Where do I begin with this one? Before my life at Pierce Mattie PR in New York I grew up on the Gulf Beaches of Clearwater Florida. The one major company on everyone’s lips in my hometown during the 90's was The Home Shopping Network HSN. Well that Hooters, Scientology, Raymond James and the Tampa Bay Bucks. Pre-QVC, HSN was the leader in at home shopping starting in the mid 70’s. My aunt to this day remains the hugest fan of Connie Stevens Forever Spring Skin Care the blockbuster HSN brand that was first to launch.
I still remember going on the HSN set with my makeup artist friends after putting in a day at Dillard’s to do The Adriane Arpel Show. Have you ever seen that lady sell? She is such an inspiration to those of us who make a living selling lipstick. Let’s not forget my favorite chocolates from Suzanne Somers can only be purchased on HSN. And the Origins disaster of the mid-90’s. Yes I was working for Origins with Estee Lauder when we trained the HSN host Chris Scanlon to go live with the brand and let’s just say that the audience at the time was not ready for granola beauty products.
And last but not least my former best friend for Kelly dated Bill Green for several years – they were quite the Hyde Park couple.
One could say I know HSN!
As competition grew their viewer ship found themselves at NBC Shop at Home and other networks. With the arrival of a new management Rob Gruen as VP in March and two years prior Marty Nealon as President their strategy at HSN is back on track and by the looks of things ready to kick some serious selling power.
Rumor has it that in the very near future they will begin a partnership with Sephora to sell their brands on HSN. Sephora spiced it up a bit this year with the announcement of JC Penny's co-ops and now HSN. Though HSN has not released an official statement on this the chat boards over at QVC have already started.
What’s next you ask… MADONNNA. Yes that’s right The Tampa Biz Journal reported today that in just a few days Madonna will go live with her children’s books. I don’t think Madonna is doing HSN for money. However I do think it will help Madonna reach a new audience and get her back in touch with her former fans. Do you think Madonna will be staying at the Vinoy, Belview Biltmore or the Don Cesar when she is in town airing the program?
Either way I say set your tube to HSN this holiday season – the Florida giant is ready to heat up the airwaves!
Posted by Devin Waring on November 24, 2006 9:57 PM
| Permalink
