IndustryEye

PacBlue Digital Imaging, a Van-couver, British Columbia-based digital printing firm, drew more than 20,000 attendees to its recent Vancouver Sun EPIC Sustainable Living Expo. The three-day green exposition enabled consumers and merchants to come together in support of environmentally friendly products and companies.

The event touted the use of waterless printing and its benefits to the environment. The process involves using heat, rather than water, to transfer ink to the substrate. A conventional press the size of the waterless press used by PacBlue Digital uses as much as 12,000 liters of water per year. In contrast, PacBlue’s waterless press eliminates 98 percent of the water usage, using water only for cleanup. It also reduces volatile organic compound emissions by 75 percent.

Some other benefits of waterless printing include the elimination of toxic chemicals, such as fountain or dampening solutions; up to a 40 percent reduction in preparation time, saving hundreds of sheets of paper and the ink and energy wasted to bring the press up to color and registration; and much improved vibrancy, sharpness and richness of color due to eliminating ink/water balances.

Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor,
RE: The Editor’s Take “A Take on Acqui-sitions of All Kinds,” March 2008 issue (pg. 10). I disagree with your conclusion that B-to-B catalogers are following suit with consumer catalogs and becoming very reliant on membership co-op databases.
There are only two B-to-B membership co-ops, b2bBase, which is our partnership with Experian, and Abacus. Of our approximately 150 B-to-B catalog clients, I know of less than a handful for whom membership co-ops approach even half of their acquisition circulation. The average is 10 percent to 15 percent.
Our business grew over 20 percent in 2007 and the outlook is bright. Indeed, the “glory days” need not be bygone when you focus on your clients’ acquisition and retention needs with list selection objectivity, good analytics and passionate, value-added service.

Ralph Drybrough
CEO
MeritDirect
White Plains, N.Y.

Catalogers’ Updates
• BabyUniverse: The marketer of baby products for expectant and experienced parents, BabyUniverse, a member of The Parent Co. family, announced the launch of its new catalog. The 2008 BabyUniverse spring catalog was mailed in April and contains a selection of organic products, nursery designs, baby gear, crafted furnishings, bedding and diaper bags, among other things. All of the product contained in the catalog are hand-picked by the company’s buyers, on-staff moms.

• Lillian Vernon: The multichannel marketer, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February, agreed to be sold in April to stationery and home décor cataloger Current USA, a subsidiary of the Taylor Corp., for $15.8 million. The Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Current plans to continue operations in the Lillian Vernon facility in Virginia Beach, Va.

• Hallmark: The greeting card maker has shuttered its direct-to-consumer flower and gift business after less than three years in operation. The company sold flowers and assorted gifts through catalogs and a Web site. Citing a lack of return on investment, the company believed it was no longer profitable to operate in the direct-to-consumer catalog and online gift business. One hundred jobs were affected by the decision — 65 at the company's headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., and 35 at its distribution center outside Memphis, Tenn.

• Musical Kidz: This company, which produces the Music for Little People catalog, has been acquired by the Trudy Corp., a publisher of children’s books and audiobooks. Trudy is also the parent company of the Studio Mouse, Soundprints and other catalogs. The 20-year-old Music for Little People catalog markets chil-dren’s musical instruments and audio electronics under the brand BeBoP. Leib Ostrow, president of Musical Kidz, will head Trudy’s direct-to-consumer sales unit.

• Southern Fulfillment Services LLC: This company, which owns the Hale Groves catalog of fresh fruit, has acquired Pittman & Davis, a Harlingen, Texas-based fruit gifts multichannel merchant, for an undisclosed amount. The Vero Beach, Fla.-based Southern Fulfillment, which provides fulfilment for other catalogers, plans to continue operating the two catalogs independent of one another.

People on the Move
Day-Timers: Martha Curren (left), former president of Goebel North America, has been named vice president and general manager of the time management solutions and organization tools cataloger Day-Timers. Before joining Goebel, Curren was president of Lenox Collections and held management positions at the Franklin Mint before that.

Celebrate Express: The Kirkland, Wash.-based cataloger/retailer of family party products has named Harold Egler vice president of marketing. Egler is responsible for the company’s marketing operations, including its online and catalog marketing programs, catalog circulation, brand development, and public relations. He most recently served as global vice president, customer intelligence, for Getty Images.

Talbots: The multichannel marketer of women's apparel, shoes and accessories named Lori Wagner as its new executive vice president, chief marketing officer. She'll be responsible for overseeing all advertising, catalog development and direct marketing. Most recently Wagner served as chief marketing officer of Cole Haan's Nike division. She's also held senior level positions at Kenneth Cole and J. Crew.

Obituary
Laura Smith, vice president, director of management at RMI Direct Marketing, died suddenly on April 5. She was 43. Smith began her career in direct marketing at age 17 when she joined AZ Marketing Services. She went to RMI Direct Marketing in 1998, and was quickly promoted to the list firm’s director of management.

Smith was a high-profile advocate of the direct marketing industry, having volunteered her time for such organi-zations as NEMOA, the Direct Marketing Club of New York and the DMA Catalog Council.

She was also a former president and adviser to the Hudson Valley (N.Y.) DMA, who spearheaded
virtually all HVDMA events, outings and luncheons. She also served on the board of directors for the Fulfillment Management Association.

Known for her lively personality, Smith was a motorcyclist and a bird lover as well.