To our Axcess Family,
This month marks a significant milestone for Axcess Worldwide as we thankfully celebrate 25 extraordinary years. It literally seems like yesterday when my partner, Mike Wargotz, and I launched the business.
As we reflect on this remarkable journey and embark on this celebratory year, there are countless people to thank and a multitude of accomplishments to acknowledge.
Just like the inception of Axcess back in 1999, this quarter we feature meaningful and game-changing partnerships, as highlighted below.
We’ve had the privilege of collaborating with some of the world’s greatest brands, individuals, and platforms, cultivating thousands of partnerships that continue to define our success. The landscape of our achievements has evolved, from our roots in partnership marketing and business development to early-stage investing & private equity.
The journey has been challenging, exhilarating, more fun than I can possibly describe, and ultimately rewarding beyond our wildest dreams.
Here’s to the next chapter of Axcess, where we will continue to push boundaries and redefine partnership marketing and business development.
Best Regards,
Kirk, Brett, and the Axcess Team
New Family Members
Featured Work
NBA Sotheby’s Partnership
The National Basketball Association (NBA) signed a deal with Sotheby’s auction house that will make it the exclusive source for game-worn player jerseys. The move comes at a time when sports collectibles are reaching astronomical prices at auction. Through this partnership, Sotheby’s will also make other NBA memorabilia available to interested buyers. The league and Sotheby’s marked their partnership with a tipoff auction, which consisted of over 60 game-worn jerseys from the league’s best players. LeBron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant all had jerseys in the auction. (Read More)
Sentient Jet Guide
For twenty-five years, and now an integral part of Directional Aviation Capital, Sentient Jet has been a pioneer in private aviation, inventing industry firsts like the Jet Card and developing a premium, yet practical, flying experience. The 25-Hour Sentient Jet Card offers Card Owners the convenience, flexibility, and ease that comes standard with private air travel, without the hassle, maintenance and high costs of owning a jet. For the past 11 years, AXW has curated a digital booklet that goes out to Sentient Jet’s 7,000+ UHNW Card Owners, containing exclusive benefits from top hospitality, retail and lifestyle brands. Current partners include Chileno Bay Resort, The Little Nell, Sea Island Resort, Exclusive Resorts, Jenni Kayne, Venus ET Fleur, Ghurka and more. In addition to the digital guide, partners receive promotion on Sentient Jet’s newsletters, social media channels, online portal and geo-targeted mobile app.
Tequila Enemigo at the Boca Raton
In December 2023, The Boca Raton Resort opened the property’s first members-only rooftop bar & lounge called, “Second Story.” The space features a fully stocked Enemigo bar and cocktail menu. We activated at the space’s grand opening party and will continue to host activations through the hotel’s high season. (See More)
Caviar Russe at The Boca Raton
Orchestrated by Axcess Worldwide, The Boca Raton proudly announced its prestigious partnership with Caviar Russe as the property’s official caviar partner. Caviar Russe will take center stage at Boca Raton’s acclaimed venues, including the Champagne Terrace, Top of the Tower, and Palm Court. The partnership sets the stage for a year of indulgence, with more exciting programming to come in 2024.
AXW Family Members in the News
Rock-it Cargo Acquires SOS Global to Create the Largest Specialty Logistics Provider in the Sports and Broadcast Market
LOS ANGELES & NEW BERN, N.C., February 01, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rock-it Cargo, a Global Critical Logistics (GCL) company and the global leader in end-to-end logistics for live events and high net worth goods, announced the acquisition of SOS Global (SOS), the North Carolina-based freight forwarder, from NEP Group. The combined company will be the largest global specialty logistics provider in the live touring and sports and broadcast markets. The acquisition closed on January 31, 2024, and terms were not disclosed. (Read More)
AI-Powered Virtual Try-On and Styling Company Zelig Secures $15 Million in Series A Funding, Led by Hilco Global
LOS ANGELES, November 06, 2023–(BUSINESS WIRE)–New fashion technology company Zelig announced it has secured $15 million in Series A funding to support the launch of its AI-powered virtual try-on and styling technology (VTO-S). International financial services firm Hilco Global led the funding round, joined by global luxury investor Bezikian Zareh, which brings the company to a $100 million valuation. Launched by MadaLuxe Group co-founders Sandy Sholl and Adam Freede, who have been privately funding Zelig’s development for three years, Zelig will use the capital to deepen its personalization capabilities and build out additional features. (Read More)
25madison and Apollo Funds Launch 25m Evolve, an Enterprise Software Venture Studio Focused on AI-Native Applications
NEW YORK, January 16, 2024–(BUSINESS WIRE)–25madison, a leading venture platform, announced the launch of 25m Evolve, in partnership with funds managed by Apollo (NYSE: APO), a leading global alternative investment manager. 25m Evolve is an enterprise software venture studio dedicated to incubating AI-native applications. 25m Evolve incubations will leverage the latest advancements in artificial intelligence to help companies, including Apollo Funds’ portfolio companies, adapt to an ever-changing digital landscape, equipping them with the tools to drive operational improvements and better compete and disrupt within and across industries. (Read More)
Flexjet to launch global Red Label Training Academy outside London
CLEVELAND, November 14, 2023–Leading fractional ownership private jet operator Flexjet is opening a worldwide training academy for cabin servers later this month. Flexjet is launching The Red Label Academy at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire, England, outside London. According to a press release, it will provide finishing school-style training. “Red Label is Flexjet’s exceptional and unique service and hospitality ethos and includes several differentiators in experience for its aircraft owners. In addition to unrivaled cabin service, this includes its boutique hotel-style LXi cabin interiors, crew dedicated to each individual aircraft, and a range of invitations to curated private and VIP events,” the company said. Flexjet has flight attendants on all flights in Europe. In the U.S., flight attendants are part of its large cabin program, which includes the Embraer Praetor 600, Gulfstream G450, and G650. The training center for its global cabin servers opens later this month. (Read More)
NATIONAL FOUNDATION FOR GOVERNORS’ FITNESS COUNCILS TO ACHIEVE LOFTY GOAL OF DELIVERING DON’T QUIT! FITNESS CENTERS IN EVERY STATE BY 2024
LOS ANGELES, November 21, 2023–Fitness icon Jake (Body by Jake) Steinfeld, Chairman of the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils (NFGFC), had one mission when he started NFGFC in 2012 and that was to put fitness centers in elementary and middle schools in every state in the nation. In 2024, Jake will have achieved his goal when he visits Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada and New York. (Read More)
BRAND AND UX AGENCY 25M CREATE REBRANDS AS CREATURE
NEW YORK, Creature, November 16, 2023–a leading Brand and UX agency, partners with companies at defining moments to grow, evolve and transcend. From launches to mergers and new products to new strategies, Creature designs brand experiences with immediate impact and long-term results. The agency’s team has led brand and experience evolutions as both company leadership and an agency for some of the most iconic (and soon to be iconic) companies, including Disney, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Kellog’s, MetLife, Vivrelle, DroneUp, Sentient Jet, Adidas, Verizon, StateFarm, and more. (Learn More)