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Web TV Gift Channel to Launch in '07

By Staff -- Gifts and Dec, 11/28/2006 7:27:00 AM

New York — A new web TV channel for retailers will launch in May 2007: GiftChannel 1. In addition to broadcasting 24/7 at www.giftchannel1.com, the channel/site will offer 'on demand' presentations lasting between three and five minutes.

The programming will be free to retailers, who will need a broadband Internet connection to access it, and be supported by sponsors who will play an active role in creating the content. “The best analogy is going back to the early days of television where the sponsors actually ran the program,” said Ray Gaulke, president of GiftChannel 1, New York.

The site is the brainchild of online gift wholesaler FarCountries. "In our daily discussions with giftware retailers we find that they are hungry for information about building their businesses," said Jim Waechter, president of FarCountries. "They told us they don't get this information at trade shows or from other industry sources. We thought about providing some of this type of information on our selling website but we decided that a separate site whose only mission was helping retailers grow their businesses was a better approach and would be supported by all segments of the industry." The company is currently developing 'on demand' content, which is expected to include everything from explaining about "open to buy," to how to start a drop shipping program or train new employees.

The 24 hour “live” programming will include aspects not specific to the gift industry, such as information from credit card, insurance or technology sponsors. “Some of the programs in the live portion will be call-in programs where retailers can call in with specific problems that will be answered in real time,” Gaulke told Gifts & Decorative Accessories. Retailers will

also be able to get their questions answered via a sponsor’s blog and online discussion groups “so retailers who are in malls, for example, will be able to talk to each other. The idea here is community building. Kind of like the YouTube for retailers, where most of the content is going to come from retailers,” Gaulke explained.

The Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA) partnered with GiftChannel 1 in assisting to develop content appropriate for independent retailers and sign up sponsorships, said Gaulke, clarifying that GHTA will not directly sell sponsorships to its members: Its involvement would be more like an introduction or endorsement.

"Because the stated mission of GHTA is to lead and transform the gift and home industry to ensure its long term health and viability, our alliance with GiftChannel 1 is a natural one," said GHTA president Trip van Roden. "For the first time, giftware retailers will have 24/7 access to valuable information about financial management, sales associate training, merchandising, promotions, traffic building and problem solving using the experience of other successful retailers. Essentially we are building a community for success that has never before existed in our industry."

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