Retail Business News: Pam Brown Joins Marson LLC

Industry vet Pam Brown is appointed vice president.

Marson LLC, a company that offers an innovative approach and strategy to sales management in the juvenile industry, appoints Pam Brown as vice president.

Pam’s knowledge and experience in the industry, and relationships with customers will be valuable assets for Marson clients. She brings a tremendous passion and enthusiasm for the industry and I am thrilled to have her on board to help grow sales and build a brand presence.

-Alison Bates, President, Marson LLC

In her new role with Marson, Pam is responsible for managing the independent retail store channel, calling on stores directly and managing Marson’s team of sales reps to help them drive sales higher in their respective territories. Most recently in 2011, she was recruited to help re-launch the Sunshine Kids brand as Diono; Pam’s prior experience includes positions at Britax Child Safety and Combi USA.

Founded in 2010, Marson provides outsourced sales and sales management to manufacturers in the juvenile products market with a seasoned team of senior level sales and marketing executives. Marson clients include Kastel International (Mutsy and Babyhome), Scandinavian Child (Svan and Beaba) and Amy Michelle.

Alison Bates is president and founder, and has more than 18 years of experience marketing and selling consumer products. Bates’ experience includes positions as Vice President of Kastel International and as Vice President, Sales and Marketing for leading stroller brand Maclaren U.S.A. where she was responsible for the company’s overall sales and marketing efforts. For more information on Marson, email alison@marson-mgt.com or call 678/428-0533.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Disney Baby – Labor of Love

The new Disney Baby line includes all the essentials parents need to bond with their children, adding that special Disney touch.

Just recently, the Walt Disney Co. opened its first Disney Baby retail store at The American at Brand in Glendale, CA, which coincides with the launch of a Disney Baby online boutique. The company hopes to grow the line of products into the-go-to brand for young mothers –and their tiny charges- as soon as possible!

Magic for Your Little Munchkin. Disney Baby includes essentials for the nursery, bathtime, feeding, travel, wardrobes, as well as what the company calls “discovery” and “celebration,” bringing in that Disney magic to woo parents while they’re shopping –something this 100+-year-old “parent” company knows a thing or two about! They’re doing this by partnering with the premiere names in the children’s industry, offering not only quality products, but magical ideas.

At Disney Baby, we just love to see the way families connect and grow. But it’s those special moments like planning the nursery or spending quality time with your baby that we want to help make even more magical.

On DisneyBaby.com, parents can learn about the latest Disney Baby products, and also get mom-tested tips for turning “everyday moments into treasured memories.” Subscribe to the Disney Baby Magical Moments Newsletter for all this, too -including special deals. It could grow into an online destination for parents and their kids.

The Walt Disney Co. plans to include Disney Baby departments in more than 200 Disney stores nationwide.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Poo~Pourri Heaven Scent for Potty Training

The makers of Spritz The Bowl Before You Go now bring you Super Dooper Pooper Spray!

From diapers to potty training to successful –and still stinky- bathroom adventures, parents can rejoice in the new children’s line of Poo~Pourri® two-ounce wonder bottles of pink or blue spray that masks the unpleasant tasks of bathroom duty for every super dooper pooper!

Poo~pourri is a natural bathroom refresher and spray deodorizer that’s applied to the toilet water before you go. It eliminates bathroom odors and changes the bathroom experience, to the delight of the next person entering the room.

While our concept has humor, Poo~Pourri is serious business (no pun intended). Our product acts as a powerful odor neutralizer and has been tested by many people for years with an overwhelmingly positive response.

The company’s product line boasts over 60 items, including the original Poo~Pourri in several sizes, along with Deja-Poo and Trap-A-Crap. Now the company turns to the beginner bathroom user – the potty trainee. This year, three new products for Junior are being introduced.

Super Dooper Pooper Before-You-Go Spray – Spray into potty, wait for child to “go,” then flush and enjoy the scent of grapefruit, orange and ylang-ylang.

Super Dooper Pooper Book – This sweet tale of a pre-potty trained bear is ideal to read before and while on the potty.

“I’m A Super Dooper Pooper” T-shirt –Toddlers should be proud of their accomplishments and these cute shirts do the bragging for them.

For founder and aroma-therapy specialist Suzy Batiz, the mission started small -helping resolve a stinky situation in the workplace. Working in close quarters can lead to frequent odors, contributing to the embarrassment of others and reduction of overall morale. Suzy, who had a knack for blending essential oils, has become quite adept at making natural facial spritzers and aromatherapy concoctions for friends and family. In January 2007, the Poo~Pourri® product launched. By September of that year, Suzy had caught the sweet smell of success and has transformed the $25,000 start-up into a booming $4 million enterprise boasting over 60 different products sold in five countries.

Good on you, Suzy!

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Last American Brand

The folks at the Rose Garden showroom in New York City just introduced me to a wonderful fashion find.

Last American Brand is the freshest thing to hit the boys market!

Cool, trendy premium tees … hoodies and pants for boys and kids – Last American Brand is not only Made in the USA (California, to be exact), all the designs, marketing, photography and distribution of these knitted goods are also produced locally at the company’s studios and manufacturing houses.

All of our garments are one of a kind; no two are exactly alike.

Last American Brand makes what they call True Grit American Knit – the knitting, marking, cutting, sewing, dying and printing are completed in the United States.

Inspired by the diversity of the United States –the land and its people- Last American Brand is committed to bringing quality clothing and American design to the kids of the world. Now in its second year, the line expands to include a selection of hoodies and woven bottoms with individual style and unique washes.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

We Have a Winner in the OMAs!

Premiere Organized Mom Awards sponsor Stuck On You donates $1000 to Regina Food Bank for Local Mom

When Kathryn Lavallee was growing up, her family didn’t have much money. Often, she and her siblings were convinced that they would run out of food. “No child should ever have to feel that fear,” she says.

Kathryn is the newly crowned winner of the Organized Mom Awards 2012 (OMAs) –an exciting new way for moms to share tips, favorite things and fun stuff that makes life easier for families everywhere. And as part of this honor, Kathryn is presenting a check of $1000 to her favorite charity –the Regina Food Bank in Regina, Saskatchewan, her hometown. “Thanks to the Food Bank, children are able to sleep knowing there will be a meal waiting for them the next day,” Kathryn says. “It’s not just about providing food to families, it’s about giving children the feeling of security that so many of us take for granted.”

With a total cash prize of $2000, OMA sponsor Stuck on You also presented Kathryn with $1000, donating a second $1000 to the charity of her choice on her behalf. “To be able to give such a wonderful gift to a cause I support so strongly is going to be an incredible experience and I am honored that the Organized Mom Awards has given me the chance to do that.”

Entries came in from families of all descriptions and all sizes, all with an organized mom at the center.

100 Words or Less. Throughout the summer, moms from all over Canada and the United States entered the OMAs by explaining in 100 words or less what makes them feel like an organized mom, sharing their top three tips for organization. Friends and family were able to vote for their favorites on the OMA Facebook page. “The common thread was that moms are doing the very best they can and have developed the most inventive and creative ways of managing their families and keeping organized,” says Carrie Felton, Stuck on You owner and mom of three boys. The Award judges enjoyed reading all of the wonderful entries and were overwhelmed by the hard work, dedication and care that so many moms are providing to their families. “We loved Kathryn’s entry because it was genuine, had the perfect balance of humor and humility … and we all agreed that we will be using her tips.”

Kathryn is a mom of two boys and the editor of Mommy Kat and Kids, a blog offering solutions that make life a little easier for busy moms and their families. Here’s a little of what Kathryn shared in her OMA entry:

I am nominating myself not because I am the most organized person in the world; I am not. But if improvement is considered, I’ve got this one in the bag! I went from total slob to Manager Mom after the birth of my boys and while I’m still learning as I go, I can’t help but be proud of how far I’ve come!

Read Kathryn’s Top Three Tips here.

Children’s Retail Today is a very proud media sponsor of the OMAs, where I shared a few of my favorite children’s companies that also support charitable causes with panache. In addition to Kathryn’s prize, the top 30 entries who received the most votes will also receive a voucher from Stuck on You.

Stay tuned for some exciting news from Stuck on You later this fall!

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Punypixel

Peculiar name, profound promise.

Eco-cool and especially hip, Punypixel™ is a brand of 100% Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified organic baby clothing, bodysuits, rompers and kimonos ranging from newborn to 4T. Which makes them incredibly soft.

And they’re obsessed with spreading their puny footprint in a big way.

Punypixel garments are manufactured and printed with absolutely no harmful chemicals.

Founded in 2011, the core belief at Punypixel is a commitment to social change, including funding organizations that empower children and building strong ties within our communities. For every purchase you make, Punypixel gives one dollar to a selected organization committed to empowering children. And every four months, the company features a new company to care for.

We take pride in partnering with manufacturers and suppliers whose business ethics are aligned with ours: high quality products crafted with high social responsibility.

The Puny Promise. The company promises Punpixel products are Super Soft, Super Pure and Super Socially Responsible.

And there’s nothing puny about that.

Another Rachel Florio PR client! Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Nina Kids Shoes

It all started with a fabulous fashion clog, which graced the feet of stylish women everywhere, including Miss Universe contestants …

New York, NY-based Nina Footwear Corp. is one of the most widely-recognized footwear brands in the United States. And for almost 50 years, the Nina Kids division has been one of its cornerstones.

Known for the perfect fit, Nina Kids shoes are stylish and sturdy at the same time – with comfortable, kid-tested designs made from quality materials. One of the most trusted brands among children’s shoes, moms love ’em, too. They appreciate the extraordinary selection as well as the narrow and wide widths in select styles.

The company recently ran a Back To School contest on Facebook – each day for two weeks, several lucky fans won a featured pair of Nina Kids. From school shoes to play shoes and dress shoes, Nina Kids puts fashion where the foot is – for girls from infants to teens.

“Moms are raving online about Nina Kids comfort, fit, ease and quality,” publicity director Mary Robertson tells me. “And we have some exciting children’s news I’ll be able to tell you about soon!” Stay tuned.

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Bobinette – It’s All About Boys

A little cosmopolitan style -with a French touch- especially for boys.

Lorraine Le Tac has been around the world. From Paris to Portland, with Vegas in between (yes, Vegas!) she has soaked up the eclectic vibes of urban destinations, letting them inspire her to design fresh and versatile fashion for boys.

In fact, Bobinette is all about boys –and their clothes- shirts, tees, shorts, pants, jackets and accessories from 6m to size 10.

Made in the USA. Mom to her own two boys Spencer and Matisse, Lorraine has settled in Brooklyn, where Bobinette is based. All Bobinette garments are Made in the USA, and Lorraine’s girls line, Ses Petite Mains, is made in San Francisco.

Bring style and color to all the little boys around the globe!

Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Elegant Baby: high-style, high-quality design

The folks at Elegant Baby® like to say that babies deserve style just as fresh and unique as they are.

And if you’re a trendy, hip and stylish parent, chances are your kids are trendy, hip and stylish, too. And … you’re exactly the kinds of customers who love Elegant Baby.

From baby blankets and baby clothing sets to piggy banks, picture frames and rubber ducks, this family-owned American business gives style-conscious families the choice of affordable baby gifts featuring the very best in quality, design, craftsmanship and tradition.

Our beautiful keepsakes, stylish fashion apparel, baby blankets, nursery items and more all feature the hottest patterns and colors inspired by runway fashion and interior design.

Celebrity Favorite. Famous faces like Angelina Jolie, Tiger Woods, Gwen Stefani and Tom Cruise give Elegant Baby gifts to their children, but so do everyday moms all across the country.

Founded in Burlington, NC by Fred V. Hooper, Elegant Baby was designed to serve the higher end of the baby product industry. Its parent company, Baby Needs, Inc., has been around since 1967, and is known for the Grow Time brand of children’s products. Since 2002, Fred’s son Yates Hooper had led his family’s company, bringing years of experience in the international fashion industry and his own unconventional vision to Elegant Baby. Now, the company is known for affordable, sophisticated baby necessities that are stylish and fun.

The collection has taken off in a really exciting direction, but we’re still honoring tradition. We’re going to make sure Elegant Baby® offers the best of both worlds – the old and the new.

Another Rachel Florio PR client! Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!

Finn + Emma’s Organic Picks for the Nursery

Planning a planet-friendly nursery is now effortless, thanks to Finn + Emma’s organic collection.

Green Gift Ready. From bedding to rattle booties, nursery products from Finn + Emma use 100% certified organic cotton, natural fibers including wool, and fresh designs- think scooters, stripes and flowers to outfit nurseries the green way -without toxic chemicals or synthetic materials- simply.

Finn + Emma’s soft organic cotton nap sacs make naptime a breeze with snaps at the bottom for quick diaper changes. The comfy cotton fill provides extra padding for a peaceful slumber.

Babies love to cuddle up to a soft blanket, made from 100% organic interlock cotton. Finn + Emma offers crib sets with and without bumpers to complement nursery decor and coordinate with their blankets and nap sacs. Made in Peru, the bedding sets feature a 100% organic cotton interlock fitted crib sheet and poplin crib skirt.

We live in the balance of stylish and sustainable, whimsical and sophisticated, classic and contemporary.

With fresh prints, modern colors and heirloom quality construction, Finn + Emma is creating a new world for what they call “the organically grown baby” -adorable, wearable, remarkable designs made from organic cotton that virtually wipe boring designs and toxic chemicals off the face of the planet!

Another Magnolia PR client! Children’s Retail Today publishes new posts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you want to get the word out about your innovative, imaginative and inspiring products for children, contact me today!