Infomercial Information

Those of us who work at Principal Secret did not feel Brian Lowry’s article on infomercials accurately conveyed Victoria Principal’s role with the Principal Secret brand (“More Money Than Respect in Infomercials,” Jan. 3).

Ms. Principal founded the product line, brought it to Guthy-Renker and is a partner with Guthy-Renker in the business. Since she has authored three books on beauty and is an expert in this field, she is the main brand strategist. Ms. Principal personally selects all infomercial participants and has co-authored and produced all of our infomercials to date. She oversees the business, from conception to execution, and has a more active role in this business, and has had more to do with its success, than anyone. In short, she is a hands-on partner in a very large, successful cosmetics business.

Your paper seemed to convey the impression that infomercials are the last resort for aging actresses who can’t find opportunity elsewhere. This obviously could not be farther from the truth in Victoria Principal’s case.

GREG RENKER

Co-president,

Guthy-Renker Corp.

Palm Desert

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I wish Brian Lowry had emphasized more the rip-off of viewers that infomercials represent.

The theory behind broadcast licensing is that we, the people, own the airwaves and we allow broadcasters to use them. They get to make money off of this but, in exchange, they are supposed to provide us with something--namely entertainment. When a station broadcasts infomercials, it makes all of the money but provides nothing in return.

And when cable stations show infomercials, we are, since we pay for the privilege of receiving these stations, essentially paying them to make money and getting nothing in return. In both of these cases, it’s a rip-off.

I’m not a rabid activist or anything, but, due to a combination of schedule and insomnia, I’m up a lot at night. As recently as several years ago I could at least find something to watch, but now, almost every station runs infomercials and, as my interest in flat abs, real estate schemes and magic rotisserie ovens is pretty nonexistent, there’s just nothing on. Not, of course, that anyone cares.

RAY MORTON

Glendale