In this episode, we explore the evolution of luxury with Tim Robertson, who takes us from his humble beginnings charming his way into Rolls-Royce boardrooms to his vision for the future of the industry. Tim breaks down the concept of "Luxury 3.0" and explains why story and provenance matter more than products when selling to ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
Tim shares a fascinating story about how he walked into a Rolls-Royce dealership as a young student with nothing but a Wix design and some audacity, ultimately finding himself in a "secret elevator" presenting to executives - perfectly illustrating the hidden pathways to luxury most never discover. Discover why "novelty is what they like" in the luxury space and how challenger brands are creating meaningful connections through pop-up experiences while heritage brands struggle with intimacy at scale.
From the power of intellectual property to the strategic value of limited editions, this conversation provides concrete insights for luxury marketers and brand builders looking to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of premium experiences.
Show Notes
I've cut out all the production talk and tangents to give you just the substance of Tim's insights - a lean 18-minute masterclass on the future of luxury.
Key Topics & Timestamps:
[00:02:17] Tim's origin story and transition from consumer to creator perspective in luxury
[00:03:13] The Rolls-Royce dealership story - how initiative opened doors
[00:10:14] "What do you give a person who has everything?" - What UHNWIs really buy
[00:12:24] The concept of Luxury 3.0 - moving beyond French heritage to emerging markets
[00:16:46] How smaller brands can create limited editions with high margins
[00:20:04] Pop-ups as a counter to "slop content" - creating real-world engagement
[00:25:01] Intellectual property as an underutilized asset in luxury branding
[00:27:19] "It takes an innovator to move the needle" - Tim's closing thoughts
About Tim Robertson:
Tim is an American-born luxury strategist who has transitioned from a consumer's perspective to a creator's perspective through international experience. His background includes innovative approaches to luxury marketing and a focus on emerging markets beyond traditional French heritage brands.
Resources Mentioned:
French luxury heritage brands (LVMH, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Burberry)
Behavioral currency concept
Sustainable bio-textile manufacturing
Pop-up retail strategies
Connect with Tim:
LinkedIn: Timothy J. Robertson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothyj-robertson/Instagram: @Tim.J.Robertson
https://www.instagram.com/tim.jrobertson/
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