News

American Solutions for Business has partnered with eCommerce technology group, OrderMyGear (OMG), to expand their suite of eCommerce solutions.

This strategic partnership combines the robust software solution with the broad range of products, services and support ASB provides to their customers. This allows ASB sales associates to build simple, customizable online pop-up stores to streamline order process and grow sales.

“2020 has been about adaptability and evolution,” says Dana Zezzo, VP of Marketing, Vendor Relations and Events. “We’re excited to partner with OMG – especially during a time when online sales are so prevalent. This is a pivotal time in our industry, and American Solutions for Business is committed to keeping a progressive, open-minded philosophy when it comes to finding new solutions, tools and partners.”

The partnership is a signal of ASB’s commitment to empower the success of their sales associates and by extension, their customers. As a result of the partnership, OMG is providing exclusive benefits to ASB team members, including customized training and onboarding programs, an OMG License Fee discount and additional marketing and analytics resources.

“We are thrilled to partner with American Solutions for Business,” comments Matt Kaplan, OMG SVP of Revenue. “Distributors and consultants in the promotional products industry have a lot of moving parts in meeting the needs of their customers and accounts. American Solutions for Business is a thought-leader and big name in the industry as a company who puts their owners first and provides solutions that positively impact their success. By combining our software with their industry expertise and network, clients can streamline the ordering process, modernize the customer buying experience, and maximize sales for their business.”

IMAGEN Brands is excited to announce a limited time Coleman® “Sell More, Get More” Incentive Program – The More Coleman Outdoor You Sell, The More Free Coleman You Earn! Any distributor that places a Coleman® Outdoor order that falls under one of three sales volume order levels will earn a FREE Coleman® gift. The program opens today Monday, November 2nd and runs through Friday, January 29, 2021.

Here’s how distributors can earn free Coleman® items.

• Level One – Orders totaling $1,000 can choose from one of the three Coleman® items: 16-Can Cooler With Removable Liner, 4D 2-Panel LED Lantern or Party Pail Charcoal Grill
• Level Two – orders totaling $2,500 can choose from one of the three Coleman® items: Cushioned Cooler Quad Chair, 60 QT. Wheeled Cooler or Bryce Sleeping Bag
• Level Three – orders totaling $5,000 can choose from one of the three Coleman® items: 6D 3-Panel LED Lantern, Roadtrip Propane Grill or 36-Hour 42-Can Marine Soft-Sided Cooler

Supplier alphabroder (PPAI 156993, S16) has unveiled TM Studios, a virtual content hub that provides distributors with collateral organized by market and theme, and designed to be easily downloadable and customizable. TM Studios consists of three distinct sections: The Virtual Content Library, What’s New and Digital Lookbooks. For a need-it-now solution, the Virtual Content Library contains flyers, inspiration boards and emails that can be branded with a company logo and contact information. What’s New showcases new product launches and collateral that keep customers on-point with industry trends. The Digital Lookbooks utilize imagery and modern layouts to create a lasting impression with customers.

SAGE, the leading provider of information, marketing, and business management solutions to the promotional products industry, announces the release of SAGE Mobile™ 10.0. The app, available for iOS and Android devices, allows industry distributors easy access to all their critical research and business management operations while on the go.

SAGE Mobile™ 10.0 now includes the Project Management area, introduced earlier this year in SAGE Online 16. This highly praised feature allows distributors to easily view and manage projects, all while improving their team's organization. The Project Management area was created exclusively for the promotional products industry and can be customized to each distributor's specific workflow.

“Our goal has always been to take our features and modules from SAGE Online and incorporate them into SAGE Mobile, providing clients with the same experience, but on the go,” said SAGE President, David Natinsky, MAS. “We are thrilled to add the Project Management area to SAGE Mobile, because now you can oversee your projects and track the status from anywhere.”

Some additional new features in the SAGE Mobile™ 10.0 release include:

• Dynamic font sizing for SAGE Chat
• Ratings now includes supplier and product ratings
• Leave comments on your supplier and product ratings
• Select custom suppliers in addition to SAGE suppliers for forms in Order Management
• Share presentations via text messaging
• SAGE Chat status automatically goes to “away” when leave chat area
• Unread SAGE Chat notifications on app badge icon

SAGE Mobile™ 10.0 is available now. Current SAGE Total Access subscribers can download SAGE Mobile™ for free from the Apple App Store, Google Play, or the Amazon App Store. For users who have automatic app updates turned on, the update will download automatically.

The unboxing experience is a top industry trend as promotional products professionals review revenue operations and look for new ways to get branded products into the hands of customers. Jeff Lederer, President of the hard goods division of alphabroder | Prime Line asked, “What do our customers need?” This was the inspiration for expanding drop shipping services and adding drop shipping to the Prime Line Incentive Package. “It’s simple, our customers share their drop shipping locations with us, and we take care of boxing and delivering their products for them,” explained Lederer. “There are no minimums for this service. We care about the success of our distributors and our employees, so we look for ways to support the team.”

According to Lederer, customers should think gift when looking for ideas that work well with the unboxing experience. He likes wireless headsets with light-up logos as well as the Roma tech portfolio with power bank and wireless charger. “Keeping your notes in one spot and then charging your phone is a practical and useful gift for employees working from home.” Lederer said. He also remarked on the popularity of vacuum tumbler gift sets. Prime Line has seen an increase in sales on products designed for home use as people stay in with their families.

Prime Line offers additional fulfillment services with drop shipped products. Lederer says, “Put a thank you card in your package. We are happy to fulfill individual notes.” Lederer added, “Personalization is key in building brand loyalty and delivering a better customer experience.”

For more information about drop shipping and to see the full Prime Line incentive package, please visit Primeline.com.

American Solutions for Business facilitated a virtual event called the American COVID-19k Walk/Run attracting over 260 active contributors.

Participants were encouraged to run or walk a self-monitored 19 kilometers over the course of 19 days (October 1-19). Registration was open to the public to include sales associates, home office team, vendor partners, friends and family. Proceeds are donated to the CDC Foundation, which has been committed to COVID research and supporting communities in need during the pandemic.

“ASB has always had a strong give-back culture,” explains Dana Zezzo, ASB’s VP of Marketing, Vendor Relations & Events. “It’s important that we uphold these values regardless of a pandemic. Plus, it’s a fun way to keep everyone active and engaged in a time when it’s easy to feel isolated.”

Participants stayed connected with each other by sharing updates in the established Facebook event page. Many posted photos, videos and screenshots of their mileage and action shots with their families and pets along the way.

Each year, SAGE presents industry suppliers with A+ and A rating awards based on distributor ratings collected in SAGE Online, SAGE Web, and SAGE Mobile, the industry’s most popular product research and business management solution.

This year, 1,008 suppliers received the top A+ rating, while another 259 suppliers received an A rating. A total of 30 percent of all active suppliers in the SAGE database received an award this year. As part of the Power of Two relationship between SAGE and PPAI, suppliers with SAGE ratings are also considered for eligibility in the industry’s annual PPAI Pyramid Supplier Star Awards Competition.

“We are proud to offer this award to outstanding suppliers who set the standard of quality and integrity in the promotional products industry,” said SAGE President David Natinsky, MAS. “This is a testament to each supplier’s dedication to customer service and product safety.”

Awards are based solely on the distributor rating system that is part of SAGE Online, SAGE Web, and SAGE Mobile. The SAGE rating system is widely known within the industry for providing the most accurate and reliable supplier ratings.

Distributors can rate suppliers at any time through the SAGE suite or via a “Rate us now” link provided by suppliers. They can only rate each supplier once, however, they may update their ratings at any time, providing the most accurate representation of their experiences with each supplier. Rating awards are given each year based on the aggregate of distributor ratings and suppliers with an A+ or A aggregate rating are given an award.

Distributors using SAGE’s industry-leading research and business management tools can make more informed decisions about suppliers by accessing suppliers’ current, real-time ratings, including peer distributor comments as well as full award information, including any additional industry awards, for each supplier.

Award-winning suppliers will have access to a variety of marketing collateral to promote their A+ or A rated status, including logos for their catalogs, websites, and email signatures. For more information, suppliers should contact their SAGE account executive at 800.925.7243.

SnugZ USA (PPAI 112982, S10) has partnered with Thermos LLC to become the brand’s exclusive supplier in the promotional products industry. West Jordan, Utah-based SnugZ will offer a variety of the vacuum-insulated hot and cold beverage containers, hydration bottles, food containers and Lifefactory drinkware.

“SnugZ has grown to become a leading player in the promotional products industry, starting with lanyards and identification products and expanding into personal care and premium gifting,” says Brandon Mackay, MAS, SnugZ USA’s president and CEO. “We’re proud of our growth over the past 30-plus years and believe this partnership with Thermos LLC will further strengthen and elevate our offering and expand into the large product segment of branded drinkware to better serve our loyal customers.”

Tom Lewis, vice president of sales at Thermos LLC, adds, “Thermos LLC is excited to be the exclusive partner with SnugZ in the promotional products industry. There is tremendous synergy and opportunity by combining the strength of Thermos Brand vacuum-insulated products with SnugZ, an industry leader in promotional products.”

Products are expected to be available in early 2021.

Recipients of PPAI’s most prestigious awards for 2021 have been selected. Teresa Moisant, MAS, owner and president of Oklahoma City-based distributor Moisant Promotional Products, is the PPAI Hall of Fame inductee and Mark Abels, MAS, CEO and owner of Tulsa, Oklahoma-based supplier SELCO, is the PPAI Distinguished Service award recipient.

The promotional products industry has grown and prospered because of the creative spark and the dedication of many, but there are some individuals whose selfless efforts and devotion to the industry are monumental. PPAI gives permanent recognition to these individuals through induction into the PPAI Hall of Fame.

Moisant has a distinguished history in the promotional products field as a longtime volunteer, speaker, mentor, advocate and champion of women in the industry. She was the recipient of PPAI’s Woman of Achievement Award in 2017, Distinguished Service Award in 2016 and has also been honored by The Journal Record, not only as one of Oklahoma’s Most Admired CEOs, but also as one of 50 Women Making A Difference. In addition, she has also been honored three times by the OKC Chamber as owner of one of the 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies as well as being named the Best Promotional Products Company in okcBiz magazine’s annual Best Of Business for 10 consecutive years.

The PPAI Distinguished Service Award celebrates members who consistently contribute their skills and expertise toward the betterment of the Association. Through volunteer service or by offering their leadership to PPAI, these members generously give the benefit of their energy, time and enthusiasm.

Abels is a servant leader starting first and foremost with his organizational management style and through leadership that has carried on the family legacy by assuring the high standards of customer service and product innovation that SELCO customers have come to expect. He is a PPAI Fellow and served on the Promotional Products Association of the Southwest (PPAS) board of directors from 2010 to 2011. Abels has served in numerous PPAI volunteer roles since 1995, leaving an enduring impression on every PPAI committee, taskforce and work group on which he served, while advancing the work and mission of each.

BIC Graphic North America (PPAI 114187, S13) has announced it will be changing its name to Koozie Group, effective January 1, 2021. The Clearwater, Florida-based supplier has operated under the BIC name since 1969 and has owned the Koozie brand since 2009.

“Changing to Koozie Group is a great move for us because it better explains what we aspire to be moving forward,” says David A. Klatt Jr., CEO of BIC Graphic NA. “Just mentioning the word Koozie brings a big smile to people’s faces as it reminds them of a great event or experience in their lives. Creating that feeling is exactly what we want to do for our customers’ brands.”

BIC Graphic NA conducted internal surveys, focus groups—internal and customer—and worked with outside branding agencies throughout 2019 to develop a list of over 800 names to consider. Koozie Group was selected because the spirit of the flagship Koozie brand clearly aligns with the company’s goal of providing useful solutions that evoke positive vibes and spark lasting memories. Despite the name having roots in drinkware, Koozie Group will still provide an assortment of products, categories and 40-plus brands, including BIC writing instruments.