Month: April 2023

Be it smoky tequila or exceptionally smooth prestige tequila, Patrón is seemingly on a mission to make your sipping experience more streamlined than ever, and that shines through quite nicely with the launch of new Patrón El Cielo, distilled four times in an industry-leading first.

That the spirit arrives in time for Cinco de Mayo is certainly optimal timing, but with El Cielo, the distiller looks to make the case that the right tequila can be enjoyed at just about any time, anywhere and for any occasion.

The distiller notes the tequila (the result of more than 150 careful tasting sessions to hone in on the right flavor) boasts an “incomparable taste” and a “bright, fresh and radiantly smooth finish,” complete with a touch of sweetness and citrus notes.

For optimal results, the tequila can be enjoyed over ice with a slice of orange, a further nod to how smooth this tequila goes down on hot summer days (Cinco de Mayo very much included).

The final product is a ” testament to the countless hours, passionate experimentations and extraordinary lengths” that Patrón goes to in the process of crafting its tequila.

It makes sense, after all: Competition is stiff in the fast-growing tequila market these days (even Michael Jordan is in the tequila game these days).

And Patrón notes that the four-times distillation process is, in this case, a marker of quality and smoothness, rather than trying to mask imperfections in the liquid itself.

incredibly enough, the distiller also notes that the spirit can be used in a martini, an ever-more innovative touch that’s sure to shake up more than a few Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

The bottle itself is an elevated experience in its own right, with clean lines and touches of gold included as a tribute to the volcanic tahona stone used in the production process.

The famed distiller notes that it’s the “masterful production process” one that “redefines silver tequila,” that lifts this bottle to another level.

Accordingly, El Cielo gets a premium price tag: It’s available on Drizly and ReserveBar for an SRP of $129.

Spend wisely, take the time to savor this tequila and clear some space in your bar cart: This might not be the last bottle of El Cielo you buy this spring and summer.

After nearly a quarter-century absence, the first Land Rover Defender came back to the U.S. in 2020 via the four-door 110. Shortly after came the shorter, two-door Defender 90. This year, the longest Defender 130’s arrival completed the trio’s stateside return.

As if to say the entire Defender lineup is now “back (and) in black” in America, Land Rover is marking the occasion with a murdered-out Outbound trim for the new Defender 130.

While it shares the same 119-inch chassis as the Defender 110, the standard Defender 130’s body is extended by 13.5 inches, pushing the total length to 211 inches from head to tail. The additional length accommodates a usable third row of seating, pushing total occupancy to eight. The 130 is meant to be the most luxurious Defender, complete with creature comforts like heated third-row seating and more refined materials.

The Defender 130 Outbound doubles down hard on luxury and cargo space, so much so that the trim is available exclusively in a five-seat configuration. The interior is finished elegantly in the customer’s choice of full Windsor leather or a tougher, high-end “Resist” pleather, plus an Ebony Morzine headliner, a durable Robustec veneer and the Defender’s trademark cross-cabin beam in Satin Powder Coat Brush.

The Outbound offers the most cargo space of any Defender by far. There’s nearly 47 cubic-feet with the second row deployed, compared to the 13.7 cubic feet offered by the standard Defender 130 and its third row. When the Defender 130 Outbound’s second row is stowed, that cargo space increases to nearly 89 cubic feet.

All that said, Land Rover only really provided a good view of the exterior, and it looks sharp. While not technically all-black, the combination of blacks, grays and dashes of white give the Defender 130 Outbound an almost menacing aesthetic edge that’s completed by a Shadow Atlas Matt bumper and gloss-black 22-inch wheels.

Power comes exclusively from the 395-hp 3.0-liter inline six. While the longer body does decrease departure angle, the Defender 130 Outbound is still a plenty-capable off-road vehicle, with an electronic air suspension featuring up to 17 inches of travel and and 35.5 inches of wading ability.

The Defender 130 Outbound is available to order now starting at $84,500. Get more details on Land Rover’s website.

James Gardner is a remarkably interesting and accomplished man, who, perhaps more than any other individual, has helped put Tulum, Mexico on the map as one of the coolest and most desirable destinations on the planet.

A lifelong innovator and entrepreneur, the preternaturally stylish, UK-born Gardner started his career in London before moving to New York City, where he became a successful Wall Street algorithmic-trading leader; and then moved on to build one the first and digital and e-commerce businesses taking major fashion and luxury brands online. 

After nine years building the business to 400 employees across NYC, London, and Milan, he decided to “take his career in an entirely new direction and entered the luxury hospitality space,” and at the end of 2013 moved to Tulum, his home away from home, with longtime partner Andrew Cramer.

Together they opened Gitano Tulum, where James saw an opportunity to “look at hospitality differently, and through a fashion lens.” This inspired the creation of Grupo Gitano, founded in 2017, which has grown exponentially in the last few years.

Gitano now has five properties across Mexico and the U.S.A., including Gitano Tulum, Gitano Beach, Meze Tulum and Gitano Miami Beach, with more on the way. Here Gardner gives the lowdown on his haute-bohemian, luxury hospitality empire:

What first attracted you to Tulum? When did you first go there, and what inspired you to open a restaurant? 

“I was first introduced to Tulum by insiders in the fashion industry over 20 years ago when it was Mexico’s best-kept secret, a chic place by those in the know. Of course, we fell in love with the incredible natural beauty, but also with the direct flight to [nearby] Cancun from NYC. It feels a very similar distance to Miami but a whole other world.”

“While it was beautiful, with miles of white sand beaches, it didn’t have much else in terms of hotels, food, beverage, and entertainment. When we were in St Barths or other destinations, we would often wish Tulum just had somewhere to get dressed up for dinner. Then, the universe opened the door, and we created Gitano to fill that desire!”

What was your original concept for Gitano and how has it evolved since?

“Initially, Gitano was a small mezcal bar with a tiny kitchen and a very small menu of snacks. But my vision from the beginning was to build a dramatic and glamorous dinner and dancing destination in the jungle of Tulum, and from this platform we decided to create a global brand, more of a lifestyle and culture brand than just a restaurant.”

He adds, “And I do believe we have achieved this. The vision remains true and strong—looking at hospitality through a fashion lens if you like, keeping it chic and fun, and never taking ourselves too seriously. “

What is your approach to hospitality, and your thoughts on blending restaurants with nightclubs? 

“I try to approach everything that I do with a beginner’s mind, and in this case, it was a literal beginner’s mind, in that I had no hospitality experience—beyond my own extensive and very fun life having eaten at all the best restaurants and attended the hottest fashion shows, parties, and clubs in NYC, London, Paris and, Milan over the years. I also like to do things differently and do things that I know I would like, believing there are many other likeminded people out there.”

“And this formula has worked. I had a very clear vision from the beginning of dinner and dancing, integrating the two seamlessly, inspired by the glamorous supper clubs of old—meets a fabulous party in Ibiza or Mykonos.”

“I remember very early on I was having dinner with a famous NYC Chef at Gitano, and he told me he didn’t think you can blend restaurants and nightlife. Well, I believe we have shown that you absolutely can and people love it!”

How would you describe your customers in Tulum? Has the profile of visitors changed over the years? 

“Tulum became known for the ‘Gypset’—well-educated, creative, curious, high-income, high-net-worth, global travelers that it attracted in the early years of Gitano. Assouline published Julia Chaplin’s [expanded] Tulum Gypset book that features Gitano just a couple of years ago.”

“Development in Tulum has exploded over the last few years”—he notes an airport is being built there—”and with that it has become more widely known and therefore much more commercial. Chic people absolutely still come but the audience overall is much more diverse, and we think diversity is a great thing at Gitano!”

How did you decide on the menus for all locations? 

“Our menus have really evolved quite beautifully and organically over the years. We started off serving snacks from a very small kitchen back in 2013-14, and then we collaborated with Noma alum Mad Refslund in 2017 when Noma did a pop-up in Tulum.”

“In 2019 we hired our Executive Chef Antonio Maldonaldo from Puebla in Mexico to open our Gitano Miami property, and today I would say we deliver some of the best modern Mexican food in the world at our locations in Tulum, Miami Beach, and New York City.”

What future plans do you have for the Gitano brand? 

“Gitano Mexico Citry! We partnered with an operator in Mexico City for what was a very successful pop-up during Zona Maco 2022. We are now working with them to completely redesign and rebuild the property to open officially later this year.”

“Casa Gitano! We are working on launching our full hospitality offering on the beach in Tulum including hotel rooms, and will be able to share more on this at a later date. Our guests have long asked to stay with us and we think this will be a big success. We are also looking forward to expanding to other locations from L.A. to Dubai. But again it’s too early to share more on this.”

“Gitano Island! Summer is coming in NYC and we are getting ready to open what I believe is our most dramatic and spectacular property to date, a 27,000-sq.-ft. waterfront restaurant and beach lounge on Governors Island.

It is quite literally an escape from NYC with just a five-minute boat ride from downtown. The ferry terminal is inside the gorgeous Battery Maritime building which also houses Casa Cirpiani. We served 54,000 guests last summer in a truncated season, we didn’t open until July, and we expect that number to double this year.”

Presented by Ernest Sturm

Social media has revolutionized how businesses promote their products and services in today’s digital age. With the rise of influencer marketing, brands no longer solely rely on traditional advertising methods to reach their target audience. Instead, they are partnering with influential personalities on social media to showcase their products and increase brand awareness.

As a result, the influencer marketing industry has experienced explosive growth in recent years, with more and more brands recognizing the importance of collaborating with top influencers, celebrities, and supermodels. But how do you find the right people to partner with? 

This is where Runway Influence comes in. Based in Los Angeles, Runway Influence is a premier branding and marketing agency that boasts an enviable global network of today’s most celebrated models, celebrities, and influencers. From Candice Swanepoel to Alessandra Ambrosio, Sara Sampaio, and Emily DiDonato, the agency works with some of the most well-known names in the industry to help brands take their social media marketing games to the next level. 

The impact of Runway Influence’s work can be seen in the brands it has partnered with, from established powerhouses like Adidas and McLaren to up-and-coming tastemakers like Talentless, Wildfox, and Joah Brown. With a focus on providing a wide spectrum of services, from brand development to influencer marketing campaigns, account growth, and influencer engagement, Runway Influence has quickly established itself as a one-stop shop for all your influencer marketing needs.

But what sets Runway Influence apart from other agencies in the space? For starters, they’re always ahead of the game. With a dedication to market research and a focus on staying ahead of the curve, Runway Influence constantly looks for new and innovative ways to help its clients succeed.

They also offer a range of services designed to accommodate their clients’ every need, from targeted account growth to organic engagement from top influencers, account verification on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter, and even high-tier press and media in top publications.

One of the standout success stories from Runway Influence’s impressive portfolio was for the brand Wildfox Couture. The agency’s team of experts curated a selection of talented influencers and arranged a two-day Coachella shoot featuring models Rachel Cook, Jena Frumes, Kylie Rae, Celine Farach, and Kyra Santoro.

This campaign not only generated significant exposure for the brand but also produced visually stunning and engaging content. The influencers worked their magic, and their followers took notice, resulting in an incredible spike in brand recognition and social media engagement. 

“The girls did an amazing job, and our client was extremely happy with the results,” shares the agency’s founder and CEO. In fact, this attention to detail and ability to match the right influencers to the right brands is another factor in Runway Influence’s success. 

“The key to successful influencer campaigns is, of course, the talent you book,” the CEO explains. “Not every girl or guy with a million followers will bring the needed and wanted results. Not every influencer will be good for your brand, no matter how extensive their reach is. We look not only for influencers with strong numbers but also talent that fits the brand and its image. We also focus on influencers who perform when it comes to generating exposure as well as ROI.”

The CEO’s background in luxury events marketing and running a nationwide events company, Runway Waiters, only adds to the agency’s level of expertise. Through that company, the CEO has successfully built relationships with some of the world’s biggest and most luxurious brands in the world. From Tom Ford to Louis Vuitton and Rolls-Royce, Runway Influence has built lasting relationships with some of the most prominent brands in the world. However, this process took time. 

“When I first started curating influencer marketing, I didn’t understand how you REALLY needed to personalize everything, including personalities,” shares RWI’s CEO.

“I had hired influencers for an event and didn’t realize how badly their personalities clashed and essentially was a mediator the entirety of the Instagram campaign. I essentially had a reality show on my hands in the worst way possible. I had to constantly soften situations and worked harder dealing with keeping things ‘nice’ than anything else.” 

This experience was an eye-opener. It forced the team to critically assess the models on its roster and understand everyone’s needs and strengths. This enabled them to match people who work well together on different projects, a balancing act that has served the team well. Understanding the models’ personalities has also helped cultivate and foster positive relationships.

By leveraging these relationships and expertise, the CEO has scaled Runway Influence into a premier social media marketing company working with top model influencers in the US, UK, and Australia. The brand is responsible for some of the most successful influencer campaigns for some of the most renowned brands in the world today.

Like most businesses, COVID forced Runway Influence to pivot and improve its efficiency. “The pandemic forced a mindset shift, and we’ve worked hard to be flexible and creative during these trying times,” Runway Influence’s CEO shares.

“I think that’s the key to success—being flexible and pivoting rather than throwing in the towel when times get tough. If you can turn a problematic situation into an opportunity for yourself and others to grow, then success will surely follow.”

For them, the goal is simple: to make the agency a powerhouse in the influencer marketing space. They want to be known as the go-to agency for any social media branding and marketing needs, especially when it comes to booking top model influencers and celebrities. With technology constantly evolving, Runway Influence is poised to go wherever it leads, always striving to offer unique services that help its clients stay ahead of the competition.

In a world where digital and social media marketing plays a significant role in business development, Runway Influence is leading the charge. With their extensive network of top-tier talent and a commitment to innovation, they’re the agency you can trust to help you reach your target audience and achieve your marketing goals. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take your brand to new heights with the help of this premier influencer marketing agency.