Key leaders in the promotional products industry today announced the formation of the Quality Certification Alliance, LLC (QCA), an independent, nongovernmental organization dedicated to elevating the standard in providing consistently safe, high quality, socially compliant and environmentally conscientious merchandise to Fortune 500 companies and small businesses. Executives from the organization’s founding companies officially launched QCA today at the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) Expo in Las Vegas. The QCA certification process assures merchandise manufactured, imprinted and imported by member companies conforms to established domestic and international product laws, regulations and standards. QCA has garnered wide support from numerous suppliers and distributors, including Avaline; Barton
PPAI
Neenah, Wisconsin-based Adventures in Advertising (AIA) unveiled its new proprietary sales and marketing program, SOAR—Segmentation, Organization, Auto-pilot marketing and Replenishment—which the company believes provides a systematic approach of integrated and informational marketing techniques and tools. SOAR components include: Account profiling/segmentation and programs to address all constituents New CRM program Enhanced multilevel and multichannel marketing offerings New prospecting, retention and referral programs Further, AIA believes the components within the SOAR program are applicable regardless of the economic environment and are especially effective in today’s challenging times. “While some companies are cutting back in this challenging economy, it is exciting that Adventures In Advertising is
Shelley Sake, MAS, has been promoted to the position of vice president of marketing for Evans Manufacturing. She has worked at Evans for over seven years, most recently as its director of sales and marketing. Shelley started in the industry with Pillowline (Advertising Unlimited/Norwood) in 1991 and has held such positions as account executive, sales service manager and marketing manager. Derek Sweem, president of Evans, stated, “Shelley has done an extraordinary job of helping Evans grow the business through the development of new products and by implementing successful sales and marketing strategies. Her focus on the customer, insights to current market trends, and
Just got back from ASI Orlando and I’m grudgingly accepting that it is indeed still winter. The show was great, and unlike last year (when global warming played a nasty little trick on us and made it 40 degrees), the weather was just gorgeous.
It was a nice way to ease back into the traveling whirlwind that is January and February—my feet are now primed and ready for PPAI next week, that’s for sure. I’m still a little foggy from the lack of weekend (you can’t have everything, I guess), so I’m a little short on repartee. I hope you understand.
Instead, let
David Hawes, of Minnetonka, Minn. was named Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS), an official recognition of professional excellence in the promotional products industry, awarded by the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). Hawes, an independent sales representative with Lewiston, Maine-based Geiger, was one of 14 Geiger associates and sales representatives to earn the CAS designation. Hawes completed and passed a two-hour exam administered by PPAI which earned him the designation. The exam represents the culmination of dozens of hours spent attending specialized promotional products industry trainings and seminars. CAS professionals are well-versed in all advertising and marketing media available in the promotional products industry. This
Jupiter, Florida-based Plan B Associates, a group of executives formed from leadership positions within the promotional products industry, released its first annual Industry Observer report. The report presents a business outlook for 2009 and is available to everyone involved in the promotional products field. Senior partner Stuart Putnam stated, “While this is a rather gloomy look, it is nevertheless a realistic look at what is happening in the world. By looking at the economic situation in an objective way, industry practitioners can make informed choices about how they approach business in 2009.” Observations in the report are based upon interviews with industry suppliers and
Robert Schwarz, CAS, president of the Montvale, New Jersey-based Specialty Advertising Association of Greater New York Inc. (SAAGNY) announced the association’s board of directors has entered into an agreement to have Philadelphia-based Promo Marketing conduct the sales and marketing program for the Promotions East, the Association’s premier trade show conducted in Atlantic City, N.J. each June. “After an extensive search, Promo Marketing was selected to conduct the sales and marketing programs for Promotions East, the largest industry trade show in the East,” Schwarz stated. “We are very excited to have an industry publisher and service provider working with us to market and sell the
About the Author: Kay Kotan is a published author and the founder of Independence, Missouri-based You Unlimited. She knows of many promotional products distributors (PPDs) who were not able to make it in the industry. Here are her top ten reasons why promotional products distributors fail: 10. They don’t surround themselves with the right kind of people. PPDs traditionally start out in a spare bedroom of their home—alone. Soon they have questions, but no one to turn to for answers. From day one, find a mentor to steer you along the path. Even if it costs you, it is well worth it. It will
With near 100 degree heat here in Philadelphia, it’s safe to say a short trip to the Windy City will be a nice break. As an editor, I always look forward to checking out what new products are out there as well as seeing some familiar faces. Hopefully I will get a chance to talk to many of you about some of the new and exciting things happening with PromoMarketing.com and get your feedback on what you need from us to run your business better. See you all there.
Other Industry News:
Top Brands Adds Lufkin Tape Measures
Oshkosh, Wisconsin-based Top Brands Inc. announced
Largo, Florida-based Corvest, a top 20 promotional products supplier and parent company of Adva-Lite, It’s All Greek To Me and Toppers, commemorated the official completion of its multitiered expansion. The project, which brought the company’s three lines together under one roof, was celebrated with a grand opening event at its new facility. More than 100 distributors attended the June 20 event. Samuel F. Rossa, Corvest president and CEO, kicked off the ceremony by introducing the company’s leadership team, welcoming guests and speaking about the company’s capabilities. “Our new facility has allowed us to offer our customers a number of new features,” Rossa said.