Trump U. turns 1 year old; over 30,000 served
Trump University marked its one-year anniversary in May with a little bit of pomp, given the circumstances. The unaccredited “online education company” — its Web site’s words — was started with the Donald’s imprimatur (he’s the university’s chairman) and has had, as of early May, more than 30,000 students pass through its virtual doors. Every person who took at least one course through Trump University was counted as a student, Michael Sexton, the university’s president and co-founder, told The Real Deal. That can run from a major course costing thousands of dollars to an audio one costing $50; the university doesn’t offer credits or degrees.
Mr. Housing Bubble popular with New Yorkers
In the summer of 2005, as the housing market in New York and nationwide boomed — and talk of a housing bubble reached fever pitch — a Texas-based company called T-ShirtHumor.com debuted a line of products, including hats, shirts and mugs that featured the grimly happy “Mr. Housing Bubble.”
Since then, Mr. Housing Bubble, with his snarky warning of “If I pop, you’re screwed,” has become one of T-ShirtHumor.com’s biggest sellers. Since September, sales have been strongest in New York and in California, according to a vendor spokesman. That means Empire Staters have a healthy sense of humor, or a wry fascination with their own increasingly dim real estate prospects.
“It is consistently a top-five seller for us, regardless of the housing market ups and downs,” Anthony Phipps, communications director for T-ShirtHumor.com, told The Real Deal. “I think it’s pretty clear that the uncertain state of the housing market remains on the minds of consumers and real estate professionals.”
You know his product, look up the name
New York magazine dropped at least 17 real estate names in an issue last month touting the most influential people in New York City. The usual suspects were listed — marketing guru Louise Sunshine, her former boss Donald Trump, World Trade Center site leaseholder Larry Silverstein, Atlantic Yards taskmaster Bruce Ratner and Corcoran Group CEO Pam Liebman (for her role in helping change Fort Greene, Brooklyn).
Dean Furbush also made the short list. Dean Furbush?
You may not know his name, but you surely know his product, especially if you’re a broker selling or buying in so-called emerging neighborhoods like Fort Greene. Furbush is the CEO of FreshDirect. And his company’s name can lure reluctant buyers. “The grocery-delivery service can make or break a fringe neighborhood,” New York noted. “If FreshDirect delivers there, you can bet it’s on the fast track to gentrification. If not, the turnaround is likely to be a lot slower.”