The Luxury Item with Scott Kerr

Scott Kerr talks with Natural Diamond Council CEO David Kellie about how the $80 billion diamond industry is regaining its sparkle thanks to stuck-at-home consumers and "emotional asset" seekers. He also discusses how the pandemic ignited new and faster ways of doing business, the importance of understanding consumer sentiment, the radical digital transformation of the diamond industry, and the NDC's new program offering $1 million to BIPOC designers. Plus: New insights on why Millennials and Gen Z are buying diamonds Featuring: David Kellie, Chief Executive Officer of the Natural Diamond Council (naturaldiamonds.com) Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting About The Luxury Item podcast: The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry. Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertoneconsulting Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Rémy Cointreau USA Chief Executive Officer Ian McLernon sits down with The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr to discuss navigating the French wine & spirits company through a world of "volatility, uncertainty, chaos, and ambiguity" and which alcohol industry trends will persist amidst a slow return to pre-covid life. McLernon talks about the expansion of Rémy Cointreau's e-commerce strategy, including its partnership with online alcohol delivery service Drizly and launch of an immersive "e-boutique" for its high-end Louis XIII cognac; how centuries-old legacy brands "innovate" and why sustainability is instilled in everything they do. Plus: The story behind Cointreau's "Love Letter" ad in the Super Bowl Featuring: Ian McLernon, Chief Executive Officer of Rémy Cointreau USA (remy-cointreau.com) Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting (silvertoneconsulting.com) About The Luxury Item podcast: The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry. Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertoneconsulting Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Alessandro Farmeschi, CEO Americas at Lamborghini talks with The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr about the factors contributing to the Italian luxury sports-car company's record-breaking 2020 sales, and why its best-selling Urus "super-sport utility vehicle" has changed the perception of Lamborghini. Farmeschi also discusses how Lamborghini's strategic focus on digital marketing has paid off in areas like social media, virtual reality, video, and CRM. He also talks about Lamborghini's collaborations with LEGO and Supreme, shifts in owner demographics, and why Lamborghini isn't jumping on the Bitcoin bandwagon yet. Plus: Will the upcoming Tesla Roadster be a threat? Featuring: Alessandro Farmeschi, Chief Executive Officer Americas at Automobili Lamborghini (lamborghini.com) Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting (silvertoneconsulting.com) About The Luxury Item podcast: The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry. Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertoneconsulting Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

François-Xavier Hotier, President of Ulysse Nardin Americas talks with The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr about how the 175-year-old Swiss luxury watch brand has shown resilience through the crisis and the accelerated transformation of the industry. Hotier discusses the importance of Kering's acquisition of Ulysse Nardin, his role of maintaining desirability for the brand, its new digital platforms to reach younger buyers, and the shifting attitudes and behaviors of luxury watch customers. He also explains Ulysse Nardin's unique approach to participating in luxury watch auctions, and why the brand is committed to sustainability and ocean conservation. Plus: Ulysse Nardin will never release a smartwatch Featuring: François-Xavier Hotier, President of Ulysse Nardin Americas Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting About The Luxury Item podcast: The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry. Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertoneconsulting Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Laurence Lim Dally, Founder and Managing Director, Cherry Blossoms Intercultural Branding talks with Scott Kerr about what it means to be feminine in China today and what luxury marketers can do to resonate with the new generation of Chinese women. Lim Dally discusses how she launched her agency to help brands to improve their cultural intelligence, how Chinese femininities are evolving, the cultural gap between China and the West, and the emerging "loneliness economy" as well as other important microtrends in China that luxury marketers should be aware of. Plus: How Western luxury brands should approach their messaging during Chinese New Year Featuring: Laurence Lim Dally, Founder & Managing Director, Cherry Blossoms Intercultural Branding Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting About The Luxury Item podcast: The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry. Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertoneconsulting Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Scott Kerr sits down with Nadia Tuma-Weldon, senior vice president of McCann Worldgroup's Truth Central, its global intelligence unit — she also leads the company's global luxury practice. Tuma-Weldon was recently named as one of the "Luxury Women to Watch in 2021" by Luxury Daily and she joined the podcast to talk about the changing luxury consumer. Tuma-Weldon talks about how Truth Central helps clients understand "enduring truths" that shape consumer behaviors and attitudes and how a Tastemakers Council at McCann fueled the launch of the global luxury practice. She also discusses why luxury is an antidote to these unprecedented times, why affluent consumers have gravitated to "the bottom of the luxury hierarchy model" during the crisis, and how luxury brands can play a role in the wellness ecosystem. Plus: Why Tuma-Weldon takes issue with the whole "experiences" versus "things" debate. Featuring: Nadia Tuma-Weldon is SVP, Director of Truth Central at McCann Worldgroup Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting About The Luxury Item podcast: The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry. Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertoneconsulting Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr sits down with Rebecca Foerster, President of Alrosa USA — the world's leading diamond mining company. Foerster talks about the pandemic crippling the global diamond supply chain, and how the "responsible behavior" of Alrosa and other diamond mining companies helped keep the industry afloat. Foerster also discusses how the crisis forced the slow evolving diamond industry to quickly embrace digital solutions, why young people are still buying diamonds, how lab-grown diamonds have been a "wake-up call" to the industry, and what marketing messages diamonds should be telling right now, and more. Plus: When we come out of this crisis what sector will be the main competitor to diamond jewelry. Featuring: Rebecca Foerster, President of Alrosa USA  Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting About The Luxury Item podcast: The Luxury Item is a podcast on the business of luxury and the people and companies that are shaping the future of the luxury industry. Stay Connected: Twitter: @theluxuryitem, @scott_kerr, @silvertoneconsulting Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Hi. This is Scott Kerr, creator and host of The Luxury Item podcast. Happy New Year! This past December, we wrapped up our second season of the show. I don’t have to tell you that 2020 was a year like no other - a pivotal one in history. The coronavirus pandemic transformed how we live and work in ways we hardly imagined at the beginning of 2020. It significantly impacted businesses and the economy, and pressed companies to rethink and reconfigure their strategies for a changed world. The luxury industry was hammered hard, as the crisis decimated demand for luxury goods. As a result, two-thirds of the sector’s operating profit disappeared. It was the biggest drop ever for the luxury industry and it could take up to three years to recover. Over the course of that time, on “The Luxury Item Podcast” I spoke to executives, creatives, innovators, and analysts across the luxury industry about how they have been navigating this unprecedented period, and planning for future growth. Guests also addressed the changing luxury landscape and shared useful lessons that can be applied to our own business strategies - which is the whole point of the show. One thing for sure about 2020 is I couldn’t have done The Luxury Item Podcast without my listeners and amazing guests. Thank you for supporting the show and sticking by us as we grew. I’m so grateful to each and every one of you. Now we're back for a third season, debuting January 12th. Expect more conversations with world-class business leaders on topics that matter most for the global luxury industry. Luxury is often one of the first industries to take a hit in times of crisis, but it is also one of the most resilient sectors there is. So, here’s to the luxury industry rolling with the punches, adapting to changes and bouncing back stronger in 2021. Expect accelerated online channel growth, reimagined physical stores, shifting category sales, new ways people think and behave, an even greater demand for sustainability, diversity and inclusivity will be a key priority, and China will continue on its journey to be the world’s largest luxury market. The Luxury Item podcast will be right there as it’s all happening. Season 3 of The Luxury Item podcast comes your way on January 12th wherever you get your podcasts. A Silvertone Consulting production. This is Scott Kerr. See you soon. Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting About Silvertone Consulting (silvertoneconsulting.com): Silvertone Consulting builds go-to brands that add value to people's lives. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Six Senses CEO Neil Jacobs talks with Scott Kerr about navigating the wellness-driven global luxury resort brand during the pandemic and how it's innovating to meet new guest expectations. Jacobs, who took the helm of Six Senses in 2012, talks about how wellness and sustainability values are in the DNA of the company's culture, right down to the way it builds and designs its properties. He also explains why affluent travelers have been more resilient, what the new meaning of luxury travel is, why it's increasing its digital marketing investment, and why Six Senses is taking "a much deeper approach" to mental wellness. Plus: Neil shares some of the most important things he's learned from the crisis when it comes to his hosts, guests, and employees. Featuring: Neil Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting About Silvertone Consulting (silvertoneconsulting.com): Silvertone Consulting builds go-to brands that add value to people's lives. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Nicola Nice, founder and CEO of craft spirits brand Pomp & Whimsy, joins The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr to talk about how her research on the female consumer inspired her to create and launch a gin cordial targeted singularly to women. Nicola also discusses her journey and hurdles in growing the business, why "the brand is everything" in premium spirits, and how Pomp & Whimsy doubled its sales in midst of the pandemic. She talks about gender stereotyping in spirits marketing and why women continue to face a huge gender gap in startup funding. Plus: As an entrepreneur, Nicola shares what gets her up in the morning. Featuring: Nicola Nice, Founder and Owner of Pomp & Whimsy (@pompandwhimsy) Host: Scott Kerr, Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting About Silvertone Consulting (silvertoneconsulting.com): Silvertone Consulting builds go-to brands that add value to people's lives. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com