Posted on April 14, 2016 by Retail News Editor

QVC, NBC’s TODAY in the 2nd year for a country-wide search for “Mompreneurs”

WEST CHESTER, Pa., 2016-Apr-14 — /EPR Retail News/ — Calling all moms with a money-making invention! For the second year, QVC is collaborating with NBC’s TODAY to discover the next big product to be sold by the world’s leading video and ecommerce retailer. Nine budding mom entrepreneurs, or “mompreneurs,” will take center stage next week to showcase their creative inventions during TODAY’s Next Big Thing 2, a week-long competition where promising mom inventors and entrepreneurs have the opportunity to pitch their breakthrough ideas each day to NBC’s TODAY‘s panel of experts.

The country-wide search began in February as inventors were asked to submit their inventions. From those submissions, nine finalists were chosen across three different categories including: “gadgets for mom’s purse,” “mom on the go” and “mom gets organized.” All of the products are created by moms, for moms. During the week of April 18, the products in each category will be pitched live on NBC’s TODAY to a panel of judges that includes Doug Howe, QVC’s Executive Vice President of Merchandising, Jill Martin, NBC’s TODAY contributor and Creative Director of QVC’s contemporary fashion and accessories line, G.I.L.I. got it love it® and Savannah Guthrie, NBC’s TODAY anchor.

Beginning Tuesday, April 19, viewers can vote for their favorite product each day by visiting TODAY.com. On Friday, April 22, the inventors of the product receiving the most votes in each category will have one last chance to win over the judges and explain why their product deserves to join the ranks of QVC’s best-selling items. The overall winner selected by the judges will sell their product live on QVC Saturday, April 23 at 10AM (ET).

“Joining together with TODAY once again provides us with the opportunity to highlight budding entrepreneurs and inventors across the country,” said Howe. “The joy of discovery and the power of storytelling is a big part of what we do at QVC. Through TODAY’s Next Big Thing, we’re able to discover promising mom entrepreneurs and provide them with national distribution and a powerful platform to showcase the story and inspiration behind their products.”

Last September, QVC and TODAY launched TODAY’s Next Big Thing. Leslie Pierson, the inventor of GoodHangups, a reusable magnetic display systems for posters, art, photographs and more, was named the winner. The product achieved immediate success on QVC selling out during Pierson’s first appearance on air and it continues to be a popular item. The experience has given Pierson the opportunity to expand and further develop her business.

“Presenting my product on TODAY and then QVC was such an amazing opportunity to tell my story and demonstrate my product to millions of people and get instant feedback,” said Pierson. “So often in retail, your product is standing on its own either online or on a retail shelf with little or no opportunity to tell the story of how you came up with it or showcase how it works. With QVC, you’re talking directly to your customer and have the opportunity to explain your inspiration and demonstrate how it works in a way that’s usually not possible.”

Over the past 29 years, QVC has launched and fostered the growth of some of today’s most successful brands.TODAY’s Next Big Thing 2 aligns with QVC’s commitment to bring their customers an ever-changing mix of new and innovative products from inventors and entrepreneurs as well as national and boutique brands. It also supports QVC Sprouts®, the ongoing, crowd-sourced product search that seeks the best up-and-coming products from inventors and entrepreneurs, where those with a retail-ready item have the opportunity to sell on QVC.com and the chance to grow their businesses through a scalable and nurturing process.

Tune in to Saturday Morning Q® on QVC Saturday, April 23 at 10AM (ET) for a firsthand look as the TODAY’S Next Big Thing winning invention is showcased. Visit QVC.com to purchase the winning product, plus the products of all nine finalists. To learn more about QVC Sprouts, visit http://www.qvc.com/qvcsprouts.

About QVC
QVC, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ: QVCA, QVCB), is the world’s leading video and ecommerce retailer. QVC is committed to providing its customers with thousands of the most innovative and contemporary beauty, fashion, jewelry and home products. Its programming is distributed to approximately 340 million homes worldwide through operations in the U.S., Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, France and a joint venture inChina. Based in West Chester, Pa. and founded in 1986, QVC has evolved from a TV shopping company to a leading ecommerce and mobile commerce retailer. The company’s website, QVC.com, is ranked among the top general merchant Internet sites. QVC, Q, and the Q Ribbon Logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc.

Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:XELB) is a brand development and media company engaged in the design, production, licensing, marketing and direct-to-consumer sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, jewelry, home goods, and other consumer products, and the acquisition of dynamic consumer lifestyle brands. Xcel was founded by Robert W. D’Loren in 2011 with a vision to reimagine shopping, entertainment and social as one. Xcel owns and manages the Isaac Mizrahi, Judith Ripka, H Halston, and C. Wonder brands, pioneering an omnichannel sales strategy which includes the promotion and sale of products under its brands through direct-response television, internet, brick and mortar retail, and e-commerce channels. Headquartered in New York City, Xcel Brands is led by an executive team with significant retailing, licensing, design, and marketing experience, and a proven track record of success in elevating branded consumer products companies. With a team of over 70 designers and social media focused marketing executives, Xcel maintains control of product quality and promotion across all of its product categories and distribution channels. Xcel differentiates by design. www.xcelbrands.com

Media Inquiries:
484.701.1647
media.relations@qvc.com

Posted on March 13, 2015 by EPR Retail News Editors

QVC: Television personality and fashion expert Jill Martin becomes creative director of G.I.L.I. got it love it® collection

WEST CHESTER, Pa., 2015-3-13 — /EPR Retail News/ — Television personality and fashion expert Jill Martin will add her stylish flair to QVC’sG.I.L.I. got it love it® collection through her new role as creative director of the line. The sophisticated yet wearable collection includes chic, contemporary fashion and accessories that have a timeless appeal. Martin is scheduled to make her debut presentation of G.I.L.I. on QVC Thursday, March 26 at 6 PM (ET).

“I am so excited to begin this new venture with QVC,” said Martin. “My passion is to help women look and feel their best with fashion that combines quality, affordability and style. QVC is the perfect platform to do this, and the G.I.L.I. collection has a classic yet fashion-forward approach that appeals to so many.”

Martin is quite familiar with the global video and ecommerce retailer. She has been working with QVC since debuting her organizational home collection in 2013. She also served as the red-carpet correspondent for QVC’s “Red Carpet Style – Live from L.A.” broadcast and has supported various QVC charitable initiatives, including QVC Presents “FFANY Shoes on Sale.”

“We are thrilled to be working with Jill in this new capacity, given her proven rapport with our customer,” commented Rachel Ungaro, QVC’s vice president of fashion merchandising and design/development, global sourcing. “Her creative expertise, smart sense of style and engaging personality are the perfect combination for success in this role.”

Martin’s credibility as a fashion authority is evidenced by her writing achievements. She is the co-author of the New York Timesbestselling book “I Have Nothing to Wear!,” as well as “Fashion for Dummies” and “The Weekend Makeover.” Under her direction, the G.I.L.I. collection is expected to expand to incorporate her organizational line, which mixes fashion and function.

The G.I.L.I. got it love it® collection is available, while supplies last, through QVC.com, QVC apps and by calling 800.345.1515.

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About QVC
QVC, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ: QVCA, QVCB), is the world’s leading video and ecommerce retailer. QVC is committed to providing its customers with thousands of the most innovative and contemporary beauty, fashion, jewelry and home products. Its programming is distributed to approximately 300 million homes worldwide through operations in the U.S ., Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy and a joint venture in China. Based in West Chester, Pa. and founded in 1986, QVC has evolved from a TV shopping company to a leading ecommerce and mobile commerce retailer. The company’s website, QVC.com, is ranked among the top general merchant Internet sites. QVC, Q, and the Q Ribbon Logo are registered service marks of ER Marks, Inc.

About Jill Martin
Jill Martin is an Emmy Award-winning television personality, fashion expert and co-author of the New York Times bestselling style guide “I Have Nothing to Wear!,” “Fashion for Dummies” and “The Weekend Makeover.” She is a contributor on NBC’s “TODAY,” known for her wildly popular “Ambush Makeover” and “Steals and Deals” segments. After writing three fashion self-help books, Martin wanted to give women the power and ability to get their life organized and in order. When she could not find products on the market that mix fashion and function, Martin invented a home organizational line, which launched on QVC in April 2013. Martin’s career in fashion has also included reporting from major red carpet events.

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