International Home + Housewares Show

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Stephen Reily, Vibrant Nation

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator Stephen Reily was a male marketer in his early 40s who was surprised to learn that his global consumer packaged goods clients were ignoring some of their most profitable customers: women 45+. After asking women how they interacted in a marketplace that ignored them, he built Vibrant Nation as an online platform for them to support…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Jens Bauerle, Global Brand Vision

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator Jens is founder and owner of Global Brand Vision, an international retail consultancy specializing in assisting retailers to address their difficulties and growth opportunities in home products. The highly qualified team works together with clients to evaluate, change, and develop product assortments, visual merchandising, and…

IHA’s Judy Colitz Passes Away

With profound sadness, the International Housewares Association announces the passing of Judy Colitz on Tuesday, Jan. 26 from complications of breast cancer. Judy served as manager, special events & executive services. She joined IHA in 1993 in the membership services department and over the years has served as manager of membership services and manager of executive…

gia Winners from 23 Countries Celebrated in Chicago

The International Home + Housewares Show and International Housewares Association (IHA), the global sponsors and organizers of the IHA Global Innovation Awards (gia) program, today announced the national gia winners of 2015-2016 – including 25 outstanding home and housewares retailers from 23 countries around the globe. The gia program was created by the IHA and…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Richard Babick and Janine Michalek, Design Research

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator We are speaking today with Rick Babick and Janine Michalek. Rick is president and founder of Design Research, the New Jersey-based company he established in 1998 after a 16-year career as head of research and planning for Lenox, Inc. Design Research uses a proprietary program to test new designs and new product concepts in the…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Aaron Ferber, IDEO

IDEO (pronounced “eye-dee-oh”) is an award-winning global design firm that takes a human-centered, design-based approach to helping organizations in the public and private sectors innovate and grow. The Palo Alto-based firm currently maintains 5 studios in the U.S., two in Europe and three in Asia. IDEO was ranked as one of the most innovative companies in the world by business…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Susan Yashinsky, Sphere Trending

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator As a vice-president and innovation predictor for Sphere Trending, Susan Yashinsky works to infuse an understanding of macro trends occurring within society with retail experience to bring innovative insights for GAP opportunities for products, services and client growth. Yashinsky, who joined the trend forecasting company in 2002,…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Bryce Rutter, Metaphase Design Group

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator Dr. Rutter is a renowned specialist in ergonomic product design and the leading expert in the design of handheld products. He has been profiled by the Wall Street Journal, CNN, and The Chicago Tribune. The Toronto Globe & Mail, Lexus magazine and Metropolis. He been awarded 100+ patents and his company has received 75+…

Informing Innovation: An Interview with Naomi Shedden, Trend Bible

By Vicki Matranga Design Programs Coordinator Trend Bible is a UK-based trend agency dedicated to home and interiors. The firm works with global brands to predict and capitalize on future changes affecting their consumers. Trend Bible produces a series of industry-specific trend and insight publications and crafts bespoke consultancy services for individual clients. As…