Who's Wurlitzer Seisenbacher?

Since December of 2007,

Wurlitzer Seisenbacher has always wanted to prove to everybody that there was more to Second Life than just sex and gambling...

=====================

For more information Join Wurl’s Wurld for Upcoming Guests

 Or

 Contact Wurlitzer Seisenbacher to be a Guest on the Show!

Brought to you in part by:

The SL Enquirer

Got News?

 Get It Published!

www.slenquirer.com

lanai_jarrico@yahoo.com

Wurlitzer: What is AVENUE Inc?

 

Rusch:

AVENUE Inc is a management company that founded and operates 4 businesses namely AVENUE Models, AVENUE Magazine, AVENUE Studio & AVENUE Models Academy. AVENUE Inc in itself also offers turn-key solutions in branding and advertising through the employment of the resources available in these entities.

Wurlitzer: What's the history of AVENUE Inc and how did you get involved?

Rusch:

 I founded AVENUE Models first when i saw the opportunity for distinct and unique fashion shows in SL in October 2007 and the chance for people with an interest in modeling to have a great working and fun experience modeling. As a result of my interest in photography RL and SL I started AVENUE Studio to support the modeling agency needs to help models create portfolios. This was as basic a setup as it could be when i first started it. Then i relaunched AVENUE end May this year with the startup of our Models Academy with a team of highly experienced models and trainers and 4 months later the birth of AVENUE Magazine.

Wurlitzer: Where is AVENUE Inc located?

Rusch:

AVENUE Inc currently occupies a quarter sim at Royal Properties sponsored by our kind patron Relic Starbrook of Royal Properties.

Wurlitzer: Who are the staff involved with AVENUE Inc & what are their roles?

Rusch:

Wow, where do I begin? LOL. Well AVENUE first started with just a talent scout and a PR Manager and you know her, Annette Wilder of Wilder PR Inc, whom i mentored and trained. Then I had a couple of in house freelance photographers. Today as it stands, under AVENUE Models I have expanded it to include a Vice President who assists me in model interviews and general operations of business operations who also heads the Models Academy, a Models Manager who vets model applications and help with coordination of shows, a VP for PR & Marketing to Designers, an AVENUE Agent who handles Designer Liaison and Special Project Fashion Shows like large-scale themed fashion shows that we conceptualize and implement. In the academy I have 5 instructors who help carry out our comprehensive course to prepare prospective models for professional modeling. Of course I can't do without my PA who helps me keep my life in order but I have also expanded her role to help out in Marketing to Advertisers for AVENUE Magazine.

Within the Magazine itself, I have a Managing Editor, 2 Fashion Editors, an art department team of 6-8 that is headed by an Art Director, an editorial team of writers and photographers, an art curator for a special art section, a Production Manager who handles traffic and work flow between the editorial team and designers and finally a team of Marketing Executives who handle circulation and advertising sales.

Under AVENUE Studio, I have 8 fashion photographers to handle mainly models portfolios as well as any photography assignments that come in from clients.

Wurlitzer: What kind of experience & knowledge do you bring from RL and take into AVENUE Inc?

Rusch:

 I have 20 years of experience in journalism, event management, talent management, marketing, advertising and entertainment consultancy. These span across the media, recreation, publishing, retail and entertainment industries. I have handled multi-million dollar campaigns for brands such as Nokia and SONY which have culminated in 6 country roll outs that span across the globe.

Wurlitzer: What are some of of your best qualities that makes you stand out?

Rusch:

 I think what drives me is the passion I have for what I do and I believe strongly that anything worth doing is worth doing well. My enthusiasm is contagious I guess and it catches onto people and some say I am very persuasive *laughs*. I like to think outside of the box and push myself to achieve greater heights...realize my fullest potential and go the next mile to just see what new ideas and challenges I can present myself. I am also a strong believer in collaborations as I believe that we have so much to learn from each other and through collaborations with everyone including my team, you can only stand to gain to achieve greater things.

Wurlitzer: What are your favorite moments of being involved with AVENUE Inc?

Rusch:

The first moment was our launch when I had commissioned the scripters from Genius Inc to create a flying cloud to carry my models to circle above the audiences heads as an opening to our show. The audience's "wows" and applause is one of my greatest rewards in knowing that I have put on a good show.

When I first launched AVENUE Magazine, it was kind of like a maternal joy seeing your baby incubated, developing and giving birth. And to still have people continually come up to you and tell you what a great magazine it is and how they enjoy reading every single page is the greatest reward for putting the magazine out month after month.

Another favorite moment is in last December as well when I staged the largest lingerie fashion show with over 10 renowned fashion designers which was my bid for SL's parallel to RL's Victoria Secrets. It was one of the most beautiful sets ever created by a dear friend Zasa Rossini, a remarkable designer and builder that inspired me in choreographing and producing this show which audiences touted as the best fashion show they had ever seen.

Wurlitzer: How do you go about planning new changes with AVENUE Inc?

Rusch:

 I try to keep my ear to the ground on what is happening in the modeling and fashion industry which is the main arena we work in. I continually re-assess AVENUE's position and resources to see how we can always grow and have an edge in our industry. Often, I get ideas that pop into my head that just seems right at that time and I would develop these ideas and test drive them in my mind to see if they had creative, business and marketing legs to be an idea that would be viable, feasible and distinctive. Then I would make a business plan to design how I would like to implement them and speak to close friends and working partners to bounce these ideas before carrying them through.

Wurlitzer: You recently were the 2rd runner up on SLENTRE.com's Entrepreneur of the Year, how did you get involved and what was your thoughts when you discovered the achievement?

Rusch:

Well, contestants are basically voted in by SL residents so it was by no means any real conscious effort of mine. SL Entrepreneur Magazine had previously done a profile interview with me when I relaunched AVENUE which helped raised awareness further of what I was doing with AVENUE.

When I first discovered that I had been nominated I was elated of course. I never dreamt when I started AVENUE Models that I was by any measure an entrepreneur or an aspiring one...was only following my heart and passion to do what I love doing and that was to make unforgettable and professional fashion shows. I had relaunched AVENUE after a 6 months lull so in fact, AVENUE has only been active for 6 months in 2008. Looking back, I must admit I feel great pride in what my wonderful team, supporters and patrons, have helped me achieve for AVENUE and to win such an accolade was a reminder that I was doing some thing worthwhile and making a respectable contribution to the community of SL.

Wurlitzer: You've had a pretty bad experience with a previous land owner, what happened and what advice can you offer to anybody who purchases land?

Rusch:

Well basically I had bought a quarter sim for a private estate owner by the name of Ralfinchen Voom and one day when i went to our land, he whole sim had been sold off to a new owner and although AVENUE's building was still there, I had no rights whatsoever and the land owner was no longer me.

For one week, my neighbors and myself were left in the lurch with no answers from Ralfinchen or the new sim owner. After a week or so, Ralfinchen finally appeared and he offered a space right smack in the middle of nowhere in replacement of my waterfront space. This was of course less than suitable and in view of the issue seeing no real satisfactory resolution I decided to just move on and find new land for the agency.

My advice would naturally be to purchase land from established realtor's or people you know very well.

Wurlitzer: What are some challenges that you face with AVENUE Inc?

Rusch:

 It's true that SL does bring people from all over the

in one place in such greater proximity unlike any other mediums. On the same token, being SL, you are also limited by means of communicating with staff and individuals sometimes. For example, if a staff goes MIA, there is no way you could just pick up the phone and ask "Are you OK? What happened?"

And then you have your detractors as much as you have your supporters although I am glad to say that these are few and far between as far as I am aware of. Detractors who may be "competition" who may be envious of you and feel threatened by your achievements or vision. But I am not here to make enemies nor be in a competition. Back biters and paparazzi that are out to try to tear you down will only be their own undoing as I have no hidden agenda but to make my dreams come true in an open, collaborative manner.

Wurlitzer: What are some of your accomplishments for AVENUE Inc?

Rusch:

 Starting up AVENUE Models Academy and AVENUE Magazine has been a great addition to the work I have done with AVENUE Models. AVENUE Models Academy is now known as one of the best modeling schools in SL which offers one of the most comprehensive training and curriculum for preparing models for a professional career. AVENUE Magazine reached a readership of 30,000 within 3 months and has enjoyed steady support from advertisers from a good cross section of industries.

I do believe that AVENUE Magazine was also the first to create an advertising supplement for Stiletto Moody's revolutionary launch of the BARE shoes which was produced like a mini AVENUE Magazine but done aesthetically in-keeping with AVENUE's art direction and all in a week's work.

Wurlitzer: What gave you the opportunity to become a publisher for AVENUE Inc and were there any publishers before you?

Rusch:

 I'm a self-professed magazine collector in RL and enjoy reading magazines on fashion, architecture and lifestyle, Going over the existing publications of SL, I saw a window for an informative magazine that covered the important aspects of our Second Life and providing it in a visually pleasing format. I first approached Nancy Jie, the founder of Instyle in early September after months of conceiving this idea, to bounce off ideas to help get this magazine started. I have always been the Publisher, Editor in Chief and driver of this publishing project.

Wurlitzer: You relaunched AVENUE back in 2008, what made you decide to revamp the company, what changes were you having and what was it you wanted to do to make it better?

Rusch:

I had sold AVENUE in January to some new investors as my new RL job at a photography studio demanded my full-time attention and energies. 3-4 months down the road, the agency's relaunch by the new management was not forthcoming and it was agonizing to see the name I had built up in a short period of time from October to December 2007 go down the tubes. The new investors decided to return the agency to me and by that time, modeling agencies small and big flourished across the grid. So re-entering the modeling industry, I realized that I had to relaunch AVENUE in a big way by positioning us to offer more services and distinguish ourselves from other agencies. I started with the Models Academy which took off easily enough and then moved on to the Magazine. I had also conceived the idea of a TV series revolving around modeling and fashion which was stalled due to the magazine but this will be happening soon in the first half or quarter of this year which will further benchmark AVENUE's creative assets and hopefully raise the bar in fashion and television.

Wurlitzer: How do you deal with competition, and what makes AVENUE Inc stand out?

Rusch:

To always try to stay ahead and carve out your own niche. Professionalism is our mandate and we believe in going the extra mile for all our clients big or small. AVENUE is synonymous with professionalism and continually pushing the envelope in whatever project we undertake.

Wurlitzer: What would you like to see 6 months from now for AVENUE Inc?

Rusch:

That would be the fruition of my TV series, a possible development of another publication/exhibition project that will be more arts-centric that focuses on photography and bringing that to RL culmination. We are also in the makings of developing an advanced curriculum for professional modeling to help take models to another level in their career.

Wurlitzer: Has AVENUE Inc been interested in branching out with RL companies?

Rusch:

We have had the pleasure of working with RL companies such as First Meta and their clients and I am exploring how we can take our publishing to the next level to cross the boundary into RL.

Wurlitzer: What are your favorite ways of promoting AVENUE Inc?

Rusch:

I have a press list that my first PR Manager and i have developed. Our blog is also linked to the feed of Fashion planet of SL which hosts the largest group of fashion and modeling blogs and businesses. And of course group notices.

Wurlitzer: What are some groups that members can join regarding AVENUE Inc?

Rusch:

We have a general group called ave angels which was first started for AVENUE Models and our supporters of our events. There is now the AVENUE Magazine readers group which provides updates and promotions to our readers. But both groups essentially will serve up AVENUE updates...its just a preference for our supporters. And of course for people who lack group space, we have a

subscribe-o-matic at our agency lobby.

Wurlitzer: How many times do you hold special group events/activities for Avenue Inc?

Rusch:

On average we have about 2 shows a month which is always followed by an after party with a renowned DJ but in December alone we had 8 fashion shows.

Wurlitzer: What are you inspired the most when it comes to SL?

Rusch:

 I love the creativity of humanity in SL. It is what inspired me to do something of my own and express my own creativity which is an almost intangible one. The joy of conceiving an idea and being able to develop that which may not have been able to exist in RL is the most amazing feeling that keeps this fire burning. And to meet and collaborate with people from all over the world in what would be the most utopic environment is a remarkable opportunity to create a life as you see it resulting in the most wondrous friendships, bonding of the minds and souls, and achievements together.

Wurlitzer: If you weren’t involved with Avenue Inc, what would you have been doing?

Rusch:

 Hmmm, I could not see myself doing anything else but this really at least for my first foray in SL. Alternatively, I would be a content creator. In fact, I am now in the midst of working on launching my first fashion and lifestyle retail store called Stylissimo that will be making high quality model shapes as well as couture fashion which will be open next month.

Wurlitzer: How do you see the future of Second Life to be?

Rusch:

 Second Life will continue to blossom with creativity as content creators and more businesses are being set up. It will be a very viable economy for people to live and work in and offer increasingly lucrative draws for RL companies to reach this growing and faithful audience. RL Marketeers will also begin to realize the marketing potential of the SL medium and learn to work with established businesses in SL such as AVENUE to understand and reach out to the global residents of SL.