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[#1]

I am getting ready to enjoy a week of summer vacation but wanted to share some great QVC memories as we wrap up a week celebrating the founding of QVC.  In June of 1986, Joe Segel and several key executives came together and gave birth to the idea of QVC.  They had seen other television shopping channels but were confident that they could do it better.   They wanted a network where quality products could be presented at great values in a fun but professional manner making it convenient for viewers to order these products and have them delivered to their homes.   Twenty-nine years later QVC is the world leader in electronic retailing.

While the company has grown up and become much more sophisticated in this highly evolved world of electronics we still hold to those early principles that served as the foundation for QVC.  I have been fortunate to be a part of this American success story since 1988 when I started as a host on CVN which was purchased by QVC in 1990.

I have spent the last fifteen minutes going through just half of one shoebox of old photos. I came upon the following pictures which represent just a small fraction of the great memories and friendships I have formed.    First, I found my business card from CVN.  I definitely don’t look the same but I am still the same guy with more mileage.  CVN was a fun place to work and I am still in touch with several of the hosts including Mary Beth Roe who is still a great friend and teammate on QVC.  We are two of five hosts who have been on the channel for twenty-five years or more (Jane Treacy, Dan Hughes and Pat James are the others.)

Richard Simmons, pictured below, has been a frequent guest over the years and is still a dear friend.  The big gates with the musical notes that I am standing in front of are the entrance to Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.  I traveled there a few times to do filming for QVC segments that aired during our Elvis shows.   Joe Esposito, the head of Elvis’ famous Memphis Mafia and the best man in his wedding to Priscilla was a frequent guest in those days.  I also, had the chance to visit the set of Star Trek at Paramount Studios and I am pictured below on the control deck of the Starship Enterprise. 

Sports memorabilia was a huge category in the 1990’s for QVC and I was the lucky guy who got to interview all of the legendary athletes that came on like Phil Rizzuto who played shortstop for the New York Yankees with teammates like Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle.  I also found a picture of me on location in Missouri at the world headquarters for Precious Moments.  I am pictured here with Sam Butcher the artist behind the adorable Precious Moments characters.

 

These are just a precious few of the many amazing moments and memories I have experienced over the past twenty- seven years with this amazing company.  So during QVC’s Founder’s Week I wanted to take a moment to say I am grateful to Joe Segel and the other founding leaders.  They gave me the opportunity experience more than I ever dreamed.  I have met many wonderful and important people here but none more important than YOU, the QVC customers.  Here’s to the future!

Dan Wheeler

[#2]

Hi Dan,  Thank you for sharing all those great pics!  Absolutely loved seeing those.  You are still a handsome guy and QVC is fortunate to have you there with all your knowledge and skill.  I have been a QVC shopper for years and I still love you guys!  Looking forward to many more years of fun programming and great products!  Best Wishes!

[#3]

dan, thanks for your post. i really enjoyed the pictures & your story. i always liked you as a host, &

enjoy watching you. i hope you enjoy your vacation & have a wonderful summer.