Quality Importers Trading Company has hired Michael Giannini to their senior management team for a new position, Chief of Customer Engagement. In his new role he will be responsible for the Sales, Marketing, and Messaging initiatives of the company. Giannini has been in the premium cigar business since the early 1980s. While working on a Master’s Degree in Psychology, teaching and cooking professionally on the weekends, his true passion was in the premium cigar business. To pursue this passion, he began working at a local Philadelphia cigar shop as a store manager, and then became co-owner of an independent manufacturer’s representation firm. He left those roles to become the National Sales Manager for Ernesto Perez-Carrillo’s El Credito Cigar Company – while continuing to work on his culinary and fashion skills when time permitted. After the acquisition of El Credito by Swedish Match, the El Credito portfolio merged into General Cigar, where he became Director of Marketing for the La Gloria Cubana brand.
"One draw issue aside, this was an excellent smoke, one I really, really hope in on the bargain side of things so I can stock up, but I'm guessing it's likely a premium. Overall it was well constructed, burned great, had excellent thick smoke output, and really well balanced flavor. One I will definitely seek out again, regardless of price! Highly recommended." -Derek (StogieNinja)
Giannini had been with General for 17 years. In March, 2012, he was promoted to his role as creative director, which also carried the title of director of innovations. He was responsible for coming up with non-traditional cigar releases, and started the Foundry Cigar Co., a subsidiary of General dedicated to unorthodox cigars, including the signature Foundry brand. It featured cigars made from blends of tobacco he wouldn't reveal, packed in odd-shaped boxes, one of which came together in a shape reminiscent of a bundle of TNT.
Quality Importers Trading Co launched a new cutter at the PCA trade show earlier this month. The Xikar Revolution is a new kind of rotary action cigar cutter that features synchronized stainless steel blades and power-assisted cutting action.
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·"A cigar I hated to lose in the process of smoking. Great notes of cherry, earth, leather, cocoa, and oak make this a excellent cigar. Great ash that hung on to the cigar for 30 minutes or better. Five or more of these cigar would round out your humidor perfectly." -Sean F. (fullermaine)
Island Lifestyle Importers have announced their exclusive agreement with Ventura Cigar Company for marketing and distribution. This new agreement will officially launch at the 2018 IPCPR trade show in Las Vegas. Ventura will take on national marketing and distribution of the Tommy Bahama brands Island Lifestyle Aged Reserve cigars.
To celebrate the bond of fatherhood and friendship, Ventura Cigar Company (VCC) have partnered with select tobacconists and shops around the USA for Fathers, Friends, and Fire, a series of events that will be aimed at sharing stories, experiences, and the love of premium cigars and pipe tobacco.
Ventura Cigar Company just announced the newest addition to the Archetype line of their premium cigars. Crystals, Curses, and Cloaks, the cigars of the new Archetype Fantasy Miniseries, are hand made at the Oliva factory. These new cigars will debut at the 2018 IPCPR trade show in las Vegas. Each cigar comes with an MSRP of $9/cigar in a 20-count box format.
Michael Gianinni joined Ventura Cigar Company back in November 2017 as Creative Director. Now he has been promoted to General Manager. He will keep his current duties as Creative Director, continuing to be the driving force for the companies creative direction. In his new role, Michael Giannini will drive business strategies and goals for the Ventura Cigar Company.
