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!

NEW! 2012 Wonderlights From Midwest-CBK

Capture the light, magic and motion of the holidays with these fun and whimsical LED light characters and icons. Every year when our talented design crew sits down to design and develop a new Wonderlight collections I am truly amazed by their creativity and innovation year over year. This year we've introduced new rotating elements, projection graphics, new finishes, detailing and materials. Combined with our experience in character design - the result is magical! We've also reduced them in size and created brand new lapel pins and magnets - the perfect stocking stuffer and mini-gift! Retailers - the full collection will be showcased at the January 2012 Winter Markets and is also available to order NOW through your Sales Account Manager or online http://www.mwcbk.com/  - product is ready to ship starting March 2012.

Happy Holidays To You!

Celebrating traditions and making memories with family and friends is the hallmark of the Christmas season. It is also a time to thank those who have shared in your successes, inspired you with new ideas and challenges as well as giving and sharing with those less fornutate. At Midwest-CBK we love nothing more than working on seasonal and holiday decor and gifts because we cherish those values and love the magic of this season - so from our family to yours - we thank you for your business and we wish you and yours a very happy holidays and a happy new year!

Wild, Wild West!

I had the opportunity to visit Austin, Texas a few weeks ago. What a fun, vibrant and welcoming town. People were very nice – and we had fun walking the city and visiting retailers, restaurants and a few musical venues as well. While a true Texas college town – home of the University of Texas, Austin was rich in western history, style and culture. The city was starting to decorate for the holidays. What was truly refreshing was the mix of styles – part Tex-Mex, part country-rustic and a splash of elegant refinement. When we were back in the office we created this wreath display to try and match the vibe we picked up from our retail research. Elegant and festive with the right about of western influence.http://www.mwcbk.com/

Bottle Stoppers Add Style to Any Party

Bottle stoppers make great hostess gifts but we sometimes wonder if people really use them since any great bottle of wine goes pretty fast – at least from our experience. After some debate and sharing observations from a string of recent holiday parties – the answer is a resounding “yes”! Our light up bottle stoppers perched on open bottles of wine on a party table or bar area adds a great sense of style with festive colors, shimmer and shine. They are eye-catching, colorful and even a bit funny. So next time you see them at your local gift or wine shop – buy a couple and keep them on hand as gifts or for your own entertaining. Retailers - shop www.mwcbk.com today and have them in time for New Year’s parties.

Fresh Vintage Style

Hello, we are just back from a two week round of holiday open house events at our retail partners across the country. Our specialty, gift and garden center stores have transformed from everyday merchandise centers to a magical, winter wonderland of great ideas for decorating and gift giving. Every year I am amazed at how quickly these stores turn over their displays and create warm and inviting spaces that put you in the holiday spirit the minute you walk through the door. This year, one recurring trend that was clearly evident in all the stores I visited and from diplays I saw was elegant vintage Christmas themes. Now this isn't retro or old fashioned by any means - it's a bit nostalgic but more "inspired by" cherished holidays gone by. This "new" vintage style borrows style, design, color, materials and techniques from times past but is re-invented to feel right at home today. From chunky glitter, to pastel colors and slight distressing, these vintage style elements make each figurine, ornament and decorative accessory an instant collectible. The photo featured here is our Vintage Collection which you can find at retail right now www.mwcbk.com and as you can see it creates a stunning tablescape and blends well in a traditional and contemporary room settings.

What Year Is It?

What year is it? This may sound like a crazy question to ask. Well, as Trend Manager here at Midwest-CBK, I can tell you it’s not. Check out the view from my desk – truly – this is organized!

After reading this blog post – you may find yourself asking “What year is it?” too.  November is a very busy month at Midwest-CBK – it’s when the seasons collide. You have to look deeper than just the approaching 2011 Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to see what I am talking about. We are at the peak of our business cycles, where three seasons of product development and design cycles converge. Picture this . . . our 2011 holiday and gift collections just hit the retail market and we are busy helping our specialty, gift and garden center retailers promote their Holiday Open Houses. At the same time – my ROCKSTAR marketing team just finished sending our 2012 Holiday, Halloween and Gift catalogs to the printer (almost like Vogue’s September issue we are at 625 pages). Yes, I said 2012 Holiday, Halloween and Gift. . . those collections hit the gift marts in January and we are busy preparing to showcase and present our new collections to retailers at showrooms across the country. Now, you may be thinking this doesn’t sound too complicated but here is where it gets tricky. . . layer on top of all that I just described - we are also busy looking at incoming product samples for Spring and Easter 2013 . . .2013!

So when you hear the question “what year is it?” from one of our staffers it sounds completely normal!

http://www.mwcbk.com/

One-of-a-Kind Ornament Display

Create a dramatic and eye-catching focal point in your store, on a mantel or as table centerpiece with this creative display idea. Take your favorite decorated and embellished Christmas ornaments and finials and set them on top of an arrangement of vintage glass bottles. Mix and match styles and colors to create a display as unique as you!http://www.mwcbk.com/

Entertaining At Home

As fall settles in and the last leaves rain down from the trees, we enter the season of holiday entertaining. From fall festivals to holiday celebrations, more and more people are entertaining at home. From small intimate gatherings to large scale "Martha Stewart" worthy events. Every year, at Midwest-CBK, we work hard to create hostess gifts for this very reason. Something small and affordable, yet elegant and refined to give to your gracious hosts. Our wide range of wine ware and accessories are perfect for entertaining or gift giving. From bottle stoppers, bottle holders, serveware and home decor accents - there is something for everyone. http://www.mwcbk.com/

Share Your Midwest-CBK Halloween Displays

It is one of our favorite times of the year - the leaves are falling, the sun is shining on cool mornings and Halloween will soon be here. We love the fun and spooky Halloween collections we launched this year and are so excited to see them creatively displayed in all our gift, specialty and garden retailers. Please share your Midwest-CBK Halloween decorations displayed in your store or home!  Post photos on our FB page   www.facebook.com/midwest-cbknow through October 31st .  We just may send you a  little trick or treat!