Caitlin Bower, Marketing Director, and Landis Smithers, Creative Director

What does your role mean to the daily operations of PB?
Bower: "As a member of the marketing department, we are hyper-focused on making Playboy relevant for a new generation of consumers and all of our daily activities are aimed at that end goal. Playboy is an iconic American brand that influenced the evolution of American contemporary culture. Preserving and moving that legacy forward is an extremely challenging undertaking, but one that's so exciting!"
Smithers: "I make sure that every product, ad, sub-brand system, store, or piece of furniture in the headquarters inspires our existing fans and attracts new audiences to want to engage with Playboy."

How long have you had your gig, and how did you score it?
Bower: "My boss, Kristin Patrick, the CMO, and I used to work together on Chanel, Polaroid, and Starbucks at the talent and literary agency WME Entertainment. I had left WME to work on new business opportunities at Radical Media and she went on to be the CMO of Playboy shortly after I departed WME. While I was at Radical, she showed me the re-branding work and new vision for Playboy and I was instantly smitten."
Smithers: "I joined the brand eleven months ago. Previously I was directing television commercials for hair and retail clients. I was the creative director of Old Navy. And I worked for years in advertising, on beer, beauty, and retail clients. I never thought I’d be here. I’m having a ball!"

What's your favorite aspect of the Civic Center space?
Bower: "Our bar, of course! It's my favorite place to have a late afternoon or early evening business meeting ... with cocktails, naturally."
Smithers: "The Borg Morgensen sofa in the lobby. The leather on it smells like the good life."

Give us the scoop on something you don't think anyone knows about the company, its history, or vibe.
Bower: "I think that people forget what an intellectual brand Playboy is — it's never been just about sex. We've always collaborated with the most iconic artists, writers, and thinkers in the world."
Smithers: "The mansion is the only residential property in Los Angeles that is also a fully licensed zoo. It has nothing to do with the parties there, and everything to do with the peacocks, monkeys, and parrots!"

Tell us your most memorable/funny/exciting experience at PB thus far.
Smithers: "Every time I go out with the Playmates, I can see every straight man in the room trying to figure out what I’m doing right that they aren’t. I don’t tell them. I don’t want to destroy their illusions."

What article do you feel has held the most weight in the company's lengthy history?
Smithers: "In 1955, Hugh Hefner published the Charles Beaumont story “The Crooked Man” in Playboy. It was a tale of a world where heterosexuals were hunted down by the predominant culture of gay and lesbians. It was groundbreaking for the period, and showed one of the many ways Hefner provoked discussion about human rights before it was easy, or the accepted norm. He took an immense risk doing this, and like so many of his groundbreaking actions, it gave him no pause."

On Bower: Alexander Wang Dress, All Saints Boots, NARS "Vesuvio" Lipstick; On Smithers: Prada Blazer, PRPS Jeans, Custom YSL Crocodile Johny Boots, Panerai Luminor Marina Watch, Hermès Bracelet