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Exclusive: Ex-QVC insiders see a comeback. Here's the playbook

The company's strategy must mix nostalgia and innovation.

News

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="QVC" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/12/financial-troubles-growing-for-philly-regions-qvc" data-vars-content-id="126b32b5-a542-4ebb-a2bb-2200f19aa060" data-vars-headline="Exclusive: Ex-QVC insiders see a comeback. Here&#x27;s the playbook" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/12/financial-troubles-growing-for-philly-regions-qvc" target="_self">QVC</a> perfected live shopping before social media made it cool again — and now the storied retail giant is trying to win back relevance from platforms that copied its playbook.Why it matters: Former QVC employees and marketing experts tell Axios the West Chester-based company&#x27;s original formula — live, personality-driven and built on urgency — looks much like today&#x27;s creator economy.

Trump administration restores slavery exhibits at Independence Park

The reinstatement of the exhibits at one of America's foremost historic sites is a defining win for Philadelphia.

Politics & Policy

The National Park Service began restoring the slavery exhibits at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia nearly a month after they were taken down as part of President Trump&#x27;s effort to fight &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="improper ideology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/28/smithsonian-trump-executive-order" data-vars-content-id="90de532e-eccf-46e6-b624-797d6b04e6d1" data-vars-headline="Trump administration restores slavery exhibits at Independence Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/03/28/smithsonian-trump-executive-order" target="_self">improper ideology</a>.&quot;Why it matters: The return of the panels at one of America&#x27;s foremost historic sites is a defining win for Philadelphia — and could strengthen a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="separate ongoing legal challenge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.npr.org/2026/02/18/nx-s1-5718006/trump-national-parks-lawsuit" data-vars-content-id="90de532e-eccf-46e6-b624-797d6b04e6d1" data-vars-headline="Trump administration restores slavery exhibits at Independence Park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.npr.org/2026/02/18/nx-s1-5718006/trump-national-parks-lawsuit" target="_blank">separate ongoing legal challenge</a> to the Trump administration&#x27;s attempt to rewrite American history at other national parks.

UPenn leads Philly schools in foreign funding

See how much Philly universities have received from overseas sources over the past 40 years.

Education

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Universities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/10/college-enrollment-racial-changes-students-university-of-pennsylvania-temple-drexel" data-vars-content-id="2d426e4b-8d56-41d9-a080-49722942b8a1" data-vars-headline="UPenn leads Philly schools in foreign funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/02/10/college-enrollment-racial-changes-students-university-of-pennsylvania-temple-drexel" target="_self">Universities</a> in the Philadelphia region raked in billions of dollars from overseas contributors over the past four decades.Why it matters: The U.S. Education Department&#x27;s recent data breaks down the foreign contributions that are helping to financially support Philly&#x27;s biggest schools.

Scoop: Ex-detective and "Mare of Easttown" muse sues for sex discrimination

Former Chester County detective Christine Bleiler was a "go-to" consultant on the show, shaping Kate Winslet's titular character.

The detective who inspired HBO&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;Mare of Easttown&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.hbomax.com/shows/mare-of-easttown/c1517b80-50ab-4733-8208-ae2c2765c0e7" data-vars-content-id="aa205491-d4ee-4c5e-9756-f1d9781e2aec" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Ex-detective and &quot;Mare of Easttown&quot; muse sues for sex discrimination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.hbomax.com/shows/mare-of-easttown/c1517b80-50ab-4733-8208-ae2c2765c0e7" target="_blank">&quot;Mare of Easttown&quot;</a> says she quit because of sex-based discrimination within her department, per a federal lawsuit filed this month.State of play: Former Chester County detective Christine Bleiler was a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;go-to&quot; consultant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/04/kate-winslet-mare-of-easttown-accent?srsltid=AfmBOooDuR35Uml1FaBfuoJW5645xDRgcaRELPt-m_Jua6p0ezoUJC7t" data-vars-content-id="aa205491-d4ee-4c5e-9756-f1d9781e2aec" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Ex-detective and &quot;Mare of Easttown&quot; muse sues for sex discrimination" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/04/kate-winslet-mare-of-easttown-accent?srsltid=AfmBOooDuR35Uml1FaBfuoJW5645xDRgcaRELPt-m_Jua6p0ezoUJC7t" target="_blank">&quot;go-to&quot; consultant</a> on the show, shaping Kate Winslet&#x27;s titular character, Marianne &quot;Mare&quot; Sheehan, and helping her capture the realities of small-town policing.

Isaiah Zagar, Philadelphia's mosaic trailblazer, dies

Zagar's wildly colorful and freewheeling mosaic murals are forever part of Philly's DNA.

Culture

Renowned local artist Isaiah Zagar, whose prodigious output spans countries and is immortalized in the Philadelphia Museum of Art, died yesterday at 86. Why it matters: Zagar&#x27;s wildly colorful and freewheeling mosaic murals are forever part of Philly&#x27;s DNA.

How to avoid secret spouses and heartbreak this Valentine's Day

We crowdsourced tips from 2 Philly tour guides, colleagues and readers.

Things to Do

Love makes you do crazy things.The big picture: There&#x27;s a woman buried at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Laurel Hill Cemetery " data-vars-click-url="https://laurelhillphl.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22774703653&amp;gbraid=0AAAABAkGhlX5_fRRiNk0tctLprTAUHnwR&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAkbbMBhB2EiwANbxtbbfUiiJMiknznALY12A8BzadSmtROO6rouLmKhlsOjsnelnDH-s3XhoCl70QAvD_BwE" data-vars-content-id="46b51bcc-ffbf-4d34-b5ca-9709e72f9eef" data-vars-headline="How to avoid secret spouses and heartbreak this Valentine&#x27;s Day" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://laurelhillphl.com/?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=22774703653&amp;gbraid=0AAAABAkGhlX5_fRRiNk0tctLprTAUHnwR&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAkbbMBhB2EiwANbxtbbfUiiJMiknznALY12A8BzadSmtROO6rouLmKhlsOjsnelnDH-s3XhoCl70QAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Laurel Hill Cemetery </a>whose dying wish was to have her ticker buried with her late husband.

America's founding takes center stage in new exhibit

It's one of the many museum exhibitions and big events tied to the yearlong celebration of the nation's 250th birthday.

Take a deep dive into America&#x27;s founding at the National Constitution Center&#x27;s newest exhibit opening today.Why it matters: It&#x27;s one of the many <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="museum exhibitions and big events" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/07/evemts-2026-america-250-museums-world-cup-sports" data-vars-content-id="7dbda213-95cb-4da3-af71-b31b51cc9a10" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s founding takes center stage in new exhibit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/07/evemts-2026-america-250-museums-world-cup-sports" target="_self">museum exhibitions and big events</a> tied to the yearlong celebration of the nation&#x27;s 250th birthday.

Financial troubles growing for Philly region's QVC

QVC pioneered impulse shopping via live TV but has been on the ropes for years.

The Philly region&#x27;s once-mighty home-shopping network QVC is facing mounting financial troubles and a possible bankruptcy.Why it matters: QVC is an institution that pioneered impulse shopping via 24-hour TV but has been on the ropes for years amid declining demand and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="changing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/02/social-media-qvc-live-shopping" data-vars-content-id="b5350361-7e1c-4918-b0a8-af31b8f74b04" data-vars-headline="Financial troubles growing for Philly region&#x27;s QVC" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/11/02/social-media-qvc-live-shopping" target="_self">changing</a> customer habits.

Meet Doug, the mini horse stealing Jason Kelce's Super Bowl ad

"The Brotherly Shovel" has turned the mini horse into a bonafide star.

Jason Kelce&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Budweiser" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/26/phillys-bald-eagle-lincoln-soars-in-super-bowl-spot" data-vars-content-id="d1000353-660f-44ca-baa2-9cfe09305dff" data-vars-headline="Meet Doug, the mini horse stealing Jason Kelce&#x27;s Super Bowl ad" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2026/01/26/phillys-bald-eagle-lincoln-soars-in-super-bowl-spot" target="_self">Budweiser</a> parody has people buzzing.Why it matters: Part tribute, part troll, the Garage Beer Super Bowl ad is already transforming Kelce&#x27;s pint-sized horse co-star, Doug, into an internet superstar.

Vote to make Philly the best city for street art in the U.S.

Go vote so we don't lose two titles in one year.

If you&#x27;re already spiraling about watching a Birdless Super Bowl, here&#x27;s another gut punch: Philly is on the brink of losing another title.Why it matters: We have to relinquish the &quot;city of champions&quot; label — but we can keep Philadelphia from losing its &quot;best city for street art&quot; crown.

Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name

That didn&#x27;t last long.State of play: The board of trustees of Philly&#x27;s largest and most prestigious art institution voted on Wednesday to nix <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year&#x27;s splashy renaming" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/09/philadelphia-art-museum-rebrand-pham" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2025/10/09/philadelphia-art-museum-rebrand-pham" target="_self">last year&#x27;s splashy renaming</a>.<ul><li>✅ In: Philadelphia Museum of Art</li><li>🚫 Out: Philadelphia Art Museum </li></ul>Yes, but: The museum will retain the circular griffin logo and so-called brand identity that was introduced last year, per the board&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="news release" data-vars-click-url="https://press.philamuseum.org/brand-update-philadelphia-museum-of-art-will-return-as-name-of-institution-griffin-logo-and-brand-identity-will-remain/" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://press.philamuseum.org/brand-update-philadelphia-museum-of-art-will-return-as-name-of-institution-griffin-logo-and-brand-identity-will-remain/" target="_blank">news release</a>. <ul><li>Visitors will see changes to the museum&#x27;s branding in the coming weeks — both IRL and on its website. </li><li>The museum&#x27;s website, emails and social media pages will revert back to &quot;philamuseum.&quot; </li></ul>Cost: The price tag for the rebrand: $1 million, per the Inquirer.<ul><li>And the re-rebrand: $50,000, a museum spokesperson tells Axios. </li></ul>Zoom in: A museum task force recommended the changes following a examination of the rebrand&#x27;s rollout, including surveys of museum trustees and staff, per the board.What they&#x27;re saying: Returning to the original name &quot;is an important gesture,&quot; Daniel Weiss, the new director and CEO of the museum, said in a news release.<ul><li>&quot;We now have a system that our entire community can rally around — so we can dedicate ourselves to the important opportunities of our mission.&quot;</li></ul>Context: The museum&#x27;s retreat follows the firing of museum director Sasha Suda, who was sacked in November <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="over allegations of theft." data-vars-click-url="https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-art-museum-lawsuit-sasha-suda-20251121.html" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.inquirer.com/arts/philadelphia-art-museum-lawsuit-sasha-suda-20251121.html" target="_blank">over allegations of theft.</a><ul><li>Suda, who was hired in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2022" data-vars-click-url="https://press.philamuseum.org/philadelphia-museum-of-art-names-sasha-suda-as-new-director-and-ceo/" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://press.philamuseum.org/philadelphia-museum-of-art-names-sasha-suda-as-new-director-and-ceo/" target="_blank">2022</a>, and her team led the rebrand, which was unpopular with many Philadelphians. </li><li>Plus: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Paul Dien" data-vars-click-url="https://press.philamuseum.org/the-philadelphia-museum-of-art-welcomes--two-new-members-to-its-senior-leadership-team/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_philadelphia&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://press.philamuseum.org/the-philadelphia-museum-of-art-welcomes--two-new-members-to-its-senior-leadership-team/?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_philadelphia&amp;stream=top" target="_blank">Paul Dien</a>, the museum&#x27;s head marketer, who oversaw the rebrand, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="resigned" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-philadelphia-a2cc1233-0fb2-4ba0-a71f-69a2127f45e7.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_philadelphia&amp;stream=top" data-vars-content-id="479a04b7-1930-4774-bf61-a23cb0e0c819" data-vars-headline="Rebrand 2.0: Philly art museum backtracks on new name" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-philadelphia-a2cc1233-0fb2-4ba0-a71f-69a2127f45e7.html?utm_source=newsletter&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_axioslocal_philadelphia&amp;stream=top" target="_self">resigned</a> Feb. 1. </li></ul>1 notable thing: The museum says it will no longer use the &quot;PhAM&quot; acronym, which was introduced as part of the rebrand. <ul><li>Yes, but: Does that mean people will stop calling the museum &quot;PhART&quot;? TBD.</li></ul>

Di Bruno Bros. to close several store locations

The Philly-born Italian specialty grocer has been a beloved go-to spot for cured meats, cheese and epicurean delights since 1939.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Di Bruno Bros." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/17/di-bruno-bros-sold-wakefern-food" data-vars-content-id="1d67968c-2a66-45b2-9e5c-52c76f8c3d35" data-vars-headline="Di Bruno Bros. to close several store locations" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/philadelphia/2024/10/17/di-bruno-bros-sold-wakefern-food" target="_self">Di Bruno Bros.</a> is shuttering a majority of its markets in the Philadelphia region this month. Why it matters: The Philly-born Italian specialty grocer has been a beloved go-to spot for cured meats, cheese and epicurean delights since 1939.

How Philly graffiti artist Cornbread became a legend, one tag at a time

The Philly graffiti artist promises he's telling the truth about everything — except maybe grandma's cornbread.

The thing about legends is you never really know how true they are. But legendary graffiti artist Cornbread insists even that&#x27;s not true.<ul><li>&quot;Everything I say is the truth,&quot; he tells Axios before kicking off an hour-long conversation with a stunning icebreaker: &quot;I have 45 children. You find it hard to believe. That&#x27;s a fact. My 10 children gave me 35 grandchildren.&quot;</li></ul>Why it matters: This much is verifiably true about Cornbread: His government name is Darryl McCray; he believes his late grandmother baked the best cornbread; he&#x27;s one of hip-hop&#x27;s OGs — &quot;the very first element of this culture&quot; — who made his name tagging everything in sight in Philadelphia; and he has a new exhibit to prove it.