Sam Morales, the Director of Marketing from Drew Estate, has resigned from the company. The announcement was made by Drew Estate, explaining that Morales is resigning to pursue other interests. The company has begun a search for a new Director of Marketing with Morales working with Drew Estate to transition his responsibilities.

Morales has been with Drew Estate since 2013. He started with Drew Estate as a consultant through his company Premium Tobacco Media. He was then hired as a Customer Loyalty and Advertising Analyst. Following the acquisition of Drew Estate by Swisher International in 2014, he was promoted to Lifestyle Marketing Manager. Two years later he was promoted to Director of Marketing. He played an integral role to develop the company’s brand and engagement strategy including the Drew Diplomat Program, the Barn Smoker events, Cigar Safari, and Subculture Studios programs.

Working closely with Jonathan Drew, perhaps Morales will best be remembered for being one of the driving forces behind Drew Estate’s marketing campaigns following the acquisition by Swisher International. When a company is acquired, transitioning can be difficult, but Morales helped the creativity and excitement flowing.

“I remember smoking my first cigar at Smoke Inn West Palm Beach in 2009 on my 18th birthday, collecting cigar bands, and daydreaming that one day I would have the opportunity to create brands and experiences that bring people together,” said Morales in a press release. “Jonathan is one of the best Brand Marketers and Tobacco Men this industry has ever seen, he is one of my best friends on the Planet, and I am blessed and humbled to have been mentored by him over the past 5 years. Once I have transitioned my work at Drew Estate, my immediate plan is to go to the beach, scuba dive, and smoke some Dirty Rats. Thank you JD, Marvin, Joey, Willy, Pedro, Fabien, Jessi, Garcia, all the boys in the Swag Cave, Swisher International, and the DE team past and present for memories that I will always cherish.”

Drew Estate President and co-Founder Jonathan Drew commented, “Sam is the little brother that I never had plus so much more. For the past 5 years, he has been an integral part of my life and I am so proud of all Sam has accomplished at Drew Estate. Together, we added incredible texture to multi-generational brands, constantly innovated, and dreamed bigger then we could have ever imagined. Sam’s thought leadership helped define our product segments throughout our sales channels and sub-channels, and infused the organization with long-term innovative capability.”

“The entire team at Drew Estate is thankful for Sam’s years of service, innovation, creativity, and Marketing leadership”, said Glenn C. Wolfson, CEO of Drew Estate. “Sam’s contributions, particularly the reconceptualization and rebuilding of our marketing organization on a cigar-enthusiast platform, will endure for a long time to come. On a deeply personal level, I celebrate having had the opportunity to work with Sam over the past two years and he has been an integral partner and driving force in our ongoing effort to evolve and transform the company. Thank you, Sam. You’re truly one of a kind and you will always be Drew Estate for Life.”

Photo Credit: Drew Estate