Prior to joining Axcess, Ilan worked in the finance industry at American Home Mortgage, as well as in retail with Armani Exchange. Ilan has extensive experience traveling abroad and is fluent in French and Spanish.

Prior to joining Axcess, Jaclyn worked at Lotame, a marketing technology company, and at Marquis Jet, where she supported priorities in the marketing and business development departments.

Jaclyn earned her BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Prior to joining Axcess Luxury and Lifestyle, Katelyn worked in Store Design for Van Cleef and Arpels, combining her design knowledge and brand development skills in the support of wholesale and retail construction build outs. She also lead the design management of residential projects ranging from $250K to $2.5MM.

Katelyn earned her BA in American History from Bucknell University.

The following new clients join the growing number of Luxury & Lifestyle, Mass Consumer, and Hospitality & Travel brands in the Axcess family. While the companies with which we now work span industries, products, and geographies, each is a leader in its respective field led by a management team that shares our belief in long-term relationships built on trust.

• • • Fisker Automotive has created the world’s first premium hybrid electric vehicle, the Fisker Karma. Founded almost five years ago by Henrik Fisker, an icon in the luxury automotive world, who created the Aston Martin DB9, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and the BMW Z8 Roadster, featured in the James Bond film, The World is Not Enough, Fisker Automotive is committed to environmental leadership without sacrificing luxury and performance. Our relationship with Fisker began through an introduction by our dear friend Mindy Grossman, the CEO of HSNi, who sits on the company’s Board of Directors. As part of our efforts to help Fisker grow into a premier luxury brand, we will be partnering with marketing innovator eMaxx Partners, Fisker’s virtual ad agency.
    • Solange Azagury-Partridge is one of the most coveted jewelry designers in the world. Handpicked by Tom Ford in 2001 to become creative director of Boucheron, she spent three years in Place Vendôme re-inventing a modern and fresh image for this traditional jewelry house. Her exquisite collections are unconventional in design and sought-after in allure. Many of the brand’s iconic pieces are layered with cultural depths, poised between pop art and ancient mysticism, and appeal to a truly discerning clientele. Both her pieces for Boucheron and her own label are part of the jewellery permanent collection of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and Victoria & Albert museum in London. Our relationship with Solange Azagury-Partridge began with a previous collaboration with Josephine Campanella, Solange’s USA retail director.
    • Vertu is the creator of the world’s most luxurious mobile phones, combining pioneering design, luxury components (sapphire crystal displays, ruby bearings, precision-made Swiss watch screws, precious gems, metals and leathers), and technology. Vertu offers an unrivalled range of exclusive services including complimentary 24-hour concierge service, designed to ensure a Vertu owner’s life is beautifully arranged. Additionally, Vertu owners have access to private member clubs worldwide, unique on-device content and applications, including location aware city briefs, personal security and risk management services and exclusive opportunities that are tailored to a Vertu owner’s passion points. Our relationship with Vertu began with previous initiatives with managing director Casey Armstrong.
    • Viking Range Corporation is one of America’s great success stories. Considered the gold standard in its category and the benchmark for gourmets, Viking was founded by its visionary leader, Fred Carl, Jr. a fourth-generation building contractor. Thirty years later, Viking continues to be based where it was founded – in Greenwood, Mississippi – and sells its major appliances in all 50 states and 80 countries worldwide. Our relationship with Viking began with previous collaborations with Frontgate.
    • Cornerstone Brands, Inc. is an industry leader in direct marketing and multi-channel merchandising. With eight brands in its portfolio—each leaders in their respective categories of home and outdoor leisure goods and casual apparel—Cornerstone continues to expand brand awareness and drive measurable sales through its brand e-commerce websites and almost 300 million annually circulated catalogues. Acquired by HSNi in 2005, Cornerstone Brands’ impressive list of companies include, most notably, Ballard Designs, Frontgate, Garnet Hill, and Grandin Road. Our relationship with Cornerstone Brands, and their CEO Mark Ethier, began through our ongoing relationship with HSNi.
    • Montage Hotels and Resorts, founded in 2002 by visionary hotelier Alan Fuerstman, is redefining luxury in the hospitality industry. With three properties currently under management—the iconic Laguna Beach, Deer Valley, and Beverly Hills hotel—Montage Hotels and Resorts is elevating the hospitality experience for affluent travelers and their families. Our relationship with the Montage brand began with an introduction from Jonathan Tisch to Chris Smith, managing director for Ohana Real Estate Investors, who oversees the Ohana real estate portfolio that includes sales efforts for Montage Residences and with whom we have worked closely for the past year.
    • Norwegian Cruise Line, founded in 1966, is a pioneer in the cruise line industry and is responsible for implementing many innovations that have become operating standards for cruise lines today. With over 120 ports of call and a fleet of 12 extraordinary vessels, Norwegian puts the travel schedule into the guests’ hands to create customized experiences by offering more onboard accommodations than any other cruise line, under its Freestyle Cruising slogan. Our relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line began with CEO Kevin Sheehan, a former colleague from my HFS days.
    • Timbers Resorts is a developer and operator of boutique, luxury private resorts and residence clubs that include ski, golf, and leisure and beach locations. Since 1999, Timbers Resorts has established a gracious portfolio of properties in the world’s most sought-after destinations. Throughout its history, Timbers Resorts has committed to being authentic, unique and respectful of the destination, focusing on family and experiences, and never compromising with regard to quality and service. Our relationship with Timbers Resorts began through a collaboration with our private aviation client, Sentient Jet.

As we welcome these new brands to the Axcess Family, we also celebrate a remarkable accomplishment by another Axcess Family member, Tequila Avión, a company led by longtime friends and partners Ken Austin and Jenna Fagnan. Just two years after it was founded, Tequila Avión was the single product most recognized among 1,200 entrants at last month’s World Spirits Competition. The judges at this authoritative event bestowed five awards on Tequila Avión, including “Best White Spirit in the World” and “Best Tequila in the World.”

In the coming months, we will continue to do what we do every day for our clients: Create inspired ideas and connect extraordinary brands and people. Please join me in welcoming the newest members of the Axcess Family and in congratulating Ken and Jenna on Tequila Avión’s continued success.

Best,

Kirk Posmantur
Chairman & CEO

Prior to joining Axcess, Andi worked at Ogilvy & Mather on the OgilvyEntertainment team, focusing on entertainment marketing and communications for an array of clients, and the Global New Business team, winning brands for the agency. She was part of the year-long Associates Program that allows employees to learn the ins-and-outs of the advertising industry from a unique perspective.

Andi graduated from The George Washington University in Washington, DC, earning a BA in Marketing with a focus on Advertising and also studied in Milan, Italy at multiple universities.

The attached photos and video link provide a glimpse of the ground-breaking partnership that we conceived and executed between Beats by Dr. Dre and Graff Diamonds. This partnership pairs two leading brands in completely different industries and customer segments in a manner that is disruptive and unparalleled. The result is a product that promises to be the most innovative and exciting partnership between the luxury and entertainment industries for 2012.

Producing exquisite, polished diamonds from rough sourced mines across the globe, Graff is a long-time member of the Axcess Worldwide family and produces the finest jewels in the world. Beats by Dr. Dre is a new family member as of this past year and is illustrative of our growth into mass consumer brands. It is the hottest high performance, personal audio brand on the planet. Almost a year after I introduced Henri Barguirdjian, Graff’s North American president, and Omar Johnson, Beats chief marketing officer, the wild idea of a marriage between these two incredible brands became a reality.

Unparalleled in its elegant design and technology, the Graff Diamonds headset is adorned with 114 carats in diamonds and more than three carats in rubies. Featuring over 1,600 precious stones painstakingly set along the earphones of a Beats Pro headset, this product is valued at over $1 million and is the epitome of ultra luxury. The Graff Diamonds Beats Headset will officially be released in the coming weeks (the first set has already sold). The headset’s unofficial debut during the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show was an incredible platform to present this partnership to the world.

This partnership is illustrative of what we work so hard to do every day for our clients: Create inspired ideas and connect extraordinary brands and people. Please join me in congratulating Graff Diamonds and Beats by Dr. Dre on one of the great partnerships of all time.

Best,

Kirk Posmantur
Chairman & CEO

Prior to joining Axcess Worldwide, Amanda worked as the director of sales and marketing for the American Talent Group speakers bureau. At American Talent Group, she developed highly successful speaking platforms for living brands in the political, sustainability, and technology arenas. From 2005-2010, Amanda served as a writer and editor at Real Simple magazine. In her last post as associate editor, Amanda worked closely with top authors, including John Grogan, Rebecca Walker, Sloane Crosley, and John Freeman.

Amanda earned her BA in English Language & Literature from the University of Virginia.

Mike serves on the Board of Directors of two publically traded companies, Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN), where he is the Chairman of the Audit Committee and is a Member of the Executive Committee, and Resource Global Professionals (NASDAQ: RECN), where he is a Member of the Audit Committee and a Member of the Compensation Committee.

Immediately prior to creating Axcess Ventures, Mike served as Chief Financial Officer of The Milestone Aviation Group, a global helicopter and private jet leasing company that he co-founded with Richard Santulli, the former Chairman of NetJets. At Milestone, Mike led the Company’s successful private equity raise of $500 million, which was completed in August 2010. In his role, he oversaw corporate financial matters and capital market and treasury related activities.

Before co-founding Milestone, from 2004 – 2009, Mike held various roles at NetJets, including as its’ Chief Financial Advisor, where he was actively involved in company-wide operational and financial analysis, including global fleet optimization, maintenance operating efficiency, refurbishment process review, negotiation with key global vendors, and sales and retention strategies.

From 1994 through 2000, Mike held various senior executive positions at Cendant Corporation and its predecessor company, HFS Incorporated. During this time, he developed the Company’s highly successful investor relations and corporate communications function, which in 1997 won the prestigious Barron’s Investor Relations Award. In 1998, Mike was named Chief Financial Officer of Cendant’s Alliance Marketing Division, with financial responsibility for fourteen distinct business units. He was subsequently appointed Chief Executive Office of one of Cendant’s operating divisions, with responsibility for the management of five disparate businesses comprised of 2,000 employees with over $500 million in revenues and $70 million of operating income. In 1999, Mike led the divestiture of this operating division. In doing so, he led negotiations and resultant divestiture of the five business units, which, together, raised a total of approximately $500 million.

Early in his career, Mike held a variety of finance-related roles at American Express, where his work entailed strategic planning, financial analysis, treasury operations and investor relations over an eight year period, and Price Waterhouse, where be began his career in 1980.

A Certified Public Accountant, Mike earned his BA from Rutgers University and his MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business. Mike assumes his position as the Chairman of Axcess Ventures after co-founding Axcess Worldwide with the Company’s Chairman, Kirk Posmantur, and President, Eric Sinoway.

When Delta began developing strategies to upgrade customer experiences at its airport-based Sky Clubs as part of a $2 billion investment to enhance its global products, Axcess was engaged to help by Delta Sky Clubs general manager Kelley Moore. The opportunity to lead Delta’s efforts to introduce spirits into Sky Clubs in a creative and meaningful manner was brought to us after a successful partnership we facilitated on Delta’s behalf with Audemars Piguet, whereby iconic Audemars Piguet Royal Oak clocks were featured in Delta Sky Clubs globally.

Tequila Avion’s selection as the signature spirit in Delta’s re-imagined Sky Club experience is another spectacular achievement for this hyper-growth company. Launched by Ken just 12 short months ago, Tequila Avion has become the hottest tequila in America. Delta’s decision to feature Tequila Avion and its mixologists in Sky Club Lounges in Atlanta, New York, Detroit, Boston, Miami, Los Angeles and beyond will further the brand’s reach as it continues to expand nationally and internationally.

Like many of our partnerships, the one between Delta and Tequila Avion was successfully achieved due to long term relationships built on trust. In some ways, it was 10 years in the making. Ken and I executed innumerable partnerships together during his tenure at Marquis Jet. The president he hired for Tequila Avion, Jenna Fagnan, is someone with whom we have worked closely for over a decade during her roles at Dom Perignon and Tag Heuer. We recommended her for the position when Ken asked us for assistance in identifying the perfect leader for Tequila Avion, which Jenna has become.

The partnership between Tequila Avion and Delta Sky Clubs is illustrative of what we work so hard on every day—creatively connecting the dots with our Family members to generate material revenue and brilliant brand positioning.

Best,

Kirk Posmantur
Chairman & CEO

Link to Press Release: Click Here

I am gratified by this fact for many reasons, not the least of which is that many of our friends at both Audemars Piguet and the Tony Awards thought marrying these two brands and organizations might be a “bridge too far.”

The relationship began in 2009 when Audemars Piguet donated ten of its signature Royal Oak wall clocks to the Tony Awards. The stage designers of the 2009 Tony-nominated shows transformed these clocks into standing pieces of art by incorporating elements of these respective shows. After being displayed on the red carpet during the Tony Awards, the clocks were auctioned off to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a leading charity in the theatre community.

Audemars Piguet returned in 2010 as a sponsor of The Tony Awards and elevated the partnership to a new level with a major charitable initiative entitled “Time to Give,” which raised $1.3 million for Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS. Among the 27 legendary stars to support the cause were Meryl Streep, Hugh Jackman, Jay- Z, Daniel Radcliffe, Kristin Chenoweth, Sean Hayes, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Scarlett Johansson. This historic collaboration culminated in a live, invitation-only, auction and event commemorating Audemars Piguet’s love affair with New York City and Broadway, and celebrating the opening of Audemars Piguet’s new flagship store. The initiative generated enormous PR and further positioned Audemars Piguet as one of the most creative and philanthropic luxury brands in the country.

Earlier this year, Audemars Piguet again partnered with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the Tony Awards, and the producers of Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Memphis” to create a moment of Broadway history through the Inspire Change campaign. In February, Audemars Piguet hosted 1,100 students from underserved public schools and AIDS service organizations throughout the five NYC boroughs at a special performance of “Memphis” and post-show discussion. For many attendees, it was their very first Broadway show. The stories of personal courage in “Memphis” reflect the challenges these children face every day, and further instill the self esteem and courage needed to make healthy choices in their own lives.

As we approach this year’s Tony Awards, I am pleased that the coveted Audemars Piguet/Tony-inspired clocks will again be featured on the red carpet and auctioned to raise money for charity. Audemars Piguet will be the presenting sponsor of a first-of-a-kind Green Room experience for the evening’s presenters and award winners during the Tony Awards weekend. The Audemars Piguet Green Room at the 2011 Tony Awards will feature an elegant design and a broad array of gifts provided by many Axcess brands.

The partnership between Audemars Piguet and the Broadway Community is illustrative of what we work so hard on every day—creatively connecting the dots with our Family members to generate material revenue and brilliant brand positioning.

Best,
Kirk Posmantur
Chairman & CEO

Patagonia Sur was founded by Warren Adams, who is considered the “father of social networking.” Warren started the world’s first social networking site, PlanetAll, in 1996, and sold it to Amazon.com two years later. He is a visionary entrepreneur, equally committed to building businesses and contributing to society.

Over the past four years, Patagonia Sur has purchased over 60,000 acres of land – the approximate physical size of Martha’s Vineyard – throughout Patagonia, Chile. These holdings are comprised of six distinctive, noncontiguous properties. They range from Valle California, which is a stunning embodiment of Patagonian valleys and vistas, to Melimoyu, which abuts one of the largest blue whale sanctuaries in the world. Each of the six properties features dramatically different topography, plant and animal life, and opportunities for exploration, adventure and responsible business potential. For more information on Patagonia Sur, please visit www. patagoniasur.com.

The Fortune article highlights Patagonia Sur’s innovative business model: The company preserves irreplaceable land, in what many people believe is the most beautiful place on earth, through a for-profit model that generates competitive returns for investors. These returns are enabled through a diverse set of ecologically responsible businesses that include sustainable forestry and aquaculture, limited land development, eco-tourism, and the creation of water and carbon credits. Patagonia Sur actively collaborates with the Chilean government, conservationists around the world, and other like-minded individuals, including investors that have invested $20 million in the venture to date.

Axcess is proud of its partnership with Patagonia Sur and proud to have placed this article with Fortune through our relationship with Time Inc. Both our Patagonia Sur relationship and our role in generating the coverage of this extraordinary company are illustrative of what we work so hard to do every day—creatively connect the dots with our Family members to generate meaningful value and extraordinary brand positioning.

Best,

Kirk Posmantur
Chairman & CEO

Link to Article: Click Here

Axcess Luxury & Lifestyle has entered into an agreement to form a strategic alliance with Marvin Traub Associates (www.marvintraub.com). Marvin Traub, the legendary former CEO of Bloomingdales, is regarded as one of the greatest retail minds of the past half-century. He has helped develop some of the world’s most extraordinary brands, including Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger, among many others, and has served as an inspiration to countless retailers around the world. Marvin’s reputation speaks for itself, and I am humbled to call him my business partner.

The alliance we have formed is based on our common belief that brands with a lifestyle positioning require a different approach to business development. While our firms will continue to operate as separate entities, we intend to work closely together across a wide range of business development disciplines for the benefit of our respective clients. By combining the complimentary skills and expertise of our two firms, we will now be able to provide a full suite of business services to lifestyle brands, including:

•   Partnership & Business Development
•   Event Marketing
•   Database Marketing
•   Licensing
•   Restructuring & Management of Special Situations
•   Mergers & Acquisitions
•   Retail & Distribution Strategy

As we celebrate our 10th year working with extraordinary brands, our vision at Axcess continues to be to create inspired ideas and connect extraordinary people and brands. Our new collaboration with Marvin and his team will provide us with additional resources to support what we work so hard to do every day—creatively connect the dots with our Family of brands to generate material revenue growth and enhance their brilliant brand positionings.

Best,

Kirk Posmantur
Chairman & CEO

In 2009, Oceania Cruises commissioned Lalique to design a grand stairway for its new Marina cruise ship, currently under construction in Italy and scheduled to be christened on February 5 in Miami. A project of this type and magnitude had not been undertaken since the legendary Normandie ocean liner was constructed in 1935. This magnificent two-story display of the world’s finest artistry and craftsmanship will be the focal point of the ship and will appear in all Marina marketing materials.

The Grand Staircase will feature double curved staircases and a balcony with balustrades of crystal medallions and scrolled iron. Six crystal pillars rising from the landing adorn the two-story, glass elevator surround. A brass banister is complemented by a mahogany handrail.

At the base, as a dramatic centerpiece, is Lalique’s highly prestigious Cactus table surrounded by etched crystal screens and flanked by newels capped with prominent crystal finials. A striking Lalique vase, with fresh flower display, will sit atop the table.

Lalique sculptures and crystal accessories will be displayed throughout the ship as part of Marina’s multi-million dollar art collection. The partnership will include a range of other cross marketing and PR efforts to effectively target both Oceania and Lalique customers.

Seeking to offer a wine experience that befits the finest culinary experience found at sea, The Marina will feature La Reserve Restaurant by Wine Spectator, where Oceania’s gourmand guests can learn about and sample fine wines selected by the connoisseurs at Wine Spectator magazine. Situated high atop the ship on Deck 12, La Reserve sports a sophisticated, yacht club décor with seating for 24 guests and a al fresco patio with panoramic views. This new wine-tasting center will be home to educational seminars and tastings allowing guests to better appreciate the nuances of the varietals in the regions where Marina sails. Select evenings during each voyage, seven-course, gourmet tasting menus paired with fine wines will also be offered. As part of this pioneering partnership, the wine list in the ship’s Grand Dining Room will feature daily wine recommendations from magazine editors which will be paired with the evening’s menu.

I have had the privilege of knowing Mr. Shanken for the past decade and the Wine Spectator name and intellectual property have never been utilized in such a manner until now. This multiyear partnership will also include other co-branded and cross promotional marketing efforts designed to target Wine Spectator subscribers and Oceania cruisers.

The partnerships between Oceania, Lalique and Wine Spectator are illustrative of the value Axcess delivers to its clients—creatively connecting the dots with our Family members to generate material revenue and extraordinary brand positioning.

Best,

Kirk Posmantur
Chairman & CEO

The Axcess family of brands is just that—a family, one where business is based on long term relationships built on trust. The Las Vegas Sands – InterContinental deal is illustrative of this fact. In many ways, it was 25 years in the making.

Mike Leven, an icon in the hotel industry and the President of Las Vegas Sands Corp, has been a mentor, colleague, and dear friend of mine for my entire career. My business partner and the President of our company, Eric Sinoway, has been with me since we first met during his internship at the American Hotel & Motel Association when he was a student at the Cornell Hotel School 20 years ago.

Shortly after assuming his role as the President of Las Vegas Sands, Mike asked Axcess to begin working with him and his team to do what we do every day—conceive and execute partnerships that create measurable value. We had no history with Las Vegas Sands. Based on our relationship and track record, Mike nevertheless welcomed us into the Company and provided us with the space and support to creatively identify opportunities.

This summer, while on a road trip from a reunion at Cornell, the idea of this creative relationship between Las Vegas Sands and InterContinental was conceived by Eric and a Hotel School classmate of his who is an executive at InterContinental. That simple road trip, and a 20 year relationship between college friends, resulted in an alliance that the leadership of Las Vegas Sands and InterContinental are describing as “historic,” “ground- breaking,” “innovative,” and “a model for others to emulate.” This alliance is being called the deal of the decade.

For the past six weeks, Axcess has led negotiations with the senior leadership teams of Las Vegas Sands and InterContinental. Eric has literally been in a conference room with these teams for 14 hours a day for weeks as this deal was defined, crafted, negotiated, and signed…all in what both organizations describe as “record time.” The 10-year license agreement was announced for the first time at the InterContinental annual conference which, I couldn’t make this up, was held at the Venetian/Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas. Over 5,000 people leaped to their feet for a standing ovation when it was unveiled.

The Las Vegas Sands – InterContinental strategic alliance is illustrative of what we work so hard on every day—creatively connecting the dots with our Family members to generate material revenue and brilliant brand positioning.

Best,

Kirk Posmantur
Chairman & CEO

Las Vegas Sands Press Release: Click Here
InterContinental Hotel Group Press Release: Click Here