Hey Ladies!

Do you think your invention will have all of America wondering, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Would you like the chance to have your new product seen nationwide?

If so, Milojo Productions (the production company owned by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos) wants to meet you. They have contacted INPEX to let us know they are now casting women with inventions and great personalities from across America for a new series on TLC to help women inventors and potentially take one inventor’s product to the Home Shopping Network.

If you have an invention or new product and a working prototype, TLC and Kelly Ripa may be able to help you manufacture, market and sell it on the Home Shopping Network.

A few requirements you should keep in mind:

• Invention or product may not be edible or make any guarantees of satisfaction (such as “guaranteed weight loss” or “best ever”)
• You must be a woman over the age of 18
• All applicants are subject to background check and standard television release forms

If you’ve got ambition, an idea and a working prototype, apply now at www.milojo.com/casting.

Casting calls are scheduled for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.

Good Luck!

If you are a reality TV junkie like myself, you may want to take a look at the latest helping from ABC. And, if you are an inventor, you could find yourself as one of the newest cast members!

ABC has teamed up with Mark Burnett, producer of the shows Survivor and The Apprentice, for a new series that offers a bailout to struggling entrepreneurs.

The network has ordered seven episodes of Burnett’s “Shark Tank,” an adaptation of the U.K. reality hit “Dragon’s Den,” in which eager entrepreneurs present their business ventures to five multimillionaire tycoons. The inventors have to convince the investors (the “sharks”) to part with the requested amount of their own money, or the inventors leave empty handed.

“Shark Tank” marks the first collaboration between ABC and Burnett, who has popular shows on the other three major broadcast networks but has never had a series on ABC. The network and prolific producer hope the project strikes a chord with viewers given the current economic climate.

“People are looking to be entrepreneurs to get ahead, yet there’s no way anybody can go into a bank right now and get a loan,” said Burnett. “For these entrepreneurs, these sharks are their last stop.”

If you are an inventor and are interested in finding out more about the casting process, contact Lindsay Spaulding, casting director at (310) 903-5680 or lindsaycasting@gmail.com. Tell her I sent you…

Good luck!

Hello Inventors!

I’m always excited to report back to you when I hear from a previous exhibitor who is happy about his or her INPEX experience. California inventor Steve Baker is the creator of DUS-T, a washable, reusable dusk mask/t-shirt. The DUS-T took home a special award from the Zagreb Inventors Association, and also won a bronze medal in the Apparel and Accessories category at INPEX 2008.

Steve sent his mom to exhibit for him during the four-day show, and during that time she not only appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, but she also helped Steve secure a five-year license agreement for their product with Hot Heads of America. They are producing the product in China and are currently available in True Value Ace Hardware Stores. “INPEX was a good show for us,” said Steve. “We just came out with a few more products that we think will do well at INPEX. Hopefully, we’ll see you next year.”

If you want to take a closer look at the DUS-T, check out Steve’s website at www.thedus-t.com.

Hello again inventors!

I’m excited to report that we have all returned home from Chicago after a productive week at the 2009 International Home & Housewares Show, at McCormick Place.

After attending this show for many years, I can still say I never grow tired of taking a look at all the new inventions and products on display. Everything from cleaning gadgets to supplies for keeping your food fresh always seem to catch my eye. And, speaking of keeping food fresh, that leads me to my next piece of news, the winners of our two panel reviews at the show this year.

The winner of our Direct Response Panel Review was Michael Tseng of San Francisco, California. His invention, the Plate Topper, is a cover that keeps food fresh by sealing itself over the top of a dinner plate. Michael was not only thrilled to take home a prize sponsored by Livemercial, but was also excited to have the award presented to him by Billy Mays and Anthony Sullivan, the stars of the new Discovery Channel show Pitchmen, which airs later this month. (Incidentally, Michael met Billy Mays four years ago while studying at Princeton. It was there that Billy gave him feedback about his invention; improvements that Michael worked to incorporate, which he feels helped make the Plate Topper the product it is today!)

Ed Ferencik of Reno, Nevada took home the prize from SkyMall from the “Pitch to the Pros” panel for his invention, the Impressor, a handheld multi-function meat tenderizing preparation tool. We will soon see Ferencik’s tool, a product he perfected while being a butcher for years, in SkyMall.

Thanks to all the inventors who participated in the 2009 Inventor’s Corner at the Home & Housewares Show. I’ve heard a lot of positive feedback from many of you, and hope you’ll join us again next year!

If you are an inventor with a housewares invention or new product, it’s not too late to purchase a booth in the Inventor’s Corner at the 2009 International Home & Housewares Show. Booth space is filling up quickly!

Also, without further adieu, I’m happy to announce the group of professionals that will be participating in our two “DRTV & Pitch to the Pros” panels during the show.

Exhibitors in the INPEX Inventor’s Corner pavilion will have the opportunity to present their ideas to the following panels of new product professionals for review and feedback.

One panel will consist of experts in the DRTV industry, which includes home shopping and infomercials. The other panel will consist of professionals from companies, mail order catalogs and retail establishments looking for new products.

DRTV Inventors Review panel includes:

Wendi Cooper & Scott Hynd will present a “How to Pitch” session that includes the basics of Direct Response TV Marketing

• Wendi Cooper — Moderator, C Spot Run Productions
• Tom Haire — moderator, Response Magazine
• Karen Hyman — LiveLink TV
• Scott Hynd — Proformance Marketing
• Bernadette Voelker — QVC
• Ron Perstein — InfoWorx
• Tim Harrington — Reliant International
• Gary Sullivan — Allstar Products
• Paul Greenberg — Thane Direct
• Anthony Sullivan — Sullivan Productions

Open Innovation Seminar — Conquering Innovation Fatigue

Presented by Cheryl Perkins & Jeff Lindsey of Innovationedge

Pitch to the Pros — Corporate Panel Review Includes:

• Diego Hoic — Church & Dwight
• Jeanne O Connor — Reckitt Benckiser
• Michael Sweeney — Merchandising Services Group
• Barb Downey — Skymall
• Michael Italiano — Innovationedge
• Cheryl Perkins — Innovationedge
• Bill McCoy — Skymall
• Michael Sweeney — The Merchandise Group

Open Innovation Best PracticesWorkshop

Cheryl Perkins from Innovationedge will talk on best practices in making Open Innovation work for your company.

If you have a housewares invention or new product and are interested in joining us in Chicago in March, complete our information request form or contact an INPEX representative at 888-54-INPEX.