THE RIGHT KICKS: JEREMY MURPHY

always early, so don't be late."It's 6pm and Jeremy Murphy, founder of 360bespoke, is ensconced at his favorite perch: The Polo Bar. "In the back, by the fireplace," he had texted previously. "I'm always early, so don't be late." Punctuality is one attribute of the long-time PR executive, who left CBS in 2016 to start his firm. Since then, he's signed an eclectic mix of clients that range from violin virtuoso Charlie Siem to the recently launched New York App Romio. "It's definitely a mix," he says, proudly. "We recently ended a partnership with a firm in LA, E2W, so I'm back to being an independent. I like the freedom that comes with providing  exclusive, hand on service for luxury brands in fashion, style, hospitality the arts." That's the one differential, Murphy says: "They get me, not some young assistant or intern. I'm up every morning at 5 a.m. Working with artists like Charlie and Iestyn (Davies, the opera singer) is stimulating. And launching an App like Romio gave me a crash course in tech and start up land."

"It has been very exciting to see Jeremy grow his company from just an idea to a successful enterprise," offered Cathie Black, the long-time chairwoman of Hearst Magazines who serves on his advisory board. "It's very different from working for a big network but he has survived, thrived and learned, all the while utilizing his many creative talents. And being a charming, funny and self-deprecating person is what sets him apart." Murphy got his start at Boca Raton News. "By day I was a feature writer and at night copy-editor," he remembers. "I'd proof the pages and wait until midnight to do press check. And do it all again the next day." Three years later he found himself at CBS where he spent the next decade, and then some.

While there, Murphy pitched a glossy magazine called Watch! that has since become a newsstand staple. It was during that time Murphy meet violinist Siem, nearly by accident. "I'd read a piece on him in some European magazine and thought he'd be good for a culture section we'd just started. Later, we met and became friends. He's one of the most talented people I know." The two collaborated on creating an original musical score for the magazine's digital platforms, which was hailed by the New York Times as a first of its kind for a magazine brand.  The song, "Canopy," is the first composition Siem had written.  "Jeremy gave me complete freedom. He has an intuitive understanding and trust in the artistic process, which, as a musician, gives you the confidence you need and want," said Siem. "It was a very meaningful experience, and we've been good friends ever since."

Along the way, Murphy began mentioning Siem to editors around New York, slowly helping with his publicity. "That's when it kind of hit me," said Murphy. "I can do this." He enlisted other artist friends he had worked with and soon had an agency. "I'm having still having fun, but there are still a few accounts I want, like a boutique hotel," he say. "Or some place like this," he says with a wink, darting his eyes around the land of Ralph (Lauren).

360bespoke.com