La Dolce Vita University, 2nd Edition
An Unconventional Guide to Italian Culture from A to Z
La Dolce Vita University 2nd Edition should be a book of broad and perennial interest both domestically and overseas (particularly in the U.K., Canada, Japan and China). It could sell as either an impulse or planned purchase to any of these prospects:
all travelers to Italy: inveterate, first time (including foreign study students), and even armchair” voyagers Italophiles, to deepen their love and broaden their understanding of Italian culture “lifestyle” audiences with a keen interest in fashion, cuisine, personalities and travel culturally curious “toe dippers” open to a friendly and easy entree to Italian culture ethnic Italians looking to explore and more fully appreciate their cultural roots gift givers for any of the above
Targeting-wise, LDVU has numerous advantages since there are myriad Italian travel, heritage and language teacher affiliation groups, organizations and businesses that can be marketed to and with whom alliances can be forged. Below is a sampling of initial possibilities.
Marketing Alliances / Speaking Engagements / Special Distribution Opportunities
the Italian-American community and heritage groups National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) – the largest and most influential; one of the Board Members is close to the author's family National Organization of Italian American Women (NOIAW). The author is an active member and friendly with the Founder and Chairwoman Emeritus Dr. Aileen Sirrey; NOIAW is headquartered in NY but there are local chapters in all major cities on the east coast Westchester Italian Cultural Center (founded by Genovese Pope) – the author is well connected there and has done culinary programs for them in the past and they will surely be willing to sponsor an event to promote LDVU2
Other prominent Italian-American heritage organizations with large local chapters in the NE corridor, Chicago and West Coast; these include: The Order of the Sons of Italy (OSIA) The Italian American Studies Association (IASA) Museo Italo-Americano, San Francisco
The author has “two degrees of separation” from Lidia Bastianich, Mario Batali, Stanley Tucci (his mother has written advance praise for the book already) and Chaz Palmiteri.
Channels of distribution beyond traditional and independent bookstores
College bookstores
Carla Gambescia’s passion for Italy began early—with her mother’s love of the Renaissance masters and her father’s discourses on Italian geniuses of every calling. In the ensuing decades she has toured every region of Italy (often by bicycle) and immersed herself in its astonishing array of cultural treasures. In recent years Carla has combined her passion as an Italophile and writer with her skills as a career marketer and branding expert, acting as a consultant to and a collaborator with boutique tour operators. She conceived and co-led the Giro del Gelato bicycle tour, winner of Outside magazine’s “Best Trip in Western Europe.” In 2008 Carla founded Via Vanti! Restaurant & Gelateria, in Mount Kisco, New York, with the ambition of creating a unique environment and dining experience that would enable guests to feel as though they had stepped right into Italy. Via Vanti! quickly won plaudits not just for its innovative Italian cuisine, extraordinary gelato (named “Best Gelato Shop in New York”) and dazzling jewel box interior but also, under Carla’s direction, for its active program of culinary and cultural events. It is Carla’s conviction that all of us, regardless of our inherited ethnicities, share an “inner Italian”—that part of our nature which is most expressive, festive, spontaneous and fun—just waiting to be unlocked.
La Dolce Vita University: An Unconventional Guide to Italian Culture from A to Z is the natural outgrowth of Carla’s work and play in both the restaurant and boutique travel industries, as well as a lifelong love affair with the land of her ancestors.
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