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Giftware News eWeekly, April 17, 2008

• Dydacomp Names Healy to CEO Post
• Kay Berry Adds a Sales Manager
• Sellers Publishing Takes a Trip to Dogtown
• Pakistani Group Makes Global Home Textiles Debut
• Woodstock Chimes Gets Blessed
• Wild Apple Licensing Signs New Artists
• 20th Annual ARTS Awards Call for Nominations

Dydacomp Names Healy to CEO Post
Dydacomp, an order management and e-commerce solutions provider for large and small merchants, announced that John V. Healy will be joining the company as their new Chief Executive Officer. Healy most recently served as President and CEO of PRIMIS Marketing Group, a data services and technology company focused on assisting small to medium sized direct marketers in growing their business through more efficient prospecting.

It was also announced that Healy will join the Dydacomp Board as well, succeeding founder David Kopp who is retiring as CEO. Kopp commented on the hiring of Healy, "With the growth in the number of e-commerce clients and the fact that nearly 10% of our new business comes from outside the United States, we are especially pleased to add John's online and global market experience to direct and expand the company's reach and potential." Kopp will continue to be an active member of Dydacomp's Board.

Kay Berry Adds a Sales Manager
Kay Berry has appointed Tracy L. Fisher to the position of National Sales Manager. Fisher comes to Kay Berry with over eight years experience in the gift industry, most recently with Northern Lights Candles. She has relocated to Western Pennsylvania and will be available at 800/426-1932.

Fisher's goals are to assist Kay Berry's team of representatives in everyday sales and product knowledge as well as support them in efforts to open new accounts and to exceed sales goals.

Sellers Publishing Takes a Trip to Dogtown

Dogtown, A Sanctuary For Rescued Dogs is a new book published by Sellers Publishing. The book provides an inside look at dogs who were rescued and rehabilitated within the largest no-kill animal haven in the U.S. The sanctuary is part of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Southern Utah and is already the subject of a national television series. Best Friends Animal Society is a non-profit, tax-exempt charity that has had great success in rescuing and rehabilitating animals and finding homes for them. The society has been entrusted with the care and rehabilitation of the 22 dogs that were rescued from their painful lives with Michael Vick.

The hardcover book with jacket is illustrated with over 100 color photographs. The suggested retail price is $16.95. For more information, call Sellers Publishing, 800/625-3386.

Pakistani Group Makes Global Home Textiles Debut
The Pakistan Home Textiles Trade Delegation—a group of 30 leading home textiles companies from Pakistan under the auspices of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan—will make their Global Home Textiles debut, May 6-8, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas. The Pakistan Pavilion will feature quality producers of a broad range of home textile product lines, including bedding, bath, window treatments, kitchen/table linens and other terry products including bathrobes.

"The American market is very important to Pakistani home textile manufacturers, with well over 50 percent of exports in this sector going to the U.S. and revenues approaching $2 billion per year - and growing," said Shahid Tarar, Commercial Counselor, Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles.

Augmenting the Pakistan Home Textiles Trade Delegation's participation will be an educational session - "Country Spotlight - Pakistan," - as part of the Global Home Textiles Conference Program, highlighting what makes the country a unique and desirable destination for sourcing. For more information visit www.globalhometextiles.com.

Woodstock Chimes Gets Blessed

Woodstock Chimes, manufacturer of precision-tuned wind chimes and premium musical gifts, has received a special honor. The company's Chimes of King David has been chosen to hang in a Malta church, which is known for having the third highest dome in the world. The church is located in Xewkija, one of the oldest villages of Gozo.

The Chimes of King David is Woodstock's largest and richest-sounding chime, measuring an impressive 88" in length. Precision tuned to an ancient Asian scale, the wind chime is set apart from all others by its heavy duty suspension, custom clapper and aerodynamic wind catcher design. "Having our chime hanging in the church is certainly a memorable moment for our company," said Garry Kvistad, president and found of Woodstock Chimes. "The luxurious sound of the Chimes of King David is one church visitors will undoubtedly enjoy."

Wild Apple Licensing Signs New Artists
Wild Apple Licensing, the licensing division of Wild Apple Graphics, Ltd, has signed three new artists: Eric Brjan Grbich, Winky Wheeler, and Susan Zulauf.

Eric Brjan Grbich is a West Coast based artist and designer. Grbich believes in the power of art. To him, each piece of art, no matter the size, has a soul and possesses the ability to affect people's lives. Every day Eric feels blessed to be able to create his art.

According to Jeff Grinspan, Wild Apple's Director of Licensing, Winky Wheeler's look fills a much-needed niche in licensing art for Wild Apple with an array of juvenile and holiday images. "We expect that her sense of humor and light-hearted hand will appeal to a wide range of licensees."

Wheeler graduated, cum laude, from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. Her studies included illustration, graphic design & production, communication arts & advertising.

Susan Zulauf grew up Eden, New York, Susan has been creating art since second grade. Zulauf's focus is on juvenile and holiday artwork with a wonderful sense of whimsy.

20th Annual ARTS Awards Call for Nominations
Dallas Market Center (DMC), the world's largest wholesale merchandise resource, and the Accessories Resource Team (ART), the trade association representing the decorative accessory industry, are accepting nominees for the 20th annual ARTS Awards, the prestigious awards program that honors outstanding achievement in the decorative accessories industry.

The ARTS Awards, presented each January during the Total Home & Gift Market, recognizes top retailers, manufacturers, sales representatives and designers from every region of the United States. The 20th annual ARTS winners will be revealed during the gala event to be held on Saturday, January 17, 2009 in The Grand Pavilion at the Trade Mart.

Industry professionals and retailers are invited to nominate decorative accessories manufacturers, product designers and sales representatives. Manufacturers, sales representatives, and industry professionals are invited to nominate retailers. Neither membership in ART nor representation at DMC is necessary. The nomination deadline is June 30, 2008.

Ballots and ARTS Awards information are available at www.dallasmarketcenter.com or www.accessoriesresourceteam.org. For additional questions, contact Lindsey Villarreal at 214/655-7654 or lvillarreal@dmcmail.com.