PotBra Set for DMC’s The Next Big Thing
A kitchen gadget called the PotBra that helps transport food is one of the finalists in Dallas Market Center’s The Next Big Thing national product search contest, along with the Brobe and Accessory Connectz. Picked from among applications nationwide from product designers, entrepreneurs, stay-at-home moms and other creative minds, the finalists will exhibit before an estimated 50,000 attendees from all 50 states and more than 78 countries during DMC’s FINDS Dallas Temp Show, June 21-24.
The PotBra was created last year by Sherrie and Keith Charles of Fort Worth, Texas. Being in the rubber business, Keith Charles made a silicone rubber band that stretches over pots or pans to keep the lids in place while traveling, so Sherrie’s dishes wouldn’t spill when she was attending potluck dinners. Brobe is a robe with a built-in bra for personal and medical use and Accessory Connectz allows one to accessorize flip-flops, headbands and pet collars.
The public can vote for their favorite product of the three on DMC’s Know It All blog post about the contest, at dallasmarketcenter.com/blogs/knowitall. The blog post highlights the three products and the public can vote by commenting on this post and include the product name in the comment (only one comment per email address will count towards the popular vote). Voting will end at midnight on June 22. The winner will be selected based on a combination of judges’ feedback and popular vote.
The winner will be announced on June 23 during the Dallas Total Home & Gift Market and will receive a prize package worth more than $12,500 including a $2,500 cash prize, exhibit space at the January 2013 Dallas Total Home & Gift Market, a profile in one of Dallas Market Center’s custom publications, consultations from leading industry experts regarding branding, public relations, visual merchandising and more.
Wahl Launches “Mom Relief Initiative”
Wahl Clipper Corp. has introduced the “Mom Relief Initiative,” in which it will give away 50 therapeutic massagers to 50 mothers in honor of Mother’s Day, May 13.
Through May 8, those who like Wahl Home on Facebook can nominate a mother—their own, a grandmother, their wife, their daughter, a friend or themselves—to receive a recently introduced handheld massager from Wahl. Those who wish to enter must post a comment explaining why the mom on their list deserves relief. Entries will be judged by Wahl based on their uniqueness and sincerity, and the winners will be chosen after the contest’s end.
According to a Wahl statement, a study conducted by Opinion Research Corp. found that 80 percent of mothers experience muscle tension or pain on a routine basis. The most prevalent pain points include the neck, shoulders and back, and nearly 80 percent of mothers experience pain in these areas on a monthly basis.
De’Longhi Gains Braun License in Small Appliances
De’Longhi and Procter & Gamble have reached an agreement that makes De’Longhi the licensee for the Braun brand in small electrics, irons and other household appliances.
The closing of the transaction is subject to approval by antitrust authorities. The Braun brand will remain with P&G, but, according to a De’Longhi statement, “the transaction includes the acquisition of certain production assets and the inventory related to the above categories.”
The purchase price includes about $65 million to be paid at the deal’s closing, about $118 million in deferred equal annual payments over a 15-year period and a variable amount linked to sales performance of the acquired businesses.
Fabio De’Longhi, De’Longhi’s CEO, said the Braun brand “will allow us to enhance our equity story in the high-end statement of the small domestic-appliances market, characterized by a high degree of quality, innovation and design.”