INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE CONCEPTS DOUBLES ITS REPRESENTATION ACROSS THE U.S.

As part of the IMC strategy to grow its business while continuing to provide the outstanding service for which it is known, IMC has added multi-line reps to work hand-in-hand with its existing factory and multi-line reps, effective October 1, 2007.

IMC is proud to add the following multi-line salespeople to its team. Jon Pierce with Specialty Marketing Group Northwest, along with existing IMC rep Steve Alegria, will cover the Northwest Territory (Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming). Jodi Friedman-Quicksell and JoAnne Meyer with Awesome Lines will work with IMC's existing rep Audrey Kao, and cover the West Territory (Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah). Brian Ketterlin, with Bridge Marketing SW, will work with existing IMC rep Brad Schroepfer and cover the Southwest Territory (Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana. Doug Lenger and Gordon Blake of Big River Marketing will work with IMC's existing reps, Bridge Marketing's Keith Schroepfer, Cory Schroepfer, John Bugele and Richard Schmidt, to cover the Midwest Territory (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota). Ken and Doug Terry, with TerryTorry Marketing, will cover the Southeast Territory along with existing IMC reps, McDonald Marketing Group's Bill McDonald, Jamie Hudson and Gary McMillan. Finally, Joshua and Carson Brooks will work with IMC's existing reps, Valentini Promotions' Mike Valentini, Jean Carboni and John Ragozzine to cover the Northeast Territory (Washington, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine).

"This dual representation in each territory will provide more feet on the ground, more exposure for IMC in the marketplace and more opportunity to provide service to our valued distributor partners." says Wendy Simons, IMC's Vice President Sales & Marketing.

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INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE CONCEPTS APPOINTS MIKE VALENTINI PROMOTIONS

Wendy Simons, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for supplier International Merchandise Concepts/IMC, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mike Valentini Promotions to represent International Merchandise Concepts in the Northeast.

Mike Valentini Promotions, a fixture in this industry for more than twenty years, is represented by Mike Valentini, John Ragozzine, and Jean Carboni. Jean Carboni was formerly a factory representative and then Northeast Regional Manager for IMC before she joined Mike Valentini Promotions.  Mike Valentini has steadily increased sales for a number of suppliers in the Northeast.  They will represent IMC in the states of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, D.C, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine.

“Mike Valentini Promotions is well respected in the Northeast, and I am very happy for the opportunity to have their company represent our line and to have Jean Carboni representing our line again. We look for them to properly execute the sales direction that IMC has in place for the Northeast,” says Simons.

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INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE CONCEPTS APPOINTS DOUG SMITH AS CREATIVE SERVICES MANAGER

Wendy Simons, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for supplier International Merchandise Concepts (IMC), announces the appointment of Douglas Smith to the newly created position of Creative Services Manager.  Reporting to Shannon Eaker, Vice President of Customer/Creative Services, Smith will coordinate the
production of all marketing materials; manage the graphics department and assist the Vice President of Sales and Marketing in developing and implementing IMC marketing strategies.

Doug brings with him 16 years of experience in the arenas of art creation and production, sales and account management and marketing.  His sales and marketing experience has included the development of national marketing programs and account acquisitions.

“We are very excited to add someone of Doug’s ability to the IMC team.   We believe his strong background in marketing and production, coupled with his knowledge of design techniques and graphics will ensure the continued growth of IMC in the industry,” says Simons.

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INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE CONCEPTS APPOINTS BRAD SCHROEPFER WITH TMB MARKETING

Wendy Simons, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing  for supplier International Merchandise Concepts/IMC, is pleased to announce the appointment of TMB Marketing, Inc. to represent International Merchandise Concepts in the Midwest.

TMB Marketing, Inc. is represented by Brad Schroepfer, an industry veteran with more than eighteen years of experience.  Brad will represent IMC in the states of Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

“Brad Schroepfer is well respected in the Southwest, and I am very happy for the opportunity to have him represent our line.  Brad is excited about the opportunities that IMC avails, and I look forward to him properly executing the sales direction that IMC has in place for the Southwest region,” says Simons.

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INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE CONCEPTS DONATES TO BREAST CANCER AWARENESS CHARITIES

Supplier International Merchandise Concepts / IMC is proud to announce donations of over $12,500.00 to aid and support three national cancer foundations in their fight against cancer.  “These charities exist to increase awareness, assist victims and families in their battles against cancer, and to further efforts to eradicate the disease.  IMC is proud to help support these worthy organizations,” says Jodi Fishman-Osti, President of IMC.

The donations are shared by the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the National Breast Cancer Coalition, and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.  IMC continues its commitment to support the fight against all forms of cancer, and appreciates and thanks the dedicated distributors for their support in these efforts.

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INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE CONCEPTS APPOINTS BRIDGE MARKETING SERVICES

Wendy Simons, Vice President of Sales and Marketing of supplier International Merchandise Concepts, is pleased to announce the appointment of Bridge Marketing Services to represent International Merchandise Concepts in the Midwest.

Bridge Marketing Services, a fixture in the industry for more than twenty years, is represented by Keith Schroepfer, Cory Schroepfer, John Bugele and Richard Schmidt.  Together they have steadily increased sales for a number of suppliers in the Midwest.  They will represent IMC in the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

“Bridge Marketing Services is well respected in the Midwest, and I am very happy for the opportunity to have them represent our line.  They are excited about the opportunities that IMC avails, and we look for them to properly execute the sales direction that IMC has in place for the Midwest region,” says Simons.

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IMC LAUNCHES MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (MoMA) DESIGN STORE COLLECTION

AGOURA HILLS, CA -- Keith Fishman, CEO of supplier International Merchandise Concepts/IMC, is pleased to announce the launch of The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Design Store Collection, and the acquisition of the MoMA license to exclusively design, manufacture and distribute, to the promotional products industry, a selection of products from the MoMA Design Store. This marks the first time The Museum of Modern Art, the foremost museum of modern art in the world, has licensed its name to a supplier in the promotional products industry.

The Museum of Modern Art is well known as a pioneer in the international art world. It champions experimentation and innovation in art, architecture, and design and is world-renowned not only for its modern and contemporary art exhibitions, but for its retail design selection as well. This collection of products, approved by the Museum’s curators, features a variety of classic and contemporary objects ranging from desktop, tabletop, personal, and travel accessories to household tools, stationery, furniture, lighting, books and toys. These distinctive and sought-after items can be purchased at two MoMA Design Store locations in New York, as well as through the MoMA On-Line Store, and the always highly anticipated MoMA Design Store Gift Catalog.

IMC’s product philosophy mirrors that of MoMA’s, which is that everything we live with - from tape dispensers to dish racks - can, and should be, well designed.

With that in mind, IMC’s MoMA Design Store Collection embodies this spirit and features products that embrace the design sensibility of the MoMA Design Store. The IMC MoMA Design Store Collection includes contemporary desktop accessories, writing instruments, key and bag tags, each bearing The Museum of Modern Art/MoMA logo, and packaged in a custom-design gift box. As with MoMA’s retail design selection, each of these items has been approved by the Museum’s curators.

“The opportunity for IMC to exclusively design, manufacture and distribute to the promotional products industry, selections from MoMA, represents a benchmark achievement. With the current trend towards retail inspired, well-designed product, we are convinced the MoMA Design Store products will become the reference standard by which all other products are measured,” says Fishman.

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INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE CONCEPTS REGAINS EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS TO WATERFORD WRITING INSTRUMENTS

AGOURA HILLS, CA -- Keith Fishman, CEO of supplier International Merchandise Concepts (IMC), is pleased to announce that IMC has obtained the exclusive distribution rights from Waterford’s new U.S. licensee, Hampton Haddon Inc., to sell Waterford Writing Instruments to the promotional products market. IMC is the first and only industry supplier to be granted exclusive rights to offer Waterford Writing to this industry.

IMC had the exclusive distribution rights to Waterford Writing Instruments and Accessories in 2001, but was forced to discontinue the product from its line due to the bankruptcy of the former Waterford licensee.

With this re-launch comes a re-vamped product line, lower prices, and control over stock levels and decorating processes. IMC’s Waterford Writing Instrument offering consists of the premiere “Waterford Writing “Instrument” line and the “Marquis by Waterford, including the moderately priced Claria Collection and value priced “Arcadia Collection.”

The Claria Collection features ballpoints and roller balls with lacquer finishes in black, red, and blue, as well as plated finishes in gunmetal and Rhodium (a precious metal). The retail price points for this collection range from $32.00 to $42.00.

The Arcadia Collection features ballpoints and roller balls in black lacquer, blue lacquer, and plated finishes in gunmetal and chrome. In addition to these classic colors, the collection also features fun, fashion-forward colors in lime green, gold and red. The retail price points for this collection range from $19.00 to $27.00.

Finally, the elegant premier Waterford Writing Instrument Collection consists of ballpoints, roller balls, fountain pens, mechanical pencils, and purse pens in beautiful finishes. The Lismore, with hand-cut detailing mirroring the most popular Waterford crystal pattern, is available with in a fountain pen with an 18k gold nib, a roller ball, a ballpoint and a purse pen, all with platinum finishes. The Glendalough, named after the lakes in Ireland and featuring hand-cut lined detailing symbolizing the lakes, is available in a fountain pen with a stainless nib, a roller ball, a ballpoint, a pencil and a purse pen either with a satin chrome or lacquer finish. The Cavendish, also with hand-cut detailing with a platinum finish, is available in a fountain pen with a stainless nib, a roller ball, a ballpoint and a pencil. Finally, the Alana is available in a ballpoint with an ice green or ice blue and finish.

In addition to the new product line and price points, is IMC’s ability to offer improved service and product decoration to its customers. IMC will now stock merchandise in their Agoura Hills, Ca. warehouse, and will have control over product decorating.

Waterford, one of the world’s leading brands of fine crystal, was recently named the number one World Class Brand in the United States by American consumers. Its name has been synonymous with fine quality and excellence in craftsmanship for over two centuries. The Waterford Writing Instrument collection was launched in 1997. Since then, it has been extremely well received at retail in both leading department and specialty retail stores, as well as in up-market catalogs. The same attention to detail and quality, for which the Waterford crystal is known, is apparent in the writing instruments with each pen designed by master craftsmen. Each Waterford writing instrument can be decorated with intricate laser engraving and screening procedures used to replicate corporate identity.

We are thrilled to be able to offer this wonderful product exclusively to the promotional products market again. “The Waterford line is a perfect compliment to IMC given the upscale image of the Waterford brand and the quality and beauty of their writing instruments. Branded merchandise currently leads the way at retail, and that demand for brand name product carries over into the promotional products market from end-users.

This opportunity grants us the ability to offer distributors a highly recognizable brand whose quality and image of excellence mirrors that of IMC. It also represents an important step in our brand/licensing strategy to build upon our leadership position in the promotional products market, “ says Fishman.

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INTERNATIONAL MERCHANDISE CONCEPTS WINNER OF GOLD PPAI SUPPLIER GOLDEN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Jodi Fishman-Osti, President of supplier International Merchandise Concepts/IMC, is proud to announce that IMC is the recipient of the Gold PPAI Supplier Golden Achievement Award for “The Most Creative Product Developed as a Result of a Distributor and Supplier Partnership.” This Gold award, presented to IMC during the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas, was for IMC’s custom designed “Ratchet Pen,” and represents the second time in which IMC has received an award in this category.

The custom-designed “Ratchet Pen” was developed for distributor Wild Promotion’s client, one of the nation’s largest tool manufacturer’s, who wanted to promote one of it’s best-selling products to both it’s distributors and customers. IMC suggested the shape of the manufacturer’s product would lend itself to a custom pen. IMC determined it was possible to get a twist-to-open ballpoint mechanism engineered into the space available and proceeded to create this award-winning product.

In 2001,IMC received a PPAI’s Silver Golden Achievement Award in this category for their HDL cube. Says Fishman-Osti, “We are very proud of this outstanding achievement which further supports the importance IMC places on creativity and our partnership relationships with our distributors.”

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