SSA Media Kit (2014)

A bi-monthly publication addressing the business needs of over 15,500 independent smoke shop retailers/owners!

MEDIA KIT 2014

A bi-monthly publication addressing the business needs of over 15,500 independent smoke shop retailers/owners!

BRINGING THE ‘CONTENT-FIRST’ APPROACH TO THE SMOKE SHOP INDUSTRY If you are not well-connected and in tune with the industry you cover, you serve no purpose. And if you are not relevant, you’re dead. The industry is changing rapidly. You must embrace change or be left behind.

It is this knowledge that will enable Smoke Shop Advisor magazine to achieve a level of success and relevance that other industry publications are lacking, while staying true to our mission: To be the leading provider of actionable business solutions for the smoke shop industry. Our mission in the 2nd half of 2014 and moving into 2015 is to deliver Smoke Shop Advisor magazine to every independent smoke shop retailer in the United States and Canada.

We will devote each bi-monthly issue to providing the very best business ideas, actionable strategies and solutions for our readers. Readers and advertisers alike will count on Smoke Shop Advisor magazine for the wisdom we share and the authority we command. We are in the business of bringing our readers best business practices and solutions that matter most to them. Because of this approach, Smoke Shop Advisor magazine will become the go-to resource for the smoke shop industry’s top leaders and smoke shops nationwide. We welcome the responsibility we have to this industry and look forward to servicing our readers and followers in 2015 and beyond.

Michael Manley P ublisher Smoke Shop

Advisor Magazine

“I look forward to receiving every issue because of the great editorials that I enjoy reading that are very informative in helping me with my business day to day. I also like the overall look of the publication and its wonderful products that are featured.”

-Alison Cantley | Small Business Owner | Trussville, AL

TOTAL print Circulation: 15,950+ PRINT Circulation: Smoke Shop Advisor magazine will reach more independent smoke shops than any other industr y publication. Our readers are the key decision makers – owners, managers, super visors or key employee - who approve spending and strategic planning for their businesses. No other smoke shop publication will have the support, following and partnerships like Smoke Shop Advisor. We are developing the industr y’s top advisor y board that will be made up of the industr y’s top leaders and Independent shop shop professionals.

“FMM publications are Great! I enjoy all of the current information to read up on, as well as checking out the new and unique products that FMM Media features. Not to mention the publication is very informative, especially in seeing what’s new going on in the industry.”

-Raymond Pac | Business Owner | Chicago, IL

TOTAL PRINT CIRCULATION STATISTICS: 96.3% 1.5% 2.2%

Independent Smoke Shop and Tobacco Shop Retailers Smoke Shop Suppliers Corporate and/or Franchised Smoke Shops

iNTERACTIVE Online DISTRIBUTION: Each issue of Smoke Shop Advisor magazne will featured in our state-of-the-art digital magazine viewer and made available on our website and proactively sent to our retailer email database. Our digital viewer if fully interactive throughout with hyperlinks to all advertisers websites; in addition it is enabled for audio and video embedding for advertisers who want to deliver a more in-depth message.

“Since 1996, I have been privileged to have authored well over 100 articles in various industry publications. I can honestly say that FMM media’s magazine provides useful, current articles and information that sets them apart from their competition. An additional value-added benefit of the magazine is that they appeal to all segments of a profession; the owner, manager and employee. I highly recommend this magazine to be part of every firm’s learning library.”

- Fred Kitchen | President, Henson & Associates | Barboursville, WV

The Smoke Shop Advisor

DIFFERENCE!

14-16 Solution-based editorials per 76 page issue!

Boost your sales with our results driven marketing approach Editorial opportunities: Support your advertising by educating, informing and providing solutions to over 15,000 readers. We provide advertisers the opportunity to position yourself as an industry expert.

You can gain awareness, trust and loyalty from our readers by helping them grow their businesses!

Burning Bright in the Smoke Shop Industry

EVERY ISSUE OF SMOKE SHOP ADVISOR INCLUDES:

Cover Feature - We go beyond the ordinar y inter view, getting leading vendors to share those products and ser vices that can help smoke shop retailers become more successful.

Featured Editorials - In ever y issue our featured articles (14-16 editorials in our

76 page format) cover the most relevant topics that provide solutions to the independent smoke shop retailer to help them operate a more profitable business.

Industry Alerts - This section is devoted to bringing readers breaking news on the

most important topics in the Smoke Shop industr y.

Company Spotlight(s) - In ever y issue we feature 1-2 company’s and share with our readers the products and ser vices that they provide to the smoke shop industr y.

Book Review - In ever y issue we feature an industr y resource and provide a detailed

over view for the retailer as a tool to help grow and expand their knowledge on how to run a more successful retail business.

Buyer Solutions - In ever y issue we feature a set of products in a user-friendly format intended to keep the smoke shop retailer up-to-date on current products and ser vices.

OUR MISSION: To be the leading provider of business solutions for the Smoke Shop industry.

We believe it is our duty to provide practical business ideas, strategies and solutions to the Smoke Shop industry to help increase growth and profitability. readers turn to S moke S hop A dvisor for the most complete overview of the issues shaping the smoke shop industry !

For more information on the unique advertising opportunities in Smoke Shop Advisor, read on!

What makes us different: Smoke Shop A dvisor is the only publication dedicated completely to business ideas , strategies and solutions serving the entire smoke shop industry . each issue is packed with content . a 76 page format will include 14-16 solution - based editorials ; in addition each issue will feature smoke shop success stories , company and product spotlights , book reviews for retailers , and industry news and announcements .

2015 Advertising Rates Standard Positions

Once

3 Times

6 Times

Full Page

$1,890

$1,690

$1,490

2- Page Spread

$2,990

$2,790

$2,590

1/2 Page

$990

$890

$790

1/3 Page

$790

$690

$590

1/4 Page

$690

$590

$490

1/6 Page

$590

$490

$390

Buyer Solutions

$490

$390

$290

Premium Positions

Once

3 Times

Front Cover Package

$9,990

N/A

N/A

Inside Front Cover

$2,690

$2,490

$2,290

Inside Back Cover

$2,490

$2,290

$2,090

Outside Back Cover

$2,990

$2,790

$2,590

Inside Right - Page 3

$2.490

$2,290

$2,090

6 Times

front cover package NOVEMBER

quality or with any gemstone, and deliver the finished piece in approximately 2 weeks.

DECEMBER

2013 www.vardicompany.com

The Industry's Premier Equal Opportunity Buying Group.

No fees. No minimums. No restrictions.

866.665.6502

FULFILLING EXPECTATIONS

The Industry's Premier Equal Opportunity Buying Group.

+

Learn how Vardi Company has redefined the traditonal buying group format and created some of the most innovative services offered in the industry today.

NO FEES. NO MINIMUMS. NO RESTRICTIONS. A BUYING GROUP FOR EVERYONE. In today’s tough economy, business owners are facing more orders from retailers all over the world in real-time. With no fees, challenges than ever. It is increasingly important to keep your costs minimums or restrictions whatsoever there is nothing to lose! down, use your time efficiently and make sure that you always provide exemplary service. Every dollar, minute and customer truly We are a real buying group with real buying power™. That is the matters to your bottom line. Brothers Steven and Michael Vardi simple idea behind Vardi Company’s unique structure. They offer grew up in the jewelry industry; their family has deep roots in the sharp pricing, giving independents the power to grow sales and trade and have been successfully serving the industry for over profits in today's challenging marketplace. three generations. Over the years, Steven and Michael observed the struggles of their retail customers and felt for them. They wanted Consumer research has proven that shoppers want and expect to to help them in making their businesses more profitable and the see something new every time they come in your store. Because of industry more successful as a whole. It was these observations this, Vardi Company uses their online format to keep their retail that led the brothers to develop Vardi partners continually updated with a Company in 2009, as a full service stream of new items to choose from. provider and partner to independent Whether you are looking for fashion We do a lot of custom work and they’re retailers. Vardi Company offers forward price point sterling silver a 100% free equal opportunity jewelry, classic gold and diamond my go-to guys for anything I need done on buying group, and several other fashion pieces, or simply a pair of time. They listen to what I have to do and innovative solutions, all designed diamond studs, you can find it all in walk me right through it...and because to make retailers’ lives easier and one place with the convenience of their businesses more successful. online shopping, making your life of the variety, I don’t have to deal with just a little bit easier.

A BUYING GROUP FOR EVERYONE

twenty different vendors!

A CUSTOM JEWELRY SOLUTION

- Marc Tanjeloff, Astro Gallery of Gems In such a product driven industry, New York, NY inventory costs can really start to After launching the buying group, add up. The economy just isn’t what Steven and Michael wanted to it used to be and you need to lower continue to use their resources to your expenses. The solution seems simple. Join a buying group. create other programs that would meet the needs of their retail Bundle your orders with other retailers to lower the cost of your partners. goods. Sounds great, right? But, as many of you know, it’s not that

PAGE 30 - SEE HOW VARDI HAS QUICKLY BECOME AN INDUSTRY RESOURCE FOR INDEPENDENT RETAILERS

easy. Membership fees, buying minimums and credit checks can suddenly stand between you and the chance to stay competitive.

Vardi Company designed their online, equal opportunity buying group to eliminate the issues that prevent retailers from being able to enjoy the advantages a buying group has to offer. Their online buying group utilizes state of the art technology that groups

30

No Fees! No Minimums! No Restrictions!

STAR OF THE SHOWROOM

The Vardi brothers’ dedication to customer service led them to identify another way to serve retailers’ needs. Noticing that many customers expressed dissatisfaction in their diamond - Justin G., sourcing, they decided to offer a Diamond Fulfillment Service, an easy and effortless way to make sure you get the exact diamond that you’re looking for. This service eliminates the frustration involved in wasting time calling multiple vendors, setting up new accounts, or receiving unpresentable stones. For certified, uncertified, or melee service, you can simply call them with your specifications and their diamond experts will handle everything.

FINDING A BETTER WAY With your needs in mind, Vardi Company developed free Diamond Finder technology that allows members to search their entire inventory of over 50,000 certified diamonds in three different modes of operation! You can either search directly on their website for wholesale prices or activate Showroom Mode, which allows you to convert their inventory listings to display your custom margins. You can then show your customers directly on your computer or iPad allowing them to search all the options with accurate prices. The diamonds selected are delivered to your store so your customers can view them before purchasing. You can also embed Vardi’s Diamond Finder into your own website to attract new customers to your store!

Norfolk, VA

From eliminating all costs and restrictions traditionally associated with buying groups, to their innovative services, Vardi Company is determined to be more than just another vendor; they aim to be your partner and to help you reach a new level of success. Besides enhancing your product selection, reducing your costs and offering services to make the running of your business as convenient as possible, Vardi Company exhibits the most important qualities that you could want in a partner: commitment to service, commitment to quality, and commitment to you, their member.

To learn more about Vardi Company’s current, or soon-to-bereleased, services and how they can help you achieve more success now or in the future, visit their website, www.vardicompany.com.

Becoming a member through their website is simple, but you can also speak with a Vardi Company representative by calling 866665-6502 or 212-221-3969 (International) or emailing them at info@vardicompany.com. You can sign up for their newsletter by email, or by scanning the QR code below.

Click the QR Codes below to:

Join Newsletter

Join Vardi Co.

Soon to launch is Showroom Mode for www.vardicompany.com, which will convert their wholesale website into a Triple Key retail catalog in a single click! Vardi Company seems to have mastered

VARDI CONCIERGE

www.jbamagazine.com

Contents

Last, but definitely not least, is the BrideStar System, developed to support your increasingly important bridal sales. With the high cost and risks of carrying bridal jewelry inventory, this program enables you to offer a wide assortment at a much lower cost. The BrideStar is an upscale bridal prototype selling system offering over 70+ sterling silver and CZ prototypes with a professional quality display. This allows your bridal customer to see and feel the different designs, to gain confidence before customizing and ordering Since joining Vardi, running my business their desired ring. In addition, you has become easier. They’re always there can show your customer their expanded bridal collection of over when I need them and willing to go the 5,000 SKUs on their website, all at extra mile for me. triple key!

DIAMOND FINDER

30

+

The Full Service Custom Design Leader: Managing Everything From Concept To Creation

Certified and Uncertified Layouts and Melee Service Free Diamond Finder Technology

The BrideStar System

A Proven Bridal Selling Solution!

Over 70+ SS/CZ Prototypes and Professional Display

+

Features

A Complete Source For All Your Jewelry Needs!

Bridal, Diamond Basics & Finished Jewelry

November/December 2013

32

COMPANY SPOTLIGHT: CG Creations

16

SUCCESS STORY: Stall & Kessler's Retail Center

38

TRADE SHOW WRAP UP: Select By Centurion - Nashville

18

DESIGN INNOVATION: Frank Reubel Designs

39

A SEASON OF GIVING: Business Owners Making a Difference

Call Now And www.jbamagazine.com

JEWELRY BUSINESS ADVISOR | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

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4

CIRCULATING TO OVER 25,000 INDEPENDENT JEWELRY STORES IN THE U.S. AND CANADA

Front Cover

|

COVER STORY

VARDI COMPANY: DIRECTLY IMPROVING YOUR BOTTOM LINE THROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND TRUE ECONOMIES OF SCALE

BRIDESTAR SYSTEM

Knowing that 35% of engagement rings are custom made, they decided to launch the Vardi Concierge, a fast and easy one-stopshop for all your custom design needs and special requests. Once they receive your customer’s concept, they generate a life-like CAD rendering in 1 to 5 business days. Upon design approval, they will manufacture the piece in your choice of metal and diamond

JEWELRY BUSINESS ADVISOR | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

SMOKE SHOP ADVISOR

the art of helping you increase profits without increasing expenses.

“My business is not just about satisfying my members, but making sure that their customers are satisfied as well. The Vardi Concierge was created to offer retailers a custom design resource that is full service and convenient, saving them the time, money, and frustration of coordinating multiple vendors. This also allows for faster turnaround time, less involvement and most importantly, lower costs, ultimately making your customer that much more satisfied,” explains Steven.

2-Page Center Feature

Full Page Ad

JEWELRY BUSINESS ADVISOR | NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013

www.jbamagazine.com

Table of Contents Feature

2015 ADVERTISING SPECS FULL PAGE NO BLEED 7.375 x 9.875

TRIM SIZE:

1/3 PAGE BLEED 8.625 x 11.125

NO BLEED 4.875 X 4.875

NO BLEED 3.25 X 7.375

8.375 X 10.875

2 PAGE SPREAD NO BLEED 15.75 x 9.875

1/4 PAGE BLEED 17.00 x 11.125

NO BLEED 3.6875x 4.375

TRIM SIZE ONLY

NO BLEED 7.375 x 2.375

TRIM SIZE 16.75 X 10.875

1/2 PAGE NO BLEED 3.50 x 9.875

1/6 PAGE NO BLEED 7.375 x 4.875

TRIM SIZE ONLY

NO BLEED 2.25 x 4.875

General advertising specifications: Advertisers are strongly encouraged to submit advertising materials in a digital format according to the following guidelines. For questions regarding submission of ad files, contact Matthew Ball at matt@smokeshopadvisor.com. PDF & PDF/X1-a Files: This is the preferred method for submitting ad files, provided they are press-optimized, high-res, CMYK, and have the fonts embedded. Please note that most PDF files lack the ability to be edited or altered. Other Accepted File Formats: JPG, TIFF, Adobe Photoshop®, Adobe InDesign®. Photos: Must be hi-res (300 dpi or greater), actual size. Page Size: Trim: 9.00” x 10.875”. Image area: 8.50 x 10.375. Bleeds must extend at least 1/8 of an inch outside of the trim size for the ad. Copy for bleeds should not exceed the image area. Borders: We strongly advise that advertisers add their own borders when necessary. Ads submitted without borders that are less than a full page in dimension may have borders added at the production manager’s discretion if the ad is created with a white background or low color opacity. This is to ensure separation between editorial and advertising content. FTP Upload: To upload files to our FTP site, please email Michael Manley at michael@smokeshopadvisor.com for instructions. Proofing: Color proofs should be submitted with digital files, and they should be printed at 100%. In absence of paper proofs, Smoke Shop Advisor is not responsible for color reproduction and cannot be responsible for returning proofs.

For information, please contact: Michael Manley

Matthew Ball

Publisher 502.653.8568 michael@smokeshopadvisor.com

Co-Publisher 502.653.8570 matt@smokeshopadvisor.com

Meghan Kelly

Lisa Angus

Creative Director 502.653.8571 meghan@smokeshopadvisor.com

Advertising & Sales Director 502.653.8569 lisa@smokeshopadvisor.com

Smoke Shop Advisor magazine is published by FMM Media 8913 Stone Green Way #200 | Louisville, KY 40220