For Small Brands, Oprah's 'Favorite Things' Can Mean Big Business

Oprah Winfrey's annual "favorite things" list, which was announced today, often turns the products featured into national bestsellers overnight.

By Lauren Drell

Posted 11/ 19 10 at 7:00 PM | News, Advertising & Marketing, Sales, Leadership, International Business, Consumer Products & Services, Media, Retail

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Playing favorites: As part of her final season, Oprah Winfrey has unveiled her list of

During the final season of The Oprah Winfrey Show, media mogul Oprah Winfrey has decided to up the ante with her wildly popular annual "favorite things" list -- announcing today a list of her "ultimate favorite things." And for the first time, two audiences from the Emmy-winning talk show will receive the goodies destined for holiday bestseller status.

Previous "favorite things" endorsed by Oprah include Spanx shapewear (2000) and Ugg shearling boots (2003), which went on to become bestsellers and pop-culture phenomena. Oprah has even "saved" a few companies -- Lori Karmel's We Take The Cake mail-order cake company was on the verge of bankruptcy before it was selected as an Oprah favorite. By 2009, the company was doing more than $1 million in sales each year.

While businesses are thrilled to receive the seal of approval from Oprah herself, small businesses can have trouble managing the high-volume sales -- for example, Karmel's Web server shut down in the wake of Oprah's plug.

This year's list of ultimate favorite things range from cookwear to cruises, sneakers to SLR cameras. Here is the complete list:

Phillip Stein limited edition Oprah 25th anniversary watch with 58 handset diamonds ($2,475)
Tory Burch Flannel Tory Tote ($250) and Reva Ballerina Flat ($195)
Nikon D3100 Digital SLR camera ($700)
Ralph Lauren cashmere sweater and throw ($498)
Judith Ripka eclipse earrings ($525)
Oprah hair stylist Andre Walker's shampoo and hair kit ($65)
Lafco House candle set ($55 each)
Breville panini press ($100)
Kyocera ceramic knife ($75)
Beecher's handmade mac and cheese
Baker's Edge brownie and lasagna pans and Ghiradelli brownie mix
Marianne Williamsons' "A Course in Weight Loss"
Jay-Z's "Decoded"
5-year Netflix membership
52-inch 3D Sony Bravia television ($3,600)
Sony Blu-Ray player and movie collection
Kiva gift card courtesy of Groupon
elfa custom-built Container Store closet ($1,000)
"O" Store long-sleeve v-neck T-shirt ($38)
Lululemon drawstring pant ($98)
Nike Free Run + shoes ($85)
7-day United/Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas cruise

Tags: favorite things, Lululemon, News, Nike, Nikon, Oprah small business, Oprah Winfrey, Oprahs favorite things, Oprahs favorite things list, Oprahs ultimate favorite things, Tory Burch

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Comments (Page 1 of 1)

booperdooper 11-21-2010 1:38PM

how about getting interested in a card game called ScooPit. it was designed and created by a 79 year old senior citizen. look it up on scoopitcardgame.com website. it's new and lots of fun. thanks for reading this. love and GOD bless.
Bettina

rbscopy 11-20-2010 10:27PM

Gather round my little sheep...

nanken56 11-21-2010 6:04AM

Somehow I do not think $500 earrings, $500 cashmere sweaters and throws and $2500 watches, et. al, will be flying off the shelves!

DAVID SCOTT 11-21-2010 8:58AM

sal the richer get richer and the fucking white whores use man for money and they are all good for one thing a free ride and using people and the rich like oprah wow she only helps her kind and only women and never help out a white man i see what you mean

The girls are known for their luxurious lifestyle complete with expensive cars and fancy clothes which most HIGH PAID WHORE'S get. They are known for being PIGS. Sleeping with anyone with a PENIS. What a country we live in were decent women are ignored and the TV is loaded with all these different shows with noting but WHORE'S

amricanoutlawbnd 11-21-2010 1:48PM

all this give away crap its like tie ing a pork chop bone around your neck to get the dog to play with you

Sally 11-21-2010 3:39PM

Here is something that should have been on Oprah's list...Fashy Hot Water Bottles - Made in Germany - 100's of different colors, shapes, styles - stay warm this winter - www.WarmTradition.com

guyjulien 11-21-2010 3:44PM

I am glad she have the Obama Bail Out Package, like she needed

Don west 11-21-2010 4:02PM

She missed one. Big League Bat lamps. Made out of real wooden bats with a oak base stands 33 inches tall. great for home, office or your sports room. www.bigleaguebatlamps.com

C D E Blake 11-21-2010 11:35PM

A few years ago, Oprah gushed over brownies she swore were the best she'd ever tasted -- at a pound for$12.50 +s/h, the least expensive on her list. I figured Oprah would know GREAT brownies. They weren't. I ordered 5 boxes that someohow got separated in the post and 3 arrived late for Christmas giving after I called about them. AND, they were borderline ungood. Homemade box mix brownies would have been better. Very odd. I've given up on celeb referrals.

jguzowski 11-22-2010 2:56AM

Hurrah for the Great Consumer World! Thank goodness for Materialistic Values!

seapebbles05 11-22-2010 10:51AM

Warron Buffet made his way and money from the bottom up and i think he kept it here in the usa.For that alone stand proud.But if he wants to pay more taxes help the people out first.Ihave been looking for help with a grant that our President tell use is out there and there nothing.All Ineed is help with a roof so i may keep my grandchildren with me and theres nothing. What i do see is the rich get richer and the poor are still poor.

Fred Thomas 11-22-2010 10:48AM

I'm sure that if Ms High Pockets recommend it, we can't afford it.

Lorrie Lee 11-22-2010 12:05PM

I guess Oprah always needs the adulation she gets from this type of show.
I have never been a fan and never will be. Good deeds should be done from the heart...without telling the world about it. She needs guidance in her life...and the people who support this type of behavior should get a life.

Melodyaloha 11-22-2010 1:42PM

All I can say is I wish I was invited to the show. I dont know her personally but she has her beliefs and alot of good things have happened to alot of people because of her kindness. Don't be haters its too close to Christmas!

Sara 11-22-2010 4:46PM

I'm sure Steadman was left out of her favorite things...Gale made her happy camping...why don't she leave the once happy couple alone, and camp with her children....oh america the beautiful is so sad for the unhapiness other so called friends cause...buy Gale a RV and send her packing...you will miss him one day.....PEACE...THAT TRASH WEARS OUT..

rena 11-22-2010 6:06PM

GET OPRA MUG OFF THE MAIN PAGE!!!!! WE HAVE SEEN ENOUGH OF HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BART 11-22-2010 6:24PM

oprah has been decieved....look at her.....
she should get the new book on amazon... "the great fitness fraud" by bert seelman......then her dioets will work permanently

notaclutoo 11-23-2010 1:00AM

David, sounds like your mother was a virgin. I guess that is what makes you feel like all the other women in the world are whores. Or maybe you include all women in that catagory because your mom was and you just can't see other women being better than her.