When Rémy Cointreau’s Collectif 1806 recognized that trade audiences craved authentic stories over branded content, they partnered with Ford Media Lab to create something the spirits industry had never seen: a premium print anthology celebrating the bartenders and cultural movements shaping modern cocktail culture. Rather than producing another cocktail book promoting Rémy’s portfolio, Ford Media Lab conceived, photographed, designed, and produced two volumes of 1806 Magazine—192-page publications featuring in-depth profiles of over 20 individuals per issue. Rachel Ford conducted all interviews and wrote every editorial piece, while Kyle Ford shot all photography and executed the complete magazine design and layout. Volume 1 focused on New York City’s cocktail culture, Volume 2 on New Orleans, with each 3,000-copy print run selling out within months of release. The project earned Top 10 Nominee status for Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards in Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication category in both 2018 and 2019, and was featured on Bartender at Large, Heritage Radio’s The Speakeasy, and iHeart Radio’s Fork Reporter—establishing Ford Media Lab’s ability to execute complex editorial projects from concept through distribution while demonstrating that brands could build deeper trade relationships by celebrating community over promoting products.