The show attracted some celebrities including Andie McDowell plus some special appearances at the Kush Support booth from Miss United States Brittany Williams, and Mrs. America from the State of North Carolina Maureen MacDonald

Both pageant queens represented their organizations extremely well, and we were excited to have them appear in the booth.

We’re waiting to see the news segment that was recorded by the Charlotte Fox Affiliate who shot some video of the booth and Cathinka in action speaking with customers.  We hope to be able to link to the site when they have posted the video.

Any local women who are interested in receiving the show discount can indicate that they were at the Southern Women’s Show, and pick the product up at the offices:

1508 E. 4th Street
Charlotte, NC 28204

1.888.OWN KUSH

Emmy Awards creative has been posted to Shareasale looking to invite more affiliates to participate in the Kush Program.  We’ve seen some new signups since announcing the program, and hope to see additional growth as a revenue sharing source for the many bloggers who are targeting women audiences.

Kush is very proud to announce our latest partnership opportunity in joining with Lamaze International, appearing in the Educator Manuals that are sent out to the 5,500 Lamaze Childbirth Educators in the US.

Once the agreement goes into affect on December 1st we will be able to reflect the relationship in full force on the web site.

To subscribe to this podcast you can visit the ITunes Store and search under Podcasts for The Kush Report.

Having torrential downpours impedes progress and only adds to the challenge of unloading ….

We have added a new model to the Kush Supports team and we were able to capture some fantastic photography that really sets a tone that will communicate comfort and support to the particular demographic of women who have undergone breast augmentation surgery.

A special recognition goes out to the official Kush Photographer Angus Lamond from Charlotte, who has helped to shape the creative platform for the product.

Our affiliate program with ShareASale has added some banners and a special offer to entice conversions through those visits, in conjunction with the appearance of Kush Supports in the celebrity gift bags at the 2008 Emmy Awards. If you are an affiliate marketer with women focused sites, take a look at this new sleep support invention .. and capture the excitement of the Emmy Awards!

We are working on the overall creative platform trying to bring in some subtle changes to help shape the marketing of the product.  We want to soften the presentation across the board from photography, copy, and all graphic elements in almost imperceptible ways …. but will help communicate the ‘feminine” personality of the product.  Blurring the edges of transitions in graphic elements, by adding fabrics in the background of videos, and having more curved shapes in the materials demonstrates comfort and support, reflecting the product attributes.

Finally, we are working towards bringing a little “drama” into the videos with the use of deeper shadows and lighting control to achieve the “night time” effect.

To finish up this week’s program, we are pleased to announce that The Kush Report Podcast is now available via the ITunes Store and can be subscribed for automatic download and synched to portable MP3 players.

Cathinka in the meantime has continued her adventurous ways with a trip out to the middle fork of The Salmon River for a fishing, rafting, and camping experience. She and her husband Jim started out with a stay at the Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch prior to heading out on the river with Jerry Hughes River Expeditions.

Although the fishing was excellent with rainbow trout on the line, the expedition follows catch & release practices, so the food travels with the raft guides (except for the exceptional wines Jim had flown in!).  Since Cathinka follows a Dietary Engineering regimen outlined by Sari Mellman in Miami Florida she had some special food prepared around the campfire at night.

On their way to the put in, a small engine plane flight had nervous flyer Cathinka reaching for Jim’s hand as well as her newest friend Ralph in the seat beside her.  However, the most calming aspect of the flight was when she looked out the window and saw a Rainbow just for her!

Big Sky Country lived up to its nickname, especially at night as the stars were out in full force without the light pollution found in other areas of the country.

From a business perspective, having these types of adventures is rejuvenating for Cathinka where getting away from the phones, emails, and typical distraction helps her to fully focusing on the day to day aspects of running a company upon her return to the office.

Next trip hopefully … The Colorado River!

Some big news happened during our little hiatus regarding a promotion for Kush Supports and an invitation to be included an Emmy Award Gift Bags distributed on September 18th and 19th!

A new bag and insert was prepared so that the celebrities who receive the gift bag will equate the Kush Support with sleep comfort and breast support, particularly for augmented women. This dream opportunity is a perfect placement for introducing the product to the particular target demographic of women who have had breast augmentation.

Also, a trade show appearance at The Southern Women’s Show in Charlotte is scheduled for September 18th through the 21st.

Finally this week, we are trying to increase the marketing assets that we have in the files so a photoshoot with a new Kush model is taking place and will include video and still shots set in softly lit, bedroom settings.  We will also be speaking with an actual Kush user so that we can capture testimonial video particularly about the pain relief that she experienced after she started using a Kush.

Show Notes:

Kush Co. personnel were focused this last week on the followup to The Curve Expo.  Customer service is at the top of the list as far as company principles, and Cathinka wanted to make sure that anyone who had expressed interest during the show were promptly send information and samples.

There is a display unit that is available to the retail channel as a best practice for presenting the product, and it was discussed that future iterations of the web site include a specific segment addressing retail & wholesale support.

Many web site discussion boards and direct communication with the public indicate that consumers might attempt to come up with their own Homemade Remedy for achieving the comfort and support that a Kush would.  It was discussed that a ball of socks will not maintain shape, will not stay in place, nor will it provide the amount of breast support necessary to eleviate neck and shoulder pain associated with augmentation and side sleeping.

The market awareness challenge is a big initiative at this stage.  Consumers may not actually be aware of the symptoms that they are experiencing without the use of a Kush Support, so they aren’t looking for the simple solution that purchasing a Kush can provide.  The marketing effort is geared towards exposing the brand and educating the marketplace about the product.

The Google Adwords campaign has been adjusted to reflect the discovery that search placements are not generating enough impressions. Joe discusses the difference between paid search and the content network approach.

Show Notes:

The uniqueness of the product, and the ability to demonstrate using a faux bed in the booth has attracted alot of great attention.

Cathinka considers the booth location to be one of the best on the show flow with steady traffic and high natural light.  She promises to get some pictures for this post.

The good neighbors in nearby booths have indicated that the lingerie market specifically has been seeing a downturn due to economy issue.  The product tends to be an impulse, non-essential purchase so has currently slacked off.  The Kush Support does not fall into that category and is incredibly beneficial to women with breast augmentations.

Actual customer testimonial is coming back from implant customers are stating that they have neck aches when they wake up due to the gravity pull while they sleep.  Specialty retailers are communicating with their customers hearing about the sleeping issues, and can benefit their customers by recommending Kush Supports.  This will enhance the retailers client relationships.

Pregnant models are roaming the floor in tops and thongs showing of a linerie line!  And a seven month pregnant super model got high praise on the the runway during the fashion show.

The Curve Expo provides all exhibitors with contact information for followup after the show.  If you did not get a chance to talk with Cathinka during the show, she can be reached by email – cat@kushsupport.com

Members of the media came by the booth to talk and this lead us into a new web site servicing the publisher / reporter market:

Help A Reporter.com

Three reporters have agreed to write stories so far regarding Kush product based upon the email service that each day puts out a call for various article concepts.

Stories in development so far:
Rare gift idea for holiday magazine
Young professional who lives in a “posh pad”
The process of having an idea and taking a product to fruition

Finally, a big lead from the show is an invitation from the US Department of Commerce to join them at some point in the future to bring the product in front of international buying groups.  More details on that to come.

Items for discussion include:

The African Penguin exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium

The intention to recruit more affiliates from the Share A Sale network that are particularly publishing in the Women’s Health, Pregnancy and Mommy Blog categories.

The New Pricing to be offered to retail consumers in the coming weeks

Next week’s podcast live from the show floor of The Curve Expo

Also, a look ahead to the Curve Expo in New York City August 3rd – 5th.

Show Notes:

The Gauley Run
Joe Jacobi
Good Advice Column June Edition of Pregnancy & Newborn Magazine
Sizing a Kush Support when Pregnant
Dr. Peter Tucker Testimonial
New Site Launch
Affiliate program through ShareaSale
Curve Expo New York
Javitz Center / Fancy Food Show