Sam Eckholm




Sam Eckholm is a strategic content leader and specialist in aerospace and defense media. A former U.S. Air Force officer and Air Force Academy graduate, Sam leads SE Media, one of the most trusted names in high-impact digital storytelling for the aerospace and defense sector. With over 2.5 million followers, 500 million cross-platform views, and a track record of measurable results, his campaigns routinely outperform traditional marketing efforts.
Sam’s career began at the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he majored in legal studies, served in Cadet Squadrons 14 and 28, and, as a senior, commanded over 100 cadets. Graduating in 2018, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and became the Public Affairs Officer for the F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team at Langley Air Force Base. There, he managed all media, outreach, and content production, growing the team’s social following from 10,000 to over 250,000 in just 18 months.
In 2021, Sam founded SE Media to deliver cinematic long- and short-form campaigns, creator-led activations, and modernized public affairs strategies for aerospace and defense organizations. His work has taken him from flying in the backseat of a U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 to embedding with Air Force Special Operations. Trusted by top industry leaders including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and RTX, SE Media is known for delivering maximum impact with minimal footprint.
Through cinematic, accessible storytelling, Sam and SE Media translate complex aerospace and defense missions into narratives that resonate with both future recruits and the public. Their work is redefining how the military and defense industries share their stories, communicate their value, and inspire the next generation.
From the viewer’s perspective, Sam’s work is immersive, precise, and mission-focused. Campaigns spark curiosity, inspire service, and connect audiences with the cutting edge of aerospace and defense.
One Tactical
Team




The SE Media Team is a full-time, purpose-built production unit designed specifically for the demands of the aerospace and defense industry. Unlike traditional PR or marketing agencies weighed down by layers of overhead, our lean, agile team embeds directly with military units and defense contractors. We’re on flight lines, aboard ships, inside hangars, and in secure facilities every week. This isn’t occasional fieldwork; it’s our everyday operating environment.
Our crew is OPSEC-trained, fluent in working alongside Public Affairs units, and trusted to capture missions that are sensitive, complex, and often inaccessible to outside media. SE Media was even trusted to film one of the nation’s most sensitive stories: The U-2 Spy Plane. We scale smarter and move faster, using in-house creative strategy, templated gear packs, and streamlined shot lists to deliver cinematic, recruitment-ready content without the delays or creative bottlenecks of legacy agencies.
Because our entire focus is aerospace and defense storytelling, we bring an insider’s understanding of mission requirements and audience expectations. We produce long and short-form video, still imagery, vertical edits, and evergreen assets in a single production cycle. This maximizes ROI and provides content portfolios that support digital distribution, in-person events, and recruiter engagement.
From documenting Special Operations training to capturing cutting-edge defense technology, our team delivers mission-ready storytelling with maximum impact and minimal footprint, redefining how the military and defense industries share their stories with the public and inspire the next generation.
Mission Impact




SE Media is redefining how the military and defense industries approach marketing and storytelling. Our lean, purpose-built model replaces the slow, bureaucratic processes of legacy PR and marketing agencies with a lean, agile team that embeds directly with units and industry partners. Our on-site crew of 3 to 4 can accomplish in a matter of days what often takes a traditional crew of 15+ significantly longer with much more coordination. Our turnaround time for multi-tiered content campaigns is measured in weeks, not months, allowing partners to respond quickly to strategic priorities.
We specialize in translating complex missions into clear, engaging narratives and bringing the human story of the millions of Americans powering our military and innovating behind the scenes. Every production yields long and short-form videos, vertical edits, still imagery, and interview soundbites in a single production cycle. These assets are evergreen, used in recruitment offices, at events and trade show booths, and shared directly with recruits to visually demonstrate unique career opportunities.
Our impact is not limited to digital metrics, though the results are significant with billions of impressions and hundreds of millions of views. In one example, during a period of uncertainty about NATO’s future, we documented a multi-nation anti-submarine warfare exercise in the GIUK gap. As the first filmmaker granted access, we showed how U.S. and allied forces train together to defend this strategic corridor. The film reached audiences worldwide, reinforcing the importance of NATO to America’s security, the stability of allied nations, and the defense of global waters.
Our ROI is proven, driving measurable engagement from both future recruits and industry stakeholders. SE Media is the only team built from the ground up to operate in this space, combining operational access, creative expertise, and unmatched speed to deliver mission-ready storytelling that achieves real results.