The day before I was leaving for NY Fashion Week, I took a few minutes out of that wild day to meet and chat with Jan-Patrick Schmitz, CEO of Mont Blanc, North America. He was in town for events for the next two days that would be kicking off a joint effort between Mont Blanc, founded in 1906, owned by the Swiss-based Richemont Group and known as the premier creator of luxury writing instruments in the world, and our own very special Texas Children’s Cancer Center.
This campaign, known as Join to Care, is the first of its kind for this famous maker of luxury goods who has always made the education and caring for children as the #1 priority within their philanthropic structure. What made this collaboration unique is that this is the first time that Mont Blanc has created a special product for one organization in its history of giving. It was Schmitz’ work with other hospitals around the country and his true concern for children and the lack of attention that pediatric cancer was receiving compared to adult cancer, that brought this father of three to Texas Children’s. This hospital that we all appreciate so much has become known nationally and internationally and he saw this as an excellent recipient of both the dollars to be received and also as an opportunity to raise awareness for all they are doing.
About Join to Care Campaign: He talked about this in three parts….first, there is that unique woven bracelet, which 
costs $350, $50 from each sale going directly to TCCC, that can be bought, on an ongoing basis, online at either www.montblanc.com or www.texaschildrens.com. Secondly, there is the very special Beacon of Light Bracelet made of solid rose gold with diamond clasp that is valued at $50,000 and is part of an ongoing auction that will be concluded at the Celebration of Champions Luncheon in September, 2012. Hopes are high here that the value goal is reached as Mont Blanc is awarding 100% of the money raised from this bracelet to TCCC. The third part is a massive media blitz where Mont Blanc will take this campaign for TCCC nationally in the 23 states that they are in stores, and beyond through national PSA’s and ads in national magazines and online. The exposure for TCCC is enormous…..a definite WIN, WIN in every way.
About Mont Blanc: After hearing about all of the wonderful things that Mont Blanc was doing for our medical community I did need to take a few moments and talk shop while I had the CEO of one of the most prestigious luxury brands in the world on the other side of the table. I asked him about the future of his brand in this technology-driven world, where notes are still written but less frequently and what were his company’s plans for the future.
Schmitz’ comments:
*Beginning in the early ‘90’s they began to branch out into other categories, never losing their focus on their fine European craftsmanship; maintaining the finest writing instruments and timepieces remain #1 priority.
*Other categories that they are now into , include: Women’s/Men’s Jewelry, Eyewear, Fine leather goods, and Fragrance.
*They continue to monitor the stores in which they are sold, aside from their 34 owned boutiques in North America & 360 worldwide; also available in Fine Jewelers and High-End stores, Bloomingdale’s, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Ave. Admitedly, many of the fine stationary stores are diminishing.
*Online began for Mont Blanc in September 2011 and is working reasonably well for all newer categories, but less appropriate for pen purchases where weight and feel are so important. Visit www.montblanc.com. to see their complete collections.
In closing he said that he felt that a Mont Blanc instrument is still one of the finest gifts you can give to show appreciation or achievement of success or a special moment of celebration and fine taste…….while a technology item may be obsolete tomorrow, a fine writing instrument can be cherished for years to come.
We wish them well and thank them for their generosity to our city!