Pitch and Ship » Celebs & Stars

Mariah Carey Returns to HSN — and Braces for Next Wave of Viral Video Critiques

Walter Verfenstein — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:01:12 +0000

Singer, songwriter and talent scout Mariah Carey returned to the HSN network yesterday to pitch her everything-but-the-kitchen-sink collection of jewelry, shoes, accessories, fragrance and fashion. While ostensibly selling, she repeatedly referred or alluded to the prospect of viewers editing her appearance into mock tributes to be distributed online. That, of course, is exactly what happened after her last appearance on the network in July. Ms. Carey also complains about the difficulty of wearing an earpiece and demands stage direction from the control room in the middle of a presentation. The Hollywood Reporter captures some of the amateurish spectacle in a minute-long video clip here.

Hey, Ms. Carey, you’re a star. Act like one!

Heidi Klum Finds Inspiration for New QVC Line in U.S. Customs Entry Form

Walter Verfenstein — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:53:12 +0000

While promoting her new, QVC Wildlife Jewelry Line in Los Angeles yesterday, supermodel Heidi Klum told RadarOnline that she thinks the branding suits her because she leads a “wild” and “exciting” life. She also revealed that the Eureka moment came while she was performing one of the most mundane chores in a jet setter’s life — reviewing entry requirements and customs forms prior to landing on an international flight:

I was on the plane and I was coming from overseas and I was thinking about names and I couldn’t come up with anything and I was reading the form when you come into the country, fruit, wildlife and it really popped out from that page. And then I thought it is also a double word, it is like having a wild life.

Ms. Klum makes a habit of designing her fashion pieces, which are priced from $43 to $200, on Saturday mornings, before joining her children for karate and ballet. RadarOnline Nov. 21, 2011

Mary J. Blige to Debut New Fragrance and Perform on HSN

Walter Verfenstein — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 16:02:31 +0000

Singer/songwriter Mary J. Blige will perform on HSN at 12:30 am and 10 pm EST, next Wednesday, November 30, in celebration of her upcoming album My Life II … The Journey Continues (Act 1). This will be the first time Ms. Blige sings — as well as sells — on the TV shopping network. But she will still sell and those efforts will support the debut of My Life Blossom, which is a follow-up to her initial foray into the fragrance business. That first offering, called simply My Life, made a successful debut on HSN last year and was developed in cooperation with health and beauty marketer Carol’s Daughter. My Life Blossom — billed as “a continuation of the My Life spirit in a softer, white floral accord with a warm vanilla heart” — will be sold in Fragrance Holiday Gift Sets as a part of HSN’s 24 Hour Beauty Gift Event.

HSN’s 24 Hour Beauty Event will feature beauty gifts from brands such as: Benefit, Phillip B, Wei East, Korres, Deborah Lippmann, Lancome and others. HSN Press Release Nov. 21, 2011

Has Anyone Pitched a Reality Show about TV Home Shopping?

Walter Verfenstein — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:24:52 +0000

The story in the link below about pawn shops attributing an increase in business to the halo effect of cable TV shows like Pawn Stars and Hard Core Pawn got me wondering if the big shopping networks ever considered a behind-the-scenes, reality program about their business. The image makeover of the DRTV networks from cheap jewelry peddlers to showcases for respected designers and brands may already be complete, but that shouldn’t take the air completely out of this trial balloon.

A reality show on a major broadcast or cable network would begin with some clear advantages, including: a base audience of the retailer’s customers and — this is key — the non-manufactured drama of live television. Season-long story arcs could revolve around the development of a new show or brand, the introduction of a new product category, or the selection and training of new on-air talent. Can anyone tell me that the camera wouldn’t love following Mindy Grossman into and out of meetings with colorful designers — and that she wouldn’t enjoy it too? So, which of our talented show hosts will have the chance at a step up the entertainment ladder during the next new season?

In the 1990s, while working in promotions for ValueVision Media, I fielded a call from the producers of the movie Bridget Jones Diary, who were looking to film scenes involving TV shopping at one of the actual networks. This was before the industry’s image improvement was complete and my bosses were worried about being made to look silly. So we foolishly declined. Today most everyone beats a path to the DRTV studios, and few disdain them for doing it. So, if Snooki can do what we do — and Homeshoppingista reported a bunch of Snooki sellouts last night — does anyone doubt that we can do what Snooki does, too?

Cincinnati Business Courier Nov. 11, 2011

Us Weekly Reports that Nicole Richie Will Premiere Fashion Line on QVC in February

Walter Verfenstein — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:12:36 +0000

Nicole Richie (Photo courtesy of Us Weekly)

Last night, Us Weekly cited an anonymous source in an exclusive story about a new fashion line by Nicole Richie that will premiere on QVC in February, coinciding with the premiere of Fashion Star. Ms. Richie already designs two fashion lines — House of Harlow and Winter Kate, and has agreed to appear as a celebrity mentor on Fashion Star, which is a new reality competition series that will be hosted by Elle Macpherson and will “…search for the next big brand in fashion.”

Iman and HSN Take a Step Up the Pricing Ladder with The Platinum Collection

Walter Verfenstein — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:04:58 +0000

Though she fretted over marketing higher-end apparal in the current economic environment, fashion Icon Iman decided to take the plunge. This fall, she launched Platinum Chic as an upscale companion to her Global Chic line, which has been the second most best-selling designer label for HSN in the past three years. The new line features luxe materials like faux fur and leather at prices that range from $40 to $300 for coats. Accessories average around $40 and leather bags will start at $180. This last bit of information is more critical than one might think. In an interview about her new collection, Iman said, “Accessories make the girl—and the boy, for that matter.” DrJays.com Nov. 1, 2011

Kris Jenner Blogs from QVC Studios

Walter Verfenstein — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:54:09 +0000

Never mind the marital difficulties of the most famous Kardashian daughter, mom Kris Jenner keeps the marketing juggernaut humming right along. From the QVC compound in eastern Pennsylvania, she posted to her Celebuzz blog about her appearance on the network tonight between 7 and 10 p.m. ET. Jenner will push apparel and a new memoir, Kris Jenner and All Things Kardashian. She promised that a top very similar to the one she wears on her book cover will be among the items on offer this evening.

Why Doesn’t Kelly Clarkson Have a TV Shopping Home?

Walter Verfenstein — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:41:27 +0000

Kelly Clarkson

The New York Times ran a near-fawning piece over the weekend on Kelly Clarkson, in particular, about the deep connection she has formed with female fans, who respect her independent streak and her forthrightness about her stuggle to maintain a healthy weight. It almost seems that she’s Oprah with a voice! So I wonder if she has been approached by any of the shopping networks. Perhaps she was and simply declined, although I can’t imagine why. DRTV would seem to be the antithesis of the glammed-up pop music scene that Ms. Clarkson derides and largely avoids. A comfy couch on one of the shopping networks would be a great forum for her to connect with her fans.

Jersey Shore’s Snooki to Premiere New Fragrance on HSN, November 10th

Walter Verfenstein — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:07:10 +0000

Nicole Snooki Polizzi (Photo from LaLate Celebrity News Site)

The pint-size partier with the outsized personality will sell Snooki-branded handbags, slippers and sunglasses, in addition to her signature fragrance during a one-time-only, Holiday-giving-themed, 2-hour show, November 10th at 8 p.m. EST. Prices will range from $19.90 to $69.00. In an announcement from HSN about the program, the reality TV star says, “I can’t wait to appear on HSN and Snookifiy it!”

Brace yourself for more “Snookification.” The announcement details Ms. Polizzi’s still-growing popularity, as evidenced by 3 million Twitter Followers, 625,000 Facebook Fans, dozens of talk show appearances in the past year and extraordinary online traffic. (A recent Google Search of “Snooki” returned 18,000,000 Results.) The news release ends on this ominous note:

Major manufacturers are eagerly signing licenses for the new ”Snooki” brand, including for fragrance, beverages, indoor tanning salon products, social media and mobile Apps, live video online-sharing and celebrity voice messaging, with more licenses to be announced soon.

Priscilla Presley to Launch New Jewelry Collection on QVC, August 9th

admin — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:28:51 +0000

Actress, author and widow to the King of Rock and Roll, Priscilla Presley is scheduled to introduce The Priscilla Presley Jewelry Collection — featuring necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets inspired by the style icon’s personal experiences — on QVC next Monday, August 9 at 9 AM (ET). The line was developed in partnership with bsp, a Los Angeles-based brand extension and business development firm, who announced the premiere in a press release today. According to the company’s website, their other celebrity-brand clients include: Britney Spears, Sheryl Crow and the AMC’s Mad Men television series.