Archives: News
Meredith Hite Named VP, Corporate Communications at Dallas Market Center
Dallas Market Center, the world’s most complete wholesale marketplace, recently announced that Meredith Hite has been named vice president of corporate communications at Dallas Market Center. In her position, Hite is responsible for leading Dallas Market Center’s internal and external communications including public relations, direct marketing, social media and employee communications.
“Meredith has been instrumental in the development of our communications strategies at the Market Center throughout the past five years,” said Cindy Morris, COO, Dallas Market Center.
YooHoo & Friends Design Contest Winners Announced
Aurora World, Inc. ( http://www.auroragift.com ) today announced the winning entry from its first ever consumer facing “Design a YooHoo & Friends Contest.” Janessa Chong from Malaysia and her colorful rainbow-inspired “Marshmallow” beat out hundreds of other designs from around the world. Aurora will release the limited edition Marshmallow (3600 pieces) plus five new dinosaurs for its best selling YooHoo & Friends line (over 23 million sold), hitting shelves April 2013.
“We were floored by Janessa’s design and it is an honor to award her the winning dinosaur.
‘Honesty Shop’ Trusts Customers Not to Steal
Merton Abbey Mills, UK – Just a stone’s throw from where Merton was targeted by looters during the London riots, a trusting shop run out of a double decker bus lets customers buy items without checking they pay the right amount.
The Honesty Shop, created in November 2012 by 60-year-old hotelier David Waterhouse and his right-hand man Barnaby Perrin Aldous, arrived in Merton Abbey Mills this month and trusts customers not to take their stock without paying.
It represents a certain irony that in August 2011, looters broke into and plundered Colliers Wood two retail parks, the Ta
Wellington’s Boutique Store on Wheels
Wellington, FL – When the 27-foot cargo van initially hit the road, it ferried potato chips throughout Illinois — and then New York entrepreneur Joey Wolffer took the wheel.
She plucked the truck from Midwestern obscurity, gave it a makeover suitable for its 2010 Hamptons debut, and chucked the chips for a delectable selection of photo-printed scarves from France, intricately beaded linen bags from Beirut and mesh-and-rock-crystal bracelets from Bali.
Rechristened the Styleliner and riding the wave of food-truck popularity, Wolffer’s accessories boutique on wheels peddles chic i
Debra Valencia Appoints Licensing Agent Ginja in Israel, a Sophisticated Emerging Market
Artist Debra Valencia™ is pleased to announce the recent appointment of the Ginja Agency to represent her brand in Israel. A substantial license was immediately secured with Palphot, the market leader in branded gifts, stationery and back-to-school products.
The first grouping of stationery items ready for Spring 2013 and is currently available in gift, stationery and books stores nationwide. The elegant notecard sets featuring the Graceful Garden Collection are available in 8 designs and displayed in a matching custom counter display.
VHC Brands Marketing Team Wins Prestigious ADDY Awards
VHC Brands Marketing Team was recently recognized by the Ozarks chapter of the American Advertising Federation for their exceptional work. ADDY Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing advertising in all forms of media.
VHC took home a Silver ADDY Award in the Direct Marketing category and a Gold ADDY Award in the Sales Promotion/Catalog category.
“Being recognized by an esteemed organization like the American Advertising Federation is a great honor to the VHC Brands Marketing Team.
StorkGifts, the Online Destination for Unique, High-Quality Personalized Baby Gifts, Celebrates 10 Years of Thriving Business
When Melissa Chelist’s children were born, she always enjoyed receiving personalized baby gifts. From puzzles featuring her child’s name to clothing, books and much more, Chelist and her kids treasured the various personalized mementos they received.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130227/PH66800-a)
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130227/PH66800LOGO-b)
After realizing how much her children adored receiving these items over the years, Chelist was inspired to open her own company that specializes in personalized baby and children’s gifts of all types.
National Stationery Show Pre-Show Report
An exciting new co-location with Creative & Lifestyle Arts (C&LA), the debut of the Craft & Hobby Association’s (CHA) Creative Conference, and the introduction of three new product-specific pavilions will provide 11,000 National Stationery Show® (NSS) attendees with the most diverse display of social stationery and related products, May 19-22, 2013, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.
Local Mompreneur Invents Feeding Solution for Infants
When Chagrin Falls, Ohio native Carrie Crawford (a mother of two), held her baby in a blanket for feedings, two things always occurred. One, the blanket offered no support for the baby and constantly moved. Two, she continually experienced arm and elbow discomfort while sitting and holding the baby. The worst part? When she finally rocked her children to sleep and went to put them down to bed, the blanket would get caught under her arm, waking up the sleeping baby, and thus, starting the process all over again.
Eye on Business: Kidstructive Fun
Plattsburgh, NY – Every once in a while a great white shark gets loose in the Champlain Center Mall in Plattsburgh and gracefully swims through the air, delighting unsuspecting observers.
There is no danger present; the creature is merely a rare species of floating shark, an inhabitant of a toy store called Kidstructive Fun.
Clearly, this isn’t your average toy store.
There are no blinking lights, no buzzing noises and no video games to greet visitors.
Morristown Welcomes New Turkish Delight
Morristown, NJ – What a difference six months make.
More than half a year ago, Oscar and Anna Ata of Bedminster launched their plan to start a business marketing imported Turkish items. The new South Street enterprise, called A Taste of Turkey, had its grand opening last week.
Oscar Ata said the opening event, which featured a visit from Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty, was a huge success, but the newly minted entrepreneur still carries a little disappointment.
Local Designer Opens Shop with Fashionable, Religious Themed Clothes
Council Bluffs, IA – There is a new place to shop for clothing in Council Bluffs – not a nationally known retailer in a big, fancy store in one of the new malls.
Rather it’s in a quaint little shop in the heart of the city.
What’s more, a portion of every purchase goes toward helping the homeless.
One of a Kind Found at Curiosity Shoppe
Asheville, NC – The Curiosity Shoppe is all about creativity and transformation. Everything in this gift boutique is one-of-a-kind and handmade by store owner Chelsea Morning. The paintings and photography on the walls are created by other local artists she features on a regular basis.
Venture into this small shop at 3028 U.S. Highway 70, sandwiched inconspicuously between the auto Detail Shop and the Goodwill store, and you will discover an eclectic mix of items.
Morning takes used furniture, clothes, antique lace, old silverware, picture frames, and costume jewelry.
L.A. Mart’s Winter Market Welcomes Double Digit Traffic Increases as Well as a Surge of New Buyers
The L.A. Mart, the pre-eminent market center for gift and home furnishings products on the West Coast, today announces record results from its January market including double digit percentage increase in traffic which included nearly 3,000 new buyers. New and existing showrooms welcomed both loyal customers while introducing their lines to new larger buyers, too.
“Quality over quantity,” remarked S.P. Larner, one of the new showrooms at the L.A. Mart.
VHC Brands Launches Corporate Site
VHC Brands has launched a corporate website, http://corporate.vhcbrands.com, to enhance the quality and availability of information to interested third parties.
“As we continue to grow our business, we feel that making information about VHC more accessible to clients, potential clients, and the media and in a single format is a logical extension of our brand and identity,” stated Ken Kline, CEO.
Curious Chef To Attend 2013 International Housewares Show
Curious Chef®, the only complete kitchen and utensil line designed specifically for children, is excited to take part in the 2013 International Housewares Show (IHA), March 2-5, in Chicago, IL. They will be located at booth #S841. The International Houswares Show, which takes place at Chicago’s McCormick Place, is the world’s premier housewares marketplace. The event features over 2,000 exhibitors from 34 countries, and attracts more than 20,000 buyers from hundreds of countries around the world.
Los Angeles Art Brand Ginger 17 Debuts Whimsy and Humor in New Portfolio at Surtex 2013
Debuting at Surtex 2013 in NYC, May 19-21, 2013, the Ginger17™ brand by artist Sara Swan is colorful, whimsical and often humorous. Based in Los Angeles, the brand features quirky human characters, animals, elements from nature, and anything with adreamy or childlike quality. Color pencils, chalk pastels, ink and sometimes oils are her primary media. Sara puts a lot of detail into her work. Softlyrendered shapes, patterns, textures and carefully drawn shadows and halos are all characteristic of her art.
Sara creates vignettes as well as complete scenes with detailed backgrounds.
You Can’t Imagine a Bigger Gift Shop
Warren, RI – On the way to South County, you may pass a giant purple and yellow building, decorated with wild-looking colorful cows and ice cream cones. I strongly urge heading to this mysterious looking shop called Imagine.
Opened in 2004, the store is located on 5 Miller Street in Warren, about a 15 to 20 minute drive from Rhode Island College.
French Sisters’ Boutique Brings Panache to Pointes
Grosse Pointe Farms, MI – Every so often a shopper stumbles upon a delightful surprise.
Voila, a boutique in a decidedly untrendy spot beside an Enterprise car rental place in Grosse Pointe Farms, counts as one of those.
With a collection of comfortable but sophisticated dresses and separates in natural fibers, ultra cool motorcycle-style boots and leather bags as soft as butter, Voila marks its second anniversary at the end of March.