The Genesis
In 2003, a small group of people gathered in New York who desired a more sophisticated alternative to the nightlife options available. That gathering planted the seeds for what has become a nationwide social movement called French Tuesdays! Today, it is expanding internationally and is known as a classy social networking phenomenon and lifestyle brand. Its success in New York quickly led to French Tuesdays being established in Miami in 2004, Los Angeles in 2006, San Francisco in 2007 and Paris in 2009. Now numbering more than 18,000 members in the U.S., French Tuesdays offers contemporary men and women entrée to a network of successful individuals and a world of couture nightlife and entertainment.
The Visionaries
Pierre Battu (CEO)
Gilles Amsallem (COO)
Pierre brings a diverse background of experience to French Tuesdays. He departed from Aventis in 1993 after several years of service and then joined Arjo-Wiggins, a European paper manufacturing company. There he served as export manager in charge of the South American markets. His initial move to the United States occurred in 1998, when he was appointed Vice President in charge of sales and marketing for a division of Arjo-Wiggins USA, located in New York City. Two years later he was promoted again and returned back to Paris. After a year of being back in Paris, Pierre really missed NYC. So he resigned and decided to pursue his dream of starting his own business in New York. In 2003, he joined his business partner, Gilles, in his textile importing company.
In March 2003, Pierre invited a few friends out to discuss and revive his passion for organizing social events. About 50 people attended the first event. Only three months later, the number of participants grew to 500! Pierre, along with his friend Gilles, made this new adventure a top priority and French Tuesdays was born.
Pierre holds a Master of Arts in International Politics from Brussels University (ULB) and an MBA from Paris Business School (ESCP-EAP). He is resides in New York.
Gilles Amsallem (COO)
In 1986, what began as a vacation and summer visit with friends who lived in New York City, turned out to be far more permanent. Though he was still in business school in France at the time of his visit to the United States, the attraction of New York proved to be irresistible. Always one to seek new experiences and challenges, Gilles ignored the advice of many “to stick with his life in Paris to continue on a more traditional path.” He decided to stay in New York and apply his creativity, sense of style and winning charisma. It was a good decision!
In 1986, Gilles successfully started and managed a fashion business working very closely with prominent clothing designers, such as Carolina Herrera and Ralph Lauren. Many years later, after meeting Pierre socially, he offered Pierre the opportunity to join him. This is when the vision of French Tuesdays began to blossom. It was time for Gilles to embark on another exciting and new adventure. This all began with developing French Tuesdays in 3 new cities while reaching another level of excellence in the event planning world. Having successfully begun French Tuesdays in Paris and São Paulo in 2009, his mission along with his team is to establish French Tuesdays’ panache and flare for event planning globally. Who’s next….Asia? Stay tuned!
Gilles is recognized as an event planning expert. He resides in Los Angeles.
