QVC RENEWS CONTEST WITH ‘TODAY’ SHOW

Next Big Thing competition back this week for 3rd year

On Saturday, April 22, an aspiring entrepreneur will get his or her big break – a chance to sell an invention in front of more than 100 million American households.

For the third consecutive year, QVC has joined forces with NBC’s Today show for Today’s Next Big Thing, a national competition to honor the spirit of innovation and invention and discover one entrepreneur whose product has what it takes to be presented on QVC’s multiplatform shopping experience.

In January, inventors across America were invited to submit their products for consideration. Throughout this week, nine finalists with inventions spanning beauty, fashion, home, and cooking and dining, will appear live on NBC’s Today to pitch their products to a panel of judges. The panel includes Anna Baker, QVC’s director of global merchandising; Jill Martin, Today contributor and creative director of G.I.L.I. got it love it (QVC’s contemporary fashion and accessories line); and a Today show anchor.

Starting Tuesday, April 18, viewers will vote for their favorites on TODAY.com. On Friday, April 21, the three inventors with the most votes will have one last chance to convince the judges that they have what it takes to be on QVC. The judges will declare the winner, and the winner will sell his or her product live on QVC the next day, Saturday, April 22, at 10 a.m.

“Each time we have teamed up with NBC on Today’s Next Big Thing, the response from our customers to the winning

entrepreneur has been tremendous,” said Baker. “We’re always looking for promising entrepreneurs with exciting new products that will surprise and delight our customers. QVC

offers a powerful multiplatform network experience for entrepreneurs, where they can share the unique stories and inspirations behind their inventions directly with customers and distribute their products on a national scale.”

Based in West Goshen and founded in 1986, QVC has more than 17,000 employees

and has retail operations in the U.S., Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, France, and through a joint venture in China.

To contact Business Editor Brian McCullough, call 610-235-2655 or send an email to bmccullough@dailylocal.com.

FILE PHOTO For the third consecutive year, QVC has joined forces with NBC’s “Today” show for Today’s Next Big Thing.