News

Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE, will conclude his employment with the Association at the end of March 2021, marking the end of more than 20 years of service to the Association. “The past 20-plus years have been nothing short of extraordinary,” Bellantone said. “This decision was not easy, but I am confident knowing that our strong staff and dedicated Board of Directors have PPAI in a solid position to move forward to protect, grow and engage the promotional products industry.” Bellantone notified the Board in late October of his intention to conclude his tenure before his next contract extension which was set to begin on April 1, 2021.

PPAI Board Chair Ira Neaman, MAS, said, “The Board and countless others in the industry are so grateful for Paul’s many years of leadership and dedication to serve and engage the industry. Under his leadership, PPAI has grown and evolved into one of the most respected associations worldwide. I am truly thankful for all Paul has done for PPAI, including instilling a strong ‘confidence to evolve’ mentality among the PPAI Board, staff and volunteer corps.” Executive Vice President Robert (Bob) McLean, Jr., CPA, CAE, CEM, said, “Paul has been an inspirational leader and advocate of the PPAI community and the industry. Due to his tireless leadership and team building, our staff and volunteer leaders are well-positioned for this change and to continue to move the Association forward.”

Bellantone added, “It has been a pleasure to serve the Association and I am tremendously appreciative of the opportunities I have been given and for the relationships I have built during my time with PPAI. It is no secret that this has been a challenging year for many, both personally and professionally. But with such challenges come opportunities to evolve and thrive. That’s why I believe this is not only the right time for me, but the best time for PPAI.”

PPAI’s mission to grow, protect, inform and engage its members and the industry remains foremost. Coupled with a focused and strategic continuity plan, the Board and leadership staff will work closely with Bellantone over the coming months to evaluate internal and external market conditions against the needs of the members, industry and the Association. These efforts will ensure a smooth transition that will drive meaningful value and the long-term success of the Association.

Logomark (PPAI 110898, S12) has entered into a partnership with Igloo to offer the company’s drinkware into the promotional products market. The Tustin, California-based supplier will offer flasks, jugs, bottles and tumblers from the 73-year-old company.

“Drinkware has been a strong focus for Logomark for many years, and we are excited to add the legendary Igloo brand to our portfolio of products,” says Trevor Gnesin, president of Logomark. “We believe their top quality, solid designs and high‐performance mugs, jugs and bottles are a great match to Logomark’s commitment to bring superior promotional products to our customers.”

Terri Schiek, vice president of sales at Igloo Products Corp., adds, “We are thrilled to start offering our popular high‐end drinkware items through Logomark, a leader in the promotional products market. With their powerful reach throughout North America, incomparable customer service, top‐tier decoration abilities and strategic positioning in the industry, we know our items will be a big hit.”

Sweda Company, LLC (PPAI 113914, S11) has announced that its Basecamp Warrior Team has completed their Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) Carry Forward Virtual 5K. The Basecamp Warriors represented their family members, friends, Warrior Spirit Retreat founder and Sweda Basecamp Brand Ambassador Dan Nevins, and all those who have served their country. The Basecamp Warrior Team finished in first place, donating the highest total for the event.

In early September, Nevins informed the Sweda team that his Carry Forward 5K Fund Raiser would be a virtual event for 2020. Cristi Meyer, Sweda national account manager and an avid runner, took on the task of motivating her Sweda team members to participate in raising awareness and funds for this WWP event. The Basecamp Warriors are made up of Sweda sales and executive team members, including Jim Hagan, CEO; Kellie Claudio, senior vice president of sales and marketing; Meyer, serving as team captain; and Craig Wallace, Ryan Scott, Paul Hart, Shelley Bednarski, Steve Weisbaum, Jonathan Holt, Bob Engh, Mike Jones, Larry Willis, David Lodde, Rob Ball, Ben and Johanna Black, Chris and Karen Stauffer, Julia MacDonald and Joyce Sarmiento. Each person completed their 5ks on their own time.

In January, Sweda announced Basecamp’s partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project with this year’s commitment to donate $100,000 and two percent of wholesale sales at retail.

Sweda has been working with Nevins since 2017. Nevins was carried off the battlefield in 2004 after an IED detonated under his vehicle. He lost both legs below the knee and lives with a traumatic brain injury, but Nevins has not let that stop him. He credits the help of WWP and the backpack they gave him while he was at Walter Reed Army Medical Center with his successful rehabilitation. Nevins has now spent more than a decade dedicating his time to help other wounded warriors overcome the invisible and visible wounds of war through holistic teachings. The Basecamp Warriors wanted to honor Nevins and chose November 10, as that is his “Alive Day,” when “the universe decided Dan Nevins was not done living."

Gemline (PPAI 113948, S11) has created a strategic partnership with Colorado-based outdoor retail brand Osprey and added its products to the Lawrence, Massachusetts, supplier’s portfolio. Osprey, founded in 1974, offers sustainable hardgoods, including packs and carry solutions, for outdoor, travel and everyday purposes.

“We pride ourselves in choosing brand partners that are aligned with us in their appreciation for design innovation and quality. Osprey’s long-standing brand recognition and commitment to quality and sustainability, make them a perfect complement to Gemline’s expanding brand portfolio,” says Jonathan Isaacson, CEO of Gemline. “As people are taking to outdoor exploration and adventure, this new partnership will offer our customers more relevant cobranding opportunities than ever before.”

Caitrin Smith, corporate sales manager at Osprey Packs, adds, “Osprey is thrilled to launch a partnership with Gemline. They have a passion for truly understanding the brands that they work with and they are laser-focused on delivering the Osprey brand, product and experience to their customers.”

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.