Cameron Barclay Case Studies - Playboy

Playboy Enterprises International, Inc.

The first issue of Playboy magazine, which featured the now-famous photo of Marilyn Monroe, was produced on Hugh M. Hefner’s kitchen table in Chicago.  On the news stands in December 1953, it carried no cover date because Hefner was not sure when or if he would be able to produce another.  But the first issue sold more than 50,000 copies, enough to pay for the paper and printing costs and to finance another issue.  Today, the Editor-in-Chief and Chief Creative Officer of Playboy is a man who profoundly has influenced society in the last 50 years, during which his publication has become the world's best-selling men's lifestyle magazine. The global organization has developed into a multi-faceted operation that handles publishing, entertainment, and licensing, which includes eight freestanding fashion boutiques and location-based entertainment destinations in Las Vegas (2006) and Macao (2009).  Add to these initiatives a $20-million-dollar, philanthropy – The Playboy Foundation - and you can see why Playboy is now one of the most powerful brands in the world.

In August 2006, Cameron Barclay Consulting was chosen to refurbish and fit out the new Playboy Enterprises International, Inc. European representative offices in Farringdon, London.  Following building-control applications and landlord’s licence to alter, the project consisted of constructing both solid and glazed partitions, re-wiring a data and communications network to Cat5e, supplying and installing telephone and intruder alarm systems, ceilings and lighting, plumbing and decoration.  Playboy was so impressed with the result and service that they introduced Cameron Barclay Consulting to its retail partner who subsequently contracted Cameron Barclay to refurbish and fit out the UK Flagship Store, Playboy’s first fashion boutique in Europe.  This project, which is now underway, is a major re-build and fit out of an old five-story retail premises at 153 Oxford Street in London.  (Stop Press: The official opening of Europe’s first Playboy retail store took place in September on time and on budget)

"I was introduced to Cameron Barclay by one of our suppliers who had worked with them before, so they came highly recommended.  This particular project was “fast-tracked” and achievable, providing everything went according to plan which, on a construction project, is highly unlikely and in my experience; problems are normally used by the contractor to support reasons for late delivery.  In Cameron Barclay’s case, I was impressed with their attitude in that all hiccups or necessary changes due to unearthing something unforeseen were not communicated to me until a solution had been identified.  The team was highly skilled and very pleasant to work with, and the overall project came in on time and within budget.  I recommended Cameron Barclay to our retail partner, Global Designer Brands Ltd., for consideration when choosing the contractor to complete the refurbishment and fit out of our first European and UK flagship retail experience on Oxford Street.  (Stop Press: Europe’s first Playboy retail site has opened successfully thanks to Cameron Barclay)"
Markus Grindel - Brand Officer Europe - Senior Vice President, Global Licensing - Playboy Enterprises International, Inc.

Related Case Studies

• Refurbishment and refit of Playboy Flagship Store

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