The Luxury Item with Scott Kerr

Rebecca Ross, a Watch Specialist at Christie's, talks with Scott Kerr about the luxury watch industry, and how the COVID-19 pandemic forced the world's top auction house to shift from live to online-only auctions; how the online auction format has found a new crop of luxury watch bidders, many of them under 40-years-old. Ross also discusses the success of Christie's recent innovative four-venue global "ONE" sale and the growing opportunities for women in the male-dominated watch industry. Plus: Ross shares her thoughts on how Instagram has changed the world of watch collecting and the impact of smartwatches on the luxury watch industry. Featuring: Rebecca Ross, Watch Specialist at Christie's Auction House Host: 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

Jet It founder & CEO Glenn Gonzales talks with Scott Kerr about how wealthy fliers and business executives who are worried about Coronavirus are turning to private jet services as an alternative to commercial flights. Glenn explains the growing popularity of fractional private jet ownership, and why Jet It's hybrid fractional program is a better value proposition. He also talks about how Jet It is meeting the increased demand for his services since the pandemic started, the types of customers its attracting, and how it's disrupting the industry. Plus: Gonzales gives his thoughts on how private air travel can continue to ride the positive tailwinds and grow. Featuring: Glenn Gonzales, Founder & CEO of Jet It 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 Instagram: @theluxuryitem Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com

Hello, this is Scott Kerr, your host of the Luxury Item podcast. First, I want to thank my listeners from around the world for making Season 1 of The Luxury Item a huge success. The podcast would not be where it is now if it weren’t for you. I also appreciate all the positive feedback on the show. I’m also here to tell you that Season 2 of The Luxury Item launches very soon with all new episodes, and amazing guests offering fresh perspectives on the luxury industry and its uncertain future. I’m hoping the insights that emerge in Season 2 of The Luxury Item will help you rethink your strategic focus and adapt to evolving market sentiments. Season 2 drops on July 28th. If you’re not already subscribed to The Luxury Item, just hit “subscribe” and the episodes will automatically drop into your podcast feed. The Luxury Item is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever else you listen to podcasts.

Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Luxury Daily Mickey Khan talks with The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr about the impact of the coronavirus crisis on the luxury industry. He discusses his reasons why the luxury industry will bounce back (again), and which consumers will most likely not return to luxury shopping for awhile. Khan shares some of the biggest lessons he's learned from covering the pandemic since it started affecting luxury goods sales in China. He also talks about the future role of department stores, and why having strong digital, e-commerce, and customer service strategies will be key to a luxury brand's survival. Khan discusses how an upended luxury travel industry will change, and whether social media influencers will matter in a post-covid world. Plus: When the U.S. emerges from quarantine, don't expect the same revenge spending as in China, and sustainability will now have to take a backseat to safety. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem and @scott_kerr, Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com

Executive Editor of Wine Spectator Thomas Matthews talks with The Luxury Item's Scott Kerr about booming wines sales during the coronavirus pandemic, and if new consumption habits formed will stick around in the future; He also discusses why e-commerce is now business critical for the wine industry, and how consumers are turning to more familiar wine brands during times of crisis; He also shares his thoughts on celebrities who have wine brands or own wineries, and which celebrity wines are worth sipping. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem and @scott_kerr, Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com

Cigar Aficionado executive editor David Savona talks with Scott Kerr about state of the cigar business, and why the market for premium cigars continues to grow; He talks about his recent trip to Cuba for the annual Habano Cigar Festival, and the how the economic pressures from the U.S. are impacting the country and the cigrar market; Savona describes what it's like to walk through Cuban cigar factories and the lure of a fine Cuban cigar; He also talks about how cigars turned from a passing hobby in college into being one of the world's foremost experts on cigars, and writing about it in Cigar Aficionado; Savona provides his take on why the cigar market continues to thrive, despite the "disruption" of the US government, and how women are playing a bigger role in the cigar business. Plus: Savona shares how founder Marvin Shanken - who was already published Wine Spectator magazine - was inspired to launch Cigar Aficionado in the early 90's after spending a week touring the tobacco fields and factories of Cuba. He also talks about Shanken's controversial interview with Fidel Castro for one of the issues. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem and @scott_kerr, Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com

Daniel Curtis, founder & CEO of Robb Vices talks with Scott Kerr about his luxury subscription box, which was born out of his family's company Robb Report Magazine. He talks about how an epiphany moment with a top client led him to create the idea of a luxury subscription box; Curtis shares how he and his team look at current and emerging global trends to come up with the box themes and products each month; He talks about having a "built-in word-of-mouth marketing backbone" that grows their business, and how it takes a true open mind to subscribe to unknown luxury products; Curtis also discusses how he keeps churn rates low, subscribers engaged between box deliveries, and measuring success. Finally, he offers some tips to anyone thinking about getting into the subscription box business. Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem and @scott_kerr, Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com

Milton Pedraza, CEO of The Luxury Institute talks with Scott Kerr about starting the organization when he saw an opportunity for research in a growing luxury economy. He discusses why luxury retailers should incorporate emotional intelligence principles to turn sales associates into relationship builders; Milton also shares how he works with incumbent luxury brands that are seeking to get an edge in the market; The two discuss highlights from the Luxury Institute's latest State of the Luxury Industry 2020, why brands need to master omni-personal relationships, and the rising tide of true personalization; Plus: What global luxury experts have identified as the top trends likely to affect the luxury industry in 2020; Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem and @scott_kerr, Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com

Antonia Hock, Global Head of The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center talks with Scott Kerr about why the top luxury brand for hotel guest satisfaction decided to share the 'secret sauce' for its gold standard of customer experience with the rest of the world; how technology is impacting anticipatory services; what it was like to move from the tech industry to the luxury hospitality industry; Antonia shares what she thinks luxury means today and what consumers want from luxury; The two discuss how the concept of "service" fits into consumers' expectations; The need for more "wow moments" from brands and how to operationalize those moments; Antonia also shares how The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center gets heritage brands out of their comfort zone when it comes to service, why brands need to be doing more social listening, and more; Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem and @scott_kerr, Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com

Thomas Serrano, President of Havas Events North America and Havas Luxe talks with Scott Kerr about what goes behind producing a memorable and meaningful event experience for luxury clients. The two discuss how the financial crisis of 2008 impacted the luxury events business and how it bounced back, what the true meaning of a special event is, and measuring its ROI. Thomas also talks about the important role of the CEO at these events, and how some luxury brands are starting to sell exclusive products right at the event. Plus: Thomas shares a story about how his company orchestrated an unforgettable L'Oreal event for over 900 C-level international executives that featured an all-star cast of Broadway singers and a surprise performance by Aretha Franklin | Follow Us: Twitter @theluxuryitem and @scott_kerr, Email: scott@silvertoneconsulting.com