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CNN Saturday Morning News

Interview With Regina Lewis

Aired November 30, 2002 - 08:22   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: From the front page to the Web page, the Internet is smoking with activities these days from toys to diamonds to terrorists. People are doing some serious surfing out there and Regina Lewis is from AOL. She's joining us now with her perspective on this.
She's been following your trends, everyone, out there. You know, I'd have to think that there has to be some questions about terrorism in light of what happened in Kenya this week. What do you think?

REGINA LEWIS, AOL ONLINE ADVISER: Oh, absolutely and news always drives a lot of online traffic. Terrorism is one of the top search terms along with Iraq, homeland security and of course the economy.

And one of the things that happens in that category is people forward news articles from the Tom Friedman's of the world, Maureen Dowd, even Rush Limbaugh. And they add their two cents at the top and then circulate it to other people and say, you know, here's what I think, you should read this. So major media drives a lot of this and then there's a whole another level of conversation from real people on line. It's quite fascinating.

CALLAWAY: It is fascinating to read some of the articles that maybe you don't -- you know -- have in your local market on line but it is shopping time. The holiday season is upon us. Is -- do you think people are going to shop on line more this year than last year?

LEWIS: Oh, absolutely. In fact, most industry analysts predict that online shopping will be up both in terms of traffic and spending but without a doubt people are after bargains that is a real trend. You see it early on. EBay's spin off site called half.com known for things being 50 percent off, sites like smartbargain, people are clamoring for bargains and of course shopping early works to your advantage here -- you avoid rush shipping charges.

CALLAWAY: Hey, what are people looking for out there? What are these hot toys?

LEWIS: Well, a couple of interesting trends. Sony PlayStation II is hot, and this happens every year -- the must have toy -- there's something called fur real friends -- they're these little -- yes -- exactly -- they are reaching Furbie-like status -- they are this year's Tickle Me Elmo. And you can't find them anywhere.

Here you see somebody grabbing them at the store but they are sold out everywhere so here's what happens. They are now up for auction on EBay they are currently...

CALLAWAY: How much?

LEWIS: Good question. They are going for about $70, which is twice the original retail price, but you can expect that number to go way, way up as Christmas nears.

CALLAWAY: And also it's funny to get on line and see -- you know -- I'm looking for a Pixture (ph) toy -- a little rescue hero toy. I can't find anywhere. So we go on EBay and it's like twice what it would sell in the store. I don't know off always, Regina, that it is that's it's that popular, it's just that there are not enough to meet the demand out there.

LEWIS: It's supply and demand. It's a calculated risk if you're a toy company. How many do you put out there. But this one you can still get if this is on your shopping list, one tip. Hurry.

CALLAWAY: Hurry, hurry, hurry. All right, here's the one I like. Men are looking for diamonds this year.

LEWIS: I love this.

CALLAWAY: And not to keep for themselves. To give to others.

LEWIS: Well if online shopping numbers are any indication, a lot of people are getting engaged this holiday season. There's a site called bluenile.com and men are staying at least in the early research that about 50 percent of them will buy their Christmas gifts for girlfriend or spouses on line. This is right down the strike zone for guys; there's lots of information, lots of great deals. Return policies, guarantees. And this particular diamond retailer will ship up until the 23rd...

CALLAWAY: Look at that sucker...

LEWIS: Isn't that gorgeous?

CALLAWAY: Well wait a minute, Regina -- are they looking for information on how to buy a diamond, or are they actually buying diamonds on line? I can't imagine buying a stone without seeing it.

LEWIS: Well, you'd be surprised; they're doing both. And in fact the testimonials are pretty startling because you can get a better deal and frankly I'll speak for women get a bigger diamond then go for it because they do have guarantees and they'll say go ahead get it appraised and it works and especially for young guys who have grown up with this technology, heck, you know, go for it.

CALLAWAY: I hope my husband's up and watching. Honey, honey, earrings. All right, what about music. I know there's a little controversy with Eminem. Boy that's a surprise.

LEWIS: Yes. No kidding, right. Always controversy with Eminem. Which, you know, and nothing fuels online traffic like a little controversy and he's got it down to an art form. So, his fans are weighing in. It cracks me up; some of them have screen names with slim in it. Of course he's known as Slim Shady. And they'll say, hey, you know, he's got talent you've got to admit it, he can freestyle better than 98 percent of people.

His site is also terrific at Eminem.com and soon it will feature fan pages, which is an interesting phenomenon. That's when fans of the musician create web pages and with a worldwide star like this you'll see them in lots of different languages. It's really quite fascinating.

Speaking of controversy, Abercrombie & Fitch -- if you want to go to their site, a teen -- a very buff teen boy will greet you right on the front page in his lovely holiday boxers.

CALLAWAY: Oh my goodness. Well, I'd like -- I wish I could see the numbers go up whenever you're on, Regina and you're telling everybody where to go and they go. That's what's so funny about it. Regina, thank you very much.

LEWIS: OK, thank you, Catherine.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired November 30, 2002 - 08:22   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: From the front page to the Web page, the Internet is smoking with activities these days from toys to diamonds to terrorists. People are doing some serious surfing out there and Regina Lewis is from AOL. She's joining us now with her perspective on this.
She's been following your trends, everyone, out there. You know, I'd have to think that there has to be some questions about terrorism in light of what happened in Kenya this week. What do you think?

REGINA LEWIS, AOL ONLINE ADVISER: Oh, absolutely and news always drives a lot of online traffic. Terrorism is one of the top search terms along with Iraq, homeland security and of course the economy.

And one of the things that happens in that category is people forward news articles from the Tom Friedman's of the world, Maureen Dowd, even Rush Limbaugh. And they add their two cents at the top and then circulate it to other people and say, you know, here's what I think, you should read this. So major media drives a lot of this and then there's a whole another level of conversation from real people on line. It's quite fascinating.

CALLAWAY: It is fascinating to read some of the articles that maybe you don't -- you know -- have in your local market on line but it is shopping time. The holiday season is upon us. Is -- do you think people are going to shop on line more this year than last year?

LEWIS: Oh, absolutely. In fact, most industry analysts predict that online shopping will be up both in terms of traffic and spending but without a doubt people are after bargains that is a real trend. You see it early on. EBay's spin off site called half.com known for things being 50 percent off, sites like smartbargain, people are clamoring for bargains and of course shopping early works to your advantage here -- you avoid rush shipping charges.

CALLAWAY: Hey, what are people looking for out there? What are these hot toys?

LEWIS: Well, a couple of interesting trends. Sony PlayStation II is hot, and this happens every year -- the must have toy -- there's something called fur real friends -- they're these little -- yes -- exactly -- they are reaching Furbie-like status -- they are this year's Tickle Me Elmo. And you can't find them anywhere.

Here you see somebody grabbing them at the store but they are sold out everywhere so here's what happens. They are now up for auction on EBay they are currently...

CALLAWAY: How much?

LEWIS: Good question. They are going for about $70, which is twice the original retail price, but you can expect that number to go way, way up as Christmas nears.

CALLAWAY: And also it's funny to get on line and see -- you know -- I'm looking for a Pixture (ph) toy -- a little rescue hero toy. I can't find anywhere. So we go on EBay and it's like twice what it would sell in the store. I don't know off always, Regina, that it is that's it's that popular, it's just that there are not enough to meet the demand out there.

LEWIS: It's supply and demand. It's a calculated risk if you're a toy company. How many do you put out there. But this one you can still get if this is on your shopping list, one tip. Hurry.

CALLAWAY: Hurry, hurry, hurry. All right, here's the one I like. Men are looking for diamonds this year.

LEWIS: I love this.

CALLAWAY: And not to keep for themselves. To give to others.

LEWIS: Well if online shopping numbers are any indication, a lot of people are getting engaged this holiday season. There's a site called bluenile.com and men are staying at least in the early research that about 50 percent of them will buy their Christmas gifts for girlfriend or spouses on line. This is right down the strike zone for guys; there's lots of information, lots of great deals. Return policies, guarantees. And this particular diamond retailer will ship up until the 23rd...

CALLAWAY: Look at that sucker...

LEWIS: Isn't that gorgeous?

CALLAWAY: Well wait a minute, Regina -- are they looking for information on how to buy a diamond, or are they actually buying diamonds on line? I can't imagine buying a stone without seeing it.

LEWIS: Well, you'd be surprised; they're doing both. And in fact the testimonials are pretty startling because you can get a better deal and frankly I'll speak for women get a bigger diamond then go for it because they do have guarantees and they'll say go ahead get it appraised and it works and especially for young guys who have grown up with this technology, heck, you know, go for it.

CALLAWAY: I hope my husband's up and watching. Honey, honey, earrings. All right, what about music. I know there's a little controversy with Eminem. Boy that's a surprise.

LEWIS: Yes. No kidding, right. Always controversy with Eminem. Which, you know, and nothing fuels online traffic like a little controversy and he's got it down to an art form. So, his fans are weighing in. It cracks me up; some of them have screen names with slim in it. Of course he's known as Slim Shady. And they'll say, hey, you know, he's got talent you've got to admit it, he can freestyle better than 98 percent of people.

His site is also terrific at Eminem.com and soon it will feature fan pages, which is an interesting phenomenon. That's when fans of the musician create web pages and with a worldwide star like this you'll see them in lots of different languages. It's really quite fascinating.

Speaking of controversy, Abercrombie & Fitch -- if you want to go to their site, a teen -- a very buff teen boy will greet you right on the front page in his lovely holiday boxers.

CALLAWAY: Oh my goodness. Well, I'd like -- I wish I could see the numbers go up whenever you're on, Regina and you're telling everybody where to go and they go. That's what's so funny about it. Regina, thank you very much.

LEWIS: OK, thank you, Catherine.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com