Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Unveils Online Wedding Planning Tools
Powered by WeddingWire to Help Create and Personalize the Big Day
NEW YORK, June 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Brides-to-be have long
relied on Martha Stewart and her team of experts for wedding-related ideas
and inspiration. Today, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO)
takes the wedding planning process to a new level by unveiling a robust
suite of online wedding-planning tools available at marthastewart.com
(http://www.marthastewart.com/weddings) and powered by WeddingWire
(http://www.weddingwire.com).
The introduction of the new toolset is part of MSLO's larger strategy
to extend its wedding franchise, which includes the award-winning Martha
Stewart's Weddings magazine, extensive online content on marthastewart.com
and weddings-related books such as Weddings by Martha Stewart and Martha
Stewart's Wedding Cakes. The Martha Stewart Collection exclusively at
Macy's is the No. 1 brand on Macy's bridal registry.
Now, with these free and easy-to-use tools, couples and wedding
planners can turn to marthastewart.com to plan and manage their entire
wedding experience from start to finish. The new tools include:
-- My Budget -- easily track payments and expenses
-- My Guests -- draft or import the invite list and then track RSVPs,
invitations and gifts
-- My Seating -- build and manage the seating chart by dragging and
dropping people into their chairs
-- My Timeline -- generate a personalized timeline based on wedding
date
-- My Checklist -- manage tasks and keep track of wedding details
-- My Vendors -- save, rate and recommend favorite vendors from the
vendor search tool
These tools join an existing vendor search function that was introduced
on marthastewart.com earlier this year, providing access to thousands of
wedding vendors nationwide and allowing couples to easily locate vendors in
their geographic area.
"We're thrilled to be providing access to such a rich array of
wedding-planning tools. This new offering provides a seamless experience,
making us even more attractive to brides, grooms, wedding planners and
marketers. It also strengthens our position in the space as we grow our
Weddings franchise online and in print," stated Wenda Harris Millard, MSLO
Co-CEO and President of Media. "WeddingWire's expertise will also enable us
to offer similar tools and features across our Internet sites."
The introduction of the wedding-planning toolset is the result of
MSLO's investment in WeddingWire, a localized wedding platform that
combines an online marketplace with planning tools and a social community,
announced in February 2008.
"Our collaboration with MSLO is off to a strong start. Together we have
created an unparalleled offering that benefits our rapidly expanding
community of local wedding vendors, and engaged couples, who can now access
these cutting-edge tools on marthastewart.com," said Timothy Chi, Chief
Executive Officer of WeddingWire.
Marthastewart.com/weddings is an ideal destination for couples
preparing for their nuptials. In addition to the new planning tools,
brides-to-be can access creative ideas from the award-winning Martha
Stewart's Weddings magazine, gain expertise at the "Brides Guide" blog
written by Weddings Editorial Director Darcy Miller, view photo galleries
ranging from vibrant floral centerpieces to stunning gowns, watch wedding
segments from The Martha Stewart Show, browse decorations and favors from
Martha Stewarts Crafts or view registry items from the Martha Stewart
Collection exclusively at Macy's.
Additionally, Hilton Family e-Events has signed on as a charter sponsor
of http://www.marthastewart.com/weddings. The Hilton Family will be promoting
their e-Events booking tools that allow users to book group accommodations
to their family of brands and U.S. hotel locations.
About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a diversified
media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging consumers with
unique lifestyle content and distinctive products. The Publishing segment
encompasses four magazines, including the company's flagship publication,
Martha Stewart Living, periodic special issues and books. The
marthastewart.com website provides consumers with instant access to MSLO's
multimedia library, search and find capabilities, recipes, online
workshops, community and personalization, as well as wedding-planning tools
powered by WeddingWire. The Broadcasting segment produces such programming
as the Emmy-winning daily, nationally syndicated television series, "The
Martha Stewart Show," and Martha Stewart Living Radio, channel 112 on
SIRIUS Satellite Radio. In addition to its media properties, MSLO offers
high-quality Martha Stewart products through licensing agreements with
carefully selected companies, including the Martha Stewart Collection
exclusively at Macy's, Martha Stewart Everyday at Kmart, Martha Stewart
Crafts with EK Success, Martha Stewart for 1-800-Flowers.com and a
co-branded food line with Costco. In April 2008, Emeril Lagasse joined the
Martha Stewart family of brands; MSLO acquired the assets related to
Lagasse's media and merchandising business, including television
programming, cookbooks, and emerils.com website and his licensed kitchen
and food products. For additional information about MSLO, visit
http://www.marthastewart.com.
About WeddingWire, Inc.
WeddingWire is the only online wedding planning resource designed to
empower both engaged couples and wedding vendors. WeddingWire enables
engaged couples to search, compare and book over 50,000 wedding vendors
nationwide. WeddingWire also offers an online community and a suite of
cutting-edge planning tools, including wedding websites, all at no charge.
For wedding vendors, WeddingWire provides free online management tools
creating the only market opportunity that gives businesses control over
their clients, reviews, leads and performance. For additional information,
please visit http://www.weddingwire.com.
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