PRESS RELEASE
FRIEDMAN JOINS ASD/AMD MERCHANDISE GROUP MANAGEMENT TEAM
INDUSTRY VETERAN NAMED GROUP SHOW DIRECTOR
December 15, 2004 -- Santa Monica, CA : VNU Expositions’ ASD/AMD Merchandise Group, the producer of the largest wholesale variety and general merchandise events in the United States, is pleased to announce that Howard F. Friedman has joined the management team in the position of Group Show Director. Friedman comes to ASD with more than 12 years of trade show industry experience, including work with Reed Exhibitions, as Vice President, and as an independent marketing strategy and business development consultant. Friedman brings with him a wealth of experience across a wide range of industries including manufacturing, packaging, beverages, supply-chain, and travel and hospitality. Additionally, Friedman has worked in product and brand development with major financial institutions as well as with Quaker Oats and Procter & Gamble.
"Howard’s depth and diversity of experience in all aspects of show marketing, development, sales and management is a tremendous asset for the ASD/AMD Merchandise Group," said Sam Bundy, Group President of VNU Expositions’ ASD/AMD Merchandise Group. "I look forward to working with Howard, and utilizing his considerable skills as we continue to work toward driving our business forward."
Friedman will be responsible for a full portfolio of ASD/AMD Merchandise Group Shows in his position as Group Show Director of the Discount and Value Priced Merchandise Market, including: the ASD/AMD Las Vegas Show’s discount component at the Las Vegas Convention Center, and the ASD/AMD Jewelry component at the Mirage Hotel. Additionally, his portfolio will encompass the Atlanta Variety Merchandise Show, Atlantic City Variety Merchandise Show, Houston Variety Merchandise Show, as well as the group’s premier print products, the ASD/AMD Marketplace, show directories and preview guides. Mr. Friedman can be reached at (310) 396-6006, or hfriedman@vnuexpo.com.
Friedman holds an MBA in marketing and management from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University and a B.S. degree in business administration from the Haas School of Business, University of California--Berkeley. For additional information or interview opportunities with Howard Friedman, or for more information about ASD/AMD Trade Show events, contact Athene Kovacic: 1-800-421-4511 or (310) 255-4603; e-mail akovacic@vnuexpo.com
Contact: Athene Kovacic: (310) 255-4603