2009 International Year of Natural Fibers Feature
Every actor in the natural fibers value added chain (farmers, processors, manufacturers, traders, retailers and consumers) is expected to benefit from the International Year of Natural Fibers, particularly farmers and natural fibers exporting countries. The FAO believes that there will be environmental and health benefits in consuming as well as producing countries stemming from increased awareness and increased use of natural fibers. By Brian Moir and Alejandro Plastina. Originally published in Cotton: Review of the World Situation, International Cotton Advisory Committee, Volume 61 - Number 6, July-August 2008.
Keeping Cotton in High Demand Feature
The consumer still has a choice, between cotton and many other fibers, and the industry and its supporting organizations must keep working to help them make the good choice of cotton. A key factor in any promotion is positioning your product so it can be identified by consumers. The product's key features need to be well-known. Even though cotton is the preferred fiber worldwide, increased promotion and education will only help products sell more quickly and at greater volumes and values. By Anna Mullins. Originally published in the August 2008 issue of Cotton International magazine.
How About Organic Polyester? Feature
With all of the challenges facing today's cotton growers, none is more pressing than figuring out a way to receive a premium price for cotton produced. By this, I mean a real premium value, not some inflation-spiked price. To better understand the importance of building true value for today's grower, I'd like to suggest that all current industry initiatives to market conventional cotton to the global textile industry miss the point. It's not a question of if cotton is a superior product, but rather it's a question of how effective cotton's marketing is. By Robert P. Antoshak, President of the Globecot Division of FCStone LLC. Originally published in the August 2008 issue of Cotton International magazine.
Can Green Retailers Make Green? For Your Information
Biodegradable coffee cups. Reusable grocery bags. Organic cotton. Socially conscious products are seemingly everywhere. But "going green" almost invariably means increased costs for companies, resulting in higher prices for consumers. In uneasy economic times, are we willing to pay a premium to feel good? By Lauren Sherman. Originally published on Forbes.com.
Court Says Hess Natur-Textilien Ads in Violation of Fair Competition Code For Your Information
With judgement of 29 January 2008 the district court Giessen confirmed a prohibitory injunction that had been ordered already a year ago against the mail order company Hess Natur-Textilien, Butzbach, Germany. Thus the enterprise is not allowed to promote its so called bio products to the debit of conventional cotton.
Registration Underway for the ICAC Plenary Meeting in Ouagadougou For Your Information
The 67th Plenary Meeting of the ICAC since 1939 will be held during 17-21 November 2008 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This will be only the second plenary meeting in the history of the ICAC to be held in West Africa. Given the importance of cotton to the economies of African countries, and the role of Africa in discussions on cotton in the WTO, it is highly appropriate that the Committee is meeting in Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso is the one of the largest cotton producing country in Africa, and Ouagadougou is the administrative, economic and cultural center of the nation.
Welcome to our Site
Welcome to the Journal of the International Forum for Cotton Promotion's ninth Cotton Promotion Bulletin. Take a few minutes to browse the site through this map in order to familiarize yourself with it.
2009 International Year of Natural Fibers
Every actor in the natural fibers value added chain (farmers, processors, manufacturers, traders, retailers and consumers) is expected to benefit from the International Year of Natural Fibers, particularly farmers and natural fibers exporting countries. The FAO believes that there will be environmental and health benefits in consuming as well as producing countries stemming from increased awareness and increased use of natural fibers. By Brian Moir and Alejandro Plastina. Originally published in Cotton: Review of the World Situation, International Cotton Advisory Committee, Volume 61 - Number 6, July-August 2008.
Keeping Cotton in High Demand
The consumer still has a choice, between cotton and many other fibers, and the industry and its supporting organizations must keep working to help them make the good choice of cotton. A key factor in any promotion is positioning your product so it can be identified by consumers. The product's key features need to be well-known. Even though cotton is the preferred fiber worldwide, increased promotion and education will only help products sell more quickly and at greater volumes and values. By Anna Mullins. Originally published in the August 2008 issue of Cotton International magazine.
How About Organic Polyester?
With all of the challenges facing today's cotton growers, none is more pressing than figuring out a way to receive a premium price for cotton produced. By this, I mean a real premium value, not some inflation-spiked price. To better understand the importance of building true value for today's grower, I'd like to suggest that all current industry initiatives to market conventional cotton to the global textile industry miss the point. It's not a question of if cotton is a superior product, but rather it's a question of how effective cotton's marketing is. By Robert P. Antoshak, President of the Globecot Division of FCStone LLC. Originally published in the August 2008 issue of Cotton International magazine.
Supima opens a pop-up store in NYC
In its 54-year history, Supima, the Phoenix-headquartered marketing and promotion company representing U.S. pima cotton growers, has enjoyed award-winning ad campaigns, any number of prestigious co-sponsorships, and even–beginning last year–PREFAB, its own textile trade show here at Gotham Hall. But, as of Friday, March 14, it's been in the international news for another way to take its brand message about superior strength and softness directly to consumers: The Supima pop-up store that opened here at 72 Greene Street in SoHo.
How to Display Cotton Products
At the Cotton Promotion Workshop last May, Cotton Incorporated shared with the IFCP community different types of in-store display techniques to help consumers choose cotton at the point-of purchase. View these easy to load images that are appropriate for department stores, specialty retailers, even popular consumer shopping malls.
Benefits of Cotton
We always make reference to the benefits of cotton, but have you ever seen a list? Researched by Cotton Council International, with information gathered from Cotton Australia and Cotton Incorporated, we're building that list. Read the benefits that others have posted, and don't forget to add your own at the bottom.
10 Quick and Easy Ways to Promote Cotton on a Limited Budget
By Richard W. Silvia. While major consumer and trade advertising is an important part of getting the cotton message out to the general public, it requires a major commitment of time, energy and a big budget. There are many less expensive opportunities to promote the benefits of cotton fiber and cotton products. The key to great promotions is to maximize your dollar commitment by tying in trade partners and getting as much publicity as possible for your efforts. Try these sure-fire approaches the next time you want to promote cotton to the industry or to your target consumer audience.
More: Richard W. Silvia's bio
A Recipe for Cooperative Advertising
Developing a co-op advertising program with your key customers is an excellent way to promote cotton to the retailer, and to your ultimate customer, the consumer.
10 Ways to Publicize Your Cotton Promotion Efforts
By Anne Martin. The purpose of public relations is to create an image for you and your cotton promotion efforts. Used effectively, PR can raise awareness, create excitement, give you an edge over alternative products, and put cotton in the forefront of the minds of your target audience.
More: Anne Martin's bio
Can Green Retailers Make Green?
Biodegradable coffee cups. Reusable grocery bags. Organic cotton. Socially conscious products are seemingly everywhere. But "going green" almost invariably means increased costs for companies, resulting in higher prices for consumers. In uneasy economic times, are we willing to pay a premium to feel good? By Lauren Sherman. Originally published on Forbes.com.
Court Says Hess Natur-Textilien Ads in Violation of Fair Competition Code
With judgement of 29 January 2008 the district court Giessen confirmed a prohibitory injunction that had been ordered already a year ago against the mail order company Hess Natur-Textilien, Butzbach, Germany. Thus the enterprise is not allowed to promote its so called bio products to the debit of conventional cotton.
Registration Underway for the ICAC Plenary Meeting in Ouagadougou
The 67th Plenary Meeting of the ICAC since 1939 will be held during 17-21 November 2008 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This will be only the second plenary meeting in the history of the ICAC to be held in West Africa. Given the importance of cotton to the economies of African countries, and the role of Africa in discussions on cotton in the WTO, it is highly appropriate that the Committee is meeting in Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso is the one of the largest cotton producing country in Africa, and Ouagadougou is the administrative, economic and cultural center of the nation.
The International Year Of Natural Fibres 2009
2009 has been proclaimed the International Year of Natural Fibres. The Year is to be coordinated by FAO, under the guidance of an international steering committee, and FAO is seeking funding for its activities. But most of the activities will be initiated, planned and funded by individual organizations around the world. Organizations with an interest in natural fibres are urged to develop their own plans for 2009.
Press Release: Roskwitalski to Helm IFCP
November 9, 2007, Washington, DC — Mr. Zbigniew Roskwitalski was elected Chairman of the International Forum for Cotton Promotion (IFCP) at the annual business meeting held in Izmir last month. Mr. Roskwitalski, Director of the Gdynia Cotton Association, is a founding member of the IFCP and has been active in bringing the importance of demand enhancement to the forefront of cotton business activities. Read the attached release for further details.