HSN Terminates $1.3 Million Merchandising Chief Lynne Ronon, But It’s ‘Mutual’

Those sly pusses at HSN. They waited until after 5 p.m. today to announce that they have parted ways with Lynne Ronon, the network’s executive vice president of merchandising.

HSN filed an 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission Wednesday that disclosed the news.

“Efective May 18, 2011, Barbara Lynne Ronon and HSN, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the ‘Company’), mutually agreed to end Ms. Ronon’s employment with the Company,” it said. “The Company and Ms. Ronon have agreed to treat this as a termination without ‘Cause’ under the Company’s Named Executive Officer and Executive Vice President Severance Plan which was previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.”

Last year Ronon received $1.3 million in compensation from HSN. We assume she banked at least someo of that for a rainy day.

It looks like another big move by HSN CEO Mindy Grossman, the Terminator.

Actress Kate Walsh Sold Out Her ‘Boyfriend’ On HSN

Actress Kate Walsh, a “Grey’s Anatomy” alum and now the star of “Private Practice, apparently picked the right venue to launch her women’s fragrance “Boyfriend.”

Flame-haired Walsh’s fragrance train case, including Boyfriend eau de parfum, pulse point oil and votive candle, sold out on Day One, Nov. 11, of her HSN appearance, exceeding sales expectations, so we are told.

“The success of launch day sales of the Boyfriend Fragrance train case, which offers a collection of fine fragrance and bath and body products, occurred in just 50 minutes of air time,” HSN said in a press release Wednesday.

“Walsh began selling the single pulse point roller ball, solid perfume and body creme on Day Two. The pulse point oil and body cream both sold out by day’s end. The launch day sales of Boyfriend, further reinforces the success that HSN has achieved with celebrity fragrances.”

Here is some more hype from the release:

Walsh describes her inspiration for the fragrance coming from a mysterious ex-boyfriend whose scent she missed. She wanted to be able to recreate the scent of that shirt he left behind. “A warm, nuzzly scent, this fragrance embraces you like a big hug. I really wanted women to have that delicious feeling of romance whether ‘he’s’ in the picture or not,” says Walsh. “I was thrilled to launch on HSN and to share my vision of the Boyfriend story with HSN viewers.”

And HSN honchos managed to get their two cents in.

“Boyfriend’s success further reinforces our role in changing the paradigm for a prestige fragrance launch and our commitment to continue to innovate in the retail space,” Lynne Ronon, HSN’s executive vice president of merchandising, said in a canned statement.

But here is some interesting dope on the social-media marketing of the scent.

Leading up to the launch of Boyfriend, Walsh released eight webimercials that she wrote and direcred, “relaying the sentiments the Boyfriend scent was developed to evoke,” HSN said.

Launched via various social media channels, including Twitter, YouTube and select blogs, the Boyfriend webimercials have been viewed more than 200,000 times to date and were released by Walsh prior to her appearance on HSN to drive excitement and anticipation.

HSN, Lucky Magazine Reunite To Debut New Designer Capsule Collection

HSN and Lucky magazine are teaming up to present a new one-of-a-kind capsule collection with three fashion designers.

The exclusive collection consists of limited-edition clothing, shoes, handbags and accessories created by LP by Linea Pelle, Thread by Thread Social, and Matt Bernson Special Project, and will be available during a four-hour live television special on HSN next Tuesday. The three designers will appear alongside host and Lucky editor Elise Loehnen.

“HSN’s has transformed its fashion business with the addition of exclusive new collections from some of the world’s top designers,” Lynne Ronon, HSN’s executive vice president of merchandising, said in a canned statenent. “Our partnership with Lucky has been a key component of that transformation as we work together to introduce exciting new fashion discoveries to our customers from some of the industry’s brightest stars.”

“The capsule collections capture the flair and aesthetic of each designer and are available at accessible prices,” HSN crowed in its press release Thursday.

Lucky got its canned quote in, too.

“Because it’s been a great partnership between Lucky and HSN and such a meaningful arena for designers to get exposure to a wider audience, this latest installment of the Designer Capsule Collection is filled with even more gorgeous clothing and accessories,” Lucky Editor-in-Chief Brandon Holley said. “It’s a thrill to have such talented designers on board and we expect that the collection will sell out quickly.”

Items from the premiere capsule collections include:

Linea Pelle: two leather belts in two-to-three colorways per style, one zip-top wallet (could double as a clutch) in six color options; and three roomy leather bags in three color options each.

Thread by Thread Social: Five day-to-night dresses offered in three-to-five color options; one sweater with oversized satin bow offered in fourcolorways; and one pair of slim-fitting charmeuse pants.

Matt Bernson: two different styles of clogs in two-to-three colorways each; one ballet flat with cap toe in five color options; two different fold-over booties in two-to-three colorways each; and one flat, rugged boot with faux fur lining in two colorways.

Shoppers can get a sneak peek at the collection during a special preview sale going on now by logging onto http://www.hsn.com/luckyshops.

In addition, shoppers can text “Lucky” to HSNtv (47688) for a coupon for free shipping & handling on one item of their choice.

Lucky readers can view the collection in the magazine’s November issue before it goes on sale live on HSN on Oct. 19 and also at the annual Lucky Shops event in New York City on Nov. 4 to 6.

Diva Liza ‘With A Z’ Minnelli Is Coming To HSN With A Jewelry And Apparel Line

Liza Minnelli

Legend Liza Minnelli, fresh from a cameo appearance in “Sex and the City 2,” has joined the HSN family, as the home shopping network likes to say. She will debut The Liza Collection, jewelry and clothing, June 30.

The Liza Collection – exclusive to HSN – will consist of limited-edition apparel and jewelry inspired by Minnelli’s trademark look and recreated from her personal archives. Her appearance at HSN will kick off the network’s 33rd Birthday month in July.

“My life has provided me the ability to amass a wonderful wardrobe designed by fashion’s brightest stars,” Minnelli said in a canned statement. “I am excited to work with HSN in launching The Liza Collection and to have the opportunity to share my favorite looks with millions of women who want to look fabulous and feel their very best.”

The collection is a first for Minnelli within the fashion category, and will include some of her most recognized looks, including sequined separates and signature flowy pants. The jewelry is inspired from some of her own pieces pulled straight from her jewelry box including necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings.

“We are honored to offer our customers this exclusive fashion collection from Liza Minnelli,” Lynne Ronon, HSN executive vice president of merchandising, said in a preparted statement. “Partnering with such a renowned star reinforces HSN’s unique ability to effortlessly bridge the worlds of fashion and entertainment. As one of the most celebrated entertainers today, I am confident Liza will connect directly with HSN customers in marrying her iconic style with their own.”

Minnelli, daughter of legend Judy Garland, is one of very few personalities to win entertainment’s top four awards – the Oscar, the Tony, the Emmy and the Grammy.

The Liza Collection will debut at 10 p.m. June 30, with prices ranging from $29.90 for a charmeuse scarf to $129.90 for a sequined boyfriend blazer and for jewelry from $39.95 for silver-tone triple heart pave drop earrings to $79.95 for a silver-tone pave rose bangle.

HSN’s Joy Mangano Breaks Record With Orders For 180,000 Of Her Home Fragrance Product — Two Weeks Ago

Mangano's Forever Fragrant

Joy Mangano, HSN’s so-called “Mother of Invention,” is doing well with products beyond her Huggable Hangers.

Maybe they’re taking a cue from QVC PR, but HSN waited two weeks to finally put out a press release on inventor-entrepreneur Mangano making HSN history Jan. 31 by selling 180,000 units of her home fragrance product, Forever Fragrant, in one day.

She surpassed her previously held record, for Huggable Hangers, by more than 50 percent.

Here is Mangano’s canned quote.

“I am thrilled by the overwhelmingly positive response to Forever Fragrant. I believe in the product, but didn’t know just how many people would be as excited about it as I am. HSN, once again, has been the perfect platform to allow me to enter the homes of 93 million Americans and share with them such a remarkable new household item.”

Forever Fragrant are fragrance-releasing sticks and discs that last up to two years.

Mangano introduced six new scents to the collection during her January appearance: Blackberry Grape (deep purple); Coconut Colada (golden yellow); Country Home (red); Couture Powder (pink); Eucalyptus Desert (dark green); and Lavender Fields (lavender). Fresh Linen (white) and Vanilla Amber (amber), two of the original best-selling scents, were also reintroduced.

Yummy.

Mangano’s claim to fame is her Huggable Hangers. Laugh if you will, but our closet is full of them. They really do free up a lot of space in your wardrobe. There’s a reason more than 260 million of them have been sold.

HSN owns Mangano’s company, Ingenious Designs LLC, making of the Huggable Hangers, My Little Steamer. IDL is now also
managing and designing product for the guitarist Esteban, Iman, Serena Williams, Paula Abdul and chef/restaurateur Todd English.

“Joy epitomizes the creative, entrepreneurial spirit that thrives here at HSN and we couldn’t be happier about her latest accomplishment, especially as it coincides with her 10th anniversary,” said Lynne Ronon, HSN’s EVP of merchandising. “Her ability to take practical home solutions to the next level is unmatched. She has an innate talent for creating products that people need and want to have in their homes.”