Midwest-CBK Names Dick Duff General Manager

Dick DuffCANNON FALLS, MN - Midwest‐CBK, has named Dick Duff general manager. An industry veteran, Duff has 29 years of experience in the gift industry, including five years with Midwest of Cannon Falls as the executive vice president of sales and marketing.
Throughout his career, Duff has served in numerous executive‐level leadership roles in the gift industry, focusing on marketing, product development, sales management and business development; he also has international experience in foreign sourcing, manufacturing, distribution and product development. In his new role, Duff will oversee all aspects of day-to-day operations and manage growth objectives.

"Dick's proven track record and knowledge of the gift industry is second to none," said Howard Ganz, president of Ganz, which acquired Midwest‐CBK from MVP Group International, Inc., in October. "His passion combined with outstanding sales and marketing leadership will serve our customers, employees and the industry well. We look forward to continued growth and success through Dick's leadership."

Most recently, Duff served as the executive vice president of Blue Mountain Arts. He has also served as executive vice president of sales and marketing, and vice president and general manager of The Hadley Companies; president of American Specialty Confections; and executive vice president and general manager for Carousel by Guy. Duff holds a bachelor of science degree in marketing, advertising and journalism from Oklahoma State University.

"I'm excited to return to Midwest‐CBK and work with the industry's top talent to bring our valued customers the most sought‐after products backed by an amazing sales and distribution team," said Duff, in a statement. "I look forward to the opportunity to further develop and grow the brand, starting with an outstanding new product launch in January."

Ganz Acquires Midwest-CBK

CANNON FALLS, MN - Midwest-CBK has been purchased from MVP Group International Inc. by gift company Ganz. The acquisition includes the Midwest-CBK brand name and its holiday, gift, and home and outdoor décor business.

Under the acquisition, MVP Group will retain the Colonial Candle, Everybody's Ayurveda, Genuine Monkeez & Friends, Monkeez Makes a Difference and Goofballz brands, as well as the distribution facility and staff in Union City, TN. The Midwest-CBK product line and the MVP Group International brands of Colonial Candle, Everybody's Ayurveda, Genuine Monkeez, Monkeez Makes a Difference and Goofballz, will continue to be available through the Midwest-CBK sales team.
"Midwest-CBK is a perfect addition to the Ganz family of brands, a company with a similar heritage, strong values, experience, vision and focus," said Scott Wehrs, president, Midwest-CBK, in a statement. "By combining forces, both Midwest-CBK and Ganz will continue to grow and provide the industry with exceptional new product design and development, and outstanding service."
Midwest's and Ganz's product development and sales teams will continue to operate independently to allow each to focus on their strengths.

"This acquisition unites two renowned and highly respected market leaders, combining the strengths of both companies with best-in-class people, products, service and support for independent retailers," said Howard Ganz, president, Ganz. "This strategy brings many benefits and opportunities to retailers through an unmatched selection of holiday, gift and home décor products, innovation in products and programs, depth of design and outstanding sales and support teams, backed by a company with the combined resources of Midwest-CBK and Ganz."

Introducing Shimmer Garden by Midwest-CBK!

Source: j.mp via Midwest on Pinterest

Midwest-CBK Introduces Full Everybody's Ayurveda Line To Total Home and Gift Show

 

Midwest-CBK Introduces Full Everybody's Ayurveda Line To Total Home and Gift Show

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Canyon

Vintage Chic 

Wine & Serveware

Midwest-CBK introduces trend-forward additions to Gifts for Home line.

May 22, 2012

Midwest-CBK, leading designer and manufacturer renowned for its design, style and sparkle, presents the latest in décor and accessories with more than 350 new products for the Gifts for Home line. Midwest-CBK’s June 2012 Gifts for Home collection focuses on well-designed pieces at accessible price points, with most items at $30 wholesale or less. The new collection is inspired by lifestyle, fashion and home décor trends, and exclusively created by Midwest-CBK’s in-studio and popular licensed designers. All new collections will debut during the 2012 summer markets in Midwest-CBK showrooms across the country, and initial shipment to retailers begins in July 2012.

“The new additions in Midwest-CBK’s Gifts for Home line are infused with simplicity, clarity and fresh colors,” says Beth Lorentz, Midwest-CBK vice president of product development. “These gifts are both thoughtfully designed and affordable – an irresistible way for shoppers to share everyday elegance and trends with others, or enjoy in their own homes.”

The new pieces join the line’s best-selling products, maximizing sales for independent retailers with a mix of exciting new designs and time-proven classics. The line emphasizes gifts and home accent pieces, such as tabletop, pillows, lighting and wall décor. Key collections include:

• Vintage Chic: A strong trend in home décor and best-selling Midwest-CBK Gifts for Home collection, Vintage Chic features a romantic indulgence of casual, feminine elegance that embraces all that is romantic, beautiful and delicate. Old meets new in an eclectic mix of designs washed in delicate, muted pastels and pops of muted purples, deep greys, and classic black. Distressed finishes and antique patterns add layers of nostalgia, while delicate script design, brocade patterns, and crystal chandeliers lend a modern flair. The 70 new Vintage Chic pieces include candle holders, pedestal stands, trays, frames, paperweights and magnets, magnet boards, wall art, wall hooks, lighting such as lamps and chandeliers, luxurious velvet pillows, lanterns, mirrors, a desk clock and baskets. These new designs join existing pieces such as ottomans, pillows and linens; designs for the office including waste bin, storage, pencil cup, bookmarks, journals and pens; and designs for the kitchen and entertaining including cake stands, cupcake towers, organics, bowls, plates and platters.

• Wine & Serveware: Midwest-CBK’s Wine & Serveware collection celebrates the popular consumer trend of all things wine and wine-related. The collection uncorks the artful style of original and functional designs featuring grapes, vines and cork applied as graphic elements. Stylish wine ware and gifts in a sophisticated palette of cream, olive, brown and burgundy using metal, wood and glass are perfect for intimate wine tastings at home. The line’s 45 new pieces include bottle stoppers, wine bottle holders for table and wall, cork holders, bottle openers, candle holders, and frames. They join existing items such as tabletop serveware and hostess gifts including cheese boards, spreader and stopper sets, wine arcs, and wine plaques.

• Canyon: Embodying the style of the West and Southwest, Canyon features rich colors, mixed materials and handcrafted artistry. Create a warm, rustic look with lighting, frames, wall art, candle holders, lanterns, crosses, ottomans and more.

• Weekend Retreat: A casual cabin, lake lodge or Western ranch collection, Weekend Retreat celebrates a relaxing escape. Images of nature, fishing, wildlife and cabin life refresh the home with a casual, nostalgic feel. Pieces include wall art, trays, candles, candle holders, wall hooks, frames, lighting, storage baskets, footstools and more.

• Urban Style: Inspired by the American lifestyle, Urban Style celebrates the hidden gems an American picker would find among antique shops and barns across the country. Featured formats include storage trays, figurines, frames, clocks, wall décor, lighting, memo and photo boards, wall mirrors, candle holders, pillows, towels, aprons, pedestal stands and more.

• La Marina: Honoring the style of America’s shorelines, La Marina celebrates waterfront living from the West to East Coasts and all the lakes and rivers in between. Classic, natural and neutral, this collection is inspired by the sands of the beach and coastal living. Authentic materials include sea shells, driftwood, capiz, natural wovens, and seaglass.

• Lights in the Night™: As the leader in seasonal and everyday night lights, Midwest-CBK introduces new novelty pieces, which features whimsical characters and icons that have movement and light, and many new classic styles suitable for use in every room in the home including nursery, kids’ bedrooms, kitchens, hallways, three season porches, bathrooms and family living spaces.

For more information, to place an order or to request a catalog, please contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager, visit www.mwcbk.com or call 800-394-4225.

About Midwest-CBK
Midwest-CBK, a national design leader in holiday, gifts for home, garden and giving, is proud to bring independent retailers more Design, Style and Sparkle than ever before, through exclusive designs and best-selling formats. New introductions feature excellent prices and terms designed to boost your margins; an experienced, dedicated sales team to assist you at the store level; award-winning display ideas; a drop ship program to provide incremental décor sales; and a website providing 24/7 access to account history and online ordering. Based in Charleston, South Carolina, Midwest-CBK parent company MVP Group International designs, manufactures and markets an extensive line of holiday, seasonal and everyday gifts and decor, and candles and home fragrance products under the Colonial Candle® brand as well as the new Soyveda™ brand of Ayurvedic products from Everybody’s Ayurveda. Please call 800-394-4225, visit www.mwcbk.com or contact your local Midwest-CBK account manager for more information, to request a catalog or to locate a showroom near you.

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Introducing the Mid Year Launch for 2012

We’re excited to share with you more Design, Style, and Sparkle with our new 2012 Midwest-CBK™ Gifts for Home, Garden, and Giving, and our new 2013 Spring, Summer, and Easter product catalog featuring exclusive new looks, licenses, unique designs, trend-driven styles, hot formats designed to sell, and a fabulous new charitable contribution program!

We’re going bananas over our new charitable initiative called “Monkeez Makes a Difference.^™” 

This first-of-its-kind, innovative, interactive experience teaches children the importance of helping others.

The program features kid-friendly tools including the best-selling Genuine Monkeez and Friends™ plush characters, online games, Do Good™ Trading Cards and a special donation given on a child’s behalf to one of two partnering charities – Samaritan’s Purse, and Best Friends Animal Society. 

Exciting New Gifts for Home and Garden  

You’ll be delighted with our new home décor and garden gift product lines featuring over 450 new products that focus on
well-designed items at accessible price points. Our 10 collections are infused with simplicity, clarity, and fresh colors
inspired by lifestyle, fashion, home décor, and decorative arts trends. 

                                                 
           New Gifts Galore

With gift giving on the rise, you’ll love our new gifts for moms, sisters, friends, kids and new babies!  With more than 300 new items from which to choose, enjoy fun and light-hearted gifts by Suzy Toronto, fresh and uplifting products by Christy Tomlinson, Genuine Monkeez & Friends™ plush, and back to school items, and our first bouncing baby gift and décor collection, Dandelion Wishes.

Spring, Summer, and Easter 2013

Discover more than 250 fresh, new items to capture your imagination, set your store apart, and delight your customers for Spring, Summer, and Easter 2013.  Our collections highlight the famous PEEPS® brand of marshmallow candy featuring the popular PEEPS® chick and bunny icons, as well as several other stylish and new in-house and licensed artist designed collections for spring, summer, and Easter.  

Visit and Connect with Us  

We invite you to visit one of our award-winning showrooms during the summer markets where our dedicated sales team looks forward to working with you. In addition, you can also set an appointment at your store, or shop online at www.mwcbk.com anytime from anywhere. We would love for you to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and our Design, Style, Sparkle! Blog where you will discover creative ideas and displays to inspire your store’s merchandising.

Dedicated to Serve You   

Our knowledgeable sales, customer service, and operational teams are dedicated to providing you with excellent product information, terms, responsive and reliable service, and to deliver our products when you need them at competitive prices.  They carry the passion for our products and our unique style, and love what they do to serve you!     

Sparkle in 2012  

Thank you for your continued business and support. We remain committed to giving you our very best!

Midwest-CBK: Now you can make Covers for your Pinterest Boards!

http://blog.pinterest.com Midwest-CBK: Now you can make Covers for your Pinterest Boards!

Now you can make Covers for your Pinterest Boards!

Introducing Board Covers

A couple weeks ago we launched our new design for Pinterest profiles and we got a lot of great suggestions from Pinners.
One of the most requested features was the ability to choose a pin to be the cover for each board. Today, you’ll be able to do just that:

If you’d prefer a specific pin as a board cover, mouse-over the board you want to edit and click “Edit Board Cover”. Next, select a cover pin and drag it to the exact position you want.

When you’re finished, hit “Set Cover”.
You can also choose a board cover while you’re browsing within your board: Just mouse-over any of your pins to select it.

Covers on collaborative boards can only be selected by the Pinner who created the board. Other than that, you can choose new covers as often as you’d like, so we hope you’ll have fun customizing the look of your boards and profile.
As always, we consider this new feature a work-in-progress and we really appreciate all the feedback we received about it along the way. Let us know your continued thoughts and Happy Pinning!

Design, Style, Sparkle! It's what we do every day at Midwest-CBK!

Click on the image to see all great products we have PINNED on Pinterest!

Source: Uploaded by user via Midwest on Pinterest

Color My Garden Bright

We just arrived back from a fantastic Atlanta Gift show where we met with so many of our retailers. Everyone was upbeat and optimistic about the outlook for 2012. There was a buzz in the air and buyers are ready to freshen up and brighten up their merchandise going into Spring. Our "Color My Garden" collection was well received - the perfect yard decor and gift collection for the the "yard artist". Lively, bright and colorful - this collection was popular and deemed on trend for the coming season. This collection is available to view at our our showrooms in Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, Chicago and Minneapolis or you can order at http://www.mwcbk.com/

It's the 2012 Winter Market Season!

We've worked for over 12 months on our new 2012 collections and the time to show them off to our fabulous retail partners is finally here! We can't be more excited. Our showrooms are bustling and full of activity and over the weekend we'll put the finishing touches on every tree, display, wall and shelf. Some of the hottest trends this year are artfully interpreted in our collections - from traditional nostalgic to vintage french and ombre - we've taken style and design trends hot off the runways and right out of high in interior design houses and translated them for the holiday, gift and garden markets. Colors like trendy fashion colors of oranges, pinks and yellows to warm metallics like ultra-hot copper, bronze and champagne gold to super trendy cobalt and azure blue. We look forward to hosting our retailers as they gear up for a successful and profitable 2012!  Clink this link to see the new collection now!