The Luxury Item with Scott Kerr

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

Cleo Anderson, founder and CEO of award-winning luxury PR agency The Anderson Media Group, talks with The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr about the state of the public relations business; how her law and French degrees helped get her company off the ground; changes in the business over the last 10 years and how she's been advising clients during the pandemic. Anderson also talks about the agency's new innovative services to assist cash-strapped clients, getting clients' products into Oscars gift bags, and working with Tyra Banks on new projects. Plus: Luxury travel trends for 2021 Featuring: Cleo Anderson, Founder and CEO of The Anderson Media Group Host: Scott Kerr (@scott_kerr), Founder & President of Silvertone Consulting About Silvertone Consulting: Silvertone Consulting builds go-to brands that adds value to people's lives. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Patrick Knowles, one of the world's leading luxury yacht designers, talks with Scott Kerr about what the ultra-wealthy are dreaming up for their vessels as the pandemic has brought about a spike in yacht sales. Patrick discusses why billionaires are buying bigger boats, how the pre-pandemic in-person design process has shifted to video and yielding more "concise" results, and why wealthy Millennials have a "disposable luxury" mindset when designing their yachts. Plus: Knowles shares why he hasn't been asked to design yachts with Amazon Alexa built into them. Featuring: Patrick Knowles, Founder of Patrick Knowles Designs Host: Scott Kerr (@scott_kerr), founder & president of Silvertone Consulting About Silvertone Consulting: Silvertone Consulting is a brand strategy firm that builds and reimagines brands in changing times. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Annie Wang, vice president, head of marketing at Artnet talks with Scott Kerr about why the art world has been stubbornly slow to embrace the digital realm and why its forced shift online by the pandemic could be permanent. Wang also discusses how artists are successfully using D2C strategies to sell their work through social platforms like Instagram and the surprising affinity of high net worth Millennials to the art market. Plus: Wang explains why female artists remain at a severe disadvantage in the commercial market. Featuring: Annie Wang, Vice President, Head of Marketing at Artnet Host: Scott Kerr (@scott_kerr), founder & president of Silvertone Consulting About Silvertone Consulting: Silvertone Consulting is a brand strategy firm that helps companies build go-to brands in changing times. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Ryan Serhant, real estate industry mogul and star of Bravo TV's two-time Emmy-nominated 'Million Dollar Listing New York' talks with Scott Kerr about the launch of his new real estate brokerage SERHANT and how it will disrupt the traditional model. Serhant discusses how their digital and social set-up put them in a better position to sell during quarantine, and why New York City real estate will rebound in 2021 for a good "seven to ten year run." He also talks about using data and predictive analytics to sell smarter. Plus: Serhant on what luxury brand can learn from him, and how a kid watching one of his YouTube videos led to a $10 million sale. Featuring: Ryan Serhant, Founder & CEO of SERHANT. (IG @raynserhant) Host: Scott Kerr (@scott_kerr), founder & president of Silvertone Consulting About Silvertone Consulting: Silvertone Consulting is a brand strategy firm that helps companies build go-to brands in changing times. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Top-ranked luxury sector analyst and author Erwan Rambourg talks with The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr about his new book “Future Luxe: What's Ahead for the Business of Luxury", and trends that will reshape luxury over the next decade. Rambourg discusses how evidence of "survival spending" is helping fuel luxury's rebound and why women's influence on luxury spending and representation on company boards will continue to intensify. He predicts a new era of M&A frenzy of big luxury players gobbling up vulnerable family-owned brands, and consumers reallocating traditional luxury goods spending into new premium realms like health, leisure, travel, and even cannabis. Plus: Rambourg weighs in on the possible outcomes and implications of the ongoing LVMH / Tiffany deal saga. Featuring: Erwan Rambourg, Luxury analyst and author of “Future Luxe: What's Ahead for the Business of Luxury” Host: Scott Kerr (@scott_kerr), founder & president of Silvertone Consulting About Silvertone Consulting: Silvertone Consulting is a brand strategy firm that helps companies build go-to brands in changing times. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com

Highsnobiety co-founder Jeff Carvalho talks with The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr about how streetwear and sneakers have not only infiltrated luxury fashion, but became it. Carvalho discusses Highsnobiety's recent capsule collection with H&M, the luxury industry's retreat from tailored menswear back to streetwear due to the pandemic, the history of luxury's love affair with street fashion, and how the Highsnobiety business model and content have evolved since it launched in 2005 as a niche sneaker blog. Plus: Why achieving cultural credibility is a must for today's young luxury consumers Featuring: Jeff Carvalho, Co-Founder of Highsnobiety Host: Scott Kerr (@scott_kerr), founder & president of Silvertone Consulting About Silvertone Consulting: Silvertone Consulting is a brand strategy firm that helps companies build go-to brands in changing times. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com Newsletter: brilliantcut.substack.com