Women Business Owners
Weather The Economic Storm
Women business owners are surviving and even improving the outlook for their companies despite the economic downturn, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Women Business Owners^® (NAWBO).

The survey's findings show more than half have no plans to reduce employment while nearly 25 percent are planning to increase their workforce. Also, 53 percent intend to expand into new markets.

This positive outlook is shared by some women business owners in promotional products, who say their unique position can be an advantage when recruiting new clients.

Visit PPB online to read members' views on the subject.

JD Apparel Buys Pine Island Sportswear
Monroe, North Carolina-based supplier Pine Island Sportswear, Ltd. (UPIC: PINE0003) has been purchased by JD Apparel, Inc. dba Pine Island Sportswear, Inc.

Jamie Winter, the sole owner of JD Apparel and an executive with Pine Island for 12 years, bought the company from former owner Daphne Koenigsberg. Koenigsberg is retiring to focus on full-time motherhood.

"Even amid a down economy there are opportunities for well-priced and unique products such as our Everyday Life label," says Winter. "Our key to continued success is concentrating on niche markets."

OrderTrax^2™ Website Goes Live
OrderTrax^2™, the order review program from Irving, Texas-based business services provider ISERVCORP (UPIC: IservCo), has officially gone live. The program automates and streamlines the purchase order process between distributors and suppliers. Through the website, users can communicate with each other about their orders whether they are part of the network or not.

Distributors can request and view order status on a single web page, and suppliers can send proofs directly to distributors with communications that are time-stamped and purchase-order specific.

In addition, ISERVCORP is offering OrderTrax² with a QuickBooks plug-in to better serve all customers industry-wide. "With more than 60 percent of the industry using QuickBooks as their order-processing system, this just made perfect sense," says Tom Gindrup, ISERVCORP's chief technology officer.

Performance Management Group Announces 2009 Leaders
The Forum for People Performance Management and Measurement at Northwestern University has formed its 2009 leadership team, which includes the organization's executive committee, trustee advisory board and board of trustees. PPAI Executive Vice President Paul Bellantone, CAE, will serve on the board of trustees. You can view the full list in a news release from the forum.

Bellantone says the forum's work fits well with the goals and mission of the Association.

"Our energies at the Forum for People Performance Management are focused on developing and delivering compelling research on integrated business strategies that promote organizational growth by maximizing consumer and employee performance," says Bellantone.

"These strategies can include the use of incentive programs, corporate meetings, leadership, training and performance measurement. PPAI's own research and the research of the forum consistently show strong support for the use of promotional products as part of integrated campaigns to achieve these goals."

Past PPAI Chairman Kiewiet
To Conduct AMA Webcast
There's still time to sign up and listen to past PPAI Board chair Paul Kiewiet, MAS, CIP, present a webcast for the American Marketing Association at 12 pm CDT on Wednesday.

Kiewiet, president of Kalamazoo, Michigan-based business services provider BrandKiwi, LLC (UPIC: kiwi), will discuss "Touching All the Senses to Build a Brand," and offer marketing professionals practical guidance on how to engage the senses to build a brand experience using examples from top brands such as Apple, Harley Davidson and Coke.

To register for the free event, click here. The webcast slides are also available for download. For additional information, contact Erica Edwards, PPAI communications coordinator, at EricaE@ppai.org.

Supplier Provides Financial Education To Employees
St. Paul, Minnesota-based supplier Crystal D (UPIC: CRYSTALD) wanted to help its employees get a better handle on their personal finances, so it began offering a 15-week series of courses called Financial Peace Workplace Edition from finance guru Dave Ramsey.

Since March 2, Crystal D employees have been engaged in a 15-week personal finance course, learning how and why to save money, live debt-free and prepare for retirement and college expenses.

Read more about the program at PPB online.

First Source Awards
Relocating Operations
Moreno Valley, California-based supplier First Source Awards, Inc. (UPIC: fsource) is completing its relocation on Friday. The move was necessary to accommodate growth, says David Dean, president.

TThe supplier's new address is 2060 Chicago Avenue, #B3, Riverside, California 92507. The new phone and fax numbers, respectively, are 951-684-1181 and 951-684-1191.

Build Customer Service Skills
With PPAI's One-Day Workshop
Do you want to refresh your customer service skills with new insights or are you looking to completely revamp your approach to making sure clients get the best service from your business?

If so, you'll want to attend PPAI's Principles Of Award-Winning Customer Service and Best Practices Workshop, 9 am to 3:30 pm Tuesday, April 21, in Houston, Texas.

In this one-day seminar led by customer service expert Bob Barker, you'll learn the mission and goal of customer service, how to make customers feel important and appreciated and identify the seven customer esteem builders, among other skills.

The workshop is $99 for PPAI members and $300 for nonmembers. Click here to register, or for more information contact Professional Development Manager Margie Lindley at MargieL@ppai.org or 972-258-3025.

Submit Your Entries For The 2010 Suppliers Achievement Award
Suppliers, take advantage of the opportunity for your company to be recognized for creativity, innovation of imprinting processes, product development and graphic reproductions by submitting your best, most creative 2008 products, sales aids and self promotions for the 2010 PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award.

The coveted Suppliers Achievement Award is a terrific tool for winning new customers. The entry form is now available online; entries must be postmarked by May 29, 2009. For more information, contact Melissa Bontrager at 972-258-3042 or MelissaB@ppai.org.

Oregon Senator Seeks
Ban On Some Pharm Gifts
This month, Oregon state Sen. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, introduced S. 845, a bill that would prohibit pharmaceutical manufacturing companies from providing certain gifts in conjunction with the marketing of prescription drugs unless the items have the primary purpose of providing an educational benefit to patients or directly convey information about healthcare products, educational benefits or supporting medical research.

This bill also authorizes imposition of civil penalties for violation of up to $10,000 for each calendar day during which a willful violation of section 1 of this act occurs. This act would take effect on the date of passage.

PPAI is asking members to take action now and let representatives know that you oppose this bill in its current form. Click here for a form letter you can send.

Third-Party Testing
For Children's Jewelry In Effect
The third-party testing requirement for children's metal jewelry, set forth in the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), went into effect Monday. Children are defined by the CPSIA as being 12 years old or younger.

Beginning February 10 this year, lead content is limited to 600 parts per million (ppm) for any part of the product. Beginning August 14, the lead limit will be reduced to 300 ppm. For more information on lead limits and third-party testing, visit PPAI's Product Safety page.

Slagle Responds To AMA Coverage Of PhRMA
In February, the American Marketing Association (AMA) addressed the issue of PhRMA regulations in an article for its Marketing News publication, and PPAI President and CEO Steve Slagle, CAE, sent a letter to the editor in response.

"I think you did your publication and your readers a disservice in your coverage of the voluntary PhRMA code," says Slagle in the letter. "Why? Because in your cursory coverage of the impact of the PhRMA code you stated that the promotional products industry stands to lose $1 billion in sales this year -- but you overlooked the fact that promotional products are an essential element in the marketing mix. ... When the promotional products industry loses $1 billion, we all lose $1 billion."

The letter is scheduled to run the the March 30 issue of Marketing News.

Lardner Contributes Article
To Public Relations Tactics
Anne Lardner, PPAI senior manager of public affairs, contributed an article on creating effective media drops to the March issue of Public Relations Tactics, a publication of the Public Relations Society Of America (PRSA).

Lardner says unique, compelling media drop kits should contain "a news release or media alert, an invitation to an event or tradeshow, promotional products with a company logo, a fact sheet or backgrounder on your company ... and a business card with contact information."

PPAF Announces Newest Scholarship Winners
Promotional Products Association of Florida (PPAF) has announced the winners of its 2008 scholarship program. The recipients are: George Matchak of City Of Industry, California-based supplier Sweda (UPIC: SWEDA); Tim Merritt of
Batavia, Ohio-based distributor Kaeser & Blair (UPIC: KAESER) and Bill Szydlowski of Newton, Iowa-bsaed distributor The Vernon Company (UPIC: Vernon). They were presented with the awards in December.

Each scholarship is valued at $1,800 and may be used to cover the cost of tuition, hotel, airfare and meals associated with achieving the CAS/MAS designation. To qualify for a PPAF scholarship, interested members should complete an application and include a written essay to be judged by the Scholarship Advisory Counsel comprised of PPAF past presidents and chaired by Wayne Greenberg, MAS.

Scholarship applications and essays are judged on a point system anonymously.

If you are pursuing your CAS/MAS or are seeking re-certification and need financial assistance, this is an ideal tool to help you meet your goals. For more information, contact Deb Spears at info@ppaf.com.

Joe Morys, Co-Founder Of Jansco, Inc.
Joe Morys, co-founder of Glen Ellyn, Illinois-based distributor Jansco, Inc. (UPIC: JANSCO) died March 16. Morys suffered a fall in September 2008 and since then had experienced other health issues.

Considered by many to be a legend in the promotional products industry, Morys began working in promotional products in 1951 as an outside sales rep for Green Duck Company. In 1964, when Green Duck moved to Mississippi, he worked for two other promotional products agencies, and then in 1972 he started Jansco with Barbara LaSpesa.

Morys's specialty was in art and copy design and layout. His industry contributions include serving as the president of Specialty Advertising Association of Chicago (SAAC), now known as Promotional Professionals Association of Chicago (PPAC).

Morys's other claim to fame was Polish hop dancing; he was also an orchestra leader for more than 30 years and, according to friends and co-workers, played a mean accordion.

Funeral services were held March 20 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Des Plaines. Donations in Morys's memory may be made to The Arthritis Foundation of Greater Chicago Chapter, 29 East Madison, Suite 500, Chicago, Illinois, 60602.

Barker Specialty Company
Awards Suppliers
Cheshire, Connecticut-based distributor Barker Specialty Company (UPIC: BARKER) hosted its annual vendor dinner with nearly 100 suppliers in attendance. Awards were presented in three categories and the winners were as follows:

Supplier of the Year: Rahway, New Jersey-based Punch Products USA, Inc. (UPIC: VISIONUS)
Supplier Sales Rep of the Year: Sandy Klein, Garden Grove, California-based Evans Manufacturing, Inc. (UPIC: EVANS)
Customer Service Rep of the Year: Angela McDonald, Braintree, Massachusetts-based Hub Pen Co. (UPIC: HUBPEN)

SanMar Earns Supplier Of The Year
Kirkland, Washington-based distributors Image Source, Inc. (UPIC: IMAGESCE) and Branded Solutions by EDGAR MARTINEZ (UPIC: BrandedS) have selected Preston, Washington-based SanMar (UPIC: SNMR) as their Supplier of the Year for 2008. SanMar has won the award for the second year in a row.

"This award is decided by everyone on our two teams, and they all have fun voting each year for our Supplier of the Year," says Tom Goos, COO. "SanMar has been a great partner to our organizations."

Artistic Toy Appoints McKinley
To Rep Plush Line
Allentown, Pennsylvania-based supplier Artistic Toy (UPIC: ARTSTOY) has appointed Jim McKinley, MAS, of Matthews, North Carolina-based supplier rep McKinley Promotional Marketing to represent Artistic's soft plush toy product line in 10 Southeastern states: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Boundless Adds Several
Sales Professionals In First Quarter
Austin, Texas-based distributor Boundless Network (UPIC: Bound784) added more than 30 sales professionals, including 12 independent sales professionals, to the company during the first quarter of 2009.

The independent sales professionals are:
Jaylene Cyr, Houston, Texas
Greg Dashkin, Manhattan, New York
Angus Garfield, Cape Elizabeth, Maine
David Guise, Orlando, Florida
Ashley Herman, Roseville, California
Kelley Hollis, Dallas, Texas
Louis Kaplan, Roseville, California
Elizabeth Nothcut, Phoenix, Arizona
Bruce Neumann, Northbrook, Illinois
Ed Rinker, Charlotte, North Carolina
Scott Singer, San Antonio, Texas
Jay Smith, Sacramento, California

Dri Mark Welcomes New President, Sales Reps
Port Washington, New York-based supplier Dri Mark Products, Inc. (UPIC: DRIMARK) has promoted chief financial officer Cathy Williams-Owen to president/CFO. Williams started at DM as a bookkeeper before being promoted to the role of comptroller. In 2000 she was promoted to CFO.

DM also welcomes new sales reps Vilia Bloom, Rob Craxford, Bruce Knisley, Mike Rubin and Linda Misiorowski. Bloom will represent the company in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota; Craxford and Rubin will cover Delaware; Connecticut; Maine; Massachusetts; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island; and Vermont; Knisley will cover Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio; and Misiorowski will rep Illinois and Wisconsin.

Dunbrooke Announces New Reps, Territories
Independence, Missouri-based supplier Dunbrooke Apparel Corp. (UPIC: DUNBROOK) has hired new multi-line reps and expanded its sales territories.

Jim Dunn covers Indiana, Michigan and Ohio; Mark Chipchase covers Virgnia and West Virginia; Tammy Flippo covers Louisiana, Arkansas and New Mexico; Kelly Henrich covers Kentucky and Tennessee; Bret Jackson covers Illinois and Wisconsin; Trey Skaggs covers Mississippi and Alabama; and Gary Wollner covers Minnesota.

ISERVCORP Hires Byrne As Sales, Marketing Exec
Irving, Texas-based business services provider ISERVCORP, Inc. (UPIC: IServCo) has named Brian Byrne the sales and marketing executive for all of its sales and marketing programs.

Byrne is responsible for guiding all sales and marketing initiatives for OrderTrax^2™ and DailyBoost^™. He previously served as president and CEO/COO of two high-tech companies. ISERVCORP is a wholly owned, for-profit subsidiary of PPAI.

Vantage Apparel Contracts
With Jamieson
Avenel, New Jersey-based supplier Vantage Apparel (UPIC: VANTAGE) has contracted with industry veteran Mike Jamieson of Story City, Iowa-based supplier rep Jamieson Enterprise Marketing (UPIC: Jamie127) to cover Iowa and Nebraska. Jamieson has more than 25 years of promotional sales experience.

Family Business Avoids Sibling Rivalry By Focusing On Talents
At Powell, Ohio-based distributor Artina Promotional Products (UPIC: ARTINA), the kids won't be fighting over who gets to take over when Dad retires.

Founder and President Chris Bouzounis tells the Columbus Business Journal that his children have naturally moved into roles that suit their individual talents. Bouzounis' son, Art, will remain director of marketing and business development, a job suited to his extroverted nature, while daughter Matina will take over as president. She currently manages the company's sales team.

Member Shares Promotional Products Wisdom With Business Journal
Jody Ferrer, owner and president of West Hartford, Connecticut-based distributor The Perfect Promotion (UPIC: Perfect2), discussed the power of promotional products in a Q&A with the Hartford Business Journal last week.

Ferrer tells the Journal that the two biggest mistakes companies can make when ordering promotional products are "not being true to the integrity of their brand and just ordering ‘stuff' without having a plan."

This week on The Industry Show, Leed's announces new additions to its eco-friendly offerings, S&S Activewear hosts an open house and more.

Diamonds In The Economic Rough
Have you spotted opportunites in new markets lately? Are you noticing sales of certain products picking up in a particular industry? If your clients are in industries and job fields that continue to grow despite the economy, share your story for possible inclusion in an upcoming PPB article. E-mail Jen Alexander by March 26.

Submit Your Road-Trip Essentials
The June issue of Promotional Consultant steps into high gear with products for highway travelers including auto accessories, vehicle safety items and assorted travel products. April 10 is the deadline to send your best travel items such as maps, tire gauges, coolers, flashlights, dash and visor accessories, CD cases and first-aid kits to Audrey Sellers for possible inclusion.

Make A Date With Promotional Calendars
Whether you're scouting the wall, desk, diary or pocket variety, you'll find calendars aplenty in the July issue of PPB magazine. Want to see your calendar on the pages of PPB? Send product details and high-resolution images to Audrey Sellers by April 17 for possible inclusion.

A Roundup Of Jackets
The July issue of PPB magazine will be jam-packed with jackets for cool-weather promotions. Suppliers, send apparel descriptions and high-resolution images of your newest cotton, leather, microfiber, nylon and polyester jackets to Audrey Sellers for consideration. April 17 is the submission deadline.

Best Of The PPAI Expo 2009
At the industry's premiere event, a high-energy fashion show energized a crowd of thousands. But this was just a first look at what awaited attendees in the New Product Pavilion and on the show floor. Here, exhibitors unveiled the garments your clients crave. Check out what topped our list as the best new styles at The PPAI Expo 2009.

Fast Forward: Why Are We Here?
Everyone has sat, glassy-eyed, through a meeting that was either fatally derailed from its original purpose or totally lacking one from the start. The problem with time-sucking meetings is often that the leaders didn't set clear objectives or an agenda and didn't assign pre-meeting tasks. Try these suggestions for taking an active role and making meetings more effective.

Inside PPAI
The PPAI Expo was again listed as the best tradeshow in the industry by Corporate Logo's 2008 Best of Business poll. Voted on by readers, this marks the fourth straight year PPAI has received this honor.

A distributor asks: How do you use samples during a sales presentation? Do you bring exactly what the client asked for and nothing else? Or do you bring several different options and include multiple price points for each?

What's your answer? E-mail answers along with your name, title and company name to Question@ppai.org by March 27 for possible inclusion in the June 2009 issue of PPB magazine.