News

The PPAI Expo Conference featured multiple sessions concerning sustainability topics and a select number of attendees were given a behind-the-scenes tour of Mandalay Bay’s efforts to divert waste during the largest and longest running event in promo.

• But the trade floor itself was an example of an opportunity to practice sustainable-minded efforts, thanks to exhibitors such as Rupt and Raining Rose.

Both of these suppliers exhibited with booths made entirely out of cardboard that was recyclable, cost effective and practical.

“It’s inspiring to see more and more exhibitors prioritize sustainability not only with their product offerings but also with their whole booth design and how attendees experience it,” says Elizabeth Wimbush, PPAI’s director of sustainability and responsibility. “Companies like Raining Rose and Rupt had incredibly cool booths that were designed to be reusable, recyclable and significantly lighter weight to minimize the carbon footprint of the freight there and back.”

It’s inspiring to see more and more exhibitors prioritize sustainability not only with their product offerings but also with their whole booth design and how attendees experience it.”

Elizabeth Wimbush

Director of Sustainability & Responsibility, PPAI

‘A More Sustainable Future For Trade Shows’

Austin-based Rupt, which has committed to ensuring that each of its products is carbon neutral through a cradle-to-grave carbon footprint calculation, brought a booth to The PPAI Expo 2025 that was made entirely of FSC-certified recycled cardboard. To any given distributor, the Rupt booth looked every bit as stylish and functional as any other booth on the trade show. Brian Gill, president of distributor Thumbprint, called the booth “absolutely spectacular” and praised Rupt for “walking the talk on sustainability.”

• A year prior, Rupt’s non-cardboard booth weighed approximately 3,000 pounds.

• This year, the total weight of the booth was less than 400 pounds, a significant decrease in CO2 emissions expended during transit.

“At Rupt, we care about the environmental impact of our tradeshow booth just as much as we care about it with all of our products,” says Jason Lucash, CEO of Rupt and winner of The Pitch this year. “This booth is proof that the promo industry can, and must, evolve to prioritize sustainability without sacrificing style or impact. We’re setting a new standard for what’s possible, and we hope others will follow suit.”

This booth is proof that the promo industry can, and must, evolve to prioritize sustainability without sacrificing style or impact.”

Jason Lucash

CEO, Rupt

For Raining Rose, this was not the first time the Iowa-based supplier had exhibited with a cardboard booth – the first being used at The PPAI Expo 2021. Kate Nash, director of sales and marketing at Raining Rose, expressed that the aim was for it to have a retail-like presence, but she emphasized that the entire process was more cost effective than it otherwise would have been.

• Raining Rose hopes to get three to five years out of the booth it used at The PPAI Expo 2025, and if any area, image or panel needs to be replaced, it can be accomplished at a low cost.

• The supplier worked with GoKarton, a company based out of Miami, that will work with a client to produce recyclable booths and displays of all sizes, specializing in trade shows.
• Supplier Chameleon Like also used GoKarton to create a cardboard exhibitor booth at The PPAI Expo 2025.

For Raining Rose’s booth, only the lights were not made of cardboard, including benches, shelves and counters. It all comes out of one crate and folds flat. No specific tools were needed to put it together. Nash says that the entire process of setting it up (including product merchandising) took between four to five hours for her team. Take-down took about 30 minutes.

• When Raining Rose is ready to move on from this booth, it will be recycled in its entirety.

The booth not only presented a professional and eco-conscious image, but it was also very practical.”

Kate Nash

Director of Sales & Marketing, Raining Rose

“Choosing a sustainable cardboard booth for The PPAI Expo 2025 was the right decision for us,” Nash says. “The booth not only presented a professional and eco-conscious image, but it was also very practical. Its lightweight and modular design is easy to set up, and it is durable enough to last for several shows.

“We are delighted that this innovative solution allows us to minimize our environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future for trade shows.”

Written by: Jonny Auping

Published with Permission from PPAI

More than 10,000 distributors on Tuesday flooded the aisles of the trade floor at The PPAI Expo 2025 – the largest and longest-running trade show in the promotional products industry.

Covering roughly 1 million square feet in scope, the trade floor featured more than 2,600 booths and nearly 1,000 exhibitors, offering the latest products in every category.

A few distributors stopped to tell PPAI Media about their favorite products they saw on the show floor Tuesday.

• Numo (PPAI 112597, Gold) – Disc Journal

Annie Siamwala, an account manager at Oregon-based distributor Buzztag, said her favorite product was Numo’s disc journals that put a different spin on the rings that hold most journals together.

“Numo’s great,” Siamwala says. “They have notebooks with these little discs instead of the rings that you can color coordinate.”

• PupLid (PPAI 824681, Standard) from the New Product Pavilion

Gemma Zuniga, senior account manager at Concord, California-based distributor Promo Dog, was perhaps fittingly enamored with the dog hat that she saw in the New Product Pavillion from PupLid.

“I love dogs, and I’m going to get one for my dog,” Zuniga says.

• Spector & Co. (PPAI 168328, Gold) – “Call of the Wild” bag line

Hazel Hansen, an account manager at Buzztag, said that she always checks out Spector & Co’s bag selection and was not disappointed this year.

“I loved Spector & Co’s new bags in their ‘Call of the Wild’ line,” Hansen says. “They have really cool colors and super soft materials.”

• Diecast Masters America (PPAI 762388, Standard) – 1:87 Scale Kenworth T880s SBFS 40in-Sleeper Tandem Tractor with Lowboy Trailer and Cat 320D L Hydraulic Excavator

Kelly McKenney, sales representative at Promo Dog, was walking the New Product Pavillion when she saw something unique that was perfect for one of her clients.

“I work with a lot of construction companies, and one in particular likes to give little trinkets to its employees and customers,” McKenney says. “I saw that and knew exactly what I’m going to send the rep when I get home.”

Written by: Jonny Auping

Published with Permission from PPAI

D’Anna Zimmer, CAS, is being honored for the example she has set, consistently contributing her skills and expertise toward the betterment of the Association and the industry. Whether through volunteer service or by offering their leadership to PPAI, Distinguished Service Award recipients are members who have generously given the gift of their energy, time and enthusiasm.

Zimmer half-jokes that her initial reaction to finding out she had won the award was, “Wow, I’m not old enough to receive this.”

“In my mind, I am still in my 20s and have not served enough to be recognized by the industry,” she says.

Despite the fact that her next thought was that there are so many more deserving candidates, Zimmer’s credentials speak for themselves.

A 2016 PPAI Fellow and current business development manager at BAG MAKERS – the No. 29 supplier in the PPAI 100 – Zimmer has done more than just check boxes with her volunteer efforts. She keeps her eye on the intended purpose of that time spent volunteering and sees it through until progress is made.

A recent example – among countless others – is her involvement with the Promotional Products Education Fund board of trustees. She officially became vice chair of the workgroup in 2023. Kathlene Brethowr, PPEF’s executive director, was out on maternity leave for a portion of 2023 while the foundation was organizing its premier fundraising event, the PPEF Golf Tournament.

“She took on major responsibilities as I was out for maternity leave during the prime months in planning for the golf tournament and was able to put together one of the most successful golf tournaments in the Foundation’s history,” Brethowr says.

Her dedication shows how much she truly cares about the Promotional Products Education Fund mission.”

Kathlene Brethowr

Executive Director, PPEF

“D’Anna was paramount in the success of the 2024 PPEF Golf Tournament, raising over $54,000 profit for the Foundation,” she adds. “To put that in perspective, that is equivalent to 43 of the 170 scholarships that will be given in 2024. Her dedication shows how much she truly cares about the PPEF mission – to fund college scholarships for promotional products industry employees and their children.”

That is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Zimmer. She’s been heavily involved with the Regional Association Council, even serving as RAC delegate to the PPAI Board from 2017-2019. She’s also been a Legislative Education and Action Day participant on Capitol Hill and a two-time president of the Promotional Products Association Southwest board.

For Zimmer, the act of serving is its own reward, and in her case, it comes from a higher calling.

Receiving an accolade has never been the reason that I have volunteered.”

D’Anna Zimmer

Business Development Manager, BAG MAKERS

“I am grateful and blessed to be recognized,” Zimmer says. “However, receiving an accolade has never been the reason that I have volunteered. Serving and volunteering has allowed me to know others and learn more along the way. The Bible tells us that we have each received gifts and to use those to serve one another as good stewards of God’s grace. Using what God has given me is always my goal. If given service, then serve.”

Written by: Jonny Auping

Published with Permission from PPAI

Monday’s PPAI Expo Conference, the official kickoff of The PPAI Expo 2025, also marked the return of The Pitch, promo’s version of a hybrid between Shark Tank and The Voice. In front of a packed audience full of promo professionals, seven contestants were given three minutes each to pitch their product to a panel of judges.

Every contestant had the benefit of bringing great promo products to the table, and they all came prepared to make the sale, but there could only be one winner.

• It’s perhaps only fitting that The Pitch winner for 2025 was a former Shark Tank contestant. Jason Lucash, CEO and co-founder of Rupt, won both the audience vote and impressed the panel of judges.

• The Austin, Texas-based supplier triumphed with “Trinifty,” a product with a removable charger power bank that can charge three wireless devices at once. The Trinifity folds easily, making it a travel accessory for anyone who doesn’t want a tangle of wires in their backpack.

Lucash and Rupt co-founder Mike Szymczak originally founded Origaudio before it was acquired by HPG. During the Origaudio days, they appeared on season two of Shark Tank, but Lucash says The Pitch was a whole different ballgame.

• Distributors can see the Trinifity and other Rupt products on The PPAI Expo trade floor at booth 2535.

As The Pitch grows over the years, it has managed to be a vehicle that spotlights the two most important parts of the promo industry: the products and the people who are passionate about them.

• Maple Ridge Farms, PPAI 100’s No. 60 supplier, approached Sweeter Cards the day after it won and announced in July that Sweeter Cards was its first acquisition in the Mosinee, Wisconsin-based gourmet food company’s 45-year history.

• One month after The Pitch, Sweeter Cards was named Rupt Ventures’ first strategic investment in the promotional products industry.

• Nadav Raviv, senior national account executive for GBS Corp.

• Nenette Gray, founder of Lemonade Creative Marketing and a member of the 2024 #Online18.

• Stephen McFadden, director of vision and new business for The Specialty Company.

• Meg Erber, director of sales for Proforma, PPAI 100’s No. 3 distributor. Erber co-presented on behalf of S&S Activewear, PPAI 100’s No. 5 supplier, at the inaugural competition, and took first place with the Hero Hoodie, an easily reversible hoodie and backpack.

“I was more nervous for this than Shark Tank,” Lucash says. “I think because it was more people I know, and it was a live audience.”

I was more nervous for this than Shark Tank.”

Jason Lucash

CEO, Co-founder, Rupt

The full crowd of promo professionals might have added some extra nerves, but fortunately, Lucash had a good test audience to practice on.

“I wrote my pitch, and I practiced it with my wife and kids,” Lucash says. “My kids actually practiced the pitch, too, which was really cute.”

“I loved it,” Lucash says. “I’m a product person. I design the products. I love talking about something that I created. To do it on this stage with the production of The Pitch, it was awesome. I felt like I was on a game show.”

A Sign Of Success?

What does a victory at The Pitch bring to a promo product? Recent precedent says it can make a big impact. Sweeter Cards, a St. Louis-based supplier, took home the winning title at The PPAI Expo 2024 after presenting a fully customizable greeting card and chocolate bar combination.

To ensure that contestants couldn’t simply study the preferences of past judges, this year’s version of The Pitch featured a whole new crop of judges. Instead of Mark Cuban, Reba McEntire, Mr. Wonderful or Snoop Dogg, the panel included four respected industry veterans:

The show was emceed by Anji Corley, who will be conducting various interviews and content in the PPAI Expo Live booth outside of the trade floor through Thursday.

Written by: Jonny Auping

Published with Permission from PPAI

In conjunction with the new year, SAGE is thrilled to announce the release of several new features to its industry-leading business management services. These features will empower promotional products distributors to take their businesses to the next level as SAGE continues its tradition of bringing next gen technology and powerful, time-saving features to the industry.

SAGE’s flagship services, formerly known as SAGE Total Access™ and comprising SAGE Online, SAGE Mobile and SAGE Web, have been consolidated under the new SAGE Workplace™ brand. The move reflects the all-encompassing nature of SAGE Workplace as the complete business management and research solution for promotional products distributors. SAGE Workplace subscribers will continue to be able to use the SAGE Workplace Windows app (previously SAGE Online), the SAGE Workplace web app (previously SAGE Web), as well as the iOS and Android apps (previously SAGE Mobile). This change will be completely seamless for customers and requires no additional licensing or adjustments to current subscriptions.

“As technology has changed over time, our services have converged to one cloud-based solution,” explained Eric Natinsky, CEO of SAGE. “We have always wanted to meet users where they are and provide access to our services regardless of whether you are using Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, or something else. In fact,” continued Natinsky, “We are literally the only business services provider in the industry offering support for all these different operating systems. We aren’t changing our philosophy about that, but it made sense to streamline our branding to reflect that these are all different ways to access the same services. With SAGE Workplace, you get everything you need to run your business no matter how you access it.”

SAGE also announced a number of new supplier data elements. Users can now go directly to the exact supplier webpage for a product from the Workplace product detail page. “This has been a very popular request from customers. We’re happy to give users an easy way to get to the supplier source for any additional information they may need,” Natinsky said.

SAGE is also proud to now provide carbon footprint data for industry products in SAGE Workplace. “More and more end users are asking for promotional products that meet very specific environmental guidelines,” remarked Dana Porter, SAGE’s VP of Information Services. “With this update, distributors can now help their clients find products that meet specific environmental requirements or needs.”

SAGE’s vast product research database will also now allow users to search specifically for print-on-demand (POD) products. Porter added, “This is another element that has become very popular recently and we’re happy to provide this search capability for SAGE users.”

Client Text Messaging is being introduced as an add-on feature in SAGE Workplace’s CRM module. Texting is a direct and personal way to communicate with clients in today’s environment. With one low fee, users can now send unlimited text messages to an unlimited number of clients directly from the CRM module. Text messages are sent from a unique phone number assigned to each customer account. Clients can easily respond to text messages while distributors receive instant notification in the mobile app. If a client calls the phone number, SAGE’s technology will automatically forward the call to the distributor’s main business phone number. The text messaging service is available for $495 per year or $49 per month per account with no additional per message fees whatsoever. “We’re so pleased to be the first to bring text messaging to an industry platform,” Natinsky commented. “We all know that text messaging is the way many people prefer to communicate now. It makes simple business sense for distributors to offer this as another way to communicate and engage with clients and prospects.”

SAGE has also announced a brand new, much-requested, gallery layout for its powerful Presentations module. This new layout shows selected products in a modern, clean, and interactive way that is sure to impress. Like all SAGE presentations, distributor clients can also easily comment and provide instant feedback on what they like. Any presentation can easily use the new layout with just one click to change the layout style. SAGE presentations have also been enhanced with other new customization features, including the ability to select header background colors, images, and body background colors.

Leveraging SAGE AI technology, users can now access the brand-new Presentation Wizard feature within SAGE Workplace, too. The Presentation Wizard allows distributors to create a regular SAGE presentation with one click. The industry-leading technology uses various data attributes to intelligently craft presentation language and select products best suited for the specific client, event, or promotion. “We are continuing to look at ways to use AI to actually make our customers more productive and efficient,” Natinsky underscored, “And this new tool really hits that nail right on the head.”  As with all SAGE presentations, those created with Presentation Wizard can be modified after they are created.

SAGE has also announced the availability of its popular Email Campaigns and SAGE Catalog Studio modules in the SAGE Workplace web app, making it easy for users who prefer to use the web app to access these modules.

The company is also introducing AI features in its email services. Customers who use SAGE’s webmail service for their email can use AI to draft email replies, summarize emails, and more. These features save users time and make them look good in the process.

Discover the details of these new features as Eric Natinsky explains them in this SAGE webinar. Watch it here.

PPAI has its next staff leader.

Drew Holmgreen joins the Association from Meeting Professionals International, the world’s largest association for meeting and events professionals, where he most recently served as Chief Experience Officer. He brings more than two decades of experience in strategic leadership, inclusion, brand development, experiential innovation, and organizational growth.

His start date will be Jan. 10, and he will be present and involved at The PPAI Expo 2025, set to take place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, January 13-16.

Together, we’ll elevate the role of promotional products as an essential part of the global marketing mix and continue driving forward the creativity, impact, and joy that define this industry.”

Drew Holmgreen

New President & CEO, PPAI

“I am truly honored to join and lead PPAI, an organization with a 121-year legacy of excellence and innovation in the promotional products industry,” Holmgreen says. “This industry and its community thrive on creating moments of connection and joy, and I’m excited to work alongside the talented PPAI team, its members, and partners to build on this strong foundation.

“Together, we’ll elevate the role of promotional products as an essential part of the global marketing mix and continue driving forward the creativity, impact, and joy that define this industry.”

In his role at MPI, Holmgreen managed global strategies, enhanced member experiences, and drove significant revenue growth. He also served as MPI’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Executive Lead, embedding DEI principles into the organization and its community’s strategies and operations, fostering a culture of inclusivity and creating initiatives that support equity across the industry.

Holmgreen resides in North Texas, home to PPAI headquarters. He originally joined MPI in 2017 as senior director of marketing and communications. Prior to that, he worked at Dallas-Fort Worth based Calise Partners, where he was executive director of client services.

He is a 1998 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, earning a bachelor’s degree in advertising.

Andrew Spellman, CAS, Chair of the PPAI Board of Directors and Vice President of Corporate Markets for Therabody, notified PPAI staff and members of the decision on Thursday.

Andrew Spellman, CAS

Board Chair, PPAI

“Drew is a visionary leader with a deep understanding of the dynamics of member-driven organizations,” Spellman says. “His experience and passion for innovation make him uniquely suited to lead PPAI and create value for our members and the industry as a whole.”

As board chair, Spellman oversaw a four-person executive search committee made up of the 2025 PPAI Executive Committee members. Included were Denise Taschereau, who will take over as Chair at the conclusion of The PPAI Expo in January, as well as Danny Rosin, who will become Incoming Chair, and Zack Ottenstein, who is set to be Vice-Chair, Finance Services.

The search began in July and concluded with a unanimous vote to approve Holmgreen by the PPAI Board of Directors last week.

The Board was seeking a candidate who could drive even greater PPAI member value by implementing ideas from other best-in-class associations, elevating The PPAI Expo, and articulating a vision to extend the promotional products industry’s reach in the broader marketing ecosystem.”

Denise Taschereau

Incoming Board Chair, PPAI

“Drew’s unique blend of marketing agency leadership, association leadership, and promotional products experience makes him an ideal CEO for PPAI,” says Taschereau, the CEO of Canadian distributor Fairware. “The Board was seeking a candidate who could drive even greater PPAI member value by implementing ideas from other best-in-class associations, elevating The PPAI Expo, and articulating a vision to extend the promotional products industry’s reach in the broader marketing ecosystem. The PPAI Board is confident Drew will do a terrific job for the association and the industry.”

Holmgreen will succeed Dawn Olds, MAS, who has served as interim president and CEO of PPAI since July, when the Board instituted a transition plan following the three-year leadership term of Dale Denham, MAS+, who last week was announced as the CEO of industry business services provider eXtendTech.

Holmgreen is set to meet the PPAI staff for the first time next week.

Outside of his professional life, Holmgreen enjoys spending time with his wife of 20 years, their son, and their pets. Described as a lifelong adventurer, he is often found running, hiking, or exploring craft breweries in his downtime.

Written by: Josh Ellis

Published with Permission from PPAI

Burlingame, California-based supplier KNOSS Apparel (PPAI 798753, formerly Standard-Base) is ceasing operations.

“Unfortunately, despite our incredible momentum, circumstances beyond our control have brought us to the difficult decision to wind down our incredible startup called KNOSS at the end of this year,” Elson Yeung, president and founder of KNOSS, announced on LinkedIn.

“We’ve never been prouder and more excited about our progress and what we’ve accomplished; however, the realities we’ve faced make it impossible to continue the journey in the way that KNOSS deserves.”

• Founded in 2020, the company offers a plethora of apparel choices, including polos, outerwear and headwear – all of which are currently part of a 30% sale on the company’s website.
• The Knoss family has a 50-plus-year history in manufacturing school uniforms, postal worker uniforms and premium sweaters, according to the company website.

“As we step into this next chapter, I want to emphasize how much you’ve meant to us,” says Yeung, who previously served as director of design and merchandising for alphabroder, PPAI 100’s No. 2 supplier.

“You have been integral to everything we’ve achieved, and I will carry the memories of this experience with me always. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being part of KNOSS.”

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

SanMar (PPAI 110788, Platinum) has announced that it will begin to provide A4’s (PPAI 304796, Standard Plus) collection of athletic apparel products through a partnership between the two suppliers. The offering will include 24 styles of sports apparel from the A4 collection.

• SanMar is PPAI 100’s No. 1 supplier with nearly $4 billion in revenue in 2023.

• A4 products will officially begin being offered through SanMar in spring 2025.

The Pacific Northwest-based SanMar and Los Angeles-based A4 have previously operated separately, but SanMar’s resources and customer base in the promotional marketplace are expected to bring more clients to the sports apparel supplier, which manufactures its own garments.

“This is an important step forward for A4,” says Mark Mertens, owner and CEO of A4. “For years we have operated in pa

For years we have operated in parallel with SanMar to grow the activewear market. Now, we are excited to be working together.”

Mark Mertens

Owner & CEO, A4

“Our Customers Wanted To See A4 At SanMar”

SanMar’s chief revenue officer, Steve Cuthbert, says that the decision was as simple as adhering to the customers’ desire to be able to find A4 products through their usual SanMar channels.

“We are always listening to our customers on what we can do to help their business, and we heard loud and clear that they wanted to see A4 at SanMar,” Cuthbert says. “So, we’ve taken the opportunity to bring our customers this valuable and reliable brand to help their business in the growing sports market.”

“We are always listening to our customers on what we can do to help their business, and we heard loud and clear that they wanted to see A4 at SanMar.”

Steve Cuthbert

Chief Revenue Officer, SanMar

Having operated for over 55 years, A4 has gained a strong reputation in the sports apparel market by leveraging its manufacturing capabilities to bring lower prices for clients.

“A4 and SanMar are both family-owned companies that value our coworkers, suppliers and customers equally,” says Mertens. “This is a great fit on many levels and portends a very bright future.”

The A4 collection offered through SanMar will include jerseys, tees, shorts and fleece in different styles, SanMar says.

Written by: Jonny Auping

Published with Permission from PPAI

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has ordered recalls on two distinct products due to their risk of causing fires.

• Anker Soundcore and PowerConf Bluetooth Speakers were recalled due to their tendency to overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.
• Belkin BoostCharge Pro Fast Wireless Charger portable 10K power banks were also recalled due to their tendency to overheat, posing fire and burn hazards.

Lithium-ion batteries were cited as the source for fire hazards in both the Anker and Belkin recalls. The CPSC says that recalled lithium-ion batteries should be disposed of in accordance with any local and state ordinances.

• Consumers shouldn’t toss these batteries in the trash or deposit them in used battery recycling boxes found at various retail and home improvement stores.
• Earlier this year, the United States House of Representatives passed legislation intended to make lithium-ion batteries safer.

Anker Recall

While Anker does operate in the promotional marketplace, the recalled Bluetooth speakers weren’t listed as promotional products.

• Gemline, which ranks as PPAI 100’s No. 11 supplier and received high marks in Responsibility, accounts for the vast majority of Anker’s promo products.

The CPSC says that the roughly 69,000 units recalled in the United States (and more than 9,700 recalled in Canada) were sold exclusively online through Amazon from March 2023 through October 2023.

Anker has received 33 reports of incidents involving the lithium-ion batteries in the speakers overheating, some of those involving incidents of smoking and small fires, including one minor burn injury in connection with an overheating unit. The CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop using the recalled speakers, and ensure they are powered off and not connected to any external power source or charger.

• The recall comes less than two months after Anker recalled more than 2,000 power banks after receiving 28 reports of overheating leading to explosion and fire.

Belkin Recall

While Belkin also operates in the promotional marketplace, the recalled powered banks weren’t listed as promotional products.

• HIRSCH, which ranks as PPAI 100’s No. 20 supplier, accounts for the vast majority of Belkin’s promo products.

“We’re not impacted by the Belkin recall, as none of our SKUs were listed, but we’re confident that Belkin will address these concerns quickly,” says Paul Hirsch, MAS, CEO of HIRSCH, PPAI 100’s No. 20 supplier.

The CPSC says that the roughly 4,000 units recalled in the U.S. (and 62 recalled in Canada) were sold online at Amazon, belkin.com and other websites from May 2023 through June 2024.

Belkin has received one report of the recalled power bank catching fire, resulting in a house fire involving property damage. The CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop using the recalled power banks and contact Belkin to receive a full refund or store credit.

RELATED: New Bill Targets E-Bikes, E-Scooters With Lithium-Ion Batteries

Promo Perspective

Any promo company branching out into products that inherently have any possibility of fire or burn injuries must make sure to take all available precautions.

• It is imperative that promo firms strictly adhere to compliance, not only for the sake of the law, but to ensure the safety of end users.
  
  

At PPAI’s Product Responsibility Summit in September, a panel was held discussing how to handle the possibility of being ordered to recall a product and the steps that need to be taken. In that situation, complying with the CPSC is absolutely critical, but the next priority is being intentional with messaging surrounding the recall.

“It’s important to move fast, but it’s also important to move smartly,” said Neal Cohen of Neal Cohen Law.

“You need to control everything, especially what the person says,” added Rick Brenner, president of Product Safety Advisors. “Yes, you want to be empathetic and show concern, [but] there should be a very disciplined and scripted response of what they can say, and the escalation process of who does what next.”

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI

Geiger (PPAI 105182, Platinum) – the No. 5 distributor in the PPAI 100 – has announced the launch of its refreshed brand identity.

The Lewiston, Maine-based firm’s rebranding highlights its family-owned heritage of nearly 150 years of Geigers at the helm, commitment to sustainability and a full-circle approach to customer service.

“This brand refresh represents a pivotal moment in Geiger’s journey,” says David Geiger, incoming president of the company and the fifth generation of the Geiger family to lead the organization.

This brand refresh represents a pivotal moment in Geiger’s journey.”

David Geiger

Incoming President, Geiger

“It signifies the unity of our global teams and our shared dedication to delivering exceptional value to our clients. As we align under one cohesive identity,” Geiger, a 2024 PPAI Rising Star, adds, “we’re not only honoring our heritage, but also setting a clear course for the future – one rooted in collaboration, innovation and a commitment to making a positive impact worldwide.”

Global Presence

Geiger continues to make significant strides around the world, highlighted by its July acquisition of German distributor WER GmbH, which will rebrand as Geiger GmbH in 2025. Geiger has also solidified its presence in the United Kingdom with five acquisitions since 2018. 

Establishing a unified global brand identity has become a top priority, the company says, which is why both Geiger in the UK and in Germany will now operate under the Geiger logo.

• Previously, Geiger Ltd. (UK) used a blue dot, but the adoption of Geiger’s signature red dot reflects the shared values, collective strength and unified vision for the future, the firm says.

“By unifying our brand under a single cohesive identity, we’re not just standardizing our look – we’re showcasing the strength of our shared purpose and the collective power of our global team,” says Stephanie Whitman, vice president of marketing at Geiger. “This transformation symbolizes the collaboration and forward-thinking approach that defines Geiger as we continue to grow and serve our global clients.”

Written by: John Corrigan

Published with Permission from PPAI