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BRAND AND INDUSTRY NEWS: OLIVIA CORNELL HONORED; WATCH SALES SOLID; BONAPARTE TO HEAD JA, MORE August 01, 2012 (0 comments)
Olivia Cornell Wins WJA Award for Excellence in Retail
New York, NY—Olivia Cornell of Cornell’s Jewelers in Rochester, NY, was among the winners of the Women’s Jewelry Association annual Awards for Excellence. Cornell won the award for Excellence in Retail, fewer than 15 doors. She's pictured at left, with husband David, son Michael, and father-in-law Harry, seated, outside the store.
Other winners for the evening included Lisa Cochin of Forevermark USA, who won in the category of communications and marketing; Kara Ross of Kara Ross Designs, who won for excellence in design; Andrea Hansen, former CEO of Ivanka Trump, who received the manufacturer/dealer/supplier award; Laura Swan of Kohls, who won for retail above 15 doors; Debra Puzio of QVC who won for non-traditional retail; Jan English of Frederick Goldman who won for sales and merchandising; Roxanne Robinson of Women’s Wear Daily, who won for media; and Mary Lou Keen of AGTA, who won for special services.
The annual Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Pilar Coin, wife of designer Roberto Coin, who was instrumental in both helping to build the successful Italian design company, and starting a WJA chapter in Italy.
Rebecca Foerster accepted the Corporate Award on behalf of Rio Tinto Diamonds. She heads Rio Tinto’s U.S. operations in New York. Finally, the Ben Kaiser Award, presented to a male who works to advance women in the jewelry industry, was presented to Thomas Andruskevich for his work with retailer Birks & Mayors, which is based in Canada and Florida.
Swatch Group Sales Solid, Says Group
Zurich, Switzerland—Swatch Group, the world’s number-one watchmaker last week stuck to its annual forecast, citing growth in the mid-priced range to offset a slight cooling in the top-tier luxury market. China is driving both the increased middle and the slight cool-down at the top, says this report from Reuters.com. Last year, the group beat its sales forecast of seven billion Swiss francs (approximately U.S. $7 billion), and CEO Nicholas Hayek told Reuters the group anticipates this year’s sales will hit eight billion Swiss francs. Separately, the group’s luxury Omega brand is the official timekeeper for the London Olympics.
Hyde Park Acquires Traditional Jewelers
Newport Beach, CA--Colorado-based Hyde Park Jewelers has acquired Traditional Jewelers, according to this report on JCK Online. The store, located in the Fashion Island shopping center, will undergo a renovation and expansion next year. Traditional Jewelers was founded in 1975 by Marion Halfacre, who died suddenly in 2007 of a heart attack. At present, the Traditional name will be kept, though Hyde Park owner and CEO Michael Pollak says that may change at a later date.
Forevermark Launches "Center of My Universe" Campaign for Fall
New York, NY--Forevermark USA has announced its fall advertising campaign for Q4 2012 will be "The Center of My Universe." In a move that harkens back to the old De Beers beacon product, the campaign will be centered around the halo diamond setting; i.e. a center stone surrounded by a halo of pave stones. Featured products will include rings, of course, as well as earrings and pendants. Details of the ad campaign will be forthcoming, but it will feature a TV commercial.
"We listened to our retail partners and one thing we heard over and over is that they want a commercial," Forevermark spokesperson Adelaide Polk-Bauman told The Centurion. The commercial--which has not been completed yet--will draw on emotion, focusing how a woman is the center of the world to the man who loves her. Details for broadcast airtime were not complete at press time, either, but Polk-Bauman said plans definitely include a lot of online presence, as well as a special cinema co-op plan for Forevermark jewelers. The brand has negotiated for pre-movie placement of the commercial in more than 2,200 theaters nationwide from November 1 through the end of the year, each chosen because of its area imcome demographics and proximity to a Forevermark jeweler.
Separately, Forevermark unveiled some pieces from its new designer collaborations at a special press event Wednesday in New York. Designers include Hoorsenbuhs, Kimberly McDonald, Martin Katz, Me & Ro, Mimi So, Neiman Marcus for Forevermark (designed by Maria Canale), Stephen Webster, and a special collection designed by Waris Ahluwalia of the House of Waris.
Stephen Webster's ring for Forevermark.
Elizabeth Garvin Named JA New Designer of the Year
New York, NY—Elizabeth Garvin, whose work is inspired by the oceans, storms, and natural forms of her native New England, was awarded the 35th Mort Abelson New Designer of the Year Award at the Jewelers of America show on Monday. The award was named for the late Mort Abelson, who was instrumental in advancing the designer movement in the American jewelry industry. Read National Jeweler’s report here.
Bonaparte Named to Succeed Runci At JA
New York, NY—Dave Bonaparte, senior vice president of JCK Brands for Reed Exhibitions, will be leaving Reed to succeed JA president and CEO Matthew A. Runci, who announced his intention to retire earlier this year. Bonaparte will begin working alongside Runci as of October 1, and will assume the position entirely beginning January 1, 2013.
According to this article in JCK, Bonaparte’s global view and broad-based industry knowledge gleaned from his work in the show sector was instrumental in JA’s choice for him to succeed Runci.
Bonaparte told The Centurion he is excited about the tremendous opportunity he sees to grow the organization and add value for both retailers and manufacturers.