Jim Young, President of Davidoff North America, will take on an expanded role. Today parent company Oettinger Davidoff AG named Young to the newly created position of Chief Commercial Officer. According to Davidoff, the goal will be “to help drive sales excellence and share best practices across all markets.” Young will report to Beat Hauenstein, […]
AJ Fernandez Cigar Company has announced that Starky Arias will be its new marketing director. Arias will assume the position effective March 1st, 2018. Arias has experience as a creative director for many cigar brands, and its best known for his work at Cigar Rings – which is a company that does cigar band and […]
On Friday January 26th, 2018 I was informed of the death of my co-host on the Smooth Draws Radio Show, Gary “Doc” Laden. It was a very tough day. I personally want to thank everyone for the kind words, and ask everyone to keep Gary’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time Gary […]
Gary”Doc” Laden, founder and host of the Smooth Draws Radio Show passed away in Atlanta, Georgia at 4:10 am this morning. A medical doctor by trade, in 2015 Doc took his love of cigars and the cigar lifestyle and co-founded a radio show called Cigar Guys Radio. In 2016, the show was rebranded the Smooth […]
The management changes at Davidoff continue. Today Davidoff announced changes in a number of its key corporate leadership positions. The primary change is that Edward Simon is now the new leader of Davidoff’s Global Marketing & Innovation job. Simon takes over for Charles Awad, whom Davidoff says is departing the company. Simon is best known […]
The United States Senate has confirmed Alex Azar as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The appointment should be of particular interest to the cigar community as HHS oversees the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – the organization that regulates premium cigars. Azar comes from the pharmaceutical industry, where from 2012 […]
The International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association (IPCPR) has announced that Rachel Hyde has been promoted to Senior Director of State Affairs. She replaces Matt Dogali, who is leaving the organization effective January 24, 2018. Hyde has been with IPCPR since 2013 and currently has been serving as the Deputy Director of State Affairs […]
Davidoff of Geneva has named Richard Krutick its new Vice President of Marketing in the U.S. The role is an expanded role for Krutick, as he previously served in the role of Vice President of Marketing for several Davidoff brands, including the Davidoff and S.T. Dupont. Krutick’s role will now add responsibilities for overseeing the Davidoff […]
Gilberto Oliva Sr, the patriarch of the Oliva Cigar family, died earlier today in Miami, Florida. He was 86 years old. Oliva Sr. is best known for founding the massive Oliva Cigar Company Operation with his son Gilberto Jr. Oliva Sr. was the grandson of Melanio Oliva, who had established a growing operation in Cuba. Oliva Sr. started his […]
Today Davidoff of Geneva has announced that Dylan Austin will become the company’s new Vice President of Sales and Marketing in the USA. Austin currently serves and will continue to serve as Vice President of Marketing for several brands in the portfolio, while taking on the responsibility of overseeing the company’s sales organization. Austin has been […]
