Management

Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant Acquires Private Label Executive Gifts
February 20, 2017 at 11:31 am

Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant, Hicksville, N.Y., announced the acquisition of Private Label Executive Gifts, Campbell, Calif. This acquisition marks Chocolate Inn/Taylor & Grant’s fifth acquisition in the promotional food gifts category. Private Label Executive Gifts is a leading West Coast supplier of Jelly Belly-branded products, unique mint tins and shaped mint products. It has been an…

Calculator-itis
February 20, 2017 at 10:55 am

Let’s talk about what I call “calculator-itis.” My definition of “calculator-itis” is when business owners and sales reps continue to charge customers the same margins year after year without any routine, timely reviews. Continuing to charge customers the same margins over time doesn’t make sense because our value to customers grows as our expertise grows,…

PPAI Names Committee and Advisory Chairs, Liasons
February 17, 2017 at 1:17 pm

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Irving, Texas, announced today the new Volunteer Committee and Advisory Group Chairs and Liaisons for the 2017 to 2018 term. The PPAI Committees and Advisory Groups are comprised of volunteer representatives from the association’s membership, including distributors, suppliers, business services partners and representatives, who work together to promote, protect and…

Third Disney-Related Product Recall in Two Months
February 13, 2017 at 2:54 pm

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that Feld Entertainment, Vienna, Va., is recalling its light-spinner toy wands because the top component can detach, exposing a metal rod that poses an injury hazard to children. The…

Write Your Story: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How?
February 9, 2017 at 12:23 pm

The five “w's”and the “h” were the reminders for aspiring journalists to include in every story: who, what, when, where, why and how. These elements make a story compelling, informative and complete. They are also critically important to you as you write your own life story. 1. Who Are You? How have you defined yourself?…

Justin Case Appoints Promopartner as Multi-Line Sales Rep
February 8, 2017 at 1:35 pm

Max Baer, president of Justin Case, Markham, Ontario, announced the appointment of Promopartner as its multi-line representation in the Greater Toronto area (GTA) East. Sally Pilitz, president of Promopartner, has been providing creative sales and marketing solutions to GTA distributors for more than 20 years. As a member of the Promo Expo Showroom, Sally will…

HALO Branded Solutions Acquires Michael C. Fina Recognition
February 8, 2017 at 8:16 am

HALO Branded Solutions, Sterling, Ill., announced the acquisition of Michael C. Fina Recognition, New York City. “Michael C. Fina Recognition is one of the most reputable recognition companies globally, maintaining an experienced and success-driven management team," said Marc Simon, CEO of HALO Branded Solutions. "We plan to build the Michael C. Fina Recognition business through…

The Truth about the Border Adjustment Tax
February 7, 2017 at 2:12 pm

The U.S. House Republican tax reform proposal includes a recommendation to adopt a Border Adjustment Tax (BAT). If it passes in any form, it will increase the cost of promotional products significantly. The BAT will have a negative overall impact to the promotional products industry. You must start learning about BAT, and how it is…

Grossman Marketing Group Acquire Premier Marketing Group
February 7, 2017 at 8:39 am

Grossman Marketing Group, Somerville, Mass., a 107-year-old, fourth-generation, print and promotional products distributor, has acquired Premier Marketing Group, Manchester, Maine, expanding its full-service marketing operations and client base. The new acquisition comes just three years after Grossman Marketing Group acquired ASAP, a Norwalk, Connecticut-based promotional products firm, and just one year after Grossman acquired Fleet Business…

Celebrate 'No'
February 6, 2017 at 2:24 pm

As business owners and sales reps, we love to hear “yes.” Yes to scheduling new appointments. Yes to earning opportunities for quotes and proposals. Yes to winning new business. We love hearing “yes.” However, business owners and sales reps are going to hear “no” many more times than they hear "yes." So, it’s time to…