CUSTOMMADE.COM INTRODUCES “CUSTOM CONCIERGE” TO MAKE BESPOKE ITEMS MORE ACCESSIBLE AND CONVENIENT

CUSTOMMADE.COM, (www.custommade.com) the first online marketplace connecting shoppers with skilled artisans to create custom home furnishings, jewelry and more, has announced the launch of its “CUSTOM CONCIERGE” service designed to make the custom process as easy as working with a personal shopper.

This Gothic Bed was custom designed and created through the online marketplace, http://www.CustomMade.com by one of the sites 4,500 artisans. This request came from a customer who saw a design in a big retail store, but wanted to add their own creative touches. Specific requests included the addition of a trefoil over the center of the headboard, a finish in a light white wash and final dimensions that have the headboard stretching 8.5 feet high. The end result was a beautiful custom creation that’s truly one of a kind. (PRNewsFoto/CustomMade.com)

When you spot a fabulous item while shopping, flipping through a magazine or at a friend’s house, simply snap a photo and send an e-mail with your budget and specific custom adjustments (color, design, dimensions, or materials) to concierge@custommade.com ormakeitmine@custommade.com.  The knowledgeable CUSTOMMADE team will search their database of 4,500 makers to find the best match to complete your project. Within 24 hours you’re guaranteed to receive a reply with multiple price quotes.  It’s a simple way to give custom a try with no obligation to buy.

DRYBAR LAUNCHES PRODUCT LINE

Setting the “bar” even higher, DRYBAR is pleased to announce the launch of their first-ever product line, which will be sold exclusively at SEPHORA, QVC and DRYBAR Locations nationwide starting March 2013 and via http://shop.thedrybar.com beginning immediately.

DRYBAR PRODUCTS AND TOOLS: A selection of Drybar products and tools. (PRNewsFoto/Drybar)

DRYBAR, named one of the top “100 Brilliant Ideas” of 2010 by Entrepreneur Magazine, is based on the simple concept: NO CUTS. NO COLOR. JUST BLOWOUTS. The idea was a natural for founder ALLI WEBB, a long-time professional stylist, after a lifetime of frustration at overpaying for blowouts at traditional salons. There are currently 25 DRYBAR locations throughout the country which are frequented by many celebrities, including CINDY CRAWFORD, EMMA ROBERTS, JENNIFER LOVE HEWITT, ZOOEY DESCHANEL, ROSE MCGOWAN, JESSICA LOWNDES, ELIZA DUSHKU, WHITNEY PORT, MARIA SHRIVER, NICKY HILTON and many more. Appointments can be booked online at www.thedrybar.com or by calling 212-561-5392.

Ms. WEBB spent several years developing a complete line of styling products and tools to help DRYBAR stylists across the country achieve the perfect blowout. “After trying nearly every existing product line,” says Webb, “I just couldn’t find what we were looking for to meet our very specific styling needs. So I partnered with some of the best labs in the world to create exactly what we needed at Drybar.”

In keeping with the bar theme, each product has been aptly named, from the “HOT TODDY” HEAT PROTECTOR & FRIZZ FIGHTER to the “HALF PINT” ROUND BRUSHES to the “3-DAY BENDER” CURLING IRON. Each product has been painstakingly tested and tweaked with the assistance of more than 1,000 Drybar stylists and developed in collaboration with Drybar investor and board member, JANET GURWITCH, who is also the founder and former CEO of LAURA MERCIER COSMETICS. “Alli’s vision and passion has been impressive to watch,” says Gurwitch, “She has identified a real niche in the market and the performance of these products is truly like nothing I’ve ever experienced in hair styling.”

RAF SIMONS AND CHRISTIAN DIOR DEBUTS A SPRING/SUMMER 2013 AD CAMPAIGN LIKE NO OTHER

Dior Spring 2013 Campaign by Willy Vanderperre

Dior Spring/Summer 2013 Collection (www.dior.com)

I once read somewhere that “all men are created equal but the cream rises to the top”. If that is the case (and I very much suspect that it is), then RAF SIMONS is the ultimate “cream” rising to the top. RAF SIMONS, a longtime fashion talent held in high esteem by many in the industry, soared like an eagle in his first Pret-a-Porter (ready-to-wear) collection for the HOUSE OF CHRISTIAN DIOR luxury fashion brand last September in Paris.  It was a tour de force of design excellence, sheer talent and beautiful, wearable clothing that made this collection such a memorable one. Now, for his first ready-to-wear print ad campaign for Dior, Mr. Simons and the Parisian fashion house enlisted photographer WILLY VANDERPERRE for a series of chic, pictorial scenes, in which models DARIA STROKOUS, DAIANE CONTERATO, NICOLE POLLARD, ANNA MARTYNOVA and MARIE PIOVESAN portrayed today’s Dior women in a simple, minimal setting reminiscent of an art gallery. They—and the designs they wear—are living works of art.

BLACK IS THE NEW BLACK: INTRODUCING BECK’S SAPPHIRE

A NEW, SMOOTH 6 PERCENT ABV GOLDEN PILSNER IN AN EXCLUSIVE SLEEK BLACK BOTTLE

BECK’S, the number one German beer brand in the world, today introduced BECK’S SAPPHIRE, a remarkably smooth and distinctive golden pilsner brewed with GERMAN SAPHIR hops. Inspired by the rarest sapphire gemstones, brewed to 6 percent ABV and served in an exclusive sleek black glass bottle, BECK’S SAPPHIRE represents a new standard for premium beer in high-end occasions, and for the ambitious, confident consumers who experience them. Beck’s spent over two years developing a truly unique black glass bottle for BECK’S SAPPHIRE.

Introducing Beck’s Sapphire, a new pilsner made smooth with German Sapphire hops. (PRNewsFoto/Beck’s)

For 140 years, BECK’S has been a champion of independent thinking. Beck’s was the first German beer to embrace a green bottle, for example, while its peers remained in brown bottles. While other German beers remained home-bound, Beck’s went abroad. BECK’S SAPPHIRE reflects the legacy of independence and innovation that defines the Beck’s brand.

LILY’S SWEETS CHOCOLATE BARS ANNOUNCES NATIONWIDE DISTRIBUTION OF ITS STEVIA-SWEETENED, FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED DARK CHOCOLATE BARS

AS AMERICANS RENEW THEIR NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS TO EAT HEALTHY AND LOSE WEIGHT, LILY’S STEVIA-SWEETENED CHOCOLATE OFFERS A DELICIOUS, GUILT-FREE, 25 PERCENT FEWER CALORIES SOLUTION.

LILY’S SWEETS DARK CHOCOLATE BARS

After a successful launch at WHOLE FOODS MARKETS in March 2012,  LILY’S SWEETS CHOCOLATE BARS can now be found nationwide at WEGMANS, EARTH FARE, CENTRAL MARKET,  PCC, FAIRWAY, NEW SEASONS, NATURAL GROCERS, DIERBERGS, LUNDS & BYERLY’S, HARRIS TEETER, STOP AND SHOP, OLIVER’S, NEW LEAF,  ANDRONICO’S,  ROSAUERS, LUNARDI’S,  MOLLIE STONE’S, and several hundred independent retailers, totaling over 1200 retail locations.  LILY’S SWEETS is also available online through www.Amazon.com and www.Vitacost.com.

LILY’S SWEETS LOGO: 25 percent fewer calories. 100 percent indulgence. (PRNewsFoto/Lily’s Sweets)

Co-founded by CYNTHIA TICE and CHUCK GENUARDI, veterans of the natural products industry. They have a long history in the Natural Foods Industry working in retailing, manufacturing, and consulting. So they had long been aware of the ad­vantages of stevia as the only all natural, no calorie sweetener available today. STEVIA is a natural, botanical sweetener that comes from the plant STEVIA REBAUDIANA. Also known as sweet leaf, STEVIA is 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar with none of the unhealthy characteristics, has a very low glycemic index, is safe for diabetics, has virtually no calories and has been used to sweeten food and beverages around the world for decades.

Stevia Plant (www.lilyssweet.com)

Most importantly, as admitted chocoholics, Cynthia and Chuck were determined to come up with a delicious, healthy, sugar free alter­native to their favorite treat. And after years spent working on a formula, they created Lily’s.

Lily’s introduced the first FAIR TRADE CERTIFIED STEVIA-sweetened chocolate to the U.S. market in 2012. Now, for the first time, they are very proud to offer the great tasting indulgence of dark chocolate—ORIGINAL, CRISPY RICE, COCONUT and ALMOND—all 100% free of added sugar. With carefully selected flavors that enhance the smooth deca­dent blend of 55% cocoa into a true gustatory adventure, Lily’s is 25% fewer calories and 100% indulgence.

DEPECHE MODE TO RELEASE NEW ALBUM ON COLUMBIA RECORDS IN MARCH 2013

EUROPEAN TOUR WILL KICK OFF MAY 7

DEPECHE MODE are set to release their 13^th studio album in March 2013 on Columbia Records. Pioneers of the post-punk era, DEPECHE MODE have gone on to become one of modern music’s most influential groups with global sales in excess of 100 million. Formed in 1981, Depeche Mode – MARTIN GORE, DAVE GAHAN and ANDY ‘FLETCH’ FLETCHER – continue to win critical and commercial acclaim around the world both in the studio and on the road. The band’s 12 released studio albums have reached the Top Ten in over 20 countries, including the US and UK. Their last album, 2009’s SOUNDS OF THE UNIVERSE, debuted at the #1 chart spot in 14 countries around the world.

Depeche Mode To Release New Album On Columbia Records In March 2013. (PRNewsFoto/Columbia Records, Anton Corbijn)

“I am very happy with how the album turned out,” comments Depeche Mode’s MARTIN GORE. “The music has a similar vibe to Violator and Songs of Faith and Devotion and I think the songs on the album are among some of the very best we’ve done.”

The band has also announced that the new album will contain brand new tracks written by MARTIN GORE and DAVE GAHAN.  Gahan reveals, “The album has a very organic and direct feel to it. It’s not a blues record, but it definitely has a soulful vibe. During the recording process we really tried to get the elements of performing and the live show into the album more.”

Since their inception, DEPECHE MODE‘s live shows continue to be a must-see attraction. On their 2009-2010 “TOUR OF THE UNIVERSE” alone, the band played to nearly 3 million people across 31 countries, becoming the first electronic band to completely sell out a stadium tour. Following the release of their new album, DEPECHE MODE will embark on a European tour, kicking off in Tel Aviv’s HAYARKON PARK on May 7. They will perform 34 shows in 25 European countries, featuring appearances at the ROCK WERCHTER FESTIVAL in Belgium, BBK Festival in Spain and OPTIMUS ALIVE FESTIVAL in Portugal. The band will go on to play at Rome’s renowned OLYMPIC STADIUM, the STADE DE FRANCE in Paris, and Moscow’s LOCOMOTIVE STADIUM before wrapping up the European leg of their tour in Minsk, Belarus on July 29.  A full North American tour will follow, with details to be announced shortly.

The band gave fans a glimpse into the making of the new album in October when they released the following video clip featuring new music (http://smarturl.it/dmcollage).  Additional album details will be disclosed in the coming weeks.

SOURCE: COLUMBIA RECORDS
Web Site: http://www.depechemode.com

2013 INTERNATIONAL CES PREVIEW: WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY TAKES CENTER STAGE AT THE 2013 INTERNATIONAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW (CES®)

KEYNOTES, BRAND MATTERS SUPERSESSION, CONFERENCE TRACKS AND TECHZONES SHOWCASE HOTTEST WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

The 2013 INTERNATIONAL CES® will unveil the latest wireless technologies and trends across the mobile connected universe, including advancements in accessories, the cloud, e-books, embedded technology, smartphones and tablets, through a series of keynote addresses, supersessions, conference tracks and TechZones dedicated to future trends in wireless technology. Owned and produced by the CONSUMER ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION (CEA) ®, the 2013 CES, the world’s largest annual innovation event, will take place January 8-11, in Las Vegas.

The 2013 CES also will feature 3,000 global technology companies unveiling the latest consumer technology products and services across 15 major product categories including the latest in audio, automotive electronics, connected home technologies, digital imaging/photography, electronic gaming, entertainment/content, wireless and more. For more information on the 2013 International CES, visit www.CESweb.org.

With more than 1,200 exhibitors showcasing wireless technologies at the 2013 CES, mobile connected devices are driving the industry as consumers seek to stay connected anywhere, anytime. CEA research shows that smartphone sales will see continued growth in 2013 and will remain the primary revenue driver for the industry. Shipment revenues for smartphones are expected to reach $37 billion in 2013, with more than 125.8 million units shipping to dealers, up 16 percent from 2012. Tablet computers also are expected to see phenomenal growth. In 2013, unit sales of tablets are projected to surpass 105 million (up 54 percent), resulting in $35.6 billion in shipment revenue, up 22 percent year-over-year.