Livemercial and ERA 2009 D2C Highlight Reels
So you want to know what all the fuss is about surrounding the 2009 ERA D2C Convention? Allow us to give you a taste.
Check out our highlight reel recapping the numerous adventures we undertook at the 2009 ERA D2C Convention. How many other times a year do you get a chance to see your boss set himself on fire?
Please enjoy…
And for a special treat we present you ERA’s official “Sights and Sounds†video encapsulating the 2009 ERA D2C Convention. Insightful , and informative, the ERA’s Sights and Sounds video gives you a first-hand account as to why you’ll need to attend the 2010 ERA D2C Convention held next year at the Wynn Hotel and Casino.
What is the ERA?
ERA stands for the Electronic Retailing Association. The mission of the ERA is to “drive, grow, and shape the future of electronic retailing,†(source – retailing.org)
Not only does the ERA help educate retailers on the laws and regulations, but it also acts as a meeting place for industry leaders to discuss best practices, consider future industry verticals, and consider how to shape the future of Electronic Retailing.
And, “no,” the ERA isn’t simply for industry leaders. Inventors, marketers, manufacturers, logistics companies, pitchmen, anyone looking to strengthen their electronic commerce relationships are invited to be a part of the association.
Founded in 1991 under the name National Infomercial Marketing Association, the ERA today has over 450 companies from 45 countries in its fold. For more information on the ERA, how to sign up, as well as future ERA events, please visit the Electronic Retailer’s Association website.
2009 Pitch to the Pros ERA D2C Convention Batch 1 Videos Posted to YouTube
Fresh from the livemercial video room, batch one of Pitch It to the Pros inventor interviews and pitches from the 2009 ERA D2C convention are now available for viewing on YouTube:
(click the button next to the play button on the player’s footer to scroll the choices)
Those videos released in Batch 1 include:
- Ray Giessler’s Cold Fire demo w/ Johnny Mathis, Anthony Sullivan & Billy Mays, III
- Gerald Schuyler’s ingenious Tool Pocket
- The Third Arm golfing accessory by Ron Comrie
- Custom Cosmetics Carousel by Christa Hastie-Waydo (yes, of Survivor 7th Season fame)
- The helpful Blocker inhaler / anti-smoking device.
- Sofa Buddy – part coffee table, part TV Tray from Robert Pike Daniel
- Vincent Cicero’s Gym Handy - carrying your keys, water bottle, & towel a snap
- Stanley Boyd’s (and wife) StoPest – a targeting electronic pest deterrent
- Former NFL coach Larry Pasquale and his Pro-Passer football & gloves
- Denise Bagley and her DS Comfort Stylus – designed after she contacted Nintendo
- And my iphone 3G has never been cleaner, nor smelled nicer thanks to Jessica Pholkamp’s Celly Smellys
To view each video’s YouTube page, simply click on the product name in this post. Don’t worry if your video is not a part of batch one because more videos are being processed as we speak.
Please continue to check back to livemercial.com and blog.livemercial.com as we continue to post the videos as we get them ready to go.
Do you have a product or invention you would like to Pitch It to the Pros?
If you have a product or idea you’d like to submit to Pitch It to the Pros for consideration, please check out our submission page.
A 2009 ERA D2C “Thank You”
After a smooth flight back from Las Vegas in the livemercial jet, including a short, pleasant stopover up in the Rocky Mountains, the livemercial team made it back safely into the Porter County (IN) airport just before 9pm CST.
Weary but happy, a well-deserved night of rest soon followed.
As Jennifer Crawford put it:
“The 2009 ERA D2C show was a stirring experience not only because of the event’s presentation but also the passion of the inventors. We’re lucky enough to have these events and be in these fortunate positions because of the inventors: their dedication, their stories, their risks. These inventors who sacrifice much of themselves for their ideas are the reason I get to stand here today.
“I thank them.â€
Livemercial would also like to thank everyone for making our five day stay in Las Vegas absolutely wonderful. Those we’d like to thank include but are not limited:to
- Electronic Retailers Association
- The City of Las Vegas, NV
- Paris Hotel staff
- The Big Biz Show team: Russ, Sully, and Maureen
- Original Productions “PitchMen!†team: Chris, Thom, David, and the rest of the crew…
- Anthony Sullivan
- “Billy Three” – Billy Mays, III
- Cathy Mitchell
- Jennifer Crawford
- Old friends revisited
- New friends made
And especially, we thank the inventors who came out in droves to show us their passion. We thank you!
Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the privilege of meeting Disco Santa before we left.
Next up for Livemercial
Friday is the Mayor’s Ball in the city of Valparaiso. Then after that we do some planning, some traveling, and some hard work before we head out to San Diego for the Direct Marketing Association convention on October 17th-22nd.
And rumor has it that Pitch It to the Pros will be there as well!
Pitch It to the Pros Inventors
For those who did participate in Pitch to the Pros, videos should be crafted and published on youtube within the next couple weeks. We have over 24 hours of content to shape, but we’ll get there.
Got ERA?
Did you go to ERA? Please share with us your thoughts!
Do You Have a Product or Idea?
Inventors who like to tell us more about our products or ideas, please visit our product/idea video upload site.
Hope to see you all in San Diego if we don’t see you sooner.
2009 ERA Day Two Wrap Up
Livemercial’s Hamlin Wins ERA Award
Before we begin our 2009 ERA Wrap Up, a well-deserved congratulations goes out to livemercial President of Production, Lynn Hamlin, for winning the 2009 ERA award for “Best Long Form of the Year.” Lynn won the award for her Executive Producer work on the “Kodak Easy Share Camera.”
(Jennifer Crawford wraps up Livemercial’s 2009 ERA “Pitch It to the Pros.” You’ll never guess who she runs in to. And, “no,” it wasn’t scripted)
The Final Day of the 2009 ERA D2C Convention became a bustle of activity starting with the networking lunch and running all the way through to the Gala Awards ceremony in the Versailles Ballroom at the Paris Hotel.
And livemercial was fortunate enough to have the majority of the action by their booth.
If you happened to float by livemercial booth #501 during the 2 o-clock hour, you saw CBS Radio’s The Big Biz Show interview livemercial CEO Johnny Mathis, legendary Pitchmen Anthony Sullivan, and the inventor of Cold Fire.
“The Inventor of Cold Fire?”
After the inventor of Cold Fire sprayed his forearm with the product, he took a well-lit blowtorch and ran the torch up and down his wrist. (yes, footage coming soon).
But Wait, There’s MORE!
Mr. Mathis got in on the Cold Fire action. And then Anthony Sullivan wasn’t about to get outdone so he endured the same treatment. And to finish it up, Billy Mays, III, had a run with the Cold Fire as well.
Nope, nobody got burned.
And before The Big Biz Show’s Sully had a chance to relax he was given the opportunity to interview one of his heroes:Â pitchmen legend Cathy Mitchell. Come to find out they both graduated from the same high school in San Diego.
The ERA Gala Awards at the Versailles Ballroom
CEO Johnny Mathis accompanied Anthony Sullivan, Billy Mays, III, and company as they made their way down the red carpet, stopping to answer media questions along the way.
After a wonderful, brisk dinner we were happy to hear that Lynn Hamlin, livemercial President of Production, won the ERA Best Long Form of the Year award for her work as Executive Producer on “Kodak Easy Share Camera.”
Special congratulations also goes out to Anthony Sullivan and Billy Mays as they shared the “Best Male Presenter” award for their work on Dual Saw.
ERA Gala Awards Finale for the Ages
And a respectful nod goes to Billy Mays, III. “Billy 3″ accepted the ERA lifetime achievement award for his father and gave a stirring speech before an attentive ERA crowd.
Livemercial ERA Wrap-Up post soon to follow…
Pitch It to the Pros 2009 ERA Day Two Underway
Day Two of the 2009 Electronic Retailers Association D2C Convention is underway at the Paris Hotel meeting and exposition hall. The PitchMen crew is in full swing behind us, and to the right of us, and to the left of us… Inventors are flocking in from all over the country to put their products/ideas to the test.
Pitch It to the Pros is running full steam ahead. Just like day one, inventors who are auditioning for the PitchMen casting call are sliding over a couple feet to the comfy couches to discuss their products and ideas to Pitch It to the Pros’ Jennifer Crawford.
Please watch, share, enjoy, and tell us what you think.
Pitch It to the Pros ERA End of Day 1
(Jennifer Crawford with the inventor of the Handsome Hair)
The Paris Hotel Public Addresss Announcer is announcing that the exhibition hall is closed for the day, but the PitchMen crew is still going strong. And now with the hall thinning out the crew has a little more space with which to work.
The Big Biz Show radio program will be back tomorrow. Sully will be interviewing “Sully,” among other guests. And other innovative inventors will be interviewed tomorrow.
Pitch It to the Pros’ Jennifer Crawford was able to sum up the day with some simple, succinct words:
“[The] Best Part of my job is hearing all the heartfelt backstories of how these inventors came about.”
But Wait, There’s More
Pitch It to the Pros will be back tomorrow for another day of PitchMen post-casting call interviews. Please be sure to tune in to all the exciting action as inventors pour out their souls in hopes that their product makes it to TV.
Pitch It to the Pros 2009 ERA Day 1 was a rousing success. Met many great people, saw many great pitches.
Tell then, may all your products be successful.
ERA Day 1 Pitch It to the Pros Recap w/ Jennifer Crawford
(Pitch It to the Pros’ Jennifer Crawford Interviews Inventors after their PitchMen! Casting Call Audition)
Day 1 ERA has gotten off to a smooth, energetic start. Montel Williams got the morning crowd off to a riveting start. As to be expected, most of the questions heard here at livemercial booth #501 – aside from where to line up to pitch to Discovery Channel’s PitchMen – is “Where is Anthony Sullivan?”
To answer:Â “He’s around.”
At 1pm The Big Biz show will be broadcasting from the livemercial booth. In the middle of the booth, Discovery Channel and Original Productions are feverish working with the energetic inventors hoping to get their dreams pitched by Anthony Sullivan and company.
Pitch It to the Pros has been fortunate enough to capture the first thoughts of these inventors after they finish their audition session with the PitchMen! crew. Pitch It to the Pro’s own Jennifer Crawford has spent the morning interviewing these invigorating entrepreneurs and has stolen a moment to share her thoughts with us:
“The inventions are a lot farther along in the process than i thought. The inventors come here with a proven customer base, good marketing strategies, and a passion for the products.
“A lot of them are nervous, but as soon as you get them talking you can tell how much time and life-changing effort they’ve exerted into products, passions, and ideas.
“I’ve been a little blown away with some of them. Everything from an Ab machine on wheels to portable pockets to Celly Smellys – and not it’s not a cell phone that smells. And the no-bra lift – and “no” that’s not a bra.”
Tune back later on this afternoon as we give an end of the day recap.
After PitchMen Auditions, Inventors Pitch to the Pros Live on UStream- ERA 2009
(After Inventors Audition to PitchMen, they Pitch to the Pros Live on UStream!)
Discovery Channel and Original Production’s “PitchMen!” are doing casting calls at livemercial booth #501 during the Electronic Retailers Association D2C Convention at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, NV. Once inventors are done auditioning for PitchMen, they walk 5 feet to the right and pitch their product again to livemercial’s “Pitch It to the Pros,” where they get a second chance to hone their craft and reach new audiences live on UStream.
If you’re in the Las Vegas area on September 14th-15th, 2009. Stop by the Paris Hotel and take your shot at making it on to “PitchMen!” Email canyoupitch@gmail.com to schedule a time.
Discovery Channel and Original Productions to Host Live Pitchathon at livemercial Booth #501 During 2009 ERA D2C Convention
Calling all inventors within earshot of Las Vegas:Â Do you have the next million-dollar product? Do you want to get your product on TV? Then there’s only one place to go:
the 2009 ERA D2C Convention at the Paris Hotel meetings and exposition hall on September 14-15th, 2009.
And when you get there, look for Livemercial’s Booth #501. That’s where the cameras will be rolling!
On September 14-15th, 2009 between the hours of 9am-5pm, inventors will be pitching their products to livemercial executives. While that’s going on, Original Productions and the Discovery channel are hosting a live pitchathon at the 2009 ERA D2C Convention and plan on shooting hundreds of inventor pitches over the course of the convention at the Livemercial booth for possible inclusion in season two of the hit series: “Pitchmen” on Discovery.
The winning pitch to livemercial will be announced at the end of the two days by none other than Anthony “Sully” Sullivan, who will award the participant with a DVD copy of their winning pitch.
Be sure to bring your best pitch and your smiling faces.
How to Sign Up for All the livemercial Booth Events at 2009 ERA D2C Convention?
Please email either:
- kristi@metalflowersmedia.com
- canyoupitch@gmail.com
Event: live pitchathon, ERA D2C Convention
Booth Location: Booth #501
Event Location: Paris Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada
Event Dates: September 14-15, 2009.
Times: 9AM-5PM PST (all three days)
Contact: kristi@metalflowersmedia.com
For more details about the 2009 ERA D2C Convention, please visit the D2C Convention official website.
For more information about livemercial online direct response, internet marketing, and other services, please either
1) email info@livemercial.com
Going to Vegas? Let us Know!
Billy Mays Day in Valparaiso – One Year Later
On September 4th, 2008, Billy Mays planned a little trek out to the little Chicago suburb of Valparaiso, IN to shoot a little video. Below is the result of that effort.
What he didn’t plan on was, well, everything else. After the video shoot, Mays and the livemercial video team traveled up the commercial park road to attend the livemercial-hosted party.
Surrounded by industry members, area tech companies, media, and friends and fans, Mays listened along with everyone else as livemercial CEO Johnny Mathis thanked everyone for coming to the gala before handing the podium over to Matt Murphy, director of economic development for Valparaiso, IN.
Murphy initially talked about the prosperity of the Region’s technology companies before surprising Billy Mays with an award.
The award: Valparaiso city Mayor Jon Costas declared September 4th “Billy Mays Day,” in Valparaiso.
Then something rare and beautiful happened, Billy Mays was humbled speechless.
As Murphy handed him the official certificate which declared the day in his honor, Mays struggled to collect himself amidst the cheering crow and camera flashes. And for those who thought Billy Mays was less than sincere in that moment, all one had to do was listen to him fumble over the end of the closing line he scraped together on the spot.
“
I’m shocked and surprised and touched,” Mays said. “I wish I could stay longer, but this is a clean city.”- (source – NWITimes.com)
livemercial will continue to celebrate the life and legacy of our friend, Billy Mays. Our affection and support will forever go out to his friends and family.
Heaven has never been so clean.
Next Up for Livemercial – 2009 Pitch to the Pros at ERA D2C Convention
It’s BACK! “Pitch to the Pros” is coming to the ERA D2C Convention adventure at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas from September 13-15, 2009.
And this time, the stakes are raised. Check back to blog.livemercial.com next monday as we share r plans in greater detail.
