Daily News Archive
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September 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on September 29, 2010
Leather upholstery vendor Natuzzi Americas has grown its brand management team and added a digital marketing position for more Web-based features for consumers.
Lisa Livingston has joined the company as assistant brand manager; and Shannon Lloyd has come on board in the new position of digital marketing coordinator.
Livingston has a decade of agency and corporate marketing experience. She reports to Robert Malko, vice president of brand management, and replaces Amy Mock, who is leaving the company.
In her new role, Livingston will support senior management's long-term strategy and marketing plans for the Natuzzi Editions and Italsofa brands, including brand strategy as it relates to trade merchandising, advertising and promotions. Additional responsibilities include the execution of marketing initiatives, while contributing to the brands profit, volume and market-share objectives.
Lloyd, who received his BFA in Graphic Design from Appalachian State University and has worked as a freelance Internet and logo designer for the past ten years, reports to Livingston.
Malko said Lloyds responsibilities will center on delivering innovative, effective, efficient digital marketing plans, including websites and digital promotional campaigns. Lloyd will lead the implementation of web-based marketing programs and communications, and work to improve the companys websites in the areas of product presentation, catalog merchandising and onsite search functionality.
"One of our goals as a brand is to jump ahead of the technology curve and to raise the bar, both for the industry and for our customers," said Natuzzi Americas President Joe Mussallem. "Adding this new position will enable us to provide more Web-based features for consumers and improve the consumer experience as we move forward. We will be unveiling the first of these exciting new initiatives to dealers at Market in High Point next month."
September 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Accessories on September 29, 2010
MicroD has formed a strategic alliance with rug and accessories manufacturer Surya for an online furniture shopping initiative.
The collaboration will enable furniture retailers to automatically present consumers with Surya rugs, pillows, throws and fine art packages that have been designer-matched to coordinate with upholstered furniture items viewed by online shoppers. The addition of more than 5,000 Surya products to MicroD's ePreVue online presentation and business intelligence solution aims to provide furniture marketers with breakthrough new online merchandising capabilities that will empower consumers to better design, coordinate, and visualize their own rooms through the convenience of the Internet.
The new solution will be unveiled in the Surya showroom at the Oct. 16-21 High Point Furniture Market with demonstrations of accessory packages coordinated with Klaussner upholstery. The companies also are
working to launch the advanced merchandising solution at La-Z-Boy, Best Home, Craftmaster, England, and other top retailers in the coming months.
"The partnership between Surya and MicroD simplifies the difficult task of coordinating accessories with top selling upholstery items," said Satya Tiwari, president of Surya Inc. "Our talented designers have spent countless hours working with top fabrics to create the perfect accessory packages. With our new merchandised selections and the opportunity to better leverage online showrooms, Surya and MicroD continue a tradition of exceeding customer expectations by helping them to increase margins."
"More and more consumers look to the Internet to streamline their furniture search, these important new merchandising capabilities will give savvy furniture marketers a significant advantage in inspiring consumers over those with traditional online catalogs," said MicroD Senior Vice President Steven McLendon. "Providing consumers with professionally designed and coordinated accessory options saves them time and instills confidence in their purchases. This represents the next-generation of online furniture merchandising and shopping all in one."
September 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in High Point on September 29, 2010
Info Retail, an agency focusing on control and simplification of buying experiences, will host free podcast recordings Oct.18-20 during High Point Furniture Market.
Available to retailers and exhibitors attending the market, the free opportunity is for five-minute interviews, which will then be available to download at no charge beginning Nov. 4.
"To help business leaders take advantage of the evolving mobile and social media space, Info Retail is proud to offer podcast recording services at High Point Market," said Brooks Ballard, director of marketing for Info Retail, Atlanta. "If you have engaging stories to tell about your business, podcasts are a perfect medium. Podcasts allow marketers to use a human voice and personality to gain the attention and trust of a new breed of savvy, socially enabled buyers."
Podcasts are ideal for the growing use of mobile media devices such as smartphones, noted Forrester Research analyst Sucharita Mulpuru.
"As the mobile channel becomes more embedded in consumers' lives, its strategic role in how companies market themselves to customers, as well as how they sell goods and services to them, is potentially enormous," Mulpuru said.
"Info Retail is offering this service to help capture and share the excitement of High Point Market," Ballard said. "Marketers are welcome to use their podcasts to upload to their Web site, followup with prospects, or for general public relations use."
The Info Retail Radio podcast team will conduct five-minute podcast interviews, Monday-Wednesday (Oct. 18-20) in exhibitor showrooms by appointment. Appointments for podcast interviews may be scheduled here.
September 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on September 29, 2010
WithIt, the furniture industry's women's leadership development network, is raffling a luxury getaway for two to Monterey Peninsula. The raffle serves as the organization's annual fundraiser.
The getaway, a $14,000 value, includes four nights at Pebble Beach Lodge, ocean-view room, first-class airfare for two (originating in the United States where available), three rounds of golf and/or spa visits (first priority tee times at Pebble Beach), tickets to Monterey Bay Aquarium and an American Express cash card.
Only 500 tickets will be sold, at $100 each.
"If theres one thing every professional would love, it's a first-class getaway for two," said Stephanie Lowder, WithIt president. "It could be a his-and-hers getaway, or two golf buddies, or two spa and shopping buddies, and the Monterey Peninsula is one of the world's finest destinations in all of these categories.
"Professionals can feel even better knowing their donations--ticket cost--make it possible for WithIt to continue our work to attract, develop, and support top female talents in the home and furnishings industries."
The raffle drawing will be held Oct. 22, and the winner announced on the organization's Web site. The luxury package is guaranteed for one year, and the winner may customize the getaway through WithIts travel agent.
Tickets are available for purchase from members of WithIt's board of directors, now and throughout High Point Market, as long as tickets last. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.withit.org, now and through Oct. 20.
September 28,
2010 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Case Goods on September 29, 2010
Leif Petersen has begun American distribution of high-end Italian chair manufacturer Fornasarig.
Fornasarig, founded in 1878, has been led without interruption by the Fornasarig family, specializes in seating and contract projects for the home. The company uses the wood from forests that engage in controlled harvesting practices and follow a planned reforestation program.
Fornasarig collaborates with international designers such as Japanese-Londoner Shin Azumi; Christophe Pillet from France; Sebastian Bergne from England; Ilkka Suppanen from Denmark; Italian designer Riccardo Blumer; Werner Aisslinger from Germany; and the Swedish firm CKR.
Fornasarig honors include product awards for ADI Design Index 2008, ADI Design Index 2009; and participation in the exhibition at the Museo Bagatti Valsecchi in Milan in April 2010 and the selection for the 22nd compasso d'Oro in 2011.
Collections and new pieces by Fornasarig will be on display at the Leif Petersen Showroom, Building 220 ELM, space 328 during the High Point Furniture Market, Oct. 16-21.