Contact:       

Katie Broaddus                    

Ph: 256-527-6152                    

Email: Katie@flypropeller.com                    

Website: www.flypropeller.com      

(Nashville, TN) In an extraordinary, first-time cooperative effort, Christian publishers and music companies across the industry are coming together to create consumer awareness of Christian stores, the products they carry, and their ministry purpose with a national Christian Store Day promotion on Saturday, Oct. 23, 2010. This initiative marks the single largest collaborative promotional effort ever launched within the Christian marketplace as consumers are encouraged to “Celebrate Faith and Community.”  

For more than 60 years, independent and chain Christian-retail stores have represented the crossroads of faith and community for all denominations and all walks of life by being a safe haven for Christian consumers—creating wholesome, family-friendly environments for shoppers who are looking for the highest quality in Christian products.
 

It is in honor of these retailers ’ steadfast commitment to creating a store culture of dependability and outstanding customer service that CBA along with the leading Christian publishers and music companies are working together with Christian retailers to host Christian Store Day celebrations across the country. Modeled after the very successful Record Store Day held by general market independent music retailers, Christian Store Day will include special advertising, promotions, and in-store giveaways. In addition, participating vendors are lining up many fan-favorite Christian artists and authors to provide endorsements and testimonies of Christian stores and their ministry purposes as well as make personal appearances in stores.  

“We’re excited to be coordinating this initiative that highlights to the unique role Christian retail plays in our communities,” said CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey.  “Our supplier partners have come together to help provide christian retail stores with an event that will point consumers to the life-giving products and ministry support that our stores have to offer as they faithfully serve the body of Christ.”  

Additionally, Christian Store Day will align with ministry partners Compassion International, Samaritan’s Purse, and World Vision for the purpose of generating awareness for continued relief and rebuilding for earthquake victims in Haiti. To heighten awareness and educate consumers about how to donate directly to these organizations, there will be an exclusive enhanced compilation CD available with recordings and e-book offerings from each partner vendor.   This CD, created to generate awareness, will ONLY be available in Christian retail stores on Christian Store Day. A one-time donation earmarked for Haitian aid programs of over $10,000 will be made to each of the ministry partners on behalf of the Christian Retail industry, for a cumulative donation of more than $30,000 towards Haitian relief.   

“World Vision is honored to be a partner in Christian Store Day and deeply appreciates the support that will be raised for Haiti relief and long-term support,” said Marica Kuszmaul, Director of Retail, Partnerships and Affiliates, World Vision. “We look forward to Oct 23rd to celebrate the vibrant community of Christian stores and to engage customers in the important ministry of bringing hope out of despair for the children and families of Haiti.”  

CBA, the Association for Christian Retail, is spearheading the initiative along with an outstanding roster of partner vendors including EMI CMG Distribution, Provident-Integrity Distribution, Word Distribution, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Tyndale House Publishers, and Zondervan as well as the Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA) and the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA). Nashville-based marketing firm, Propeller, has been managing the overall strategy and logistics for a planning period that started in 2009. For more information, visit www.christianstoreday.com.    

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