[07:54] Gen Z, Intentional Drinking, and the Quality-Over-Quantity Shift — Roberto sees Gen Z as reshaping the spirits category rather than abandoning it. The shift is from volume to value: fewer occasions, better choices, and a much higher curiosity about what is actually in the bottle and how it was made. Roberto describes these consumers as open to discovery but deeply selective, and willing to trade up for something that feels authentic and well-made.
[16:50] Music, Culture, and the Grammys Partnership — Patrón’s cultural strategy is built around music as a core platform, not a campaign vehicle. Roberto describes the Grammy partnership as a natural progression for a brand that has spent decades connecting with music and the people who make it. He also points to artist partnerships like Becky G, whose 200% identity as both Mexican and American aligns closely with Patrón’s own cultural roots, and Karan Aujla, who helped introduce new expressions like Patrón el Alto to markets in India and Middle East and Africa. The thread across all of these is authenticity: every partnership has to reflect what the brand actually stands for, not just where the audience is.
[19:02] Human Connection in a Technology-Saturated World — Roberto’s take on AI and emerging technology is grounded and practical. He welcomes them as tools for efficiency and exploration but keeps the emphasis on experience. More than 70% of Patrón’s consumers, he notes, prefer experiences over goods. That insight shapes how the brand shows up at festivals like Lollapalooza, where pop-up moments inside live events invite people to experience the brand rather than just observe it. In a world where technology is accelerating, Roberto believes the premium on genuine human connection will only increase. For Patrón, creating those moments is a strategic priority, not a nice-to-have.
