The April 30 acquisition of FTD by United Online, Inc. has florists speculating over what the new ownership could mean to their businesses.

A free trade agreement between the United States and Colombia would help Texas florists by alleviating some of the cost associated with getting product to the U.S. That was the message Dianna Doss Nordman, AAF, executive director of the Texas State Florists' Association (TSFA) and two other floral industry members brought to a key federal decision-maker when they met with him last month in Austin.

The power of flowers and the benefits of working with a florist made news in a national magazine, an online magazine and an Internet business resource.

Flower and nursery growers interested in seeing how fellow growers have adapted to changes in the marketplace will experience it firsthand, during the California Ornamental Research Federation's (CORF) Grower Tour on June 10.

Now you can get every E-Brief issue instantly by subscribing to the newsletter's new RSS feed. With RSS (short for "Really Simple Syndication) a blinking icon or pop-up window on your desktop will tell you instantly when a new issue of E-Brief is published.

Raimondi's Florist in Baltimore, pulled out all the stops for its Mother's Day contest earlier this month, enlisting the help of 21 sponsors and purchasing two urls to promote the month-long competition. The result? Local news coverage, new customers and a prize package valued at hundreds of dollars that made one local mother a very happy lady.

As American workers are bombarded with news about a possible recession and a slowing economy, many are trying to do more with less and protect their job by turning down vacation time, says a recent survey.

Ever wish you could give potential candidates a lie detector test? Think: Robert DeNiro, playing a former CIA operative and over-protective dad, with daughter's new boyfriend (Ben Stiller) in "Meet the Parents."

Is your business feeling the pinch of a tightening economy? With the right financial approach plus some creative marketing and cost-management, you can do more than just survive — you can thrive!  Learn how at SAF Palm Beach 2008, Sept. 17-20 in Palm Beach, Fla.

• "Keys to Communication" by SAF's PFCI featuring Sharon McGukin, AAF, AIFD, PFCI: July 7, 2-3 p.m. in Chicago, in conjunction with the AIFD National Symposium.
• SAF Palm Beach 2008: Sept. 17-20, 2008, at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Fla.

Last week's E-Brief readers were intrigued by the success of the Webkinz promotion at Philly's Kremp Florist, however legislative affairs also captured a lot of attention. Our stories about efforts to attach agricultural workforce relief to the Senate's 2008 Emergency Supplemental Funding bill, and the president's Farm Bill veto also made E-Brief's Top 5.

The Marketing Edge is your complete guide to local marketing! A 32-page booklet outlines marketing options, steps for developing a marketing plan as well as tips on building effective campaigns. Two CD-ROMs help you design professional-looking promotions with floral photos and pre-designed newspaper ads. To help you increase sales in the slow summer months, the "Edge" is now available for just $49.95...that's more than 40 percent off! Act soon — this special discount is only available through July 31, 2008. The Marketing Edge is only available to SAF members.

Discontinued vases and wedding consultations were the focus of recent discussions on the forum.

Almost 40 percent of respondents to last week's e-poll plan on paying off bills with their rebate checks.

Mother's Day 2008 Sales

Source: SAF online post-Mother's Day survey of retail florists. (Based on 280 responses; response rate 8 percent).

Sales at Mother's Day 2008 were up compared to last year for 42 percent of florists, according to preliminary reports from SAF's post-holiday survey of retail florists. Sales were about the same at 23 percent of reporting shops and down at 31 percent. In 2007, 57 percent of shops reported an increase over 2006; 11 percent reported stagnant sales and 29 percent reported decreases. Responses are still being accepted to the online survey, and final tabulations should be available in mid-June.