Latest news with #BenKohn
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Playboy reveals plans to move HQ from California to Miami to shed itself of ‘anti-business' regulations
Playboy is packing up its bunny ears and hopping out of Los Angeles, moving its headquarters to Miami Beach. The global lifestyle brand follows other companies such as Tesla, Chevron and Charles Schwab, that have traded California for South Florida's more business-friendly environment. On Friday, Playboy CEO Ben Kohn told Fox News Digital that California is 'anti-business.' "Miami is one of the most vibrant cities, in our opinion, and most fun cities in the country," Kohn said. "And given Florida and Miami's pro-business stance, leaving California, which is anti-business and a very difficult place to do business as an employer, we're excited to be relocating to Miami Beach. And the city of Miami Beach has been phenomenal and helpful in the move." The new Miami Playboy headquarters will occupy the penthouse floor of The RIVANI building, a luxurious 'Class X' commercial redevelopment at 1691 Michigan Avenue. The building offers a slew of benefits, including a spa, fitness and wellness centers, meditation rooms, an Omakase restaurant, speakeasy lounges, and private event spaces. Playboy is developing a reimagined Playboy Club at the new location. This exclusive venue will feature a restaurant and members-only areas as a modern nod to the notorious Playboy Mansion. Kohn said Playboy's next chapter will focus on building new studios and producing podcasts, photography and other digital content. 'We plan on building a content team in Miami, with moving the magazine as we've relaunched the magazine and the Playmate franchise, basing all of that in Miami. And then we have a massive licensing business on a global basis, and we plan on building a significant licensing team in Miami as well.' Playboy plans to complete its move to Miami by next year, Kohn said. Businesses are leaving California due to high taxes, strict regulations, and expensive real estate. Power outages and traffic are also key factors, combined with the rise of remote work, which makes relocation easier. States such as Florida and Texas offer lower taxes, lighter regulations, and business-friendly incentives, attracting companies seeking more favorable conditions. Founded in 1953 by Hugh Hefner, Playboy's first issue featured Marilyn Monroe and sold over 50,000 copies. The magazine quickly became a cultural phenomenon, mixing sophisticated lifestyle content, fiction, and interviews with its signature risqué pictorials. Over the years, though, readership started to decline. Free online adult content, changing attitudes toward nudity and growing internet competition all took a toll. In a controversial move in 2015, Playboy tried to modernize by removing nudity from its pages, but it brought it back just two years later. Even so, staying relevant was a challenge. After Hefner died in 2017, Playboy was taken over by the PLBY Group, a private equity firm. Since then, the brand has shifted from being just a magazine to a broader lifestyle and entertainment company. Today, it focuses on apparel, licensing and digital media, all while keeping the iconic Playboy image alive. As for the famous Playboy Mansion in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, it was sold in 2016 to billionaire investor Daren Metropoulos. While Playboy no longer owns the mansion, it still retains the right to host occasional events there. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Playboy ditches Hollywood roots for flashy new Miami Beach headquarters
Playboy Enterprises is officially leaving Los Angeles and moving its global headquarters to Miami Beach. The men's magazine company, once synonymous with the late Hugh Hefner's iconic mansion, announced the shocking relocation Wednesday. CEO Ben Kohn blamed the move on the Golden State's 'anti-business' approach as he revealed the company is Florida-bound. 'We are excited to move the company to the city of Miami Beach, which has been phenomenal to deal with, very pro-business,' Kohn said. 'When you look at the cost of doing business in California against the cost of doing business in Florida, and you combine that with the energy of Miami Beach, it made all the sense in the world for Playboy to move there.' Playboy is set to take over the penthouse of The RIVANI, a high-end luxury office complex in Miami Beach developed by Robert Rivani, who has reportedly invested over $100 million in the project. 'Miami Beach is one of the most iconic and fastest-growing cities in the world. It's a global hub for culture, creativity and business - exactly the kind of energy that complements Playboy's next chapter,' Rivani told Fox News Digital. 'Playboy is bringing a new twist to the brand with a hospitality component that [we] can't wait to experience,' the high-profile developer added. The company also plans to open a reimagined Playboy Club at the site, featuring a restaurant and members-only space. The men's lifestyle and entertainment brand has also announced plans to build new multimedia studios to support its growing digital content and creator licensing business in the new location, Fox Business reported. 'Content is key to our strategy. We plan on building a content team in Miami with moving the magazine as we've relaunched the magazine and the Playmate franchise, basing all of that in Miami,' Kohn said. 'And then we have a massive licensing business on a global basis, and we plan on building a significant licensing team in Miami as well.' While Playboy did not disclose how many employees are affected by the move, it confirmed plans to complete the transition by next year. The company currently operates out of a Wilshire Boulevard office in Westwood, Los Angeles. Miami Beach city officials have welcomed the move as a win for local economic development, and even sent local city commissioners to compete with other U.S. cities for months to land the deal. The relocation comes amid a growing wave of high-profile corporate exits from California. In recent years, Tesla, Chevron, Charles Schwab, and In-N-Out have all shifted major operations to states like Texas and Tennessee, citing lower taxes, lighter regulations, and lower operational costs. California holds the nation's highest personal income tax rate at 13.3 percent, including on investment profits, which Kohn and other critics have argued stifles growth, The Los Angeles Times reported. For Playboy, the move also marks a return to its South Florida roots. The brand opened its second-ever Playboy Club in Miami in 1961 and later operated the Playboy Plaza Hotel on Miami Beach in the 1970s. Founded in 1953, Playboy rose to prominence as a lifestyle and entertainment brand featuring Marilyn Monroe in its first issue. Soon after, it became a pop culture force throughout the 1960s and 70s, known not just for its provocative imagery but also for publishing literary fiction and interviews with figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Jimmy Carter. But, in recent years, Playboy has shifted focus from print to digital content, fashion, brand licensing, and sexual wellness, with the print magazine ceasing regular publication back in 2020. More recently, the company reported a $7.7 million net loss in the most recent quarter, but tallied a 13 percent increase in revenue driven by licensing, according to Fox Business. As Playboy prepares to settle into its new Miami Beach headquarters, Rivani framed the move as symbolic of a broader trend. 'The move is part of a larger migration of influential companies leaving L.A. and New York for South Florida,' he said. 'When people think of Miami Beach, they think of iconic brands, an unbeatable lifestyle and endless possibilities - and Playboy's arrival amplifies all of that.' Meanwhile, Kohn says the company is 'excited' for the impending move. 'Given Florida and Miami's pro-business stance, leaving California, which is anti-business and a very difficult place to do business as an employer, we're excited to be relocating,' Kohn told Fox News Digital.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Playboy hops over to Miami Beach for new headquarters
Playboy plans to relocate its global headquarters from Los Angeles to Miami Beach and open a Playboy club in the city. The Miami Beach headquarters at the top of a luxury office building will include studios to support Playboy's "growing creator network". The club will have a restaurant as well as a members-only section inspired by the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, the company said in a statement. "Miami Beach is among the most dynamic and culturally influential cities in the country, making it the ideal home for Playboy's next chapter," said Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy Inc. The first Playboy Magazine was published in 1953, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover and in a "Sweetheart of the Month" colour nude photo inside. The first Playboy Club opened in 1960 in Chicago, which was the headquarters of the company at the time, and the company opened clubs around the world. In 2020, Playboy ceased publishing its monthly print magazine, sticking instead with online content. Playboy plans to relocate its global headquarters from Los Angeles to Miami Beach and open a Playboy club in the city. The Miami Beach headquarters at the top of a luxury office building will include studios to support Playboy's "growing creator network". The club will have a restaurant as well as a members-only section inspired by the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, the company said in a statement. "Miami Beach is among the most dynamic and culturally influential cities in the country, making it the ideal home for Playboy's next chapter," said Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy Inc. The first Playboy Magazine was published in 1953, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover and in a "Sweetheart of the Month" colour nude photo inside. The first Playboy Club opened in 1960 in Chicago, which was the headquarters of the company at the time, and the company opened clubs around the world. In 2020, Playboy ceased publishing its monthly print magazine, sticking instead with online content. Playboy plans to relocate its global headquarters from Los Angeles to Miami Beach and open a Playboy club in the city. The Miami Beach headquarters at the top of a luxury office building will include studios to support Playboy's "growing creator network". The club will have a restaurant as well as a members-only section inspired by the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, the company said in a statement. "Miami Beach is among the most dynamic and culturally influential cities in the country, making it the ideal home for Playboy's next chapter," said Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy Inc. The first Playboy Magazine was published in 1953, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover and in a "Sweetheart of the Month" colour nude photo inside. The first Playboy Club opened in 1960 in Chicago, which was the headquarters of the company at the time, and the company opened clubs around the world. In 2020, Playboy ceased publishing its monthly print magazine, sticking instead with online content. Playboy plans to relocate its global headquarters from Los Angeles to Miami Beach and open a Playboy club in the city. The Miami Beach headquarters at the top of a luxury office building will include studios to support Playboy's "growing creator network". The club will have a restaurant as well as a members-only section inspired by the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, the company said in a statement. "Miami Beach is among the most dynamic and culturally influential cities in the country, making it the ideal home for Playboy's next chapter," said Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy Inc. The first Playboy Magazine was published in 1953, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover and in a "Sweetheart of the Month" colour nude photo inside. The first Playboy Club opened in 1960 in Chicago, which was the headquarters of the company at the time, and the company opened clubs around the world. In 2020, Playboy ceased publishing its monthly print magazine, sticking instead with online content.
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
Playboy is moving its headquarters from Los Angeles to Miami Beach, opening new club
Playboy plans to relocate its global headquarters from Los Angeles to Miami Beach and open a Playboy club there. The Miami Beach headquarters at the top of a luxury office building will include studios to support Playboy's "growing creator network" and the club will have a restaurant as well as a members-only section inspired by the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, the company said Thursday in a statement. "Miami Beach is among the most dynamic and culturally influential cities in the country, making it the ideal home for Playboy's next chapter," Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy Inc., said in the statement. The first Playboy Magazine was published in 1953, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover and in a "Sweetheart of the Month" color nude photo inside. The first Playboy Club opened in 1960 in Chicago, which was the headquarters of the company at the time, and the company opened up clubs around the world. In 2020, Playboy ceased publishing its monthly print magazine, sticking instead with online content.
The Independent
a day ago
- Business
- The Independent
Playboy is moving its headquarters to Miami Beach and opening a new club
Playboy plans to relocate its global headquarters from Los Angeles to Miami Beach and open a Playboy club there. The Miami Beach headquarters at the top of a luxury office building will include studios to support Playboy's 'growing creator network' and the club will have a restaurant as well as a members-only section inspired by the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, the company said Thursday in a statement. 'Miami Beach is among the most dynamic and culturally influential cities in the country, making it the ideal home for Playboy's next chapter,' Ben Kohn, CEO of Playboy Inc., said in the statement. The first Playboy Magazine was published in 1953, featuring Marilyn Monroe on the cover and in a 'Sweetheart of the Month' color nude photo inside. The first Playboy Club opened in 1960 in Chicago, which was the headquarters of the company at the time, and the company opened up clubs around the world. In 2020, Playboy ceased publishing its monthly print magazine, sticking instead with online content.
