Evine Drops Jane Fonda and LA Studio

Evine has had some disappointing news in the past few weeks, as first reported by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

First, the No. 3 home shopping network has dropped its plans to feature a fitness clothing line frpm Jane Fonda. The actress remains a controversial figure because of her activities as “Hanoi Jane” during the Vietnam War, but we thought it was a gutsy move on Evine’s part to add her to its foster.

But Evine has a new honcho, and in an interview with the network’s hometown paper he said the deal with Fonda was dead.

http://www.startribune.com/eden-prairie-based-evine-nixes-deal-with-jane-fonda/512499362/

The new CEO, Tim Peterman, also said Evine decided to pulled the plug on the pact with Fonda after he closed down the network’s relatively new operation in Los Angeles. We were aware Evine had laid off a lot of staff in May, but don’t recall the channel saying it was getting out of LA.

We thought that LA studio/office was a brilliant move, one that would make it easier for the Minnesota shopping channel to attract vendors and talent and set it apart from QVC and HSN.

Home shopping veteran Steve Bryant has already blogged about these actions by Peterman being bonehead moves, and we could not agree more. At least Evine was trying to break out of the home shopping pack, but no so much anymore.

Evine continues to do on-location broadcasts, with one coming from Tucson, recently, for example. We enjoy those.

But why were the models in Arizona glad in cleavage-baring, tiny tops? We know it’s hot out there, but seriously? It raised our eyebrows more than a bit.

Former HSN Vendor Jennifer Flavin Set For January Evine Debut

Jennifer Flavin, a longtime HSN skin care vendor and wife of actor Sylvester Stallone, is in fact coming to Evine.

This week in its third-quarter earnings report the Minnesota home shopping network said it had suffered a dramatic 12 percent drop in sales. CEO Bob Rosenblatt attributed the bad news to a new vendor’s debut being delayed until January.

Then a kind soul tipped us off about a subsequent securities filing that Evine made. In it, Evine said that Flavin, whose line is called Serious Skincare, was scheduled to debut on the network Jan. 3. It sounds to us that she is the vendor that Rosenblatt was eluding to.

There was no explanation for the delay, but sometimes legal issues are involved.

Flavin, as well as new Evine vendor Jane Fonda, are getting company stock.

This is from Evine’s 8-K:

On November 23, 2018, we entered into a restricted stock award agreement with Flageoli Classic Limited, LLC (“FCL”) granting FCL 1,500,000 restricted shares of our common stock in connection with and as consideration for entering into a vendor exclusivity agreement between our companies.

The vendor exclusivity agreement grants us the exclusive right in television shopping to market, promote and sell products under the trademark of Serious Skincare, a successful skin-care brand with a loyal customer base, that is expected to launch on our television network on or about January 3, 2019. Additionally, the agreement identifies Jennifer Flavin-Stallone as the primary spokesperson for the brand on our television network.

500,000 of the restricted shares will vest on the first business day following the initial appearance of the Serious Skincare brand on our television network. The remaining restricted shares vest in equal amounts on the first and second anniversaries of the initial appearance date. This summary description of the restricted stock award agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the agreement, a copy of which is included as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report and incorporated by reference in this Section 3.02.

On November 27, 2018, we issued warrants to Fonda, Inc. for 1,500,000 shares of our common stock in connection with and as consideration for entering into a services and trademark licensing agreement between our companies. Under the agreement the parties plan to develop and market one or more lines of products, including a fitness and wellness lifestyle brand.  Additionally, the agreement identifies Jane Fonda as the primary spokesperson for the brand on our television network. The parties also plan to partner with key retailers to offer a brick & mortar version of the brand.

Jane Fonda Comes to Evine

This is a pretty good get for Evine: Jane Fonda.

The No. 3 home shopping channel said Wednesday that it had signed up Fonda in an

exclusive deal to develop a lifestyle brand “centered around her deep roots in the fitness arena.”

The line’s merchandise will include active wear, athleisure options, health and nutrition products and fitness equipment.

“Evine plans to bring the brand to life from its newly launched studio and office space in Los Angeles,” the press release said.

Throughout the year, Fonda will appear on the network. In addition, Evine plans to partner with key retailers to offer a brick-and-mortar version of the brand.

“I have a life-long passion for fitness and health not just because I look better when I take care of myself but because it makes me feel better and think better,” Fonda said in a canned statement. “I am excited about partnering with Evine because their strong marketing platform will allow me to bring my fitness knowledge and creative ideas to a market that is lacking strong offerings for women over 50. We are, after all, the fastest growing demographic in the world.”

On Oct. 1 Evine launched its product-development division in L.A. We bet that helped lure Fonda to the channel, since we can’t see her flying out to Minneapolis in the winter.

Having Fonda on is a bit of a risk, since she is a polarizing figure because of her anti-Vietnam War activities.

The goal of Evine’s new product division is to add exclusive and propriety products and brands to its mix, and it is being spearheaded under the direction of exec Nicole Ostoya,.

“Jane Fonda has a lifetime of experience in the health and fitness industry. She holds the unique ability to relate to women of all ages and backgrounds,” said Ostoya, managing director of Evine’s Brand Development division.

“We love what she stands for as an artist, expert and activist. What has been most impressive, is her dedication to domestic production and executing quality and sustainable practices. These values align perfectly with what our customers have been asking for. We wholeheartedly believe in everything Jane advocates for and could not be more thrilled for this partnership.”

 

We May Be Ignorant, A Lowlife And Disgusting, But Keep Our Mom Out Of It

We guess Steff didn’t like our posts about Martha Stewart and Melania Trump. Her comments are below.

Comment:
Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot

what is wrong with you?

Jailbird Martha Stewart

you are disgusting

is this how your readership grows? by these types of headlines?

have you no shame? arent bygones, bygones?

at first it was the chef and some disparaging remark about him, Gordon Ramsey

then,

it was Jane Fonda

then, now

its Martha Stewart

geezus woman, you are a lowlife….

your coverage belongs in the Slam magazine…..the one that never lets people
forget

now, i will say Martha Stewart didnt start out to be one my favs, but i liked
the way she conducted herself. She, ALONG, with Jane Fonda (although in a
different way) are exemplary women who have shown leadership, compassion,
ambition and energy

i daresay, with the way you throw around labels, you lack all of the above

you’re ignorant and it shows

Here is the Melania comment:

here you go again

talking about Melania

and you digress to some disparaging remark about Donald Trump

again, stick to the facts, stick to enlightening your audience and if you can, stick to honorable comments……

remember what your mama told you…..or maybe she didnt or maybe she did and you forgot

“if you cant say something nice, then say nothing at all”

your comment about Donald Trump had nothing to do with your headlines

surely, your journalism instructor told you about writing headlines and sticking to the story

but i suspect you have no training

you are ignorant and it shows

Jane Fonda Makes Headlines Blasting QVC For Cancelling Her Appearance

We were out all Saturday and didn’t get home until 10 p.m., to find out that one of the biggest stories this year about QVC had already broken, making headlines across the country.

Actress and former anti-Vietnam war crusader Jane Fonda was scheduled to appear on the home shopping network to promote her new book.

But QVC apparently bowed to right-wing pressure and cancelled her appearance, according to the actress and fitness maven. Fonda did not take the matter lying down. She posted an angry blog about what happened, which was picked up by the press.

I was to have been on QVC today to introduce my book, “Prime Time,” about aging and the life cycle. The network said they got a lot of calls yesterday criticizing me for my opposition to the Vietnam War and threatening to boycott the show if I was allowed to appear.

I am, to say the least, deeply disappointed that QVC caved to this kind of insane pressure by some well funded and organized political extremist groups. And that they did it without talking to me first. I have never shied away from talking about this as I have nothing to hide.

I could have pointed out that threats of boycotts are nothing new for me and have never prevented me from having best selling books and exercise DVDs, films, and a Broadway play. Most people don’t buy into the far right lies. Many people have reached out to express how excited they were about my going onto QVC and hearing about my book.

Bottom line, this has gone on far too long, this spreading of lies about me! None of it is true. NONE OF IT! I love my country. I have never done anything to hurt my country or the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for us. I do not understand what the far right stands to gain by continuing with these myths.

In this case, they denied a lot of people the chance to hear about a book that can help make life better, easier and more fulfilling.

I am deeply grateful for all of the support I have been getting since this happened, including from my Vietnam Veterans friends.

Frankly, we think Fonda has apologized for her disgraceful action during the war, and people should let it rest: Unless, as the Bible says, they are without sin. Then they can feel free to cast the first stone.