WithIt panel at TCHFM to discuss new marketing models

Michael J. Knell -- Furniture Today, January 10, 2013

TORONTO — WithIt will host a panel of influential Canadian interior designers discussing new marketing models and ways of doing business this Sunday during the Canadian Home Furnishings Market.

The session is also sponsored by ViewIT Technologies and SOFA, the permanent showroom annex of the International Centre, where the market will be held Saturday through Tuesday.

"This interactive discussion will explore how the world of marketing is changing everything about the furniture and design industries," WithIt, the women's leadership development network for the home furnishings industry, said in a statement.

"Our inspirational panel of women leaders will give you a behind the scenes look at how an integrated marketing strategy that incorporates print, radio, TV, social media and old fashioned networking has impacted their businesses - the good, bad and sometimes ugly. We'll share the failures, successes and new best practices Canadian businesses face in marketing initiatives and product development," WithIt said.

The discussion will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday in the ViewIT Technologies showroom, SOFA suite 111.

The panel will be moderated by Julia Rosien, founder and chief idea officer of SocialNorth, a social media strategy firm as well as founder and owner of GoGirlfriend, a travel-based website for women. She is also chairman of WithIt.

Other panel members will include Joanne Jakab, principal designer at Joanne Jakab Interior Design; Jodi Mason, lead stylist and owner of furniture and design studio Urban Home Windsor;
Lisa Ferguson, principal of Lisa Ferguson Interior Design and founder of Décor Mentor; and Samantha Mund, marketing coordinator for case goods manufacturer West Bros. Furniture.