Hi All

A client of mine posed a unique questionto me today:  Have I ever sold a piece to a celebrity and if not had I ever sent a piece to someone famous?  I have not done either.  It got me thinking whether it would be a good marketing idea to send a select few a piece to generate interest in the work and gain good exposure.  Have any of you ever done this?? I think it could go one of two ways, you send them work and they don't give you the time of day (most likely) or they like it and buy in the future or spread the word for you among their affulent circles.  What do you all think?  I'm thinking about sending a piece or two out, but  I'm not going to do this until I hear what you all think.  Thanks!!    

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  • I can't say we've ever sent anything to a "celebrity", but I have sent small items--usually a larger size cup with a flower arrangement in it--to "professionals" as a thank you for some service they've provided.  (Like to my surgeon after having surgery.)  This has ALWAYS generated sales!  (But in all fairness, I DO appreciate a doctor with warm hands during an exam!!)

  • My dad has always funny analogies and ideas. He told me once " What you have to do, is to go to Miami, Lincoln road with one of your paintings and wait for a celeb...let's say that JLo is having lunch in a restaurant. You approach her and start a scandal. "Give me my painting back JLo!!!! And start a scene...all the paparazzi will start shorting pics and there's the shot "Boom!" Next thing you are all over the tabloids doing interviews and everybody is talking about the painting., talk about celebs and people fighting all over your work! Ha ha. Of course this is what we fantasize when we are bored at the shows. Ha!
    • Actually Carla that fantasy isn't far from reality, except for the paparazzi. I had to threAten to pull work before a shoot.
      Many celebs expect things for free. Can you imagine a kardashian paying for something? Kris Jenner would most likely expect us to pay her. elizabeth taylor was notorious for this type stuff.

      i do think getting jewelery into the hands of a Rachel Zoe type person would be a good move. If you can get a big time stylist to use your work then you may get some actual useful press.
  • The items that go in celebrity grab bags at least get to the celebrity, but I have heard you often have to provide 100+ items to be considered for that. 

    Even then I think it takes an awful lot of luck for a celebrity to get it, like it, use/hang/wear it, it to be photographed on/near them, to be published, someone to ask who made it (or research it), and that knowledge be published as well!

  • Guess it depends on your medium if it is a good idea or not. I have sold to celebs and work has been on tv and film. i don't think I have made any sales because of it but it is a cute blurb to add and get a conversation going. But no one really cares.
    • Neat, Melanie. I bet that was thrilling to have your work in tv and film!
      • Set designers usually deal with it all and then things get edited out.  Just like our careers, everything sounds more romantic then it actually is :) 

  • Interesting. Funny thing: I posted this last week, then over the weekend I was filling out a form for a show and it asked if celebrities had ever bought your work. I said no, but I wish they would hehe
    • Hi Elle, what show asks that ridiculous question?

      Larry Berman
      • Hi Larry. It was on the questionnaire that comes with the Amdur contracts. It is a press information form.
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