Kaitlin DomangueJune 11, 2020
Several cannabis companies aspire to be luxury brands but without the proper creative talent, the marketing can fall flat. In the traditional consumer packaged goods market, the look and feel of a luxury brand are remarkably different from a middle-market brand and that can often be attributed to the hiring of a marketing agency that specializes in luxury brands.
The cannabis industry now has its own creative agency that was launched to specifically market luxury cannabis brands. The new ETHEREAL understands the specific DNA of luxury packaging and marketing. The founders are four creatives with an extensive background in the luxury and lifestyle categories – Creative Director/Designer John Mamus, Photographer/Videographer Pablo Aguilar, Creative Director/Writer Tod Brilliant, and Managing Director Masako DiDio.
“The cannabis industry is growing at lightspeed, but it has yet to firmly establish itself in the luxury marketplace,” says John Mamus. “The opportunity is massive, and we have the passion and experience to help the most forward-thinking brands take full advantage. ETHEREAL is nimble and purpose-built for creative excellence, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.”
Mamus founded the boutique high-end creative agency MAMUS (mamuscreative.com) in 2007. With a focus on Luxury (automotive, private jets, textiles) and now cannabis, Deep Technology (low-earth-orbit satellites, augmented reality, sovereign identity, the blockchain, and digital assets) and Retail (high-end food, cosmetics). Pablo Aguilar is an award-winning photographer/videographer. Pablo and his team have created iconic images for brands such as Adidas, Fila, Vibe, Complex Mag, Fortune, Sports Illustrated, Snoop, and many more.
Tod Brilliant is a deeply experienced writer and creative director. Over the years, he has developed projects for larger brands like Amazon, Samsung, MTV, Converse, Microsoft, and L’Oreal. Masako Didio has an extensive brand and leadership experience with brands such as Maison Dior and Burberry. She has intellectual property and management experience through her work with MAMUS CREATIVE. No stranger to the cannabis industry, Didio has also worked with Asha, TSO Sonoma, Major, and Seven Vices.
The group will be applying the techniques gained from working with some of the most recognized and successful premium brands in the consumer world. They have worked with Mercedes-Benz, BMW Motorrad, Burberry, Fortune, Adidas, FILA, Dior, Whole Foods Market, Starwood Resorts and Hotels Worldwide, ICON 4×4, Flont, and Richemont.
Luxury branding and marketing aren’t just expensive looking pictures with skinny models. It’s about creating a feeling that emotionally touches the consumer. If successful, the consumer in turn feels like they deserve such a luxury whether their income supports the purchase or not.
Beyond the image work, Ethereal is a thoroughly modern outfit that combines emerging technologies and strategic intelligence with all the usual tools of branding like visuals, brand strategy, and public relations. Beyond the image, cannabis companies are also subjected to onerous restrictions when it comes to presenting themselves to the public. Ethereal brings to its client’s compliance and regulatory insight through their work with global pharmaceutical brands such as Pfizer, Novartis, Innocoll, and Astra Zeneca.
The company’s style is already setting luxury cannabis brands apart from its peers. Some of the agency’s cannabis industry clients include House of Saka, Van Doran, Major Flower, TSO Sonoma, D’Fleur, Seven Vices, Asha and Klaus.
“Ethereal represents the opportunity to augment one-stop solutions to the often vexing cannabis language in a crisp and forthright manner. While launching Klaus Apothecaire, John Mamus is the ringmaster, conceptualizing and solving the most challenging of conundrums in real time. I couldn’t have done it without him and his team,” explained Warren Bobrow, co-founder of Klaus Apothecaire and known globally as the Cocktail Whisperer.
Devika Maskey
