Catalog Success recognizes four industry professionals named to the top honors among catalogers.

By Reported Donna Loyle

A Pioneering Spirit

Vernon also was one of the pioneers of the unconditional guarantee, free-gift-with-purchase and deferred billing — all catalog marketing strategies widely used today.

During the years, the company expanded its focus beyond personalized merchandise, and now, all totaled, the company’s catalogs carry more than 6,000 products. For many years, Vernon was the company’s chief merchant, traveling the world and attending trade shows with a team of buyers in search of new and unique merchandise. About 50 percent of the catalogs’ products are new each year and come from 34 countries and 40 states, and items that can be personalized comprise one of the many criteria still used to select merchandise.