She's done television, videos, cookbooks, magazines, housewares, paints, furniture, time in jail (we know, cheap shot), housing communities and now Martha Stewart is getting into the food business.
Susan Lyne, CEO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, told attendees at the recent Reuters Media Summit in New York that the company is seriously exploring the launch of its own line of food products.
Ms. Lyne said there are discussions within the company "all the time" about getting into the food business. If Ms. Stewart put her name behind a food line, the company would be able to launch it in 18 months or less, she said.
The food line could take a number of shapes, including gifts, whole dinners or partially prepared items.
"I say partially prepared because people still like to feel like they made it, and we want to encourage that," she said. "But we can make it easier for people, more convenient for them and upgrade the quality of the ingredients."
Discussion Questions: Where (categories, types of foods, retail outlets) would it make most sense for Martha Stewart to start her food line? What will the challenges be for the food line even when the brand is so easily identified as Martha Stewart?