Phil Savage (pictured left) is head honcho at Ultima Promotions and organises all the top parties at the most exclusive and popular Marbella venues including the new and very exclusive Mirage Marbella Discoteca, Plaza Beach and News Cafe. Marbella Rocks caught up with the big man to find out about launching his new nightclub, Summer 2017 and plans for the future.
MIRAGE
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW CLUB VENTURE MIRAGE?
Yes of course. I had the opportunity to take an old derelict nightclub perfectly located at the entrance of Puerto Banus. The potential of this venue was too great to ignore…I saw a blank canvas with endless possibilities. I spoke with my business partners Charley Caradas and Igor Chiodaroli and we started generating ideas and a concept.
Our mission was very clear – “To be the very best”.
To deliver the most extravagant and visually impacting venue in Club Land, accompanied by the greatest sounding audio system available.
To create an experience like never before, bringing together the industries finest entertainment. World renowned DJ’s, international artists, leading promotions, events and in-house visceral performances.
Bringing Las Vegas levels of glamour with the thrills and excitement of Ibiza. Dark, seductive with the use of gloss black and gold high end materials throughout, showcasing beautiful chandeliers, a diverse fully adaptive lighting system featuring a 10m wide HD video wall, cutting edge laser system, and a 10 point Megatron CO2 system. The list goes on…
Service is top on our agenda! Mirage customers are going to feel welcome, entertained, special and wanting to come again!
HOW BIG IS THE CLUB?
It’s a big space which we will need. I truly believe we have nailed the distribution. We have integrated some very cool features and made great use of the areas we had to play with.
IS IT TRUE YOU WILL HAVE A LASER SHOW AND A 185DB FUNKTION ONE AUDIO SYSTEM TO MATCH IBIZA’S BIGGEST AND BEST VENUES?
I want our guests entertained! Never a dull moment. We are very aware not to go overboard but the club boasts an array of best in industry features. From our customized brand new Funktion One sound system, Multi tasking Lasers, CO2 megatron canons, 4k HD video wall, there is too much to mention but I think we have one of the most capable clubs in the world, not only Marbella.
WHAT’S THE DECOR GOING TO BE LIKE?
Extravagant. When you enter Mirage I want the customer to have a real sense of occasion. As the name suggests, you won’t believe your eyes!
WHAT CLIENTELE ARE YOU HOPING TO ATTRACT?
The best Marbella has to offer. This is the venue you get dressed up for, looking your best and feeling your best.
Whether you take a VIP table or want to enjoy the night from the dancefloor. Making an effort is expected. Our beautiful customers are part of the theme of the venue.
WHAT IS UNIQUE/DIFFERENT ABOUT MIRAGE?
Just about everything. Attention to detail is seen everywhere.
ARE CLUB NIGHTS KINKY MALINKI, ACES BACK WITH ULTIMA AGAIN THIS SUMMER?
Yes Kinky Malinki and Aces return with Ultima and will feature at Mirage along with some exciting new additions, such as ABODE and a Colin Francis Residency every Friday. We have introduced a new RnB brand for 2017 called LITT every Thursday in collaboration with RichList which is gaining a lot of traction.
WHAT OTHER DJ’S/ACTS HAVE YOU SIGNED FOR SUMMER?
We’ve been busy! Disciples, Andrea Oliva, DJ EZ, MK, Giggs, Charley Sloth, Tom Zanetti, Kano, Donaeo, DJ Charlsey to name a few. We are working on many more but can’t announce just yet. I think it’s safe to say that it will be the strongest line up Marbella has ever seen! But please check miragemarbella.es for all the latest info and events.
PLAZA BEACH
MARBELLA TOURIST FIGURES REVEAL LAST SUMMER HAS BEEN ONE OF THE BUSIEST ON RECORDS, WITH 2017 SET TO SMASH ALL EXISTING RECORDS – HOW HAVE PRE BOOKINGS BEEN GOING AT PLAZA?
Its hard to believe the growth of Plaza Beach and its seemingly never ending rise to the top! Our pre bookings are a direct indicator to how our coming season is going to be and it is looking MASSIVE! If I said how much we are up on pre sales you honestly wouldn’t believe me.
PLAZA BEACH IS FAST BECOMING THE NUMBER 1 BEACH CLUB, YOU BEAT OCEAN CLUB AND SALA BY THE SEA IN THE MARBELLA AWARDS PUBLIC VOTE TOO – WHY IS THE VENUE TROUNCING THE COMPETITION IN YOUR OPINION?
I think what Plaza Beach offers is relatively unique to the daytime beach venues in Marbella. It’s a more relaxed party atmosphere. Maybe slightly less pretentious than its competitors but you can still expect fantastic service and VIP status. It’s a great day out with a brilliant location being at the start of the Paseo.
Ultima Promotions has had an integral part to play in the success of the Beach Club ensuring we have strong events and promotions. Another key part of Plaza Beach continued success is its management team, namely Jason Templeman, Paulinho Prediger and JR Hynds. Since Jason has come on board the level of detail and focus to all aspects of the running and operations is second to non and has enabled us to take on bigger events with confidence and a new level of professionalism.
HAVE THERE BEEN ANY REFURBISHMENTS OR CHANGES TO PLAZA SINCE LAST YEAR?
Significant changes have been made to the beach for 2017. The beach is looking incredible. New beautiful decking, more VIP bed options on the deck and on the beach, a brand new sound system, and a newly furnished Restaurant, with an incredible new head chef Nick Newman.
WHAT WILL BE THE STANDOUT PARTIES FOR YOU AT THE VENUE THIS YEAR?
Well special mention has to go to Kisstory. Last year was huge so now Kisstory has a residency every Friday of the summer. The end of month spray weekends we have Aces returning and the bookings are looking powerful with some incredible acts. We are also starting some in house events. Saturdays we will have OTT Saturdays a crazy entertainment driven day. Sunday throughout the summer we have some very strong outside promotions coming including The Colin Francis Project and History to name but a few.
Very excited for a new event HOT BED by ABODE! These guys are taking the UK and Ibiza by storm and have teamed up with Plaza Beach for some incredible events. This is my top pick for the summer!
TELL US ABOUT THE NEW PARTY CARTEL?
Cartel has been a strong brand in Dubai for some time. Crazy twisted circus branding, entertainment make it a must see event! There is nothing happening like it in Marbella currently!
WHEN’S THE BIG OPENING PARTY PLANNED FOR AND WHO IS KICK STARTING THE SUMMER SEASON FOR YOU?
We plan to open on Thursday 27th April with our now legendary Foam Party but the official Opening weekend looks like this: Kisstory, Friday 28th April; Aces, Saturday 29th April; Colin Francis Project Sunday 30th April; HOT BED by ABODE, Monday 1st May – I’m getting excited just thinking about it (haha.)
NEWS CAFÉ
NEWS CAFÉ HAS BEEN AWARDED THE WINNER OF THE BEST BAR IN THE ANNUAL MARBELLA AWARDS TWO YEARS IN A ROW NOW, THAT’S QUITE AN ACCOLADE, WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS SO POPULAR?
News Cafe has everything you could ever want when coming to Puerto Banus, an idyllic location with stunning views of the port, three floors each different from the other playing incredible party music that everyone can appreciate. The staff are brilliant, friendly and there to help, oh and you will be bumping into the Ultima promo team whilst there who make everyone’s night!!
WHAT SETS NEWS APART FROM THE OTHER BAR/CLUB VENUES?
I think it’s the only venue that 7 nights a week you can expect a full bar/club with great looking people all there to have fun with a great atmosphere. We don’t over complicate it, News Cafe has a formula that works and we stay true to it.
WHAT DJ’S OR ACTS ARE COMING TO NEWS CAFÉ?
We have introduced a few new events this summer: Thursdays, CARTEL; Fridays, BOUTIQUE EVENTS; Saturdays, OTT; Sundays, WE OWN SUNDAYS. We also have DJ Max Dehnam returning every Monday of the spray weekends. He always smashes it at News Cafe.
HAVE THERE BEEN ANY CHANGES TO THE VENUE SINCE LAST SUMMER?
News Cafe has undergone its most significant overhaul in its 25 year history. But please come and see for yourselves, you will be blown away!
WHEN ARE YOU OPENING NEWS CAFÉ?
News Cafe officially re-opens Thursday 27th April for the summer, although we are doing a soft opening for Semana Santa on the 14, 15 and 16 April.
THE BUSINESS
WE RECENTLY INTERVIEWED MINISTRY OF SOUND MARBELLA SESSIONS DJ COLIN FRANCIS WHO HAS KNOWN YOU FOR 12 YEARS AND SAYS THAT YOU ARE GENUINELY ONE OF THE NICEST GUYS IN THE BUSINESS, DO YOU THINK THAT’S WHY ULTIMA HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL?
Well Ultima is a huge team effort and grows year upon year. I couldn’t do it without the support of the team and my management team. Joe Glynn, Dean Hall, Tom Roberts and my incredible designer Paul Sharples have been instrumental in the successes we have had in recent years. But I do make an effort to do right by others. It’s nice of Colin to have said those words.
YOU RUN A HUGE TEAM OF 30 PLUS WORKERS IN MARBELLA – HOW DO YOU COPE MANAGING SUCH A HUGE TEAM?
Again I can’t take credit for all of it, the managers play a key role here. But generally speaking the Ultima team becomes a family and we all want the best for Ultima and the venues we represent. Expectations are high from all the squad and this is instilled into them from the first time I interview a new member, being brutally honest of what’s expected and required from each member. But the sense of job satisfaction in this industry is hard to top and gets addictive. We love filling parties and creating a great atmosphere! The guys obviously get to enjoy their hard work in the parties also.
FOR ANYONE THINKING OF JOINING YOUR TEAM WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A PART OF TEAM ULTIMA?
Primarily we look for individuals with the right attitude. Motivated to come here and work their ass off, increase their own profile, naturally sociable and friendly while remaining professional. They have to be fully invested in our goals and all areas of the promotions and marketing. We run 21 parties a week! It’s non-stop! It’s enjoyable work but it’s not a holiday camp!
THE MAN HIMSELF
YOU BECAME A FATHER FOR THE FIRST TIME LAST YEAR. HOW IS FATHERHOOD TREATING YOU AND DO YOU THINK IT HAS CHANGED YOU AS A PERSON?
Becoming a Daddy is the most wonderful fulfilling experience of my life. Our house is full of joy and Jayden (my baby boy) is the perfect distraction when I come up for air from work. It certainly puts things into perspective and makes you look at things differently but I don’t think I would say it has changed me as a person.
ARE THERE PLANS FOR MORE “MINI SAVAGES” ANYTIME SOON?
Haha! Well it was never our plan to have more than one child but I love having a little baby hahaha so lets see. I’m already wishing Jayden to stop growing and he’s only 9 months old.
HOW DO YOU COPE RUNNING 3 VENUES?
Well unfortunately it’s not all good news. I’ve taken on a lot of responsibility and intend to smash all expectations. But this means many hours and a lot of creative hard work, so it helps that I love the job, the people and receiving feedback from friends and customers.
HOW DO YOU MAKE TIME FOR YOURSELF AND THE FAMILY?
My wife Sara is fantastic and is very supportive and understanding. Our plan is for Sara and Jayden to come and visit me most days at Plaza Beach so I think the little man is going to become our Ultima Mascot haha. Ultimately the work I put in now secures my families future so I draw from that thought.
IS IT TEMPTING TO PARTY ALL THE TIME OR DO YOU SAVE YOURSELF FOR THE ODD BIG NIGHT OUT?
Hahaha I wish I could but those days are gone. But I still get to let my hair down on occasions! Don’t worry about that!!
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME PHIL, LOOKING FORWARD TO ULTIMA CRACKING IT AGAIN THIS SUMMER SEASON! BEST OF LUCK.
