The International Art Materials Trade Association (NAMTA)
Phoenix, AZ, April 14, 2011

Awards sponsored by NAMTA, American Artist, and Hart Business Research

DOWNLOAD: Art Business Innovation Awards 2011 Program

Goal: Encourage innovation and disseminate great ideas

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Retail winner:  Binders Art Supplies, GA

• Team: Howard Krinsky, Stuart Shapiro, Cindy Klein
• Innovation: Binders Give Back group loyalty program

Build sales growth through schools and groups

1. Ask each customer at checkout “What school or group are you with?”
2. Track sales by group.
3. Give back a fixed percentage of each group’s sales.
4. Award the check or credit at a special festive event.

Supplier runner-up:  Canson, Inc.

• Team: Jon Martensson and Jim Larrow
• Innovation: Canson Wire Bound Repositionable Paper Pads

Brand new product innovation to revolutionize the wire bound pad market

• Reviewed market research and collected consumer feedback.
• Developed and patented an arrowhead edge that allows pages to be removed and reinserted.
• Included micro-perforation for a clean final edge to artwork.

Supplier runner-up: American Custom Canvas

• Team: Jim Gillespie, Kirk Gillespie, Dale Fahnstrom, David Van den Branden
• Innovation: Canvas Jack

Innovative new tensioning device for artist canvas

1. Examined strengths and weaknesses of existing products and technologies.
2. Developed, tested, and refined prototypes to easily tighten a stretched canvas
   by hand using a wing nut at each corner.
3. Registered trademark and completed patent application.
4. Finalized component production methods, completed test marketing.

Supplier winner: Strathmore Artist Papers

• Team: Strathmore Artist Papers leadership, marketing, customer service;
  instructors Pam Carriker, Linda Blinn, Roz Stendahl; Stevens 470 creative
• Innovation: Beyond Products to Experiences

Strathmore Visual Journal Online Workshop Series

1. Used consumer research and trends to guide development of online promotions: Focus on consumer desire to buy experiences and develop skills.
2. Selected existing online classroom provider, designed the social experience, collaborated with already-online art instructors.
3. Promoted program using magazine ads, tear-off flyer on Visual Journals; Strathmore Web site, Facebook, blog, e-newsletter; retailer marketing