Singer Josh Groban Coming To HSN To Perform Live

It looks like singer Josh Groban is the next artist who will be performing live on HSN, following in the footsteps of talent such as Rod Stewart.

On Google, HSN posted to watch for more details on HSNLive with Josh Groban, the shopping network’s concert series. No date was given yet.

Josh Groban has a new CD

It looks like Groban will be pitching his new CD, “All That Echoes.” The CD is already on HSN.com.

Here’s the link:

http://www.hsn.com/electronics/josh-groban-all-that-echoes-cd-with-behind-the-scenes-dvd_p-7056498_xp.aspx?cmsstr=239363&webm_id=&web_id=&sz=6&sf=EC&dept=EC0437&cat=EC0438&o=&ocm=seis

Here’s what the site says about Groban and his CD.

Internationally renowned, multi-platinum recording artist Josh Groban has done it again on this sixth studio album, entitled “All That Echoes.”

Groban co-wrote 7 of the 12 tracks that appear on the album, which also includes five covers, including Stevie Wonder’s “I Believe (When I Fall in Love It Will Be Forever”), Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová’s “Falling Slowly” (the Oscar-winning song from the film “Once”). Enjoy these classics, plus the exclusive DVD that takes you into the creation and inspiration of the album.

What You Get

Josh Groban All That Echoes CD
Josh Groban The Making of All That Echoes DVD

All That Echoes Track List

1. Brave
2. False Alarms
3. Falling Slowly
4. She Moved Through the Fair
5. Below The Line
6. E Ti Prometerro
7. The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
8. Un Alma Mas
9. Happy in My Heartache
10. Hollow Talk
11. Sincera
12. I Believe (When I Fall in Love it will be forever)

ShopNBC Host Shawn Diddy Is The Latest Exit From Network

Once again, one of our Facebook friends tipped us off to home shopping news: Shawn Diddy has exited ShopNBC, which seems to be the revolving door of show hosts.

ShopNBC put it out on Facebook Thursday that Diddy was gone. It was short and sweet.

“Shawn Diddy is no longer with ShopNBC,” the No. 3 home shopping network posted. “We wish her the best of luck in her future endeavors.”

Shawn Diddy

In fact, back on Nov. 28 Diddy said she was going.

“Yes- it’s official,” she posted on Facebook. “I’m leaving ShopNBC as a host on December 24, 2012 to follow my actor/entertainer heart. Please watch Facebook and http://www.shawndiddy.com for updates. In the meantime, I’ll see you on ShopNBC :-).”

But in light of ShopNBC’s history of parting ways with popular hosts, the reaction to Diddy’s departure wasn’t good. Here are some of the posts on the network’s Facebook page:

“Don’t you think that it kind of a stinkin way to announce???”

“This channel only wants vacuous Stepford wife types. I stopped watching. I can’t stand any of the hosts remaining.”

“Is she related to PDiddy?”

“You guys fire someone every other week”

“Maybe she quit.”

“Her pic is even gone from the website too!!!!

“He’s Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs, AKA Puff Daddy. Probably not related”

“I’ve known it since she announced it here on Facebook she’s going to do much better things very soon!”

“Doesn’t sound amicable, that’s for sure.”

“She left on her own terms folks!”

“She may have left on her own terms but it appears NBC has an axe to grind just by the way they are presenting this. No class at all.”

“What a scumbag was of saying that… billion dollar company they need to hire a better public relation’s person. best of luck Shawn…”

“The Shop is cold blooded like Gangsters….”

ShopNBC Alum Pamela McCoy Says Announcement Coming On Her New Gig

Ex-ShopNBC host/vendor Pamela McCoy is quite the tease.

Pamela McCoy

She and her hubby Wes have moved to Florida from Minnesota after exiting ShopNBC, and she said on Facebook that she’s landed on another home shopping network. We figured it was HSN because of the Sunshine State connection, but others said it was going to be Jewelry Television, which is in Tennessee.

Pam posted this last week:

“It’s getting closer! My launch date is set! I will be doing a promo soon. When it is done I can announce what network I will be on. I am so excited! I am hoping to post pictures of the product. I would love to get your opinion before the show. Thanks for all of your support!”

We can’t wait.

QVC To Have Moment Of Silence For Newtown Victims

Here’s a nice gesture on QVC’s part to memorialize the innocents killed in Newtown,Conn., a week ago.

On Facebook, QVC posted that at 9:30 a.m. ET today, it “will participate in a moment of silence and suspend programming to remember the Sandy Hook Elementary School victims.”

QVC added, “We invite you to join in this gesture of solidarity and reflection. QVC extends our deepest condolences and heartfelt prayers to the entire community of Newtown, Conn. — and especially the families of the victims.”

It advises viewers to “please leave your condolences and words of support: http://qvc.co/PrayforNewtown>.”

HSN Appoints BBC World Smarty Pants Sarnoff To Its Board

HSN has appointed Ann Sarnoff, chief operating officer of BBC Worldwide Americas, to its board, the home shopping network said Thursday.

She will serve on its Compensation and Human Resources Committee, and her appointment expands the number of HSN board members to 10.

“I look forward to working with Ann and leveraging her unique experiences to assist us in executing against our strategic growth initiatives of creating immersive experiences, offering differentiated products and leveraging technology to build relationships, not just transactions,” HSN CEO Mindy Grossman said in a canned statement.

At BBC Worldwide, Sarnoff is responsible for the company’s North American businesses and has held this role since 2010. From 2006 until joining the BBC in 2010, Sarnoff was president of Dow Jones Ventures and senior vice president of Strategy for Dow Jones & Co.

Previously, Sarnoff served for two years as chief operating officer of the Women’s National Basketball Association and spent ten years at Viacom Inc., where she ultimately became chief operating officer for VH1 and Country Music Television.

“We are extremely pleased that Ann will join our board and leverage nearly 20 years of extensive business experience in media and entertainment,” HSN Board Chairman Arthur Martinez said in a canned statement. “Ann’s expertise in developing and growing businesses and brands, in addition to her proven success as a highly accomplished leader, makes her a valuable addition to our Board.”

Sarnoff is a member of the executive advisory board of the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown and is a member of the boards of Women’s Forum of New York and the Harvard Business School Women’s Association of New York.

Sarnoff earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University and a Masters in Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

We Were Wrong: HSN/Coca-Cola Partnership Not So Wacky

Well, we guess we are the only knuckleheads who think that HSN’s partnership with Coca-Cola, with the home shopping network selling more than 275 Coke-branded items, is a wacky collaboration.

We were so busy doing our real job that week that we missed The New York Times’ story on the multi-year, cross-marketing pact between the electronic retailer and the beverage maker. The story was written by The Times’ ad columnist, Stuart Elliott, who we worked with at The Daily Northwestern many moons ago back in Evanston.

We scoffed at the notion that anyone would want to buy merchandise with the Coke logo on it. Well, apparently we’re the minority, since Stuart’s story says that Coca-Cola licensing generates more than $1 billion in annual retail sales. That’s not chump change.

Well, we’re wrong and Bill Brand and Jerry Kapner, you are both right.

QVC Is Keeping What Amounts To A Bethehem Tree Recall Under Wraps

Why is QVC conducting what is essentially a secret recall of certain types of Bethlehem Christmas trees that it sold last year?

On its website QVC.com, you will find an extensive list of products that QVC has sold and have been recalled. But the 6.5′ and 7.5′ Bethlehem Lights Scottsdale (H191953 and H191954) trees are not on there.

We have been stalling doing another blog on this issue, since it’s a bit complicated. But here is the bottom line as we understand it, and we are sure plenty of people will correct us if we’re wrong.

Weeks ago, before Thanksgiving, we blogged about QVC customers who had purchased the Scottsdale trees getting robocalls from the home shopping network saying that the artificial trees posed a potential hazard, in that there were reports of melted switches and two customer reports of fires.

The tree buyers were told not to light up the trees, but rather to await instructions about how to rectify the situation. QVC copped to the fact that it was working with its supplier to find a remedy for the problem.

Since these trees cost around $500, you can imagine why QVC customers were riled up that they couldn’t use their trees.

From what we gather from subsequent postings on our blog, and there were more than 50, here is what happened.

Customers got a packet telling them that if the foot pedal on their tree was oval, their tree was OK. But if it was round, you had to mail it in to and QVC would send you a replacement. Refunds were also involved here, and folks were beefing that their accounts weren’t being credited, and why was QVC so “hush, hush” about this virtual recall.

Here is one post on this:

“Well, I finally found out by calling corporate, if your foot petal is oval your tree is fine, if it is round you will be sending back per their instructions for a new one or a full refund. Don’t know why they just could not email this information rather than wait for the letter and instructions. Why does it take 3 pages to describe what one needs to do.

Why could they have not told us the faulty foot petal was round and not oval? Why the hush hush and make everyone stressed. So now we have to wait for days for this packet to come, and if ours is round we must take it apart as per their instructions or it will not be honored. So bogus, why not just let us get our refund and get on with our holiday decorating.”

And here is a sampling of other QVC customers who were not happy campers:

“They will give you the option of a replacement pedal (which will be shipped out next day air) or a refund within 10 business days. It really annoys me that QVC had no information last night but then this morning I got a 2 minute, in-depth description of the problem.

I agree that they should have told us sooner. The QVC rep who left me the message said she has the same tree but luckily for her, she has the oval pedal. Good luck to everyone…I think everyone should call and demand to speak to a supervisor to file a complaint. We paid too much money for this item to have to wait for instructions to come in the mail. Happy Holidays!”

“Well everyone…I want you to know that QVC sent UPS to pick up my BL Never Fail Lights 6.5 ft tree and issued a full refund to my account…I was thankful I kept the box and it was no problem with them taking care of me. I hope they do the same to all of you…yes you can send the plug back (round ones)…but I chose for them to take the whole tree back, since I didn’t want anyone else to try to get it out of the trash and to be in danger. I hope that you all have success as I did and hoping the replacement tree I ordered will be here soon. God bless and Merry Christmas to you all!!!”

“QVC is providing a new stand for those with the recalled cord (round). They are saving on shipping by requesting just the cord to be returned. This is their way of verifying they are replacing an existing recalled cord since it’s only for consumers with these switches. It states that they are sending the replacement stand via overnight 2-day delivery so they are rushing delivery after they receive the consumers’ cord return, they say 10 day process to account for mailing back to them and internal time.”

“I did not receive a call or email. They said the didn’t have my email address nor could not reach me by phone, I got a letter in the mail. I cut my cord and sent it back in on 11-20 and called to see if they recieved it, as I did not get a notification, like we receive when we send back returns. I was told that there was no way they could track the return packet, so I sit and wait to see if I get a new plug or refund. Today is 12-1 and as of yet I have not gotten word on either.

Christmas is coming and I too have grandkids that would like to help decorate the tree. I am truly upset with this situation as I set our tree every year the weekend after Thanksgiving. I hate to go out and buy a new tree, only to finally get my stand replaced and than be out another $400 plus dollars.Thanks QVC and Bethlehem Lights for waiting until last minute to send out this info!”

“Yes I am having same problem. My account says refund has been issued today. Got an email she said it was refunded today but it could take 3 to 10 days to see it. This is crap. They certainly can pull it out of your account immediately. Not even sure if she is telling truth because I have been shuffled around different reps and different answers this past month.”

“I think we should flood their Facebook wall with complaints and see if we get some answers. Why could they not have sent email with picture of cord instead of a packet is coming.”

Nice going, QVC.

Why, Why, Why?: Dennis Basso Perfume, HSN Billboards And Coke On HSN

There are many things that perplex us in life, and we are going to talk about three that got to us today.

First of all, in one of the five newspapers who scan each day, we saw an ad for Dennis Basso perfume. This old queen from New Jersey has QVC’s Friday Today’s Special Value, a reversible faux fur coat. We looked online, and QVC is also hawking his perfume today.

We guess if Snooki can do a perfume, most anyone can, including booming Basso. But why? He’s a furrier and upscale coat designer who slums on QVC. Why do we need perfume from him?

Dennis Basso

Next, this afternoon we were driving on Route 3 in East Rutherford, N.J., near the Meadowlands Sports Complex,, where the Giants play, and we swear we so a digital billboard for HSN. Maybe we misread it. We do need new contact lens, after all. A highway billboard? Were we hallucinating?

Third, we got a press release about HSN’s partnership with the Coca-Cola Co. “to create a robust and entertaining multi-year merchandise, marketing and digital experience that sparks further collaboration with both brands in 2013.”

The marriage will “intertwine” the Coca-Cola brand into HSN’s programming events throughout the year including seasonal celebrations.

“The partnership will include the most extensive online store of Coca-Cola merchandise in the world, HSN merchandise added to the My Coke Rewards store for Coke fans, as well as engaging programming and unique multiplatform content throughout the year,” the release said.

Wow, Coke items. Whoop-de-do!

We’d be embarrassed to be walking around with stuff that had the Coke logo emblazoned on it.

There is one saving grace for this partnership. A HSN Cares campaign with Diet Coke in support of The Heart Truth will be launched in February.

“We are very excited about this robust partnership between HSN and The Coca-Cola Company in 2013. True collaborative partnerships inspire our organization, our partners and most importantly our customers,” said Bill Brand, HSN’s executive vice president of programming, marketing and business development. “HSN is dedicated to offering our customers fun, engaging retail opportunities and we look forward to introducing the HSN experience to a new audience and evoking that iconic moment of happiness that embodies the Coca-Cola brand.”

Bill, say what?

Supposedly “perfect for anyone on your holiday gift list” (not anyone on our’s), the HSN assortment of Coca-Cola-branded merchandise will include “popular” Coca-Cola items “as well as never before seen, exclusive products that will excite everyone from the casual enthusiast to the avid collector.”

Sorry, we can’t see anyone getting really excited about this stuff.

The extraordinary collection spans a variety of styles from modern to nostalgic and feature items across all categories including kitchen appliances, home decor, toys, sporting goods, and fashion. When the store is complete on HSN.com, it will be the largest online Coca-Cola store in the world.

HSN Cares, the philanthropic arm of HSN, will be partnering with Diet Coke on the The Heart Truth campaign, a national awareness campaign for women about heart disease, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

Dedicating the entire month of February to heart health awareness, HSN will create exclusive merchandise where a portion of the proceeds will be donated to programs supporting women’s heart health. HSN will also support the cause with a 24-hour dress event featuring specially designed red dresses by HSN’s designers and be a part of the annual Red DressSM event during New York Fashion Week.

“Partnering with HSN gives us the opportunity to leverage their innovative digital platforms and engaged customer base to introduce the world of Coca-Cola to a whole new audience,” said Stuart Kronauge, vice president of Coca-Cola Trademark Brands at Coca-Cola Co. “Fans of our brand will be able to experience it like never before, and we look forward to working with HSN to elevate our brand in new and exciting ways.”

QVC Buys Assets Of Oodle Marketplace, For Oodles Of Money

QVC has signed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Oodle Inc., the social commerce company that runs the Oodle Marketplace application on Facebook.

The acquisition, which was actually made by QVC unit California Voices LLC, is expected to close by Dec. 31, the home shopping network said Wednesday.

“The QVC shopping experience is fundamentally social in nature,” QVC U.S. CEO Claire Watts said in a canned statement. “With this acquisition, we can fuel our evolving social commerce experience. Oodle brings a great team that shares our values and passion for creating a rich customer experience.”

“No one understands social shopping better than QVC,” said brown-noser Craig Donato, Oodle CEO and co-founder. “Bringing our teams together will help elevate and evolve QVC’s online shopping community.”

We’ve never heard of it, but apparently Oodle Marketplace “is a social marketplace where users buy, sell, and give with friends, friends of friends, neighbors, co-workers, and other people in their local community,” according to QVC.

Oodle’s Marketplace, which has over 11 million unique monthly users, is available on Oodle, Facebook, and iPhone, iPad, iTouch, and Android devices.

‘American Idol’ Judge Randy Jackson Returns To HSN To Rock Guitars

“American Idol” judge and Grammy Award-winning producer Randy “Dog” Jackson has already been on HSN this year pitching a line of watches. The home shopping network said Tuesday that he will be back this month selling guitars.

The big debut of the “Randy Jackson Diamond Edition Guitar Collection” is Dec. 16. The package supposedly combines numbered, limited edition high-quality guitars with one-on-one lessons.

“Get everything you need to learn to play, and feel like a rock star with his exclusive designer style,” or so the HSN press release said.

“I’ve created my premier Diamond Edition collection to give HSN customers the opportunity to embrace music the way I did as a child,” Jackson said in a canned statement, “I designed these exclusive guitar packages so everyone can learn, play and feel like rock stars!”

Randy Jackson

Jackson is a 20-year music industry veteran who has produced and performed with some of the world’s hottest artists.

“Passionate about guitars since picking up his first one at the age of 13, Randy has since built an impressive personal collection of guitars and believes music is the universal language that brings people together,” HSN said.

And according to Jackson, “HSN is the perfect place to launch my limited edition guitars. HSN’s connection to the entertainment industry and their passion for storytelling makes it the right platform for me to share my inspiration behind this new launch.”

Jeez, stop buttering up HSN management, Randy.

HSN’s chief merchandising officer, Anne Martin-Vachon, also chimed in.

“We are excited that Randy is returning to HSN with this limited edition, numbered guitar collection,” she said in her canned statement. “Randy is a passionate musician and icon in the music industry. This collection will give the HSN customer a chance to learn from the best and play like a star.”

The Diamond Edition guitar package includes the choice of either a solid body electric or an acoustic electric guitar that includes an instructional DVD featuring Jackson and guitar expert Scott Goldbaum, a 15W Amp, custom case, guitar strap, chord chart poster, polishing cloth, designer picks, certificate of authenticity and more, all for under $300.

And even Joy Mangano got into the act here.

“It was an extreme honor to work with Randy on this collection,” said Mangano, president of Ingenious Designs and HSN executive vice president. “Randy has detail for detail created what I consider to be one of the finest guitar collections. I’m so excited for everyone to be able to play such quality guitars.”

And Jackson is also returning to HSN with his Timepieces by Randy Jackson watch collection, with new styles for the holiday season. The custom designed watches range in price from $95 to $395, with limited edition pieces up to $3,500.

The Randy Jackson Guitar Collection launches on HSN on Sunday, December 16, as a TS. Jackson will continues his visit Dec. 17 at 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. with new additions to the Timepieces by Randy Jackson collection.