BIS Nominees Confirmed

On February 11th two BIS (Bureau of Industry and Security) nominees were confirmed by the Senate to fill the positions of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration (Mr. Kevin Wolf) and Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement (Mr. David Mills). However, the position of Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration has yet to be filled. Currently the front runner for the most senior position is Mr. Eric Hirschhorn.

In a statement issued by President Obama after the February 11th confirmations, he said that the Senate's action "is a good first step, there are still dozens of nominees on hold who deserve a similar vote, and I will be looking for action from the Senate when it returns from recess. If they do not act, I reserve the right to use my recess appointment authority in the future."

DRTV

DRTV, otherwise known as direct response television, is one of the most cost-effective forms of advertising buying. This method utilizes the use of television with ads running on TV anywhere from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. DRTV has been proven to be a special form of marketing a product. Having ads on the TV allows you to demonstrate what differentiates your product from the rest. Sitting on a shelf in retail may not allow your product to convey its true potential. Products that have typically had the most success in a DRTV based marketing campaign are those that appeal to a large group of people and with the expansion of TV use around the world there are endless opportunities for those who take advantage of DRTV marketing.

5 Things You Need to Do Before You Launch Your Product Internationally

If you are a product inventor or manufacturer who is looking to export your product internationally, there are several steps to take before getting started in order to secure the most successful international campaign.

Step #1: Marketing Materials

Marketers in the Direct Response industry are fortunate to not only have marketing materials such as retail and print artwork, but may also have developed a commercial for television airing. If this is the case for you, you will want to make sure to have split audio master tapes with no superimposed images of your advertising media. This ensures that once sent abroad, the master tape can be easily translated and new text or voiceovers added, and put on television right away. For most other marketers, color retail packaging is a necessity, as this is the main method in which international clients will be selling your product. Making sure you have all your retail and print materials in order is your first step.

Step #2: Pricing

In order to accommodate the international clients’ needs, an extra low export price may be necessary to accommodate the international buyer’s shipping costs, storage costs, returns and advertising costs. Often, marketing costs are quite high, and they may even need to send approvals to their local health ministry if your product is an ingestible item, or touches food or skin. These costs add up for the buyer, and they are taking this into account each time they purchase a new item.

Step #3: Shipping Specifications

One of the most important steps that is often overlooked is to have a solid understanding of the packaging of your product. Does it come bulk-packed? How many are in each master carton? What are the carton dimensions? Where will they be picked up? How many can fit on a pallet? Accurate product specifications are necessary so landed costs can be calculated correctly.

Step #4 International trademarks

Make sure that your trademarks are not already taken in a market in which you wish to sell. You may need to pay fees to the person who already holds the trademark there. Also, it is good to secure a trademark in the USA – this helps show the credibility of your product to international clients and can help with local approvals in their markets.

Step #5: Look to export management companies with international expertise

The world is a big place, and each market has different regulations, restrictions, and etiquette. Often, the easiest way to get your foot in the door with new international buyers is to contact an export management company. Some do not charge fees for their services, and they can provide the connections that you do not already have.

Infomercial Sales Thrive While Economy Struggles

A downturn in the economy has actually been good news for the infomercial industry. Lower rates on airtime have allowed many companies to be able to buy more spots on television, and increase their media spend to bring in more sales. Customers are now looking to buy a quick fix solution instead of brand name products, or replacing entire elements of their home. Repair kits sales are on the rise. People are looking to buy small luxury items for themselves, however, such as a mascara product. The Spinlash mascara product has sold extremely well in US retail, despite people's inability to splurge on themselves. Mascara may be seen as a small upgrade that people are willing to buy and invest a little bit in themselves, without going overboard.

With the addition of the new Pitchmen show on the Discovery Channel, many people are now able to see more of what is behind the industry, and the popularity of these kinds of products is also growing with the exposure of the men who pitch them. The buzz around As Seen on TV products (and if they work) has grown quite a bit in the past year alone.

China's economic growth significant for world economy

Chinaview.cn recently posted a commentary on the impact of China's economic growth on the rest of the world. It is believed that China's economic growth can help prevent the world economy from slipping deeper into recession. As China has become a key engine for economic growth, other markets, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan are all now in varying states of recession. One of te reasons China may be so successful right now is the 4-trillion-yuan (580-billion-U.S.-dollar) stimulus package that was announced in late 2008, which provides more trade opportunities for the country. China's currency, the yuan, has also been relatively stable as of late.

Although China has also been affected by the global financial crisis, their ability to hold steady has boosted confidence in other markets that we will be able to weather the storm, and that together, we can get out of this predicament and move forward.

Maternity Leave Extensions for Europeans

Brussels has recently announced a plan to raise the minimum maternity leave from 14 weeks to 18 weeks with full monthly salary pay for the entire period. Additional leave time is granted in special cases such as multiple births, premature births and disabilities. This increase in leave time is viewed by the EU as modest as many other EU member states have longer leaves. For example, the Czech Republic and Slovakia allow 28 weeks while some countries may extend leave time to up to 52 weeks (without full salary pay).

The purpose of the proposed extension is to allow mothers more time to recuperate following childbirth to ensure better health and grant them more time to spend with their new babies while not having to worry about possible financial losses. Additional measures of this proposal include: more job protection by guaranteeing new mothers will return to the same or equivalent position; tougher regulations on employers making it harder to dismiss new mothers within one year after returning to work; and will require employers to consider requests for more flexible hours from new mothers.

QVC Expands To Italy

QVC recently announced it will continue it's international reach with the addition of programming in Italy. QVC Italia will become QVC's 4th international operation when it launches in October 2010. Currently US owned QVC has subsidiaries in the United Kingdom, Japan, and Germany.

Telecom Italia Broadcasting, whose television system is expected to reach nearly 8.8 million homes in Italy by 2010, will be the main platform of distribution for QVC Italia.

QVC explains that Italy is a very valuable market and essential for QVC's continued international success as they have long been a great source of merchandise and believe the Italian people will respond well to the QVC television shopping experience.