Armand mentioned a “cameo on steroids” that would allow consumers to easily book celebrities for events or other initiatives. It wasn’t just the Con experience, but there were other opportunities. “There were so many possibilities,” Armand told me.
ARMAND ASSANTE 2017 FREE
VirtualCons provided a free downloadable app that would bring the “Con” (convention) experience to fans across a variety of genres of entertainment. VirtualCons is a venture formed by 3fams Productions, the creators of the first-ever SopranosCon. He was recruited by actor Federico Castelluccio to come into the fold at VirtualCons. From talking to Armand and listening to him, there is no doubt he wanted to take another shot at things.Īs much as Armand has embraced the old school when it comes to the premium cigar industry, he has also embraced modern technology. At the same time, the many decades Armand had enjoyed cigars kept the fire going. It was clear from my discussion with Armand that he was very proud of the Ora Vivo project. This didn’t quench the fire that Armand had for premium cigars and the cigar business.
We had a great cigar, but in the end, distribution was a challenge,” said Armand. “Ora Vivo was truly a labor of love and we certainly had the right people for the project. He was getting immersed more and more in the cigar business. The cigar was also garnering critical acclaim in the cigar industry. Armand was soon making appearances at the IPCPR Trade Show, and he was doing cigar dinners. It was a story Victor had told to me as well at the time Ora Vivo was launched. He recapped to me the weekend where he and Victor smoked through an enormous amount of sample blends until the final one was selected. He was intimately involved in the selection of the brand. It wasn’t simply a licensing deal that was being done, it was something that Armand was coming into hands-on in the development of this project from conception to store.Īrmand did all of the things you would expect a small brand owner to do. There was something unusual about Ora Vivo. Ora Vivo was a small batch project that made its debut in 2013. Armand, Gary, and Victor formed a partnership to bring Ora Vivo to market. Through Chicago-area broker Gary Macchione, he was introduced to Victor Vitale. Armand was a cigar enthusiast and was looking to get into the business.
In 2013, Armand Assante launched his own brand Ora Vivo into the marketplace. And while some celebrities have shown an interest in the cigar industry, only a select few have made a commitment to the industry. At the same time, when someone with celebrity status has shown an interest or entered the industry, it has generated a lot of excitement. The handmade premium cigar industry has always embraced the idea of being a small cottage industry. While premium handmade cigar making and digital entertainment are opposite sides of the spectrum, Assante is embracing them both and looking to bring his two worlds together as he also sets his sights on returning to the premium cigar business. More recently, he has been involved in a digital media entertainment project called VirtualCons. He’s also been a cigar brand owner and one who has embraced the old-school techniques of the handmade cigar-making process. Throughout his career, Armand has been known to be a cigar enthusiast. He has played such characters as John Gotti (his Emmy win), Odysseus, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
He has won an Emmy Award and has had several Golden Globe Nominations. Armand Assante is well-known as a decorated Hollywood actor.
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