why Kaylan Rexer is Not Accepting the Status Quo

Kaylan Rexer, Brand Director for Ilegal Mezcal, talks about the importance of having a strong team, why you should put your cell phone down and not accepting the status quo.

Name.

Kaylan Rexer

Occupations, affiliations, and projects.

Brand Director for Ilegal Mezcal

PEOPLE WHO DO FOCUSES ON THOSE WHO TAKE ACTION TO PURSUE MEANINGFUL LIFE PASSIONS. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU TO “DO”?

I think more than anything it scares me not to “do”. Staying stagnant is terrifying and boring. Doing what I’m passionate about connects me to so many different people, places and ideas that are outside the bubble of New York.

“Honestly I’m not sure I have a mantra. I work with amazing people, who have become like family. In tough moments they are my sounding board and release.”

Tell me more about the importance of Ilegal Mezcal's brand voice and message?

It is the most important thing about Ilegal. I think most people drinking Ilegal obviously enjoy the product but also feel connected to what the brand stands for. Our core message is not just a tag line, it is real and it certainly shows what side we are on. It is also pretty clear we like to have fun.

To date, what accomplishments are you most proud of?

Ilegal's Donald Eres Un Pendejo campaign. We launched it in 2015 two days after Donald Trump announced he was running for the presidency. We have raised a lot of money for charity through it and in 2017 we won a Gold Honor Shorty Award for Brand Identity. Unfortunately the campaign is still relevant.

#1 motivating mantra to get through tough moments.

Pour me an Ilegal. Honestly I’m not sure I have a mantra. I work with amazing people, who have become like family. In tough moments they are my sounding board and release.

What’s your favorite thing you’ve learned so far this year?

Delegating and releasing some control. That does not mean I’m great at it yet...still learning.

What’s your favorite lesson you’ve ever learned?

Be yourself and put others in the spotlight.

What's your go-to song to put you in a better mood?

Sugar by City of The Sun

Favorite method for logging any kind of inspiration.

I have Dropbox folders...with more folders in them. I usually take a photo or screen shot and organize things there. I also have stacks of marble notebooks that I have written in since I was a child.

Top 5 people you would invite to a dinner party.

Victoria, Marie, Patricia, Louise and Elizabeth. My five fathers sisters, my aunts. They are some of the funniest, brightest and strongest women I know. Everyone lives in different places (all still New Yorkers at heart) and it is rare we are all in the same place at the same time. It would be both fun and grounding to be around a dinner together. Also I’d have to throw in a sixth person and invite my little sister Lindsay.

“Put your cell phone down. You do not become better at anything in your life by being attached to it. Not your job or your personal relationships. A lot of my ideas have come from being able to be present.”

What’s the best piece of advice that you can give someone right now?

Put your cell phone down. You do not become better at anything in your life by being attached to it. Not your job or your personal relationships. A lot of my ideas have come from being able to be present.

3 words that you want to be remembered by.

Generous, Fun, Passionate

What’s the next goal?

I have always felt like my number one job is to build a community around the brand and create environments where people have genuine connections with the product. So the goal is to continue to grow Ilegal’s community and push the limits with our messaging. I have a few other projects but I can’t talk about them yet…stay tuned.