Primo Flavorstation™ 100

In a press release this morning, Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based Primo Water Corporation announced that it will sell its new Flavorstation™ 100 Home Beverage Maker at ShopNBC.com, Lowes.com and in participating Lowe’s Home Improvement stores.  The product is available in a kit at a price point of $120 on ShopNBC.com now.  John Maples, Primo Water’s chief marketing officer, wrote to say that the Flavorstation kit will premiere on the ShopNBC TV network, November 28th.

The Primo Flavorstation enables consumers to create naturally-flavored sodas, fruit sparklers, fruit flavored teas, zero-calorie sodas and energy drinks without high-fructose corn syrup.  It promises to deliver, “the taste of national [beverage] brands at a fraction of the cost and calories.”  The product also promises an environmental benefit by reducing the number of cans households send off to landfills.  Primo Water Corporation Press Release  Nov. 23, 2011

Jim Huffstetler (courtesy of LinkedIn Profile)

Reached for comment this week after touting the sale of 50,000 units on QVC in a press release, Zero Odor founder Jim Huffstetler described his company’s business with the number one shopping network as a return to its direct response TV roots.  When Zero Odor (specializing in odor elimination without the use of heavy perfumes) got off the ground six years ago, two-minute, voiceover-and-testimonial infomercials were a critical sales channel.  At the time, they were placed on cable stations nationwide.  During 28 appearances on QVC in the past year, Huffstetler has marveled at the efficiency and professionalism of the TV-selling juggernaut.  He describes the QVC segment of Zero Odor’s business as “meaningful” and looks forward to continuing the association.

In addition to its TV-selling stints, Zero Odor distributes its products through retail chains, including Bed, Bath & Beyond and True Value hardware stores.

Zero Odor founder Jim Huffstetler also had the good sense to use the release as an opportunity to lavish a little praise on the professionals at QVC, saying (and this is just part of his encomium), “I am so impressed with QVC’s tireless efforts to delight their customers. The process for getting a product approved to go on-air is incredibly rigorous.”  Zero Odor Press Release  Nov. 11, 2011

W. P. Appliances, Inc., has received four reports of electrical shock and two reports of melted plastic housing, due to a defect in the appliance’s electrical wiring that can pose a risk of overheating.  The importer has established a toll-free number (1-855-666-0478) to assist customers, and will reimburse them for the full purchase price of the product (including sales tax and shipping and handling).  Kansas City infoZine  Nov. 11, 2011

Anyone selling washing and drying machines and the like, and then delivering and installing them through third parties?  What about Home Depot- or Lowes-themed shows to sell replacement windows and HVAC systems?  It may take some doing to get this kind of programming launched, but if the government can re-allocate TARP funds to pay for dish washers, then the TV shopping networks can carve out a piece.  It seems to me that one of the most compelling and potentially profitable hours of DRTV programming would pitch home energy efficiency products — and then how to get government stimulus money to pay for them!

The linked article on CNNMoney.com (12/9/09) suggests that the government may pay for 50% of efficiency improvements up to a total cost of $12,000.  That’s a windfall for consumers and anyone selling to them.  So, who is in Washington DC now, while the legislation is being written, to see that the new stimulus spending gives the DRTV industry a chance?More than a decade ago, when then-ValueVision tagged itself as “The Brand Name Channel,” its ownership relationship with Montgomery Ward led it to consider (or was it “try”) selling major appliances, and then having them installed by Montgomery Ward crews.  I’m nut sure what became of the idea, but those 90s era marketers didn’t have a $12K-per-household tailwind at their back…