The Learning Annex

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The Learning Annex
Image:Annex_logo.jpg
Type Privately Held Corporation
Founded New York (1980)
Headquarters United States New York, New York, USA
Industry Adult Education, Continuing Education, Seminars, Speakers
Products Real Estate Wealth Expo, Trump Expo
Revenue US$36.5 million (2005)
Employees 90 (2005)
Website learningannex.com

The Learning Annex is a commercial enterprise based in New York that presents itself as a continuing adult education school. It was founded in 1980 by Bill Zanker in his New York City studio apartment with an investment of only $5,000. It is considered the largest adult education company in North America.

The Learning Annex offers a wide range of classes, on topics such as "How to Write a Book Proposal That Publishers Can't Refuse", "How to Buy Foreclosed Property", "How to Develop & Write a Winning Business Plan", "Intro to Pole Dancing", "How To Talk To Your Cat", "Make Contact with Lost Loved Ones", "How to Shoot Your Own Live Adult Video", "Kabbalah-Dating", "How to Create Magical Spells", "Discover Your Past Lives - Who Were You Before?", "How To Make Your Own Soap" and "How To Marry the Rich".

In 1991, Zanker sold the Learning Annex and repurchased the company 11 years later in 2002. At that time it had very little marketing and a roster of little known speakers. Zanker put millions into advertising and marketing and revitalized the company.

In recent years, the Learning Annex has concentrated its efforts on large-scale expos featuring notable speakers such as Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki and Anthony Robbins. Trump reportedly receives $1.5 million for each one-hour presentation he does for Learning Annex.

In September 2006, William Zanker paid $73,200 to purchase a used Lincoln Town Car belonging to legendary investor Warren Buffett reportedly in a bid to coax Mr. Buffett into doing a Learning Annex Class. In November 2005, Zanker paid $57,100 to have lunch with media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Learning Annex enjoys pop-culture status with appearances on Sex and the City and other shows as well as being the subject of many jokes.

Learning Annex has a stellar track record (almost 100%) of resolving customer complaints and refund requests when they are submitted through Rip-Off Report.

The Learning Annex was noted with No. 379 on the 2006 Inc. 500 (a list of the nation's fastest-growing private companies) with a reported 3 year growth of 376.3%, revenue of $36.5 million and 90 employees.

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