Elizabeth Florence executive director of the Jewelry Information Center (JIC) recently appeared on the Today show to help kick off the program’s summer-long wedding series.

Florence appeared with co-anchor Katie Couric and the show’s winning couple to discuss the wedding band options posted on NBC’s Web site (today.msnbc.com). Today show viewers voted for the couple they wanted to participate in the wedding series, and now viewers will vote for their choice of wedding bands online. Information on the specific bands as well as the history of wedding rings and consumer advocacy pointers were provided by Florence and will be posted on the Today show site throughout the summer, until the wedding in Rockefeller Plaza September 5. During the segment, Florence shared some background information about each of the companies (Fortunoff, Scott Kay, Art Carved, and Cartier), and impartially but thoroughly discussed the various characteristics of each ring option.

Dee Dee Thomas, associate producer of the Today show said Florence was an excellent guest. “From our initial conversation, Elizabeth Florence demonstrated unquestionable knowledge of the jewelry industry and on wedding rings in particular,” Thomas said. ”During the segment, she handled herself professionally and passed along invaluable information to our viewers. We look forward to inviting her back.”

Florence’s appearance on NBC comes at a time of dramatic increase in the JIC’s publicity activity. Second quarter publicity results for broadcast placements alone are up 400% over the same quarter last year, according to JIC. For more information or to become a JIC member, call (800) 223-0673.

JCK