DMC Debuts New Magazine, Spark

December 11, 2018  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

The magazine will be delivered to 50,000 businesses in early December and replaces the previous publication, Source. A digital version of the magazine is available on DMC’s website and beginning Dec. 14 a special “12 Days of Spark” reveal will take place via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

The magazine was created to inspire and empower retailers and interior designers by telling the stories of the personalities and products at Dallas Market Center. This publication is the brainchild of DMC’s executive vice president of marketing, Penni Barton, and the company’s new creative director Guillermo Tragant, who collaborated with an internal team, external agency and an international group of designers and writers.

“Among our new initiatives to creatively support our customers is this remarkable new publication,” said Barton. “Spark is part of a larger marketing strategy to engage more directly with customers by providing meaningful content that can help them succeed. Look for more to come as we continue to take bold steps to ignite conversations, connections and commerce.”

Tragant said, “We are offering busy retailers and designers a magazine unique from any other publication to make them think, learn, discover and smile. Our industry is driven by an amazing creative energy and is sustained by a sense of community, which we wanted to reflect in the pages of the magazine.” 

“I wrote in the magazine that we poured our heart and soul into telling the stories that make our industry shine,” said Cindy Morris, president and CEO. “After readers take in the magazine cover to cover I’m confident they will gain tremendous insight and inspiration. Congratulations to our team for their leadership and innovation.”

The cover features Los Angeles designer Justina Blakeney, followed by an in-depth profile in which she shares her secrets of success. Additional articles include a profile of Texas silversmith Clint Orms, business advice from ARTS Award-winning retailer Coco & Dash, a recipe from legendary chef Dean Fearing accompanied by culinary products, a ranch holiday photo spread, cause-related products, lighting trends, fashion accessories, men’s gifts, retailer picks, Instagram accounts to follow, local restaurants to enjoy and more.

Spark magazine is part of a comprehensive, multi-stage strategy to lead with purpose in a new era of wholesale buying. These advancements at Dallas Market Center take place during a period of dramatic change in retail and wholesale, which presents businesses the opportunity to serve customers with new products and experiences driving interest and sales.