artnet Celebrates 25 Years Serving the Art World Online

Embracing the Internet, artnet revolutionized the art world. What's next?

 

This year marks the 25th anniversary of artnet, the premier online service provider for the art world. Founded in 1989, artnet now boasts the world’s number one art price database, an online auction platform, an extensive gallery network, market analytics, and, most recently, the world’s first 24/7 global art newswire.

Hans Neuendorf, one of the original founders who served as CEO of artnet beginning in 1995, was succeeded by his son Jacob Pabst in 2012. During his tenure as CEO, Pabst has carried on his father’s legacy and helped oversee the launch of artnet Analytics, and, most recently, artnet News and the newly redesigned artnet Auctions and artnet site.

When asked about one of the defining moments in artnet’s history, Pabst said, “When the Price Database became profitable. It took 10 years, but all of a sudden the business became self-sustaining. The birth of the Price Database set the gold standard in the industry.” Pabst points to the redesigned auctions site and the launch of artnet News as significant achievements for 2014.

“One of the most rewarding and significant tasks as CEO is building a team,” Pabst continued. “We have the same, if improved, products, but we’ve also added a lot of new, talented people. The other day I was sitting in a meeting with my management group and I looked around and thought to myself, This is what I always wanted—we get along well, and we’re all on the same page. That’s the most important thing. If you have the right people and the right team, everything works and everything becomes easier.”

What is the future for the trailblazing company? “artnet has always been at the forefront of innovation. The Price Database was revolutionary—it changed the market. The market needs to be transparent in order to grow. I want to continue in the same spirit, continue to be the innovator, launching and improving products.”

Here are a few choice photos of the artnet team through the years.

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artnet CEO Jacob Pabst.
Photo: Karin Kohlberg.
artnet CEO Jacob Pabst with photographer Todd Eberle at the 2013 artnet holiday party.
Members of the artnet team packing up before moving to the new artnet office.
The 26th floor at 233 Broadway before the artnet team moved in.
The artnet team moved into the new space earlier this year.
The artnet News team launches the first 24/7 art global newswire.
artnet cofounder Hans Neuendorf (right) with Bill Fine, the company's president of publishing and content.
artnet CEO Jacob Pabst speaking at a symposium in China.
(Left to right) VP of Marketing Thierry Dumoulin, Zhang Yanhua, artnet CEO Jacob Pabst, and Li Weidong at the China Forum event in March 2014.
artnet News editor in chief Ben Genocchio, CEO Jacob Pabst and regional manager for greater China Jessica Zhang at the 2014 Hong Kong Asia Society gala.
artnet CEO Jacob Pabst after signing an agreement with Sina Corp.
artnet soccer's team after winning a local soccer game.
2013 artnet holiday party.
artnet CEO Jacob Pabst with artist Wangechi Mutu at the 2013 artnet holiday party.

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