Enter Biography of an Object writing Contest. Win a Nook and More
Win $1,000 in gifts while you learn about antiques.
The Biography of an Object writing contest runs June 15 - August 15.
There are categories for kids, teens and adults.
For details on suggested topics and how to select your own item, and how to enter visit http://americanaweek.com
My Clients Cover the Media in June, 2012
I'm delighted to tell you about the success our clients had in the media in May and June. Congratulations to all! (Be sure to click through the blue type to see the coverage.)
June 8, 2012: New York Times columnist Eve Kahn covers birdstones/bannerstones at Dan Ripley’s Antiques Helper. PR To the Trade did the placement.
June 1, 2012: New York Post theater critic Michael Riedel writes full page article on Arthur Laurents Estate at Roland Auctions. PR To the Trade did the placement.
June 1, 2012: NY1 TV theater reporter Frank DiLella airs segment on Arthur Laurents Estate Sale at Roland Auctions. PR To the Trade did the placement.
May 31, 2012: Jake Chait of I.M. Chait debuts on Discovery Channel’s “Final Offer.” PR To the Trade identified the opportunity and scheduled the casting call.
David Goldberg To Appear At Louisiana Public Broadcasting Appraisal Fundraiser
On Saturday, June 23, 2012 David J. Goldberg - the New Orleans appraiser who is becoming known for finding treasures among the trash - is donating appraisal services for Louisiana Public Broadcasting.
The event is being held in Baton Rouge, beginning at 10:00 a.m. and continuing until 2:00. For a modest donation of $75 to LPB, you can have two items appraised by David Goldberg, or one of five other appraisers on hand.
The address is 7733 Perkins Road in Baton Rouge. For details on David Goldberg, visit http://appraisalgroupusa.com
Cornell Receives Ink Splash Painting from Kwong Lum of Gianguan Auctions
January 30, 2012. My longtime client Kwong Lum, President of Gianguan Auctions and a renown painter, recently endowed Cornell University's Johnson Museum with a painting in the freehand cursive technique he evolved some time ago.
Entitled Excerpt from a Poem by Li Bai, the painting was accepted during the annual Cornell Asian Alumni Association banquet on Jan. 21. At that time, Frank Robinson, recently retired Director of the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, acknowledged the gift with this statement: "It's very exciting, and it symbolizes the great, intimate relationship Cornell and the Johnson Museum have with Asia and Asian art."
The Kwong Lum gift is done in unrestrained freehand cursive script, a later technique that evolved from ink splash. Excerpt from a Poem by Li Bai is the first such work of art in the Johnson Museum’s renowned collection of Asian art. Kwong Lum describes Unconstrained Freehand Cursive Script as “free from the painstakingness and foreordained results historically practiced by traditional calligraphers.” The finished work is a painting of exceptional fluidity, vibrant and compelling. It features elements of both ancient Eastern and contemporary Western painting. Read more: http://acn.liveauctioneers.com/index.php/features/people/6454-chinese-artist-kwong-lum-presents-artwork-to-johnson-museum#ixzz1yH8A46Mj
Showcase Antiques and Fine Art Opens in New Orleans
(May 10, 2011) I am pleased to announce that PR To the Trade's client The Appraisal Group is opening a re-sale shop in New Orleans. It's called Showcase Antiques and Fine Art, located at 3501 Tchoupitoulas Street.
On Sunday, May 15, Showcase Antiques and Fine Art is having a 66% off Inaugural Sale. Hours are 1 - 5 p.m. (Qualified dealers and decorators are entitled to 80% off.)
The concept behind the new shop, according to David Goldberg, President of The Appraisal Group, is to make it easy for the public to buy fine antiques and fine art at wholesale prices in a retail environment.
Most of the furniture and paintings come from New Orleans' finest homes. So be sure to check out Showcase Antiques and Fine Art. For more info, call (504) 606-3837.
Korean Buncheong Pottery
(May 10, 2010) Recently, I covered the Met's new exhibit on an ancient form of Korean ceramics. It's called Buncheong pottery.
Although a 15th and 16th century phenom, the work is as modern as any minimalist could want.
Unfettered by court mandate, the rural potters working from government sponsored kilns were inspired to experiment.
They not only let organic forms fly off the wheel, they experimented, reducing traditional iconography to line.
The result is that many of the ceramic vases look like they were done by Robert Motherwell or Franz Kline.
If you're interested in ceramics, you'll love the exhibit. It's called "Poetry in Clay" and it runs at the Met through August 14. For the full story, read my article in Antiques and he Arts Weekly. Just click through the links in colored type.
Does Your Site Meet Google's Panda Standards?
Google's new Panda chews on websites that don't meet the new Google standards.
Your website could be one of the millions affected by a new quality-driven algorithm. If it is, you will see a drop in page ranking.
Panda is going after several components of websites, including:
- Content
- Link building
- Load time
Content: Panda's goal is to improve quality of content across the web. If your content is spammy, Google will drop your search page ranking. If you've been loading you site with listings as content or with descriptions as content, you will want to refocus.
The new rules of engagement require content to be useful, accurate, authoritative and current.
Link building: It's time to re-think link building. Google's new link building strategies frown on obvious exchanges, deeming them to be of low quality.
Panda likes curated sites. These are third party sites with high rankings or high profiles.
Load time: To lay the foundation for a new linking strategy, you will have to ensure that your own site meets Panda's standards.
For starters, DIY sites may not make the cut in terms of load time. (Load speeds are signals of trust that let viewers know your site is reputable and up to par.)
Bottom line: It's going to take a lot more work to keep your site current, keep your content a cut above and build your relationships with curated sites and website owners.
PR To the Trade can help. Here are 3 options:
- Follow the PRT3 blog for strategic advice.
- Use our consulting service to support your in-house marketing.
- Let PR To the Trade be your marketing team.
Please feel free to contact me to discuss ways of creating the content and links that Google's Panda demands. Use the contact form or email info@prtothetrade.com. We offer hourly and project based fees.
When it comes to growing your business, the Internet is your most effective channel. Feed Panda what it wants and it will treat you well.
Auctioneers: Save $100 on a Press Release
For the next two weeks, we're inviting auctioneers to make PR To the Trade part of their marketing team. You can try us out on a pre-sale press release or a post-sale / prices realized press release for just $500. This includes wide distribution.
This is the time to test the advantages of working with PR To the Trade.
To find out more, contact me at info@prtothetrade.com. Offer ends May 2, 2011
Read the Review: Arts of Pacific Asia
The New York Arts of Pacific Asia show is the Silk Road for 21st Century Traders. See the underlying romance of Asian arts in my review in Antiques and the Arts Weekly. The photos are excellent and credit goes to David Smith, Editor of "The Bee." http://bit.ly/gm4h7f
These Lohans were at A.B. Levy's booth at Arts of Pacific Asia
Astute collectors dominated the scene of the tightly vetted show. Read my review at http://bit.ly/gm4h7f
Asian Arts Week 2011 Makes Impact
The campaign to expand the reach of Asian art and the contributions of the artists and artisans of the Southeast Asian cultures met with unprecedented success in its inaugural year.
Dealers from across the globe have written to tell us they support the systematic training of new audiences. We, in turn, applaud their vision in fighting "antiques autism."
By the way, the Asian Arts Week website now has a listing of top lots sold at March 18 - 27, 2011. You can access this at: http://bit.ly/dWkUVN.
For information on how to get your shop or auction gallery involved in the global campaign for Asian Arts Week 2012, drop me a line at asianaartsweek@gmail.com.
Visit Our Booth at Arts of Pacific Asia.
PR To the Trade is taking the Asian Arts Week message to the front lines. We'll be manning a booth at Arts of Pacific Asia, starting with the preview on Wednesday, March 23, 6 - 10 and continuing through Sunday, March 27.
It's an opportunity to meet one-on-one with the gallery owners, museum curators and collectors that make Asian Arts week such a significant cultural event. 
If you're in New York City, stop by and say hello. Take a look at the promotional materials PR To the Trade created for Asian Arts Week. Find out how you can benefit from the same sort of strategic thinking that launched the Asian Arts Week campaign.
Arts of Pacirfic Asia is in residence at 7 W (that's 7 West 34th Street, NYC.)
If you're not in town but would like more information on launching a campaign, send an email to prtothetrade@gmail.com.
How to Break the Rules to Make a Difference.
A PR To the Trade Podcast on Urban Art & Antiques.com
As the leading public relaitons specialist for antiques and the arts, Regina Kolbe is known for breakthrough techniques that produce results.
The recent Asian Arts Week campaign is a prime example.
In an interview Eric Miller of Urban Art & Antiques, Ms. Kolbe explains the challengs and the results. Find out
- What Asian Arts Week is
- What lessons it holds for your group or destination event
Access the podcast at Urban Art & Antiques. Click through and navigate to the right sidebar. It's listed as Regina Kolbe, Asian Arts Week 2011
A Benefit for Japan at Arts of Pacific Asia Preview, Wednesday, March 23
We are proud to be working with Arts of Pacific Asia to turn the show's preview party into a benefit to raise funds for relief efforts in Japan.
Joining in this charitable event are people who cherish the art of Japan and exhibitors who have benefited commercially from that work. In an attempt to give back at a time of need, we will be donating the funds raised to Doctors Without Borders.
As Director of Asian Arts Week - the campaign to unify and amplify the events surrounding the spring asia art auctions - I invite you to join with us. If you cannot attend but would like to donate, please contact staff@asianartsweek.com for more information.
The preview tickets are $100 each. And guests will be asked to make a suggested donation of $50 or more, payable by check. The preview for this long-running, prestige anatiques and art show is being held Wednesday, March 23, 6 - 10. See you there!
Asian Arts Week Website and Map Give Visitors the Full Scope of Asia Week
After two months of intense work, PR To to Trade is pleased to announce that collectors, curators and Asian art lovers now have a guide to the activities of March 18 -27. The map is available in select hotels such as the Settai Fifth Avenue and Trump SoHo, wiith more requests waiting to be filled. All concierges have electronic access.
The map will soon be available at Arts of Pacific Asia, 7 W 34 Street, Hong Kong Auctions, 295 Madison Ave., the Fuller Building, 41 W 57. We will be adding locations in days to come.
The Asian Arts Week website also carries all details about antique shows, auctions, galleries, gardens,museum exhibitions and more. For more information contact, prtothetrade@gmail.com.
Asian Arts Week: A Festival of Asian Art, Antiques and Culture, March 18 -27
Art is more fun when you know the world it comes from.
That's the idea behind the Asian Arts Week campaign.
When the opportunity came along to build a brand for more than 90 events throughout New York City that provide insights into the culture, art and artists of Asia, we were on it.
For the first time, international visitors and culture trackers will have a map of all the events and exhibitions.
The walking-map is supported by a strong web presence and ads in IN New York magazine and The Arts of Pacific Asia catalog.
Look for the podcast that's coming on Urban Arts & Antiques.com. For more information on Asian Arts Week, visit our site. Be sure to like us on Facebook and stop back often for live posts from the events.
New Appraisal Group Video on You Tube
We just completed a testimonal You Tube video for the Appraisal Group of New Orleans. This is one of the success stories of their work for a client in Texas. The Appraisal Group works nationwide. Check out the video
Power of the Press
This compliment from Dr. Martin Eidelberg on "Tiffany Favrile Pottery and the Quest for Beauty" I wrote for The Arts and Antiques Weekly must be shared. It is a kudo for the weekly paper we all call the Bee and a reflection of the strength of the story.
"...even while I was crossing the Atlantic by ship, emails started pouring in. According to Arlie Sulka, the response (to the cover story) was just great; many visitors have come to the gallery and others have bought the book via internet. I used to think that it was coverage in the NY Times that was prestigious and important, but now I am convinced that the Bee rules. From all accounts, your coverage was impressive and
brilliant. I don't know how I can thank you enough."
In all modesty, I must thank Dr. Eidelberg for giving me a great interview.
Also -thanks to David Smith of The Bee for passing this compliment on to me. Thanks to Arlie Sulka at Lilian Nassau, whose vision made the exhibition and Dr. Eidelberg's work possible. Mostly thanks to Louis Comfort Tiffany and the Tiffany Girls for bringing such incredible ceramics to the public eye.
Click here for a link to the story: Tiffany Favrile Pottery and the Quest for Beauty, by Regina Kolbe
Holiday Marketing
If you are wondering about the effectiveness of direct mail in the digital age, be sure to read my blog "Sending Holiday Mail & Email." It offers guidelines for best efforts on snail mail and email.
By the way, if you're wondering where all your repeat buyers went, there's one way to find out. Pick up the phone and call them. Be sure you're armed with knowledge of their purchasing history before you start.
Media Planning for Small Business
The back story on how you can stretch your ad budget is also on the PRT3 blog. It gives you advice on
- planning your ad budget for the year
- and why you should leave the media plan to a media consultant.
Short answer: Media selection is a game best left to the pros. It covers everything from researching magazines, website and blog demographics and audiences to negotiating rates.
Best advice: Get out of your comfort range. When PRT3 does your media plan, you find you can afford big media that reach high net worth buyers.
Take a tip from the luxury retailers and international auction houses looking to the Mid-East and China. Sad to say, the spending in USA is dropping but your business can grow when you look to other markets. A good media plan can introduce you to those new markets.
Make 2011 a year of growth. Check with PR To the Trade for the most effective growth tactics.
Texas Woman Turns
Oil Painting Into Gold
A Press Release Goes Off the Charts
It pays to toot your own horn. The numbers bear us out. And while PR To the Trade does it for our clients, we don't do nearly enough of it for ourselves. I'm really thrilled to announce that we recently had an off-the-charts success that's worth sharing.
When The Appraisal Group of New Orleans scored a success for one of their clients by shepherding an undervalued oil painting by Albert Bierstadt to auction, we did a press release.
The title of the press release is Texas Woman Turns Oil Painting Into Gold. It's the story of how the painting "Above the Timberline," came to command $105,300.
It's the kind of discovery story everyone loves.
But that doesn't mean everyone would love reading it.
Before writing the press release, we did what we always do. Make sure every word means something. Make sure our channels of distribution are spot on.
The pay-off, Texas Woman Turns Oil Painting Into Gold has been picked up by 6,620 websites. And that's just on Google.
That means 6,620 other websites, bloggers, and magazines found the story good enough to run as content.
As far as the ultimate audience goes, traffic is in the hundreds of thousands. The Appraisal Group is now swamped with new business inquiries.
If you want your press release coverage to soar, give us a call. We can help you fast in one of two ways:
1. Critique your press release and tell you how to
make it pop.
2. Write a press release for you that is keyword
loaded, aimed at the right audience and ready
to fire.
6,620 pick-ups on Google. Wouldn't you love to see your name as the top post? We would.
We're PR To the Trade and we're here to grow your business.
Halloween House Party
One of the best things about being in PR is meeting talented people. Sandra Espinet is one of the great designers I had an opportunity to get to know this year. I'm really looking forward to seeing what Halloween decorations she conjures.
HGTV's Halloween House Party 2010
features a Sandra Espinet segment based on Mexico's Day of the Dead. Talk about skeletons being popular accessories. These folks put them on t-shirts, tattoos, car seats, piñatas, you name it.
Halloween House Party 2010 airs on Saturday, October 16 at 8:00 p.m.
The Beehive At Work
NEW YORK CITY. PR To the Trade recently announced associations with experts in several highly specialized fields of public relations. These include social media optimization, keyword 
advertising & video production.
With these new associations,
PR To the Trade can now offer clients "boutique service with big agency clout."
Regina Kolbe, President of PRT3, stated, "We have always found that reaching out to consultants in specific fields gave a price advantage over agencies that maintain large staffs. In honing the concept, we now can offer the expertise of information leaders in highly specialized areas."
"With content now taking so many forms, it's vital to have all arms of the marketing strategy unified. This is the role that PRT3 plays. We create a plan, manage it in house and when it's necessary to use outside consultants, we know where to find the best of them and how best to tap and manage these resources."
The explosion of content channels, including national TV shows, demands that advertisers know who to partner with for best service.
"If antiques dealers are to remain independent, it's time to reach beyond the traditional. Updating website content is not enough anymore. Press releases are not enough. Homemade videos are not going to go viral."
Public relations do-it-yourselfers tend to do themselves a huge disservice, Ms. Kolbe added. Even those organizations with in house marketing departments tend to suffer from myopia. More often than not, it takes an outside firm that keeps up with the new techniques and knows the market, to maximize public relations efforts.
Professional advertising, when it's done on the basis of tests and controls, delivers the greatest impact.
"Regina Kolbe is a true PR professional. In the short time
I’ve been working with her,
I’ve seen an increase in business."
—David Goldberg,
The Appraisal Group
Art & Antiques Appraiser