Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia introduces "American Made": A Multimedia Celebration of American Artists, Artisans and Entrepreneurs Created in Partnership with Avery Dennison, Etsy and The UPS Store

NEW YORK, Aug. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This fall, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) will launch "American Made," a multimedia celebration of American artists, artisans and entrepreneurs presented in partnership with inaugural sponsors Avery Dennison's Office and Consumer Products division and The UPS Store®. The program will celebrate 10 rising stars from a range of lifestyle arenas in a special feature in the November issue of Martha Stewart Living. The winners will be honored guests at a celebratory event on October 16 and part of a unique pop-up experience at Grand Central Terminal.   

In addition, the public will select an honoree via an online nomination and voting process. Beginning today, consumers can nominate their own inspired businesses or refer a friend's at Americanmade.marthastewart.com.  Martha Stewart Living's editorial team will review submissions and select final nominees who will be put up for public vote.   The resulting Audience Choice American Made winner will receive $10,000 to further his or her business, in addition to being honored at the October event and featured in the December issue of Martha Stewart Living.

These up-and-coming stars in the areas of Food, Fashion, Design, Community, Gardening, Crafts and Technology will be part of an artisanal fair in Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal on October 17 and 18.  Consumers will be invited to take part in how-to workshops hosted by Martha Stewart, as well as other culinary, crafting, design and gardening experts from MSLO and around the country; they will also enjoy shopping, tastings and giveaways.  Etsy, the marketplace for independent creative businesses, will be a programming partner for the American Made workshops and will be on hand to give demonstrations and share techniques and tips.  Products and expertise from Avery Dennison and The UPS Store® will also be featured.

As one of America's most successful creative entrepreneurs, Martha Stewart has made her career doing, teaching, and inspiring others to pursue what they love. Her example has encouraged countless others to follow their passions and launch their own businesses: chefs, bakers, caterers, gardeners, farmers, florists, landscape architects, product and clothing designers, ceramists, stationers, and many more.  Over the years, many of these artists and artisans have been featured in the pages of Martha Stewart Living magazine. 

MSLO Founder and Chief Creative Officer Martha Stewart said, "Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia is the embodiment of my passion for food, design, crafts, gardening and so much more. It is also the realization of an entrepreneurial dream. I am excited to recognize the work of other creative entrepreneurs and it is my hope that American Made will become an annual initiative for the brand that will continue to nurture honorees, support their passions and expand their businesses, setting an inspiring example for the MSLO audience and beyond."

The MSLO team is partnering with Avery Dennison's Office and Consumer Products division and The UPS Store to bring this program to fruition. Avery® products empower small businesses to take their dream and turn it into a reality by offering Avery® labels, cards and free downloadable software to help them brand, sell and ship their handcrafted products.  The UPS Store franchise network offers a range of printing, packing, shipping, direct mail and other services for small businesses.

 "The Avery® brand has always been a champion of the entrepreneur -- anyone with an innovative idea can use our products to brand, merchandise and promote their business. Avery Dennison's Office and Consumer Products division is proud to be part of 'American Made' as we have a variety of products to help small business owners succeed," said Tim Bond, group vice president of Office and Consumer Products for Avery Dennison.

"Every day, The UPS Store owners support 'American Made' small businesses in communities nationwide," said Michelle Van Slyke, vice president of marketing and small business solutions for The UPS Store franchise network. "As community leaders, our participation in this awards program is an extension of our support of the small businesses of America, and we can't wait to see the stars that rise from this program."

About Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc.

Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Inc. (NYSE: MSO) is a diversified media and merchandising company, inspiring and engaging approximately 66 million consumers a month across all media platforms with unique lifestyle content, and has a growing retail presence with 8,500 products in thousands of retail locations. MSLO's four magazine brands—Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Everyday Food and Whole Living—are available in print, digital and App formats and also makes special issues, books and utility Apps available. The Company's television and video programming includes the new "Martha Stewart's Cooking School" series, slated for debut in Fall 2012, in addition to a vast library of how-to video available online.   Martha Stewart Living Radio is available on SIRIUS XM Channel 110.  MSLO also designs high-quality Martha Stewart products in a range of lifestyle categories available through select retailers, including The HomeDepot, Macy's, Staples (together with Avery), PetSmart, Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores. The Company entered into a strategic alliance with J.C. Penney Company, Inc., in which the two will build distinct Martha Stewart stores in jcpenney department stores, and jointly develop an e-commerce site, for a 2013 launch. The MSLO family of brands also includes Chef Emeril Lagasse's media and merchandising properties. Additional information about MSLO is at www.marthastewart.com.

About Avery Dennison Office and Consumer Products

Avery Dennison Office and Consumer Products (www.avery.com) markets products under the well-known Avery brand name and is one of the world's leading manufacturers of self-adhesive labels for laser and ink jet printers, binders, sheet protectors, index and tab dividers and other office-, home- and school-related supplies. Avery Dennison Office and Consumer Products, a business unit of Avery Dennison Corporation, is based in Brea, California. For more information about Avery-brand products, consumers can visit the Avery Dennison Office and Consumer Products web site at www.avery.com or call the Avery Consumer Service Center at 1-800-GO-AVERY (1-800-462-8379).

About The UPS Store

In addition to domestic and international shipping, The UPS Store franchise network offers a variety of services to help with the logistics of running a small business including, professional printing services, mailboxes with a real street address, packing services, house accounts, direct mail and notary services. Each of the more than 4,300 locations in the U.S. is locally owned and operated by licensed franchisees of Mail Boxes Etc., Inc., a UPS subsidiary. For more information, visit www.theupsstore.com. 

SOURCE Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia