March Madness At OTC
March Madness isn’t exclusive to college basketball.
At gifts and novelties cataloger Oriental Trading Company, March is the month for value-priced deals, including 2,000 gifts each selling for $5 or less in honor of National Craft Month.
The company’s Web site offers instructional how-to videos, free craft ideas, and crafts by theme, age and ability. Examples of gifts less than $5 include: a Mother’s Day Beaded Charm Craft Kit, which makes 12 pins for only $4.99, or .41 cents each; or a Color Your Own Father’s Day Travel Mug - $2.99 and comes with three different design options.
Sam Taylor took over Oriental Trading Co. as CEO last May after the resignation of Stephen Frary. Taylor had worked for Hewlett-Packard’s global consumer direct business and the HP.com Website, which is present in more than 70 countries and 35 languages. Prior to Hewlett-Packard, Taylor served as senior vice president, online stores and marketing for Best Buy Co. He’s also held positions at Lands’ End and The Walt Disney Co.
Founded in 1932 by Harry Watanabe, Oriental Trading Co. sells party supplies, novelties, toys, and arts and crafts supplies to consumers and businesses. The company, which has more than 18 million customers on file and mails 300 million catalogs a year, was acquired by private equity firm The Carlyle Group in 2006.
