K-TEL International names prominent industry direct marketing executives to key posts; Hewitt, Gravink and Castle to head newly formed K-TEL Direct Media & Marketing.MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 1996--K-TEL International Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on :KTEL) has joined forces with prominent industry direct marketing executives, Gary Hewitt, Doug Gravink and Valerie Castle, to establish a newly formed K-TEL subsidiary, K-TEL Direct Media & Marketing, it was announced Friday by David Weiner, president of K-TEL International. Hewitt, Gravink and Castle previously served as senior executives of Positive Response Television (PRTV PRTV Peterlee Relational Test Vehicle PRTV Production Representative Test Vehicles ), a leading $70 million vertically integrated direct marketing and media agency where they were pioneers in the distribution marketing business. Hewitt will serve as chief executive officer, Gravink president and Castle vice president of the new subsidiary. K-TEL Direct Media & Marketing is a full-service direct marketing and media-buying company specializing in long- and short- form direct response programming and the distribution of shows produced by third parties. ``We are delighted that Gary, Doug and Valerie, three of the top professionals in our industry, have joined K-TEL to assist our company in further expanding our worldwide direct marketing activities,'' Weiner stated. In a joint statement, Hewitt, Gravink and Castle commented: ``While our experience at Positive Response was a productive one and we look forward to working with Mike Levey Michael Stephen "Mike" Levey (May 28, 1948 - August 2, 2003) was a famous American infomercial host. He is best known for his popular Amazing Discoveries series of infomercials. and National Media in the future, the prospect of developing a global business was a tremendous opportunity.'' With more than 35 years of combined industry experience, Hewitt, Gravink and Castle were responsible for the distribution and marketing of such successful shows as ``Passion, Profit & Power,'' ``Memory Power,'' ``Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus'' and ``Eagle Eyes Sunglasses sunglasses A tinted pair of glasses used to ↓ light arriving at the eye, which are labeled according to the amount of UV light blocked; nonprescription glasses are classified according to use and amount of UV radiation blocked Sunglasses .'' Hewitt joined PRTV in February 1994 as vice president, marketing. From 1985 to 1989, Hewitt was employed by Cooper Rand Inc., the largest credit card syndicator of that period. From 1989 until the time he joined PRTV, he was director of merchandise for National Syndication Inc., a print/syndication company. Hewitt's direct marketing experience prior to that included positions with Ringling Brothers Circus The Ringling Brothers Circus was a circus founded in the United States in 1884. Ringling Brothers Circus eventually joined with the Barnum & Bailey Circus to become "Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus, the Greatest Show on Earth". and the Ice Follies Shipstads & Johnson Ice Follies was a touring ice show featuring elaborate production numbers, similar in concept to Ice Capades. It was founded in 1937 by Eddie Shipstad, Roy Shipstad, and Oscar Johnson, who also skated in the show. , promotion of Broadway theatrical productions Noun 1. theatrical production - the production of a drama on the stage staging production - a presentation for the stage or screen or radio or television; "have you seen the new production of Hamlet?" for Pace Management Co. and coordination of marketing efforts for traveling productions of Sesame Street Live Sesame Street Live is the live touring show based on the children's television show Sesame Street. Produced by Minneapolis-based VEE Corporation, the show opened on September 17, 1980, with a production of Sesame Street Live "Missing Bird Mystery" playing at the Met and the Royal Lippizaner Stallions. Hewitt is 40. Gravink joined PRTV in January 1994 as vice president, media, when PRTV purchased certain assets of Positive Results Media Inc., a media-buying/advertising agency of which Gravink was sole shareholder and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. during 1993. In 1991 and 1992, Gravink was vice president of Starlite Productions Inc., a television marketing company. From 1986 to March 1991, he was executive vice president of Twin Star Productions. Gravink is 41. Castle joined PRTV in January 1995 as vice president, business affairs and distribution marketing. During 1994, building on her many successes, Castle owned and operated a private business consultancy serving the infomercial industry. From 1991 to 1994, she headed business affairs for Guthy-Renker and played a pivotal role in the development and marketing of such top infomercial programming as Anthony Robbins' ``Personal Power'' and ``Principal Secret'' with Victoria Principal. Prior to that, Castle worked within the purview The part of a statute or a law that delineates its purpose and scope. Purview refers to the enacting part of a statute. It generally begins with the words be it enacted and continues as far as the repealing clause. of the legal establishment. Castle is 31. K-TEL International is an international marketing and distribution company for packaged consumer entertainment (music and video) and consumer convenience products and is a leader in the market niche for pre-recorded music compilations. CONTACT: The Lippin Group/Los Angeles Les Eisner/Bob Finlayson, 213/965-1990 or The Lippin Group/New York Rod Granger, 212/986-7080 |
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