Music Trade Review

Issue: 1928 Vol. 87 N. 24

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
The Music Trade Review
Piano Promotion Committee Outlines
the Business Prospects for 1929
In Broadside Just Sent to the Trade the Work of the Committee Is Described at
Length and Retailers Are Urged to Co-operate for More Sales
' T * H E Sales Promotion Committee of the Na-
•*• tional Piano Manufacturers' Association
through Edward C. Boykin, executive secre-
tary, has just issued a special broadside to the
piano merchants of the country which repre-
sents an optimistic message for the coming
year.
The broadside pays particular attention to
what has been and is being done to develop
greater interest in the piano on the part of
the public, and outlines the various impor-
tant activities, such as class-piano instruction;
development of modern merchandising and
sales plans; national advertising and general
publicity; easy piano lessons through the "Look
and Play" piano books; tie-up advertising for
dealers; closer contacts with music teachers
and music and civic organizations, and other
movements.
The point is emphasized that 1929 holds a
real opportunity for dealers who are willing to
take advantage of the promotion work that has
already been carried on and that which has
been planned. In this connection Mr. Boykin
says in his message:
"Little or no effort is being made by piano
merchants to sell pianos to thousands of homes
that can be sold—prove this for yourself. Se-
lect any fifty good homes in your community
and call on them conscientiously. Facts show
that you will find at least ten good prospects
in these fifty homes. Go ahead and try this
and write me the results of your trial.
"The parents of America are wide open to
welcome such a splendid influence as the piano
in keeping boys and girls at home and training
their minds in the right direction—any parent
in your community will corroborate this state-
ment.
"More interest is being created in the piano
and in learning to play the piano than ever
before in its history—this fact is basic and of
vital importance to the industry because the fu-
ture of the piano rests on the extent to which
people desire to play the piano.
"A permanent increase in the sales of pianos
depends on the creation of a permanent interest
in the piano—this applies to the smallest com-
munity as strongly as to the largest and yours
is no exception.
"The man who says people don't want pianos
to-day doesn't know what he's talking about—
among others I have before me the results of
a survey made in just one small town in the
Middle West. Out of 375 homes called on and
able to buy a piano there were 175 prospects
who did not even have an old piano!
"If you wish to sell pianos against to-day's
competition you must devote exclusive efforts
to the sale of pianos—I do not mean that a
piano merchant cannot sell other lines in his
s-tore, but I do mean that the same salesman
cannot sell both radios and pianos and at the
same time do justice to the piano, the"corner-
stone of your business.
"Modern merchandising ideas must be in-
jected into the business of selling pianos. There
are too many piano merchants who are in-
clined to let things slide—if you wish to stay
in the piano business and make money in it
you've got to keep step with the rest of the
procession.
DECEMBER 15, 1928
"One of the vital needs of the piano industry
is more real salesmen and fewer door-bell ring-
ers—you, as a piano dealer, can easily prove
the value not only of more salesmen, but also
of more salesmanship."
Motoring Santa Glaus Aids
Werlein Holiday Business
NEW ORLEANS, LA., December 10.—Philip Wer-
lein, Ltd., 605 Canal street, conducted a novel
advertising scheme in connection with the
Christmas season that, according to Miss Orrie
Summers, advertising manager, brought un-
usually good results. A man was employed to
dress and act as Santa Claus who could sing
and play the guitar. An automobile was deco-
rated and arranged so as to resemble a house
and was driven around the city by "Santa
Claus." He would also sit in the display win-
dow of the company and sing popular songs,
the window being arranged with a microphone
so that it could be heard outside, and the re-
sult was that it drew crowds every day. He
also visited the schools of the city, where he
sang and played the guitar for the children
and asked the children to tell their parents that
they would like some kind of a musical instru-
ment, a radio or a phonograph for a Christmas
present.
Brunswick Co. Dividend
The directors of the Brunswick-Balke-Col-
lender Co. have authorized a dividend of one
and one-quarter per cent on the outstanding
preferred stock of the company payable Janu-
ary 1, 1929, to stockholders of record Decem-
ber 20, 1928.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge for men who desire positions.
Jlerrp Cijtisftmasf
To our friends and customers throughout
the Music Trade, we wish
& Vttv fflmy Cfjrtetmaa
with the assurance of POOLE manufacturing
standards and business methods continuing as
for two generations—an honest striving for the
finest attainable.
AVA W. POOLE, President
POOLE PIANO COMPANY
CAMBRIDGE A
BOSTON, MASS.
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
DECEMBER 15, 1928
Ivers & Pond Parlor Grand
in Broadcasting Studio
The equipment of radio broadcasting station
WLEX, Boston, Mass., includes an Ivers &
i'ond parlor grand which is used regularly for
The Music Trade Review
Music and Radio Executives
Hold Convention Conference
Mass Meeting of Both Industries Planned for Chicago Next June
at Drake Hotel—Separate Banquets Will Be Held
During the Week of Convention
ANY important matters connected with the arrangements for the next annual convention
of the national music industries, and the annual radio show and radio trade conventions
to be held concurrently in Chicago during the week of June 3, 1929, were discussed by
officials of both industries at a meeting at the offices of the Music Industries Chamber of Com-
merce on Friday afternoon of last week. As is generally known, the music men will hold their
meetings at the Drake Hotel and the radio interests will convene at the Stevens.
There were present as representing the music
industries Hermann Irion, president of the extended to the other branches of the radio
Music Industries Chamber of Commerce; C. J. industry, including the National Association of
Roberts, president of the National Association Broadcasters.
It was the sense of the meeting that separate
of Music Merchants; Herbert Simpson, treas-
urer of the Music Industries Chamber of Com- banquets shall be held, the radio men holding
merce; these together with the following being their dinner on Wednesday evening, June 5, and
members of the executive committee of the the banquet of the National Association of
Music Merchants being held on Thursday eve-
chamber: C. D. Bond, president of the National
Piano Manufacturers Association; William J. ning, June 6. The radio men invited the music
Haussler, president of the National Musical industries to take one period during the broad-
Broadcasting on An Ivers & Pond Grand at Merchandise Association; Mark P. Campbell cast of the program of the radio banquet and
WLEX
and Max J. De Rochemont, former presidents this was accepted.
As a result of the discussion, it was indicated
studio work and has brought forth many favor- of the National Piano Manufacturers Associa-
able comments because of its excellent tone, tion. Alex McDonald, member of the conven- that there will be no conflict whatever as to
ihe time of holding meetings or the hours for
which is declared to be particularly effective tion committee of the National Association of
for broadcasting work. The accompanying' Music Merchants, was also present, as were Al- opening exhibits at the music industries conven-
fred L. Smith, general manager of the Chamber, tion or the radio show.
illustration shows the piano in the studio with
the "mike" close at hand to carry its tone to and Delbert L. Loomis, executive secretary of
the National Association of Music Merchants.
thousands of radio listeners.
Representing the radio interests were: Major
Herbert H. Frost, president of the Radio Manu-
facturers Association; V. W. Collamore, of Phil-
adelphia, vice-chairman of the radio convention
arrangements committee; Clayton Irwin, radio
show manager; Bond P. Geddes, executive vice-
MILWAUKEE, WIS., December 10.—'Music busi-
president
of the Radio Manufacturers Associa-
ness during the past sixty days has shown al
great improvement, according to Florian F. tion; M. F. Flanagan, of Chicago, executive
Flanner, of the Flanner-Hafsoos Music House, secretary of the Radio Manufacturers Associa-
tion.
Inc.
An invitation was extended by the music in-
"Business now is very good, and the last'
month has seen some record-breaking activity," dustries' representatives to the radio men to join
Mr. Flanner declared. "The piano business has in holding a mass meeting Tuesday morning,
June 4, at the Drake Hotel. Major Frost
livened up to some extent, and I believe that
it is due for a nice comeback. Everyone is accepted the invitation for the Radio Manufac-
working harder now, the manufacturers in pro- turers Association, and the invitation will be
ducing merchandise which is more perfect than
before, and in giving more dealer helps, and
there is more advertising, and more work on
the part of the retailer."
On the whole, music dealers report that 1928
has been a slow year, and that activity does not
WASHINGTON, D. C, December 10.—Another
compare favorably with the seasons of five and measure providing for the repeal of the sur-
six years ago.
charge of Pullman tickets has been introduced
in the House of Representatives by Congress-
man Sabath, of Illinois, who would amend sec-
tion one of the Interstate Commerce Act so
as to make it unlawful for any carrier to de-
mand, charge or collect from any persons for
The Landon-Gleckner Music Co., Williams- transportation in any parlor car or sleeping
port, Pa., believes that if the public cannot be car, any fare in addition to that demanded,
charged or collected for transportation in a
brought into the piano store by one means it
can by another, and demonstrated that fact day coach, this prohibition, however, not being
recently when the company brought a piano to intended to prevent the collection of just and
Williamsport by airplane and advertised the reasonable charges for the use of accommoda-
fact in a big way. The accompanying illustra- tions in parlor cars or sleeping cars. The bill
tion gives some idea of the crowds that gath- is aimed at the surcharge, the proceeds from
ered about to look at the piano in the show which go to the railroad over which Pullman
cars are carried.
window.
M
Pratt Read
Products
Music Business Shows
Increase in Milwaukee
keys actions
players
Another Bill to Eliminate
Pullman Surcharge
Piano Brought by Airplane
Attracts Large Crowds
are shipped on time.
When we make a
promise you can
count on it.
When you want
quick service you
can get it.
We have over
200,000 sq. ft.
of manufacturing
space to back you
up with.
Write us at the
first opportunity.
The Baldwin Piano Co. has leased the build-
ing at 1111-13 Olive street, St. Louis, Mo., for
a long period. The building is of five stories.
The Chandler Piano Co., Brooklyn, N. Y.,
has reduced its capital stock from $45,000 to
$10,000.
More Space for Bradfords
MILWAUKEE, WIS., December 10.—The J. B.
Bradford Piano Co., 411 Broadway, has leased
the second and third floors of the Win. A.
Kaun Music Co. building at 90 East Wisconsin
avenue.
PRATT, READ & CO.
Established in 1806
The PRATT READ PLAYER ACTION CO.
Deep River, Conn.

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