The Gift-Cast

Today we have the pleasure of learning about a business that functions quite differently from most in our industry. Gary Lancet, Managing Director of Thinking Gifts, joins us on the Prod-Cast direct from Thailand, and while this is not his usual place of business, he does run a global, online business with no one central office or hub. Instead, Gary recruits globally - the right person is the right person, regardless of location.

Thinking Gifts also won this year's Gift of the Year award for the much fought over Stationery category, which Gary explains has already introduced him to new retailers and distributors!

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Thinking Gifts website
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

Warning - some adult language in this episode! Disclaimer - we've 'beeped' the most naughty words, but this may not be the episode for young ones!

If you're anything like me, the above sentence has probably piqued your interest, and rightfully so! Our guest this week, in their own words, is 'smutty soap' designer and manufacturer Go La La!

Having previously focussed on their two card businesses (one rude cards, one not), husband and wife team Laura and John decided that 2020 was the year to expand into a new product category - hand washing was all the rage and everyone needed a little lift, so their smutty soaps range was born!

Just a few months later they're winning first the Novelty Gift of the Year award and then the Judges Choices award - the overall winner of the competition! Join us to hear all about their thrilling journey.


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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Go La La! website
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Go La La!
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

Founded in 2018 and having seen incredible growth and success since, we talk to the inspirational Christina Brand, founder of The Candle Brand and recent winner of several Gift of the Year awards; Home Fragrance, Bath Beauty & Spa and one of our 'new for 2020' awards, My Gift of All Time celebrating those flagship, hero products that all suppliers have. Learn about The Candle Brands humble beginnings and exciting growth, along with how Christina and her team are changing the candle game when it comes to responsible and ethical ingredients and packaging.

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • The Candle Brand website
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • The Candle Brand
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

It's the B word - BREXIT! Now that everyone is slowly starting to understand the implications of the governments EU trade deal, we thought it the right time to bring a couple experts onto the Product-Cast to shed some light on some of the most common questions that they are asked and the kind of situations that have arisen in the recent months. Meet Taran Sahota and Laura Banner from the BJGI (British Jewellery & Giftware International) - experts in all things import and export whose goal is to better enable international trade for UK suppliers & retailers.

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • BJGI website
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

This week we're joined by our very first Gift of the Year 2021 winner - the lovely Julia Gash. Julia is a serial entrepreneur who talks us through the fascinating journey she took to arrive in the position she's in today - largely creating artwork within her incredibly iconic hand drawn maps collection, making her a unique guest - an artist, business owner, product developer and sales-person all rolled into one - showing exactly how a one-woman-band can have a global impact on the gift industry.

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Julia Gash website
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Julia Gash
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

On this, our 20th episode, we learn all about the inner workings of one of the largest businesses in our trade - Paladone Products Ltd who have offices in the UK, HK, LA, France and Australia and currently employ anywhere between 120-170 staff depending on seasonality. We meet Burton Munday who has been with Paladone since 2004 and currently heads up their speciality sales department (small to medium sized retailers) as well as working with some of Paladone's biggest UK customers in his role as Senior National Account Manager.

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Burton Munday (linkedin)
  • Paladone (website)
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Paladone
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

FINALLY - on this, our 19th episode, we finally get to talking all things Gift of the Year - the history, how it's changed over the years and, more recently during the Covid era, exactly how the judging works, the trials and tribulations behind the scenes, and, of course why it's such a wonderful undertaking for the Giftware Association. Sit back, relax, and let the dulcet tones of the GA's very own Chris Workman flow through your ears.

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Christopher Workman | LinkedIn
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

Today we welcome Sara Allbright, Buyer of Candles & Gifts at John Lewis and now, more recently, Waitrose, as the stores extend and redefine their gift offering. Sara tells us everything we need to know about how to get in front of buyers, from the obvious trade shows and buyer meet-ups to the less obvious social media hash-tagging and their relationship with the Great British Exchange. If you're looking for insight into how to reach key buyers like Sara, then this episode is for YOU!

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • John Lewis
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • John Lewis
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

On today's episode we meet the wonderful Henri Davis, veteran of our industry having worked for many decades in the likes of WH Smith, Next, Habitat and The National Trust before choosing to go it alone as an independent retail advisor. In her latest foray into the industry, Henri is now the owner of Coverack Village Stores - a café and shop that sells groceries, essentials and gifts on a tiny peninsular on Cornwall's beautiful north coast.

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Henri Davis
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Coverack Village Stores
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

Happy New Year! Starting 2021 with a bang we meet joint MD of Apples to Pears, Mark Wash - a gardener turned gift business owner! Learn all about the path Mark took to end up launching the business with Alan Titchmarsh and the evolution of the business to the playful gift company that we know today. Of course, we also hear about Apples to Pears previous Gift of the Year successes, and they're 2021 entries.

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Apples to Pears
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Apples to Pears
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

A look to the future in this, our 16th episode of the Product-Cast as we are joined by one of the most respected voices within the industry, Michael Weedon. As well as running his own consultancy, Exp2, Michael serves as the Head of the High Street Advisory Board (SaveTheHighstreet.org) and Chair of the FSB Retail and High Streets policy unit. He previously ran BIRA for 29 years (the British Independent Retailers Association).

In this special extended episode we receive Michael's 'view from above' about the way in which the retail industry has adapted to the C19 pandemic including some success stories and some data that might just surprise you, and also Michael's prediction for the future of our high streets which Michael coins 'High Street 3.0'.

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Exp2
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Gift of the Year
  • The Giftware Association 

Today's episode introduces you to the fantastic Retaissaince and it's entrepreneurial Founder and CEO Cathy Osborne. Retaissance is a gifting and interiors platform that works in a few different ways depending on your requirements - as an online B2B marketplace, a sales agency and, most recently, an online trade show.

We talk about how the business came about and the variety of ways in which it has been able to help businesses grow over the last few years, how it's dealt with C19, and its involvement in the Gift of the Year competition, which includes providing a mammoth prize valued at £12k!
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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Retaissance
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Retaissance
  • Gift of the Year 
  • The Giftware Association 

Today we're joined by Founder and Director of Press Loft, Nicola Snell. Press Loft is the largest online PR tool specialising in the Interior & Gift sector with teams set up around the globe. In this episode we learn about the origins of the business and the services it provides, we talk about Press Loft's involvement with the GA and it's fantastic Gift of the Year prize of 1 year's free membership, plus we get some amazing tips on writing press releases, drawing on Nicola's decades of expertise.

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Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Press Loft
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Press Loft
  • Gift of the Year 
  • The Giftware Association 

Don't forget - Gift of the Year entry deadline is the 11th December!

In this, the final week of entries for the 2021 Gift of the Year competition, we talk to the overall winner of the 2020 competition, the amazing Amanda Wooldridge, founder of Squelch Wellies. Her fascinating story details how she fell into the world of gift and product design, literally Googling her way into business before taking the industry by storm just 1 year later.

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Squelch Wellies
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Squelch Wellies 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • The Giftware Association 

The final part of our special 4-part series of the Prod-Cast where we welcome Sarah Ward to the Mic. Before becoming MD of the British Allied Trade Federation Sarah was the CEO of the Giftware association and in this part of the series we talk on of the GA's flagship operations - the Gift of the Year competition, it's entrants and the judges, and even a little bit about the Product-Cast! (part 4 of 4)

Part 1 - the history of the GA
Part 2 - The GA's fantastic response to the C19 pandemic
Part 3 - how do members benefit from their GA membership
Part 4 - the Gift of the Year competition!

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Sarah Ward, Linkedin
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Gift of the Year 
  • The Giftware Association 

This is part 3 of a special 4-part series of the Prod-Cast where we welcome Sarah Ward to the Mic. Before becoming MD of the British Allied Trade Federation Sarah was the CEO of the Giftware association and in this part of the series we talk all about the fantastic benefits that joining the GA can bring to it's members - which turns out to be support on pretty much everything a supplier or retailer may need! (part 3 of 4)

Part 1 - the history of the GA
Part 2 - The GA's fantastic response to the C19 pandemic
Part 3 - how do members benefit from their GA membership
Part 4 - the Gift of the Year competition!

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Sarah Ward, Linkedin
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Gift of the Year 
  • The Giftware Association 

This is part 2 of a special 4-part series of the Prod-Cast where we welcome Sarah Ward to the microphone. Before becoming MD of the British Allied Trade Federation Sarah was the CEO of the Giftware association and in this part of the series we talk all about the GA's amazing response to the C19 pandemic (part 2 of 4).

Part 1 - the history of the GA
Part 2 - The GA's fantastic response to the C19 pandemic
Part 3 - how do members benefit from their GA membership
Part 4 - the Gift of the Year competition!

 ------
 
 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Sarah Ward, Linkedin
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Gift of the Year 
  • The Giftware Association 

In this special 4-part series of the Prod-Cast we welcome Sarah Ward to the microphone. Before becoming MD of the British Allied Trade Federation Sarah was the CEO of the Giftware association and is probably the best placed person to fill us in on the organisations rich and fascinating history (part 1 of 4).

Part 1 - the history of the GA
Part 2 - The GA's fantastic response to the C19 pandemic
Part 3 - how do members benefit from their GA membership
Part 4 - the Gift of the Year competition!

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Sarah Ward, Linkedin
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Gift of the Year 
  • The Giftware Association 

Please note - the Gift of the Year entry deadline has now been extended to the 11th December.

This week we catch up with the super-busy Kelly Smith, sole proprietor of Billy's Beach Hut. We learn about the businesses origins, it's journey since launch, Billy's Beach Bus, the addition of the Isla Jewellery range that won the Fashion Accessory award in both 2019 and 2020 and much, much more about this fantastic enterprise.

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 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Billy's Beach Hut
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Billy's Beach Hut
  • Gift of the Year 
  • The Giftware Association 

In this extended episode we get to meet the owners of two fantastic business that regularly do battle over the Food & Drink Gift award at the Gift of the Year competition. Ross Bearman (Ross & Ross Gifts) and Sanjay Aggarwal (Spice Kitchen) have both had victories and defeats and today we learn more about their friendly rivalry, their relationship with the Giftware Association, their passion for charity and take a look behind the scenes of their unique 'food gift' business models.

 ------
 
 Welcome to the Product-Cast, aka the Prod-Cast, brought to you by Gift of the Year and supported by the Giftware Association. The podcast shines a spotlight on the UK’s thriving gift industry, providing insight into all aspects of the creative and sales process, from concept to retail and everything in between.

Each week you will meet a new key player from retail or supply and learn about their role within their business, their insights on the industry and, of course, to talk about their entry or previous winner in the Gift of the Year awards.

The Prod-Cast is hosted by Alex Ryan - a marketing consultant and a gift/product marketing expert having spent 6 years as Head of Marketing at Paladone Products Ltd before launching his own agency, Marketing 101.

The Gift of the Year awards are the most highly respected industry accolades, aimed at recognising the best new products, talent and inspiration in our industry each year.

The Giftware Association is at the heart of the UK's gift and home industry with 70 unique years' experience. Listening to your needs and finding solutions to your problems. We can help you make money, save money and save time with our knowledge and contacts within the industry.

LINKS;

• Guest; 
  • Spice Kitchen
  • Ross & Ross Gifts
• Host; 
  • The Product-Cast (website) 
  • The Giftware Association 
  • Gift of the Year 
  • Alex Ryan, Consultant 
  • Marketing 101, Agency 
• Instagram;  
  • Spice Kitchen
  • Ross & Ross Gifts
  • Gift of the Year 
  • The Giftware Association