DEMDACO, the Leawood, Kansas-based wholesale gifts and home décor distributor, is transitioning to a focused, single-brand identity. DEMDACO’s products are now organized by categories that target consumer shopping and living experiences.

Under the inclusive DEMDACO brand, retailers and consumers can explore all DEMDACO products organized by categories: Gifts, Home & Entertaining, The Great Outdoors, Fashion & Jewelry, Baby & Kids, Bath & Body, Holidays, Seasons and Celebrations. DEMDACO also continues to honor its partnership with artist Susan Lordi, offering her hand-carved Willow Tree sculptures under Willow Tree's brand name.

The Association of Catholic Publishers (ACP) has created a new Hall of Fame for leaders in Catholic publishing, changing the name of its previous award. 

ACP recognized Greg Erlandson, publisher of the Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Division, and Robert Gallagher, CEO and chairman of Good Will Publishers, as its first inductees honoring their significant contributions to Catholic publishing. Erlandson and Gallagher were formally presented with their awards Feb. 5 at the 2016 Mid-Atlantic Congress in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Baltimore Hilton Hotel.

BroadStreet Publishing announced the company has sold over a quarter-million copies of the "Majestic Expressions" Scripture-based coloring books for adults. The newest coloring books to be added to the brand are Rise and Shine and Noah’s Ark, set to release next month.

In honor of reaching this milestone, BroadStreet is hosting an online coloring contest in which anyone can download a coloring page, color and upload the picture for a chance to win. The contest will run from Feb. 22 through March 16, after which three winners will be selected for a special prize.

The Christian Retailing’s Best awards program is receiving nominations for one more week. Christian Retailing magazine sponsors the awards program annually, presenting the awards at the International Christian Retail Show.

Although the Early Bird discount is no longer in effect, vendors and authors who wish to nominate their 2015 and backlist products may do on or before Monday, Feb. 29. The entry fee per product is $60.

Gilbert Morris, author of more than 230 novels, died suddenly last Thursday, Feb. 18, in Gulf Shores, Alabama. He was 86.

His granddaughter, Dixie Morris-Downs, posted notice of his passing to his Facebook page.

“It was a complete shock for his family, he was doing well and was still active,” she wrote, thanking his fans for their prayers and love.

Bob Elder and Brian Lange announced the establishment of Collide Media Group, a marketing agency specializing in brand development, campaign management and strategic partnerships. Most recently Elder and Lange served as president and director, respectively, of the Nashville-based agency Propeller.

Elder worked at Family Christian Stores for 10 years before moving to Word Entertainment and then to Big Idea Productions. These experiences prepared him to launch in 2003 an agency, which he sold to Propeller in 2006 when he joined Propeller. Now Elder is refocusing his team to serve the faith-based marketplace through Collide Media Group, connecting content and consumers for ultimate impact.

David C Cook has announced that Chriscynethia Floyd will expand her role and become vice president of marketing and sales for the company's newly created Learning Resources Strategic Ministry Unit (SMU). Floyd initially joined Cook last July as vice president of marketing for books and media.

Cook recently realigned its books and curriculum into the SMU after acquiring the resources of Gospel Light and Standard Publishing last fall.