Through a five-year agreement with Telebrands, a marketing firm in Brazil, Quantum has begun delivering infomercials, like Mike Levey’s Amazing Discovery series, to 20 million Brazilian homes. Quantum has also signed a three-year agreement with Golden Trends Marketing in Taiwan to bring infomercials to 8 million homes in that country later this month.
Plans to begin broadcasting infomercials in Japan this summer are on schedule, the company said.
RAGS AND RICHES: It took a used-clothing shop to prove that high-priced merchandise can be sold on TV. Allan Pollack and Suzi Kandel, the hosts of “At Home With Allan and Suzi,” a weekly home shopping show on Manhattan Cable, sell costly jewelry — the real stuff — and designer duds — not your usual thrift shop fare. Pollack and Kandel own two Allan & Suzi stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
On the May 9 program, Pollack and Kandel sold a gold and diamond Gucci “broken-heart” pendant from the Fifties for $11,000 and matching earrings for $9,000.
They’ve received calls about an antique diamond, emerald and ruby necklace they offered for $75,000, and plan to continue selling antique jewelry along with “gently worn” designer garments.
FAD FACTS: Despite a change in its top management, Fashion and Design Television is moving forward, according to its founder, Anthony Guccione.
Michael Kirby was named vice president of corporate development of FAD TV, succeeding Howard Jacoby, FAD TV’s executive vice president, who resigned.
Kirby was director of business development for Tribeca Productions. He will be responsible for all administrative and financial aspects of FAD TV.
“We are preparing for widespread European distribution this fall,” Guccione said of the entertainment-driven network, which will focus on fashion, design, beauty and popular culture. Home shopping will be a small component.