Daily News Archive
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January 15,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 16, 2013
BrandSource announced this week that Kevin Long of Conroe, Texas, is the 2012 winner of its "Win With Force" sweepstakes. The sweepstakes is part of the company's sponsorship of NHRA's John Force Racing.
Long, one of 150,000 entrants into the sweepstakes, won a new car.
"I have never won anything in my life," Long said. "I've had season tickets since the NHRA track in Baytown, Texas first opened. All of the race fans in our seating section are a pretty tight-knit group and we were just saying that none of us ever wins anything. Well, that's changed!"
Entries begin Feb. 14 for the 2013 edition of the sweepstakes.
January 15,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on January 16, 2013
Luxury mattress brand Pure LatexBliss has signed an agreement with a Chinese retailer to open Pure LatexBliss brand stores in China by April of this year.
To meet the growing Chinese demand for American luxury products, Pure LatexBliss will have a presence in major cities, including Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing. All Pure LatexBliss products exported to Asia will still be manufactured in the United States at the companys Connecticut facility.
Signifying its commitment to the Asian market, Pure LatexBliss, effective Jan. 1, officially changed its company logo to include Hong Kong alongside Atlanta, London and Paris.
In addition to exporting its current Pure LatexBliss collections abroad, the Atlanta-based company also will introduce a new exclusive, ultra-luxury collection customized specifically for Asian consumers, with new mattress profiles including 13-inch, 14-inch and 15-inch all-latex beds.
The high-end Chinese consumer craves American-made luxury mattresses, said Pure LatexBliss President Kurt Ling. We are very committed to the Asian market. We have hired a seasoned Chinese mattress veteran to build our brand and distribution, modified our logo for the first time since our founding and are introducing an exclusive collection to serve affluent Asian consumers.
The company will hold official grand opening ceremonies in May in Pure LatexBliss shops. The pricing for the mattresses range from $2,500 to $8,000.
January 15,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Bedding on January 16, 2013
The Specialty Sleep Association will launch Bedfax.org, an informative Web site for consumers and retail sales associates, at Las Vegas Furniture Market.
The SSA will introduce the site during its winter market educational event for dealers and other attendees, titled Whats in your mattress, scheduled for Mon., Jan. 28, 4-5 p.m., in space C176 of World Market Center Las Vegas.
The branded Bedfax program supports the organizations goal to drive bedding product sales through consumer education, while promoting the SSAs three-tier Environment and Safety consumer disclosure product labeling program to bedding manufacturers and dealers, according to Dale Read, SSA president.
Women, especially moms, will continue to drive demand for safe and sustainable home goods, including bedding products, but many are confused or wary of misinformation, said Read. With Bedfax.org, the SSA intends to create an online resource for pre-purchase research; with the ultimate goal of connecting consumers to dealers that sell SSA certified and labeled mattresses.
The Bedfax.org launch and educational event are sponsored by the SSA and members Innomax, Innovative Mattress Solutions, Latexco, Naturepedic, Suite Sleep, and the Marketing Arm Group.
Initially, the new site located www.bedfax.org will feature an informative consumer-facing video, which will debut to attendees at Mondays event. Also at bedfax.org, consumers and retail sales associates may find a glossary of terms and definitions related to environmental and safety product claims, as well as a list of manufacturers participating in the SSA program which feature consumer disclosure labels at the point of sale. Finally, interested manufacturers may learn more about the SSAs Green Initiative and link to the associations trade Web site.
Mondays panel discussion format will be moderated by eco-chic interior designer Sarah Barnard of Sarah Barnard Design in Santa Monica, Calif., and is open to all market attendees. Panelists include: Chris Chamberlain, co-founder of The Clean Bedroom, with stores in Maine, California, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York; and Barry Cik, founder of Naturepedic, an organic bedding manufacturer with an active product labeling program. A reception following the event will be held in the Ergo Bedroom showroom.
At Las Vegas Market, the SSA and its exhibitor members will fill 13,000 square feet in space C1565, focused on product innovation in the growing specialty sleep category. Thirty to 40 exhibiting members are expected to participate. The SSA formerly occupied a space on another floor of Building C at the WMCLV. Trade show organizers have concentrated resources for bedding and related products on the 15th floor, including the SSA.
January 15,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Advertising on January 16, 2013
Hicksville, N.Y.-based mattress retailer Sleepy's has retained Horizon Media Inc. to handle its traditional and digital media planning and buying.
The move comes as part of an aggressive expansion initiative undertaken by the retailer, which currently has more than 800 locations. The search, which started in November, was conducted by Drexler Fajen Partners.
According to Sleepys Chief Marketing Officer Jeff Lobb, the decision is the result of recent brand and business development with a major emphasis on growth. Says Lobb,
The new Sleepys is expanding into new markets and areas," Lob said. "To facilitate this, we need to augment our marketing initiatives and tap outside resources.
Sleepys evaluated proposals from three finalist agencies before making its decision. According to Lobb, it tapped Horizon based on the agencys demonstrated ability to offer innovative concepts and to serve as a business partner. Additionally, Horizon has strong retail experience with local strategic planning and buying. Sleepys media budget is projected to be $65 million in 2013.
Founded by Bill Koenigsberg in 1989, Horizon Media has estimated billings of $4 billion and approximately 800 employees. Recent accolades include 2011 Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost, 2010 U.S. Media Agency of the Year by Adweek/Brandweek/Mediaweek and by Ad Age. Horizon was also recognized as one of the worlds most innovative marketing and advertising companies by Fast Company.
January 15,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on January 16, 2013
Industry veteran Leslie Carothers has joined the board of directors of the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library.
She will lead social media efforts for the non-profit organization.
Leslie is the preeminent expert on social media in our industry," said Charlie Sutton, president of the board. "For 11 years her company has provided furniture, interior design, lifestyle and individual brands with social media strategic consulting and ideation. She will be helping the library to develop its social media strategy and training staff and interns to use these new mediums to communicate what makes this library special to a younger and broader audience.
Carothers commented, This is a natural fit for me," Carothers said. "I have loved and collected rare books all my lifeespecially design books. I own several first editions and some rare books. I have a passion for this industry and in developing and mentoring students.
Carothers has been honored with WithIt's President's Award for her service to the organization and her industry.
"We are pleased to have Leslie join the Board of Directors," said Board Member Russell Bienenstock. "As a pioneer in the application of social communications at all levels of the furniture industry she is in a unique position to help spread the word about the Library's unique resources for design, research, and collaboration worldwide. Her forward looking insights about how people who are passionate about furniture and design want to receive and share information will be valuable asset to the Library."
In 2013, Carothers added a new division to her company, The Kaleidoscope Partnership, providing cost effective workshops and paid video content regarding specific tips on how to use social media. She is an international speaker, writer of Furniture Today magazine's Retail Ideas blog, Retail Ideas, and an editorial contributor to Furniture World Magazine. She is a well-known design and furniture micro blogger on Twitter, under the user-name @tkpleslie. In 2012, Decorex, named her Twitter account one of the 100 most influential design blogs in the world.