Briefly

Giftware resource Silvestri Inc., Beverly, MA, appointed John Talbert national director of sales. Talbert comes from Midwest where he was northeast regional sales manager. He also held sales positions at Christopher Radko and Department 56. Silvestri also promoted Nora Chapman to regional sales manager and Laura Campbell to corporate trainer.

The Gift Sales Managers Association (GSMA) formed a 10-member action group that will work through local rep agencies to sponsor independent retail support groups. GSMA will work with United Sales Association (USA) rep members to help organize the retailer groups and provide moderators. For more information, contact Tom Havens at (800) 757-0055, or email info@thehavenscompany.com.

The Yankee Candle Company, South Deerfield, MA, hired Richard Ruffolo senior vice president of marketing and innovation. He comes from the Bath & Body Works division of Limited Brands Inc. Prior to that, he was with S.C. Johnson & Son’s Glade candles division.

The Biloxi Gift Show, slated for February 4–6, 2006, will temporarily relocate to the Trademart in Jackson, MS. Jim Haskin, chief executive of the show producer, Wholesale Markets Inc., said that the show would return to Biloxi as soon as possible.

Hurricane Relief: Sunrise Greetings, Bloomington, IN, and its employees donated $10,000 to the American Red Cross to help Hurricane Katrina victims. … Clay, Metal & Stone, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, launched a fund to help underprivileged children affected by the hurricane with a $10,000 donation. … Martin’s Herend Imports, Sterling, VA, and its retailers will donate 5 percent of the sales of Herend animal figurines to Best Friends Animal Society to assist animal victims of the hurricane. The offer is good through October 31. … Primal Elements, Garden Grove, CA, created a candle and soap line called Fleur de Lis Katrina. All after-tax proceeds will go to help hurricane recovery efforts.