INSTORE IS MOVING and grooving, folks, and I just have to tell you about it.
First, we received not one, not two, but three Tabbie Awards from Trade Associations Business Publications International (TABPI) last month, including a bronze for Best How-To Article (“Building the Perfect Website” by Eileen McClelland, March 2021) and honorable mentions for Best Single Issue (June 2021) and Best COVID-19 Coverage (“Lessons Learned from The Great Pandemic” by Eileen McClelland, Oct. 2021). INSTORE was one of only a few publications to receive three or more awards, so I’m very proud of our entire team, especially Eileen.
Second, I am pumped to announce our keynote speaker for The INSTORE Show: Marcus Collins, branding expert and head of strategy for Wieden+Kennedy
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New York. Cool detail: Marcus is formerly the head of digital strategy for Beyoncé! We liked it, so we put a ring on it. He’ll be teaching INSTORE Show attendees about “consumer meaning-making” and the intersection of culture and branding next August.
Finally, I was thrilled to have longtime jewelry writer Jennifer Heebner contribute our lead story for this issue. Jen has been a friend for many years, and after she organized The INSTORE Design Awards, I casually asked if she would consider writing a story for us. She graciously consented, and you can read the latest on colored gemstones (and tips on buying and selling them) right here.
See you next month when we unveil this year’s Big Survey!
Trace Shelton
Editor-in-Chief, INSTORE
trace@smartworkmedia.com
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