myartbroker - founder profile - ian and joe syer - final
DESCRIPTION
MyArtBroker connects people looking to buy and sell art, through an extensive network built over a period of more than 20 years in the industry. The platform is a secondary market service aiming to disrupt the status quo platform through low fees, enhanced service and a more transparent process than that available elsewhere in the market. With fees starting from just 12.5%, the cost to buyer and seller is much more competitive that those seen in the auction houses. The aim, therefore, is simple: to offer a reliable, curated platform, accessible to everyone, whether you are looking to buy art or sell your collection.TRANSCRIPT
PRESS RELEASE
December 2015
TBurnsArts | 18 Bishops Court, 54 Folgate Street, London E1 6UN | 0207 377 5665 | [email protected]
A THRIVING MARKETPLACE FOR
CONTEMPORARY FINE ART
Ian and Joe Syer at 12 Hay Hill, where MyArtBroker is headquartered
Founder-Director Profiles: Ian and Joe Syer
MyArtBroker connects people looking to buy and sell art, through an extensive network built over a period of
more than 20 years in the industry. The platform is a secondary market service aiming to disrupt the status quo platform through low fees, enhanced service and a more transparent process than that available elsewhere in
the market.
With fees starting from just 12.5%, the cost to buyer and seller is much more competitive that those seen in the
auction houses. The aim, therefore, is simple: to offer a reliable, curated platform, accessible to everyone,
whether you are looking to buy art or sell your collection.
An introducer service for those who are passionate about contemporary art, its defining USP is the integration
of its hand-picked, specialist Broker Network. Buyers and sellers who register on the platform are assigned one
of its dedicated ‘Art Brokers’, who operate globally in blue chip markets with expertise spanning a broad
spectrum of fine art, from Picasso and Matisse through to Warhol, Lichtenstein or Keith Haring. This expert
knowledge, from the catalogue raisonne through to value of works at auction, is the experience MyArtBroker
makes accessible to all.
MyArtBroker was founded in 2010 by brothers Ian and Joe Syer after recognising the challenges for individuals
when buying or selling art online. Many people turn to the web for works of art, but it can be difficult to
navigate and difficult to ensure authenticity of the art, the seller or the buyer.
PRESS RELEASE
December 2015
TBurnsArts | 18 Bishops Court, 54 Folgate Street, London E1 6UN | 0207 377 5665 | [email protected]
“MyArtBroker seemed to form and germinate over some time as a concept. We were becoming
increasingly aware of the growing trust in the internet, as well as the stories clients told me first hand
about issues they faced when trying to resell art work. We wanted to create a marketplace where
buyers and sellers could facilitate transactions, a marketplace that was trusted and which catered to
the needs of our audience. With rates and rents making that impossible to do offline, an online
platform was not only practical, but also responded to the needs of the market.”
Ian Syer, Co-founder and Director
Ian began his career by studying Multimedia Design following a foundation course in Fine Art, a field in which
he went on to see many successes. Over the past eleven years, he has managed several booming art dealerships
and overseen the recent digital growth and development of MyArtBroker. Alongside his brother, Joe, Ian has
focused on the evolution and longevity of the MyArtBroker brand and platform. Joe Syer’s background in the
marketing and recruitment industries brings to the table a wealth of experience in client relationship
management and strategic partnerships. This joint venture, therefore, unites expertise in contemporary art and
business strategy with the tenacity to break in to new, progressive markets and form key relationships.
“We’ve never worked together before and it was fascinating to get to know a sibling as a business
partner. There are skill sets you don’t realise they have and also a completely different (often
contradictory) approach. But we have always seen eye-to-eye when it comes to the heart of the
matter. The aim of MyArtBroker is simple: to offer a reliable, curated platform, accessible to
everyone, whether you are looking to buy art or sell your collection. We wanted to demystify the
processes around the secondary market, make it simple for anyone to understand, use and have
confidence in. ” IS
Online art sales are on the rise – it is reported that the value of the global online art market has risen from just
under $1billion in 2013 to an estimated $2.64 billion in 2015 (Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2015). Based on
this trajectory, taking into account sites such as Auctionata, Paddle8, 1stdibs, Artspace, Artsy, Artuner, and
Artfinder, this report estimates the online art business to be worth $6.3 billion in 2019. These developments
have been closely followed and adapted by the MyArtBroker over the years.
As online buyers, people can now take advantage of a relaxed browsing and buying experience, rather than the
cauldron of an auction which, by its very nature relies on this pressure to achieve maximum sales price. Not
restricted to or governed by stock in the way that traditional galleries may be, online platforms such as
MyArtBroker are more easily able to react to trends and market changes.
“We are a curated site and look at the demand within our audience, using our extensive network and
personal interest to understand what clients are looking for – whether that’s buying or selling. We’d
only bring an artist onto the site if we knew it was something our audience would benefit from. We’d
then go about securing a specialist broker to build that market and make the introductions. Not
holding physical stock at any point allows us the time and energy to be able to ensure we can provide
the very best broker expertise to those using our platform for buying or selling – it’s about
democratizing the secondary market.” IS
Buying through MyArtBroker removes many of the risks associated with other online platforms whereby you
might not have a dedicated art expert guiding you through the process. Additionally, for certain artworks,
rather than having a simple fixed price on works, an attractive prospect is to sell with ‘Price on Application’. The
assigned Broker will then work to get the best price for the seller. Furthermore, MyArtBroker’s ‘Wanted Art’
section allows buyers to create an ‘art wanted’ request, visible to both buyers and sellers – they will be the first
person contacted should it become available.
Auction houses will always occupy the very upper echelons of the market but given their fee structure but there
has been a sharp increase over the last few years of auction private sales. Ultimately, over the next five to ten
years MyArtBroker aims to become the trusted global platform for the resale of works under £100,000.
PRESS RELEASE
December 2015
TBurnsArts | 18 Bishops Court, 54 Folgate Street, London E1 6UN | 0207 377 5665 | [email protected]
“There has been a shift in confidence with online buying. At first we had a much younger audience
(sub 30) that would trust buying something of value online, whereas now making large purchases
online has become the norm and we deal with a significant number of people from a range of ages.
There has also been a shift in the average weight of sale we see happen, it’s moved from around £500
to £5000, with people spending anything up to £50,000 without first seeing it in the flesh. I think this
is testament to our reputation, the quality of our brokers and the simple fact that we live in a digital
age.” IS
TESTIMONIALS
“After inheriting a number of paintings I contacted
MyArtBroker in the hope of selling them. Lacking in
knowledge and sceptical about selling artwork
online, MyArtBroker really put my mind at rest, I
was recommended a Broker was really helpful which
immediately put me at ease. He always negotiates the
best prices and keeps me informed every step of the
way. I have sold many paintings through by Broker
now and I can confidently say that I would, and do,
highly recommend the MyArtBroker referral service
to everybody.”
TB, UK (April 2015)
“I have been able to acquire two sculptures through a
referral from MyArtBroker in the last 6 months. The
client service I have received has been excellent, any
queries, emails and calls were answered quickly.
Soon after the items arrived, I received courtesy calls
from both MyArtBroker and the Broker to ensure I
was happy with the sculptures. Both of the sculptures
were A+ regards their condition and I would not
hesitate to recommend, and return to, MyArtBroker
if I were looking to find a piece of art again.”
CS, UK (July 2015)
Ian and Joe Syer at 12 Hay Hill, where MyArtBroker is headquartered
Liz © Andy Warhol
Station Approach © L S Lowry
A Thoughtful Moment © Eve
Arnold
PRESS RELEASE
December 2015
TBurnsArts | 18 Bishops Court, 54 Folgate Street, London E1 6UN | 0207 377 5665 | [email protected]
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