Does Richard Branson smoke cigars?

I skimmed through the article and couldn't find a mention.

Top for the editors.

I've read in other articles that he's a cigarette smoker but no mention of cigars.

I'll be honest. We couldn't get him to confirm or deny his cigar-smoking. I can tell you this. He's been seen with a cigar in hand, and his properties, including Neckar Island, are very cigar-friendly.

We long ago passed the point where everybody on the cover has to smoke cigars. If we insisted, we be putting up illustrations of Groucho, over and over again. It's a two fold problem. First of all, we like to have recognizable people on the cover; while newstand sales (a key component of our overall circulation) are not a science, there is some correlation between recognizability and those sales. So, we can't just put anybody on the cover who happens to have a cigar in their hand. Secondly, a lot of the well-known cigar smokers just won't do it; I've heard every thing from Screen Actor's Guild health insurance problems if they do, to their 12-year daughter would be upset, to a publicist dictating that it's politically incorrect to just a obsession with their 'image' that a cigar doesn't fit into, even though they smoke reguarly. I know one major star who has a standing order for a very rare boutique cigar that he isn't giving away to friends...but he won't even talk to us about the possibility of doing our cover. Also, there are several well-known cigar smokers who are so anti-media that they would rather have root canals than sit down for an interview with a reporter. Since we refuse to do "write-arounds," meaning we require participation in the process of our subjects, the list of folks who are candidates for our cover is limited. If everything else is equal, damn right, we'll choose the cigar smoker. But that's not always possible.

So, what's left? It becomes that finger in the air to test the breeze kind of decision, looking for people who are interesting, hugely successful, or just plain beautiful that may be willing to do our cover, and that Marvin and I find have a compelling story to tell...whether or not they are cigar smokers. Oh, and by the way, in any given month, we compete with publications like GQ, Esquire, Vanity Fair etc. for the folks who because of a movie, book or some project are out there looking for publicity. If they don't have one of those things, forget it...they don't want to hear from the media.

Do we always pick the right person? I can tell you we don't, but then again, I've had covers that I thought would bomb, and they've done great, and vice-versa too.

So, read Branson for the insight into one of the planet's most interesting guys...if he doesn't smoke cigars, he should, because he's got all the other macho attributes going for him.

Thanks for the great reply Gordon.

Gordon,

If you are ever stuck with looking for someone to put on the cover, I am available. I'm interesting and "just plain beautiful," plus I smoke cigars.

This was a good issue, especially the top 10 watches. Thanks for the hard work.

Cheers!

There are always the Araganese Girls! LOL

Intresting article however and a good portrait of a self made businessman.

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Originally posted by Gordon Mott:
Do we always pick the right person? I can tell you we don't, but then again, I've had covers that I thought would bomb, and they've done great, and vice-versa too.

Very interesting and pertinent answer Mr. Mott.

I was just a bit curious about this tidbit. Would it be possible for you to give us a few examples ?

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There are always the Araganese Girls! LOL

Yeah i am with you on that one!