Each Friday, Russ Anderson, the president and CEO of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty and the CEO of Pacific Sotheby's International Realty, writes about luxury, trends, business and more in the advertising pages of the Mansion section of The Wall Street Journal. Below is his letter of February 20, 2026.
FROM THE PRESIDENT'S P.O.V.
A few nights ago, I was in a beautiful ballroom in a beautiful hotel, with some of the finest professionals in any field. There were toasts and applause. There was a roaming videographer, a scurrying photographer and the buzz of lively conversations.
Was it a dream? It was not. It was our awards dinner for agents who worked so diligently and strategically throughout 2025 that they elevated themselves into rarefied territory: Club 1744, a new distinction that places them among the very top at Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty. Club 1744 is named for the year the Sotheby’s auction house was founded, and it represents a legacy of excellence, prestige and leadership that spans nearly three centuries and counting. We love our affiliation with such a storied institution — because those qualities are part of our ethos, too.
At our brokerage, Club 1744 status is achieved by meeting one or both of two benchmarks: the top 50 in total dollar value of properties sold in a year and the top 25 in the number of transactions in a year. Making it into this club reflects market expertise, client trust and a real commitment to results. But it is only part of the story. Our annual Awards of Achievement also recognize mentorship, fellowship, philanthropy, marketing innovation and more. Around here, we celebrate hard work, professionalism and collaboration in all its forms.
As 2026 speeds along, know that all of our agents have set their sights high — growing their businesses, deepening their relationships, supporting one another and their clients. It’s what they do. It’s what we do. We love to elevate everything — always.
Russ Anderson
President and CEO, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty
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