Ringo Starr's Golden Drum

Ringo's Golden Drum Makes a Starring Appearance at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art

A Public Relations Moment in Ringo Starr and Beatles History is on Display at the Famed Museum

From Renoir to Rembrandt... to Ringo?

A visit to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue certainly offers a showcase of historic masterpieces that can be called star-studded.

But until December, there's only one historic Starr.

Ringo Starr's golden drum is on display. Housed in a room filled with historic musical instruments, many going back hundreds of years and more, is one instrument that is drawing museum visitors away from their Matisse, Picasso's and other masters.

It's actually a publicity/public relations success that is paying dividends decades after the story first broke.

Following a 1964 appearance by the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan TV Show, the Fab Four - including the group's superstar drummer-were presented with a gold plated snare drum by the Ludwig Drum Company, in appreciation for the Beatles and to Ringo Starr in particular for popularizing the drum brand.

A public relations photograph on display alongside the infamous drum at the Met shows a beaming Ringo holding the drum prouldy presented to him by the head of Ludwig, William Ludwig. Also appearing in the press photo are the rest of the Fab Four including George Harrison, Paul McCartney and John Lennon as well as the Ludwig president's daughter Brooke and R.L. Schory, the company's director of marketing. The ceremony was conducted in Chicago as the Beatles were on tour after their Sullivan TV appearance.

This year, in celebration of Ringo Starr's 70^th birthday, Ringo gave his permission for the Metropolitan Museum to display the famous golden drum through the end of the year.

Visitors are flocking to a quiet corner of the Met's musical instrument room--the same room where historic pianos and violins can be admired--and are standing in appreciation, remembering and no doubt reliving a moment of their own personal Beatles memory.

A Met museum guard permits pictures as individuals and families stare, and share stories about the musical sensations that captivated the world.

Perhaps partially thanks to Ringo Starr, the Ludwig Drum Company is still beating... and still benefiting forty-six years after one smart public relations/publicity marketing presentation.

So while you're visiting some Picasso's, Renoir's and Rembrandt's at New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art on Fifth Avenue and 83^rd Street, you definitely won't want to miss seeing a Ringo.

A Mansion of Majestic European Artwork: The Neue Galierie

Welcome to New York City's Neue Galerie, a Mansion-museum Featuring an Otto Dix Exhibition and a Taste of European Style

Enjoy a Fifth Avenue Look into the World of Austrian and German Art.

What's new at the Neue (pronounced Noy-a) Galerie, the Museum for German and Austrian Art located on Fifth Avenue and 86^th Street, just a short walk from the massive Metropolitan Museum of Art?

The answer is Otto Dix. He was a German painter who graphically captured a number of themes including his own experiences as a traumatized soldier in World War I.

"Otto Dix", the exhibition, represents the first one-man showing of works from this major German artist ever held in North America. The paintings, drawings and prints that you'll see will go from brutally savage to touchingly insightful. The four themes of the over 100 masterpieces in the exhibition not only include World War I but portraiture, sexuality and religious works.

One of my favorites was the Otto Dix 1922 painting titled "Sunday Stroll." Then there's the powerful 1925 work titled "Portrait of the Dancer Anita Berber", a stunningly huge red painting. There's a sad story of Berber that's shared with the viewer while listening on a headphone tour, which is provided free with your admission to the Neue.

In addition to the Otto Dix exhibit (which runs through August 30^th), the Neue Galerie has a collection of not-to-be-missed works by Gustav Klimt, including the golden "Adele Bloch-Bauer I" (notice the hidden letters A, B & B in this masterpiece as well as work from Egon Schiele and Paul Klee.

Unlike most other New York City museums, a visit to the Neue Galerie feels like a private invitation into a landmark mansion, which makes it intimate and quite easy to navigate.

To help keep you in the European mood, there's the ground floor Cafe Sabarsky which gives you the feeling of being in an intimate Vienna café. The library-like Book Store and tiny Design Shop both feature wonderful collections of architectural books and original objects from major Austrian and German designers.

General admission to New York City's Neue Galerie (1048 Fifth Avenue, entrance on 86^th Street) is $15. Students and seniors pay $10. All admissions include the headphone guided tour. Children under 12 are not admitted.

By the way, as is typical of most New York City museums, there is a free admission policy. The Neue Galerie is open to the public free on the first Friday of every month.

Where are all the bookstores going?

Would You Open a Bookstore Today? Digitally Speaking, e-books, Kindles, I-Pads, Nooks and More Are Changing the Way We Read

Faster Than You Can Turn a Page, as e-books Thrive, Booksellers, Authors and Readers Alike Looking at a Changing Industry

Would you open a bookstore today?

The marketing of the written word has come a long way since the Gutenberg Bible. Historically speaking, from the years 1455 to 2010, looking into how and where books are read and sold could make for an interesting book in itself.

But no doubt, the recent history of the bookseller and book buyer seems to be moving faster than any world record-holding speed reader.

The New York Times today not only covered the quick change strategy that's going on at Barnes & Noble but also had another story that pretty much summed up the ongoing change of the book market today. In another story, none other than author Pete Hamill announced that his next book, a tome about immigration, would skip print and go directly to digital, coming out as an e-book. Hamill, who admitted to never having read an e-book himself, questions how an author can have a book signing? Hmmm! Book signings, book stores, book shelves libraries, little by little, the way it was in the book industry yesterday is not the way it is today nor will be tomorrow.

Not surprisingly, independent bookstores struggle to hold on let alone build their business. That said, it is still nice to visit Long Island shops like Book Revue in Huntington, Port Washington's Dolphin Bookshop (check out their wonderful new location), and New York City's own classics including the Strand,  Three Lives & Company Book Stores among the other still in business independents.

Yet thanks to the e-book growing success of the Amazon Kindle, the Apple i-Pad and the Barnes & Noble Nook, perhaps a whole new population of readers is being developed and nurtured.

The fact is e-book sales are up and growing fast. Authors are financially benefitting from e-book sales. What's more, without a doubt, the education market will soon welcome the text e-book especially on the college level as professors and students look to trade in the conceptually heavy $100+ textbooks for the convenience of e-books.

Visiting any library today makes it very clear how impactful the Internet and e-book concept has started to take over the industry. Sure, people will still say they love to hold a real book. Visitors to bookstores no doubt still enjoy the browsing experience that comes from walking through the aisles and then sitting down with a hard cover book, and maybe even enjoying a bookstore brewed cup of coffee.

Yet look how quickly major magazines have embraced the online world through Internet and App distribution of their articles. Surely, books as we know them today will always be around, but you probably wouldn't bet on the popularity of hard and soft cover books increasing in the decades ahead.

It's a pretty safe assumption that the digital world of e-books will thrive in the short and foreseeable future.

By the way, anybody want to take an educated guess on how soon the 1455 Gutenberg Bible will become an e-book?

Announcing Johnny Carson and the Tonight Show Website Reunion.

Heeere's Johnny: Announcing the Online Johnny Carson and Tonight Show Website Reunion

Enjoy the King of Late Night Television Again with This Variety of Clips and Quips, Now Appearing on Your Internet

Long before Leno and Letterman, Johnny Carson was the King of Late Night television. Every evening you snuggled up and invited Johnny and his menagerie of interesting guests into your home to help you wrap up another day.

Opening The New York Times this morning was the exciting news that the 30-year history of The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson was making a return engagement appearing oh so conveniently right on the Internet.

Sadly the Times reported that "not much from the first 10 years of Carson's "Tonight Show" (he took over in 1962) has survived, having been destroyed in an era when no one contemplated the possibility of home video." That said, what has survived in a remarkable collection of online memories that will leave you remembering just how great this late night king was.

From a marketing point of view, it looks like there is going to be a huge amount of public relations activity related to the exciting news of Carson's return. The write-up in the Times along with the other news stories appearing all over signal the announcement that the Carson Productions team (now headed by a nephew of Johnny) is out to get the Carson collection into the hands of as many people as possible. Yes, there is are DVDs and yes, the Carson Production team is hoping to license Johnny for all types of marketing and advertising opportunities. But you don't have to be a big budget advertiser or senior marketing executive to be able to go back and enjoy the talents of Johnny as his guests.

Fact is, you just head to www.johnnycarson.com and you can take in a variety of online clips and quips that will make you fall in love with this super talent as well as the variety of people he surrounded himself with. Visiting the website gives you an opportunity for example to catch Johnny (wearing what may be the most colorful sports jacket you've ever seen) introducing Rodney Dangerfield, the man who proudly proclaimed that he got no respect. Rodney's brief Tonight Show comic routine is a not-to-be-missed winner. Also, wait until you catch a clip of a young Jerry Seinfeld describing the gentle cycle of a washing machine as only the mild mannered Seinfeld can. Plus, with all the current Betty White hype, you won't want to miss the Betty White/Johnny Carson restaurant sketch.

And that's just the beginning-a brief overview of what awaits you on the Johnny Carson and company website. Even with all the variety of TV talent and programming available late night today, make sure you make time to see the master in action. Heeere's Johnny. It's so nice to have him back if only so we can laugh out loud and remember just how great late night television used to be.

Summertime Memories

Super Cool Memories of a Super Hot Summer

So Where Did the Hot Summer Go? Enjoying a Little of This, and a Little of that Remembering Louis, George, Morrie, Mitch and More

Hot enough for you?

No doubt air conditioning felt mighty good during the past few months. But taking a look back at some events that crossed my path recently, the word "cool" seems to fit pretty well.

Enjoying a little of this and a little of that added up to some cool memories from Louis, George, Ron, Morrie, Mitch and more.

"Hello Louis." Jazz legend Louis Armstrong celebrated his birthday on the fourth of July. He and his wife Lucille lived for decades in a house on a busy street in Corona in the New York City borough of Queens. Visiting his home on July 4th meant enjoying a celebration concert in the garden which featured a look-alike and sound-alike group that musically entertained the hot outdoor audience with some cool sounds. But the highlight of the day was touring Louis Armstrong's home room by room. The knowledgeable docent told fascinating Satchmo stories and even played taped recordings that the jazz legend himself had recorded. It was fascinating to learn that Louis Armstrong used about 50 trademark white handkerchiefs a day. What most people don't know is that he wore a Star of David around his neck to symbolize how important his early life with one family. was to him. As a child growing up in a poor Louisiana area, Louis happened to meet the Karnofsky family. They were Russian Jewish immigrants who befriended young Louis. They made sure that Louis could get his first coronet, helping him begin his road to worldwide musical greatness. The Star of David he always wore helped him remember the cool family that helped him when he needed it most.

"Mr. Stein. Mr. Brenner." There was no shortage of news coverage in July when New York Yankees principal owner George Steinbrenner passed away. But there was one interesting story in particular from The New York Times that I wanted to share. There haven't been many Jewish ballplayers on the team during the Steinbrenner era but Ron Blomberg was one. So when Blomberg met the team owner for the first time, he thought he knew everything that mattered. "I thought he was Jewish," Blomberg said. "Steinbrenner" I said, 'I got this thing made.' I mean, this is great. Jewish ownership. New York. He'll let me do anything." There was a slight pause. "Then I found out he wasn't Jewish." By the way, did you know that Ron Blomberg was baseball's first ever designated hitter? "Boomer," as he was nicknamed, faced Boston Red Sox pitcher Luis Tiant and was walked. Just some super cool baseball trivia I learned over this super hot summer.

"Bookings." Bibliophiles and lovers of the graphic arts have had their own organization since 1864 when the Grolier Club opened. Housed in a wonderful building on East 60th street in New York City, the very well air-conditioned Club welcomes visitors to its special exhibitions, including its summer exhibit called "Bound for Success" which showcased designer bookbinders. Twenty one countries and 117 examples were represented showing off some the world's best bookbinders and designers in one super cool exhibition.

"Morrie and Mitch" Mitch Miller's TV show from the 1950s wouldn't be called "cool" today but back then, the "Sing Along with Mitch" host seemed to have the whole country singing. And chances are, some people could have been watching the show while snacking on Cheez Doodles, which was created and named by a Long Islander named Morrie Yohai. Both Mitch and Morrie passed away the same week in July leaving us with cool memories...and yellow fingers.

During some of the hottest days in memory, enjoying a little of this and a little of that has added up to one super cool and very interesting summer.

Hope you've been enjoying a cool summer, too.

Enjoy a Taste of the REAL Little Italy on Arthur Avenue

Going from the Gardens to Pasta Perfection; Minutes from the New York Botanical Garden is Arthur Avenue, the Little Italy of the Bronx

Near the Botanical Garden, Even the Bronx Zoo and Yankee Stadium is a Whole Neighborhood of Delicious Dining Experiences

Walking through the entrance into the New York Botanical Gardens the other day, a colorful green, red and white flyer caught my marketer's eye. "Enjoy a taste of the REAL Little Italy" on Arthur Avenue," it read.

Very clever I thought since one of the highlights of my own visits to the Gardens throughout the year is the thought that after I enjoy all the wonderful exhibits of trees, plants, flowers and assorted exhibits of flora and fauna, a perfect meal will await me a few minutes away on one the best streets of neighborhood Italian restaurants around.

Call it pasta perfection, just minutes from the New York Botanical Gardens (the Bronx Zoo and Fordham University are very close by, too) is the Belmont section (yes, a name made famous by the group Dion & the Belmonts) and Arthur Avenue.

Generations of Italian-Americans have given the Arthur Avenue neighborhood a distinctive-and delicious-character which has made visiting this part of New York City a must.

Fact is, exploring the Arthur Avenue area will test your taste buds as you discover an aromatic blend of restaurants, pastry shops and just about every type of Italian delicacy you can imagine. The New York Botanical Garden flyer invites visitors to the Garden to stop for lunch on Arthur Avenue or enjoy a leisurely post-Garden feast.

The Arthur Avenue area map on the reverse side of the flyer includes a wealth of choices to meet the palate of the most discriminating diner. From restaurants to cafes to pizzerias and more, come hungry and you'll leave full.

Right in the middle of the Italian side of Arthur Avenue is a Retail Market where you can browse through a collection of stalls featuring a wealth of delicacies.

By the way, even though the focus on Arthur Avenue is heavily Italian, the neighborhood has started to change a bit meaning you don't have to think exclusively Italian food anymore. One by one, other culinary choices are opening up in this restaurant filled area including Japanese, Chinese and Mexican. Bottom line, whatever your taste buds demand, chances are the Arthur Avenue experience will be sure to please you and your dining group.

So whether you're visiting The New York Botanical Garden, the Bronx Zoo, Fordham University or even the nearby home of the New York Yankees and Yankee Stadium, dining in and around Arthur Avenue will be a taste treat that will make guarantee you one delicious day.

Why We Love Waiting Rooms.

Catch Up on the Latest Gossip and News While You Wait. Find Out Why Readers--and Marketers-- Love Waiting Rooms

Reading While You Wait is a Marketer's Dream

Reading while you wait. Not a bad way to catch up on the latest gossip and news. The fact is, waiting rooms can be a magazine reader's-- and marketer's --dream.

Whether it's the doctor's or dentist's office, hospital waiting area, auto dealer repair center, beauty salon, or corporate reception room, the quiet time that one has before, maybe even during and after an appointment tends to create a perfect opportunity to read, discover, peruse, think about and even make decisions that can lead to major purchases.

The ideal situation for any advertiser is increased exposure to a targeted or hidden audience that can create buying opportunities even when you least expect it. While magazines and newspapers strive and struggle for increasing circulation in these difficult media times, pass along readership with increased media exposure can generate new and powerful marketing opportunities.

One major medical group nearby welcomes patients and family members into an inviting waiting area complete with a plethora of timely reading material. On top of print opportunities is a flat-screened television tuned into a medical information program (with commercials, of course).

Bottom line is ongoing exposure that goes beyond the traditional at-home readership yet simulates an often home-like feeling with a relaxing environment conducive to quiet enjoyment of the media landscape that the waiting room provides.

Watching patients of all ages and their families, reach for the different magazines made it clear just how important this marketing opportunity is.

After one woman spent at least 15 minutes with US Magazine, including reading about Sandra Bullock's New Life, the ad filled magazine had its own new life.

The ads surrounding the Entertainment Weekly magazine article about Katherine Hegel on why she's leaving Grey's Anatomy were also popular.

In this particular waiting room, I counted no less than 15 different magazines even including "Trout", "American Angler" --I even read about "The Perfect 10 Bonefish Patterns--and of course Web MD with its 2-sided covers featuring Cynthia Nixon and Susan Lewis. I couldn't resist even taking one of the pass-along subscription cards inviting me to "try 4 free issues" of a popular magazine.

Companies provide gratis magazines to waiting rooms as part of a publication's marketing program but often the office physician or dentist office staff can drop off the reading matter after they've devoured it.

Add up the pass along readership of waiting rooms along with the readership from every library's own collection of magazine and newspaper reading material, not to mention airports, airlines and hotels, --- plus of course the enjoyment of being a marketer and just standing at a newsstand watching people read through their favorite magazine(s)--and it's all easy to see how many readers, and how long a shelf life every periodical can enjoy.