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES UP:
“Clubbed to Death 2” by the Rob Dougan

iPHONE APPLICATION THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE:
Motion X GPS With this app I can almost always find my way home. It is also great for tracking time/distance on a run or ride. I even use it when trekking in the jungle.

HOW YOUR AGENT18 CASE HAS SAVED YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN A PICKLE:
Once while trekking through the jungle, I was attacked by cannibals. Poison darts filled the air. I leapt to the left and raced to the right. Through underbrush I stumbled desperately trying to avoid my fate as that evening’s main course. After struggling for what seemed hours, the angry voices behind me faded. I stopped, stood panting in the fading jungle light, listening for any sound from my pursuers. Silence…except for the distant calls of some unseen jungle creatures. Had I escaped? Then, the unforgettable THOOOOUPP of the blowgun. I tensed as the dart hit me in the chest. I looked down at the bright blue feathered projectile protruding from my shirt pocket. I trembled knowing the poison made from the Curare plant would act quickly. Soon I would not be able move as the powerful muscle relaxant paralyzed my body. It’s very likely I would be put in pot alive, unable to move, unable to scream, boiled alive! I fumbled trying to remove the instrument of my destruction. As I pulled I was shocked to find that the dart had lodged in my Agent18 White 3G Slim EcoShield iPhone cover that I always use to keep my iPhone safe while trekking in the jungle. I looked up and found my attacker, armed with a blood stained machete, closing fast. Without thinking I pulled my iPhone with the Agent18 White 3G Slim EcoShield from my pocket. I hurled the phone as hard as I could at the charging man. There was a loud crack as the phone hit the brute right between the eyes. He stumbled, wild eyes rolling up as he fell unconscious at my feet. I scrambled to find my trusty iPhone, fully expecting it to be in pieces. I lay several yards away from the impact on the forest floor. I picked it up and pressed the menu button. The screen sprang to life displaying my Motion X GPS app. Thanks to the Agent18 White 3G Slim EcoShield my phone was undamaged. As the sun sank below the tree line I used the backlight on my iPhone to guide me through darkness. Several hours later I arrived, bruised and bleeding at a tiny village. The villagers tended my wounds explained that a bus bringing supplies would arrive in a few weeks. This bus could take me back to civilization. I greatly enjoyed the following weeks with the villagers. They were very giving and gracious people. When the day came to leave, I gave my Agent18 White 3G iPhone Slim EcoShield to the villagers as a token of my appreciation. They were overjoyed with the gift and made me promise to return someday. I plan to get another Agent18 White 3G iPhone Slim EcoShield and keep that promise.

FAVORITE ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT OR GO GREEN TIP:
Wear flannel when cold, shower with a friend, use LED light lamps everywhere, finally buy a 1974 Mercedes diesel and run it on used French fry oil.

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB:
Teasing Sargam (the owner)…he is such a geek. And of course designing groovy new products.

Hari Seedhar

NAME: Hari Seedhar

JOB TITLE: Vice President, Sourcing & Manufacturing

HOMETOWN: Chandigarh, India

FAVORITE AGENT18 PRODUCT: All our ECO products

ON AN AVERAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON YOUâ€™LL FIND ME:
Goofing off with my two kids

HIT RANDOM ON YOUR iPOD, WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES UP:
Deep Lotus by Naked Rhythm

iPHONE APPLICATION THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE:
Google Mobile

CRAZIEST EXAMPLE OF HOW YOUR AGENT18 CASE HAS SAVED YOU:
Thereâ€™s nothing like getting paid for doing what you like, while working with people you like to hang out with! Agent18, for me, is the lifestyle I have longed to live. Developing cool innovative products that my 7 yr. old son can use and have fun with, and being a part of â€œprotect the Earth, one cover at a timeâ€ is very satisfying for me. Thatâ€™s my Agent18 case and how it saved me

FAVORITE ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT OR GO GREEN TIP:
recycle, wear thermals and switch off the heat, carpool and stay a social animal, shower with a friend, AND support green products.

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB:
Helping ideas on napkin sketches make their way to the retail stores!

Jessica Runck

NAME: Jessica Runck

JOB TITLE: Sales and Marketing Associate

HOMETOWN: Wimbledon, ND (Population 237)

FAVORITE AGENT18 PRODUCT: Nano G4 Yellow and White

FlowerVest. It’s so bright and cheery it makes me happy. :)

ON AN AVERAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON YOU’LL FIND ME:
I LOVE the weekends! I can usually be found either exploring LA (I love finding new things to do and see) or heading to Malibu for a little stroll on the beach. This North Dakota girl loves her ocean!

HIT RANDOM ON YOUR iPOD, WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES UP:
“Fantastic, That’s You” by Louis Armstrong …good ol’ Louis.

iPHONE APPLICATION THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE:
Flight Tracker!!! No longer do I have to circle the airport waiting to pick people up. I have magically gotten back hours of my life thanks to this awesome little app.

HOW YOUR AGENT18 CASE HAS SAVED YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN A PICKLE:
As I was minding my own business in my jungle hut, using my Flight Tracker app on my iPhone 3G to see when my mom’s plane was flying in, I smelled something strange outside, like BBQ and French Fry Oil. I walked outside and noticed what appeared to be a tourist wearing a flannel shirt cutting through my front yard like he owned the place. I was so fed up with these tourists “exploring” the jungle and just walking through my yard that I decided to teach this one a lesson (besides, he looked like an easy target.) I let out my war cry (which was a tune I had devised on my Ocarina app on my iPhone 3G) and started after him. He was terrified and he ran away like I was some crazy jungle cannibal. I mean, I only wanted to talk to him. I chased him through the jungle, always anticipating his next step. He looked ridiculous as he leapt to the left and raced to the right for maybe only five minutes. He stopped and fell to the ground pretty winded for what I thought was a short run. Silence fell. I approached him, hoping to ask if he could kindly stay off my property. But when he gave me a look of pure terror I thought, “Well, I can’t disappoint the guy, him thinking he’s seen his first ‘jungle cannibal’ and all.” I pulled out my dart gun and noticed that he had an Agent18 White iPhone 3G Slim EcoShield in his pocket with what looked to be a carefully crafted sketch on the back reading, “I Heart Rob Dougan” in pink sharpie. Knowing that the dart would not penetrate the indestructible Agent18 White iPhone 3G Slim EcoShield, I took aim and hit my target (of course.) After a lot of unnecessary screaming and crying for his mommy, I went down to help him up and noticed a tiger directly behind him. I pulled out my blood stained machete (I really have to get that thing cleaned) to protect us both. Before I knew it, I felt the Agent18 White iPhone 3G Slim EcoShield hit my forehead. It wasn’t thrown that hard but I felt bad for the poor schmuck so I decided to play along. I pretended to stumble, with my eyes rolling up as I fell “unconscious” at his feet. There, that will give him a good story, I thought. And it did. Last I heard, this guy is working for some geek in West Hollywood. But I digress. Anyway, so how did my Agent18 Shield save me? On my way back home my iPhone 3G fell and hit a rock. Good thing I have it covered in the Agent18 Purple iPhone 3G Slim EcoShield with “I Heart Louis Armstrong" in black sharpie sketched on the back.

FAVORITE ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT OR GO GREEN TIP:
As a kid I used to watch "Timeless Tales From Hallmark" (Little Duckling, Emperor’s New Clothes.) At the end they always had Olivia Newton John come on and talk about how we need to turn off the lights when we leave a room and shut off the water when we are brushing our teeth. I LOVED that as a kid and because of Olivia, I have been doing that ever since. That’s my favorite “Go Green” tip. It’s simple, it’s helpful, and it comes from Olivia Newton John!

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB:
The people!! I am so lucky in my job that I get to travel around meeting all of the cool people who work at the Apple stores! But when I come back to the office, I still get to hang out with cool people! I feel really lucky being able to work with friends.

Lydia Genner

NAME: Lydia Genner

JOB TITLE: Marketing Director

HOMETOWN: For me this is a bit of a trick question as I have lived the gypsy life, but I spent most of my youth in Rockford, Illinois (birthplace of Cheap Trick, the sock monkey, and the world famous Beef-A-Roo…”they’re cookin it just for you”)

FAVORITE AGENT18 PRODUCT:
You can’t beat the iPhone EcoShield Slider. Solid protection while simultaneously reducing our planet’s landfills; I completely believe that it is possible to save the world one soda pop bottle at a time.

ON AN AVERAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON YOU’LL FIND ME:
Hmmm…that’s a toss up. I could be on a hike somewhere getting to know my newly adopted city of Los Angeles or I could be out bargain shopping…I absolutely heart the sample sale and getting a deal!

HIT RANDOM ON YOUR iPOD, WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES UP:
This could be really embarrassing…let’s see…oh not too bad, Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel

iPHONE APPLICATION THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE:
It has to be Yelp. As a recent transplant I need recommendations on absolutely everything, from where to take my dry cleaning to the tastiest pizza in town to which Trader Joe’s has the best parking. It seriously does it all. Without a doubt it’s made my move 10 times easier.

HOW YOUR AGENT18 CASE HAS SAVED YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN A PICKLE:
So I am a certified klutz…growing up in the Midwest it wasn’t a matter of if I would slip and fall on the ice it was when. And in the sunny weather it isn’t that much different. I was out walking the dogs the other day when they decided to do a little dance around me on their leashes and the next thing I know I am all tied up. I went to take a step and not only did I go flying through the air, but so did my iPhone. As it clattered to the ground and spun across the pavement I just cringed, but when I picked it up it was still perfectly encased in my black Agent18 EcoShield. It was completely unscathed; sealing the deal in my mind that Agent18 is the ultimate authority in product protection.

FAVORITE ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT OR GO GREEN TIP:
Having spent a few years in Boulder, CO, I have seen my fair share of green products and eco-friendly initiatives. If I had to narrow it down to a favorite though I would definitely go with English Retreads (www.englishretreads.com). They are these amazingly crafted and completely fashion forward line of men’s and women’s accessories. Every product is 100% vegan being constructed from reclaimed truck/tractor tire inner tubes. Every single piece is unique as they are hand made for individuality. An absolute fav!

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB:
I am new to the Agent18 family, but that is already my favorite part…it really is a family. And not a crazy dysfunctional family that only gets together at weddings and funerals and even then only talk about the weather and traffic. They are a family that is fun and loud and supportive; always encouraging each other to be all that they can be. They motivate one another to push boundaries and get outside of that comfort zone that we all have a tendency to cling to. As a result I feel as though I can really have an impact on what is happening within the company. To me there is nothing better than seeing one of my ideas come to life right before my eyes whether it be a marketing promotion or the website redesign. I can’t wait to see what is in store for Agent18 in the future!

Trevor Navarra

NAME: Trevor Navarra

JOB TITLE:Art Director / Photographer

HOMETOWN: Rochester, NY. Home of Kodak, Xerox, Bausch & Lomb and the Garbage Plate.

FAVORITE AGENT18 PRODUCT: iPod Classic Shield. The damn thing is perfect.

ON AN AVERAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON YOU’LL FIND ME:
Skiing, hiking with the Mrs. and the dog, or…well… in front of my computer working.

HIT RANDOM ON YOUR iPOD, WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES UP:
Animal Collective “My Girls.” If you don't own the album Merriweather Post Pavilion then download it now or buy it immediately.

iPHONE APPLICATION THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE:
Star Wars Lightsaber. Finally my Jedi training is complete!

HOW YOUR AGENT18 CASE HAS SAVED YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN A PICKLE:
The black Agent18 Slim EcoShield case for the iPhone 3G is the perfect protective cover for my phone/lightsaber. I’ve only had to use my Jedi Knight training once and let’s just say the beveled grooves along each side strengthen my grip of my saber allowing me to execute precise maneuvers while battling the droid army. It also does wonders while simply holding my iPhone against my ear to make a call.

FAVORITE ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT OR GO GREEN TIP: :
Remember when you where six and you used to ride your bike around the neighborhood for hours everyday and it was a crazy amount of fun? Well, IT STILL IS. It just might be time to Get your rusty ass bike out of the garage, lube it up with some W-D 40 and ride! Bikes leave no carbon footprint, and it’s great exercise. And yes, it’s still cool to pin a baseball card to your spokes to make that zroom-zroom sound. Just make sure it’s a player you’ve never heard of.

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB:
:Working with extremely smart and creative people that allow me to be creative.

Sam Crone

NAME: Sam Crone

TITLE: President

HOMETOWN: Madison, WI – one of only two major US cities built on an Isthmus.

FAVORTIE HOBBY: Golf

HIT RANDOM ON YOUR iPOD, WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES UP:
“Mandolin Rain” by Bruce Hornsby

FAVORITE PERSON TO CALL ON YOUR IPHONE:
Two phone numbers I wish I had in my iPhone would be Cesar Millan and Mike Holmes (from Holmes on Homes). If I were able to communicate with dogs and fix anything, my life would be complete. Oh, and I better not forget my wife.

FAVORITE AGENT18 PRODUCT:
White iPhone EcoShield.

FAVORITE IPHONE APPLICATION:
That’s a toss up between “Hipstamatic” and “Angry birds”

CRAZIEST STORY ABOUT AGENT18 PROTECTION:
Some people might say I’m a little “clumsy,” but I think I just drop things more often than other people. A couple weeks ago I sent my iPhone cartwheeling down a flight of 15 cement stairs and it scored a perfect 10 hitting each one on the way down. As I walked down the stairs, recalculating my day’s schedule so I could get a new phone, I noticed that the screen was still illuminated. When I picked up the phone it worked just fine and my White EcoShield looked as new as the day I got it

FAVORITE ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT (OTHER THAN AGENT18 ECOSHIELDS):
Bar Surya, in London created a dance floor with tiny springs that when compressed produce an electrical current that helps power the club.

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB:
Being part of such a dynamic industry and constantly being able to drive innovation with a team of very talented “inventors.” I also love meeting people everyday that have been using our products for years on all their generations of iPods and iPhones, and hearing all the crazy things that have happened to their favorite devices and how our cases have protected them along the way.

Governor Patel

NAME : Governor Patel (aka Govie, Gover, Gov Bug)

TITLE: The Boss

HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA

FAVORITE AGENT18 PRODUCT: FlowerVest for the iPhone 3G…they are the easiest to swallow.

ON AN AVERAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON YOU’LL FIND ME:
Snoozing on the couch, playing on the beach, wrestling with my brother Harley.

HIT RANDOM ON YOUR iPOD, WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES UP:
“You Can Get It All” by Bow Wow

iPHONE APPLICATION THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE:
“iPet Dogs” I like cruising for chicks

HOW YOUR AGENT18 CASE HAS SAVED YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN A PICKLE:
Without those cases my Mom and Dad would always be mad at me for trying to chew those funny looking bones they always talk on.

FAVORITE ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT OR GO GREEN TIP:
I only get a bath every other week – it saves water!!

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB:
Seeing Matilda at the meetings. That new collar she has looks dog-gone good!

Harley Patel

NAME: Harley Patel (aka Nugget)

TITLE: The Troublemakerl

HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA

FAVORITE AGENT18 PRODUCT: The men’s briefcase makes a great pillow.

ON AN AVERAGE SATURDAY AFTERNOON YOU’LL FIND ME:
Hiking at Runyon Canyon with my mom and Aunt Lydia, cuddling on the couch, checking out the celebrities at Urth Café (I got pet by Sienna Miller last week…I got her number).

HIT RANDOM ON YOUR iPOD, WHAT IS THE FIRST SONG THAT COMES UP:
“Hell Hound on my Trail” by Robert Johnson…oh yeah….

iPHONE APPLICATION THAT HAS CHANGED MY LIFE:
“Find Parks” , it lets you find parks in your area. A dog has to be smart about things like this.

HOW YOUR AGENT18 CASE HAS SAVED YOU WHEN YOU WERE IN A PICKLE:
There was one week where I was really low on bones and I thought I might go crazy. Then I noticed the Agent18 EcoShield – perfect for chewing – just sitting on the couch. It was better than any bone could ever be!

FAVORITE ECOFRIENDLY PRODUCT OR GO GREEN TIP:
Drink from the toilet!

FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB:
Playing with Governor and Matilda at meetings! I think Matilda digs me…

Matilda

Born on the cruel streets of Los Angeles, Matilda entered this world plunging from one adventure to the next. Whether it be sniffing out dung beetles in the wilds of Griffith Park, terrorizing her brother cat, Topher, or sticking her head out of the windows of moving cars, she shows no signs of slowing down.

Her hobbies include eating, digging holes at the beach, eating, taking afternoon naps, eating, playing with her boyfriends Harley and Gov, and eating.

This little girl is talented as well. She's the only dog in the neighborhood who can bark the year and region of any bottle of California's finest wines. She also loves modern dance, water skiing, and spelunking.

She's a great hugger as well.

And as you can see Matilda moves to the beat of her own drum…she chose not to partake in the ho-hum standard A18 questionnaire.