OLD SCHOOL VENTURES
598 Broadway, NYC
212.925.1267 [ CALL US NOW ]
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.social media
.connectivity
.community
.commerce
about old school ventures
The idea for Old School Ventures originated with the comfort associated with being “old school”.
Authentic
Honest
Back in the Day
Less Complicated
Legends and Stories
Design and Style
Today, more than ever, it's about storytelling. Social media tools, thoughtfully assembled, enable us to communicate a message and stay engaged with the marketplace and customers.
vision 2010
We anticipate that a growing number of marketers will seek strategic guidance for the application of social networks for their specific business needs. We intend to work as strategic advisors with an emphasis on collaboration not consultation. We think strategy first, then we can assist or supervise tactical execution for a measureable set of deliverables.
We work selectively and intimately with a diverse mix of companies in the retail, art, and lifestyle industries. We excel in assisting entrepreneurial professionals, artists, designers, and thought leaders, seeking to manage and expand their brand/image using social media tools.
Our goal is to apply strategic thinking to how you and your business is branded and positioned. We are collaborative, team-oriented, and have a strong network of resources and expertise.
The earlier we are involved in the process, the more impactful we can be.
about lou
Lou Sagar is a recognized trend innovator in home interiors, and the lifestyle product industries. As the founder of ZONA, the distinctive specialty home and lifestyle retailer, Lou built a showcase emporium for his pioneering development of lifestyle merchandising. In 1980, he opened his flagship store in the Soho area of New York, anticipating the emergence of Soho as an international destination for art and design. During a span of 17 years, he built a world-class lifestyle brand with nine retail locations and substantial wholesale operations distributing private label home furnishings, and lifestyle products throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan.
An accomplished author and speaker, Lou Sagar is widely regarded for his trend-setting home and lifestyle book Zona Home published in 1998 by Harper Collins. In 2003, he acted as the executive editor for “The Artful Home” Series published by Guild Publishing.
In 1998, he sold his company to a private investment group.
Since 1998, Lou has become widely respected as a premier brand and online merchandising consultant. His strong business acumen compliments his hands on experience in specialty retailing, business, and product development. For the past eight years, Lou has complimented his merchant mindset, with a deep immersion in web-based technologies, and social networking science. He enjoys working with clients to apply viral online marketing tools to strengthen the engagement his clients have with customers, members, and fans.
In 2006, Lou began to work with social networks with a focus on the emergence of social commerce, and hyperlocal news delivery. He has worked as a senior consultant on a variety of assignments with a diverse mix of clients including, Etsy, Zappos, eBay, AOL, The Uniform Project, Dean&Deluca, Eileen Fisher, ABC Carpet and Home, Frette, to name a few.
Lou often serves consultatively as a business agent to entrepreneurial start-ups to assist with brand position, business plan preparations, market trend research, and investor presentations.
what we do
Business Agent:
We represent leading online brands, luxury marketers, and art gallerists with an emphasis on storytelling, strategic collaborations, and sales development. We have multi-disciplinary expertise, essential when launching a new business enterprise. We join your team, and work collaboratively to articulate your goals, formulate strategy, and can assemble the resources to provide follow-thru on the execution of your business plan.
Key Areas of Focus:
Brand Strategy and Positioning
Social Network Integration into Web Sites, Platforms, and Blogs
Social Media Campaigns
Business Planning
Market Research
Investor Presentations
Licensing and J.V. Strategic Partnerships
how we work
We work on assignment, on a project basis. Fees are established based on the scope of work, the expertise required, and the timeline for the deliverables.
trends 2010
Here are some of the trends we are working on:
Digital Activism
Rise of “Trust Agents” as points of Influence
Convergence of Philanthropy, Fashion, Sustainability, + Commerce
Public Relations becoming Social Relations
e-Commerce influenced by Social Commerce.
The Impact of Hyperlocal News Delivery on Small Business
Collaborations between Artists and Marketers
In Praise of Slowness – Applications, Products, Merchandising
Home Furnishings and Lifestyle Products - Limited Editions
clients + projects
Internet and Web-Technology
Dean & Deluca
Zappos
Etsy
eBay
The Uniform Project
Oxygen Media
I-Village
Newgrade Financial Serivces
SubCulture Interactive
Home and Lifestyle
ABC Home
Frette
Thonet
Eileen Fisher
Victoria's Secret
Putumayo World Music
Urban Outfitters
Tommy Boy Records
5001 Flavors
Art and Museums
Lincoln Center for Performing Arts
Cartoon Museum
The Core Club
Pratt Institute
Museums Magazine
MOMA