Electronic Retailing Association Honors Suzanne Somers With Lifetime Achievement Award at Annual Conference

Electronic Retailing Association Honors Suzanne Somers With Lifetime Achievement Award at Annual Conference

Efforts Paved Way for Multi-Billion Dollar Industry

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- ERA, the trade association for companies who use direct response marketing to sell goods and services directly to the public, will honor Suzanne Somers with a Lifetime Achievement Award at its annual conference in Las Vegas on September 19-21, 2005, for her efforts in the electronic retailing industry. Last year, electronic retailing, which includes long form infomercials, short form direct commercials, live shopping, radio marketing and online retailing, was a $296 billion industry.

"Suzanne Somers' is a pioneer in this industry and was one of the first entertainers able to expand and utilize her celebrity in the electronic retail marketplace," said ERA President & CEO Barbara Tulipane. "She has been incredibly supportive of the industry and an inspiration to other entrepreneurs starting out in the business."

In a multifaceted career that has spanned nearly three decades, Suzanne Somers has achieved extraordinary success as an actress, singer, comedienne, author, entrepreneur and lecturer. Seven of her 13 books were on the New York Times bestsellers list. However, it is for her success as a savvy businesswoman that she is being honored at ERA's annual conference.

Her successful product lines have been top sellers on the Home Shopping Network beginning with her ThighMaster personal fitness products and the Suzanne Somers Jewelry Collection. She has also created a line of skin and hair care products, apparel and Somersize food products. FaceMaster, a computerized facial fitness system, was introduced to consumers in 2000 and in January 2003, Suzanne introduced her newest fitness product, the BodyRow, on national television.

ERA's annual conference brings together the most profitable companies in the direct response industry for three days of the latest innovations and products. The show provides information on industry trends, regulatory standards and the opportunity to find out all the industry has to offer.

In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award, other industry awards will be given including the Best Product of the Year, the Best International Production and Best Celebrity Performer among others.

This is the 15th annual conference ERA has hosted bringing representatives from e-retailing companies, live-shopping channels, Fortune 500 businesses and enterprising entrepreneurs together in one forum to learn the industry's latest and network with the best in the business.

ABOUT THE ELECTRONIC RETAILING ASSOCIATION

The Washington DC-based Electronic Retailing Association is the trade association for major companies who use the power of electronic media to sell goods and services directly to the public. Its membership-direct response and electronic retailing companies and their suppliers-is involved in multi-channel electronic marketing including infomercials and short-form commercials, live shopping channels, the Internet, radio and convergence.

Source: Electronic Retailing Association

CONTACT: Christy Moran, +1-202-261-4034, for Electronic Retailing Association

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