It may be hard to imagine selling product placements for TV programming that is, essentially, product placement itself — 24/7 — but HSN is doing it now. During a recent segment selling Jamie Oliver’s Survival Kit Cookware, the show host and guest discussed preparing a meal using Barilla pasta products, which were prominently featured in the camera shots. When honest-to-goodness commercial breaks at last arrive, hosts may want to segue into them with the phrase, “We now take a break from this commercial sponsor to bring you a few words from other commercial sponsors.” Tivo, be damned! The Wall Street Journal Sept. 28, 2009 Paid subscription may be required.
HSN Hops on Product Placement Bandwagon
QVC Doubles Size of Senior Note Offering
QVC priced $1 billion in 10-year senior secured notes, double the size of the proposed offering that it announced last week. “Proceeds will be used to purchase and retire borrowings under its senior secured credit facilities.” Dow Jones Newswires via The Wall Street Journal Sept. 22, 2009

Amber Blake
The general counsel and head of government affairs for QVC UK, Amber Blake, says that her job is about 80% legal and compliance duties and 20% lobbying the UK government on behalf of the business. Ms. Blake previously worked as an in-house lawyer for Coca-Cola. The Lawyer Sept. 14, 2009
Bravo’s Rachel Zoe to Debut Accessories Line on QVC
Celebrity stylist and Bravo star Rachel Zoe will debut a line of affordable clothing and accessories from Bryant Park during New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on QVC, September 12, from 8-11 p.m. EDT. Charlotte Examiner (NC) Sept. 4, 2009

