Continental Clothing Introduces Carbon Footprint Label
Los Angeles, California-based supplier Continental Clothing Company USA LLC (UPIC: CONTUSA), working with the Carbon Trust, has launched what the company says is the world's first Carbon Reduction Label for textile products sold in the United Kingdom.

The new label, to be displayed on a range of printed t-shirts and sweatshirts, will show the carbon footprint of the entire life cycle of the clothes from raw materials and manufacturing to consumer use and disposal.

Visit PPB online to read more.

Dart, Senator Achieve Highest
Fair Labor Rating
Dart Business Accessories and Senator Writing Instruments, product lines of Dallas, Texas-based supplier Senator Promotional Group USA (UPIC: SENATOR), recently completed an audit with the Fair Labor Association and were found to be fully compliant with FLA standards. Both companies' status is "Acceptable," the highest achievable rating.

Incorporated in 1999, the FLA has developed a Workplace Code of Conduct based on International Labour Organization standards and created a practical monitoring, remediation and verification process to achieve those standards. The FLA's mission is to protect workers' rights and improve working conditions.

Kelly White Marketing Affiliates
With HALO/Lee Wayne
Richmond, Virginia-based distributor Kelly White Marketing (UPIC: KELL0005) has affiliated with Sterling, Illinois-based distributor HALO/Lee Wayne (UPIC: LEEWAYNE).

Kelly White's four-member sales team will sell under the Lee Wayne brand. Operational responsibilities for Kelly White will be immediately transitioned to HALO/Lee Wayne's operational headquarters in Sterling, Illinois.

"Our strategy is to partner with powerful regional distributors like Kelly White, who have established a solid reputation with their clients and within our industry," says Dale Limes, HALO/Lee Wayne senior vice president of sales.

ISERVCORP Partners
With OrderMaster
Irving, Texas-based business services provider ISERVCORP (UPIC: IservCo) has entered final negotiations regarding a channel sales partner agreement with OrderMaster. Under the agreement, OrderMaster will integrate its accounting solution with the OrderTrax²™ software for OrderMaster customers. ISERVCORP, a wholly owned subsidiary of PPAI, is the creator of DailyBoost™ and OrderTrax² software.

Read more about the partnership at PPB online.

Norwood Hires Consulting Firm
To Ensure CPSIA Compliance
Indianapolis, Indiana-based supplier Norwood Promotional Products (UPIC: NORWOOD) has retained a consulting firm to help ensure all of its applicable products will meet standards set forth by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). Norwood currently carries nearly 50 children's products in its 2009 product catalogs.

See what other steps Norwood has taken regarding product safety compliance here.

North Dakota Members Power Through Floods, Blizzard
After President Obama declared flood-stricken North Dakota a federal disaster area last week, PPAI reminded members that the Promotional Products Business Recovery Plan is available to companies in the area who have been adversely affected by the rising waters.

Fargo-based supplier FRS Industries, Inc. (UPIC: FRSIND) moved inventory and equipment off the lower levels of the company's building last week, in preparation for possible flooding, says owner Dale Larson. Luckily, the supplier came away unscathed. Water levels have fallen two feet since they crested at record levels over the weekend.

Visit PPB online to read more.

A La Carte Announces
One-Day Production
Chicago, Illinois-based supplier A La Carte (UPIC: alacarte) has begun offering one-day production time for some of its best-selling products. For qualifying orders received by noon CDT, A La Carte will ship the following business day. More information is available on A La Carte's website, or by contacting customer service at 800-723-2370 or at service@alacarteline.com.

BIC Looks To The Future
After Antalis Acquisition
BIC Group, the European parent company of Clearwater, Florida-based supplier BIC Graphic USA (UPIC: BIC) completed its acquisition of Europe-based Antalis Promotional Products earlier this month.

The acquisition is valued at €33.5 million ($42.8 million), which could increase by an additional earn-out payment of up to €5 million ($6.4 million) due in 2010, based on APP sales as of December 31, 2009. In 2008, APP generated €92 million ($117.6 million) in revenues.

"APP's strengths are highly complementary to the BIC Graphic business model, which is based on a historic leadership in promotional stationery products and lighters in Europe, the U.S. and Latin America and excellence in customer service, manufacturing and imprinting," says Lori Bauer, trade marketing manager for BIC Graphic USA and Canada.

Bauer says following the acquisition, plans for each geographic market will be addressed and rolled out in the coming months. "We look forward to the opportunities this acquisition represents to BIC Graphic globally," she says.

Promotional Consultant Website Goes Live
For Promotional Consultant readers who have longed for online access to the latest issue or old favorites, the time is now.

The Promotional Consultant website, www.promotionalconsultant.org, is now live.

"This will be so helpful to PC readers who want to access archives or read the digital edition," says Pam Webb, managing editor of PPAI's PC and Promotional Consultant Today.

PC Today, the daily dose of promotional consultant business tips and tools, is available in subscriber inboxes and can also be found on DailyBoost™.

Revisit PPAI's Latest
CPSIA Webinar
Last week's webinar on product safety, "CPSIA -- An Overview," was the first in a series of 30-minute sessions designed to focus on specific product categories.

Susan DeRagon, associate director of toys and premiums for Specialized Technology Resources (STR), addressed basic U.S. safety requirements for various types of promotional products and their potential concerns or challenges.

If you were unable to participate in the webinar, you can still register or sign in to view the slides in the PPAI archives.

U.S. Congressman Proposes
CPSIA Book Exemption
Last week, U.S. Rep. Jeffrey Fortenberry, R-Nebraska, introduced H.R. 1692, a bill that would amend the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) to exempt books from its lead limit requirements. The bill has been introduced to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

The legislation proposes that CPSIA was not intended to apply to books that are published on paper or cardboard, printed by conventional publishing methods, intended to be read and lacking inherent play value. It also notes, among other things, that the largest publishers in the United States do not use lead-based chemicals or other materials in the manufacturing of ordinary books, in accordance with standards promulgated by the Coalition of Northeastern Governors.

Keep Up With Your State's Legislation
Several state legislatures are reviewing bills that either inhibit or ban the distribution of promotional products in the healthcare industry.

Among them are Connecticut, whose bill S. 1049 calls for the prohibition of tangible items of any value given to healthcare providers, and New York, whose Senate budget bill (S-58/A-158) requires strict reporting requirements on all transfers of value between healthcare providers and drug and device manufacturers who participate in state health programs.

If this issue is of concern to you and your state is one of many that are debating similar legislation, PPAI offers tools to help you share your opinions with your senators and representatives. PPAI has issued action alerts and provided form letters for bills in Connecticut, Iowa and New York.

Click here to see the alerts and access the form letters.

Maryland Legislature Nixes Ad Cost Reporting Bill
A bill introduced by Maryland's House Committee On Health And Government Operations that would have required the reporting of drug advertising costs was withdrawn last week as a result of unfavorable reporting.

MD H 1477 would have required pharmaceutical manufacturers to report to the state's Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene on the costs of marketing and advertising prescription drugs in the State.

It also would have required pharmaceutical manufacturers to report to the secretary on specified gifts and other economic benefits provided to healthcare providers.

PPAI Joins Manufacturers' Petition Regarding Tracking Labels
PPAI has joined the petition filed by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) CPSC Coalition, dated March 25, asking the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for a one-year emergency stay of enforcement on the tracking label provision of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA), until August 14, 2010.

"We are gravely concerned that there remains insufficient time prior to the current August 14, 2009, implementation date to finalize, publish and adopt new tracking systems and marks," says Steve Slagle, CAE, PPAI president and CEO, who joined the petition on behalf of PPAI.

Visit PPB online to read more.

Lennarson, Slagle To Speak At Advertising Product Suppliers Forum
PPAI Board Chair Sherri Lennarson, MAS, and President and CEO Steve Slagle, CAE, will discuss the Association's government relations efforts at the Advertising Product Suppliers (APS) Forum on June 1 in Atlantic City, prior to PROMOTIONS EAST.

"We'll be talking about government relations issues such as the Physicians Payment Sunshine Act at the federal level and similar legislation being considered by several states," says Slagle. "We'll also discuss PPAI's lobbying efforts on behalf of the industry, including efforts being made by regional associations to mobilize their members to contact their representatives on key issues affecting the industry."

Additionally, Slagle and Lennarson will discuss efforts by the Association to educate and influence the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) about the promotional products industry and the implications of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.

Lardner Discusses Impact Of PhRMA With Cape Cod Paper
Anne Lardner, senior manager of public affairs for PPAI, shared with the Cape Cod Times the implications of the voluntary code of conduct being followed by pharmaceutical companies on the promotional products industry. In the March 30 edition, Lardner says estimates indicate a potential loss of "about $1 billion in revenue in 2009."

District Four To Meet
At PPAI Headquarters This Week
This week, District Four of the Regional Association Council (RAC) will be meeting at PPAI headquarters in Irving, Texas, to discuss current issues, organization goals and future projects as well as review the events and accomplishments of 2008. This is the second meeting of its kind for District Four.

"The Regional Relations team is delighted to welcome our colleagues as they continue to blaze trails and create opportunities across their member associations," says Member and Regional Relations Director Michele Packard-Milam, CAE. "This group sets a great example."

District Four is comprised of the following regionals:
Corridor Area Promotional Products Association (CAPPA)
Houston Promotional Products Association (HPPA)
Promotional Products Association of the Midwest (PPAM)
Promotional Products Association Southwest (PPAS)
Rocky Mountain Region Promotional Products Association (RMRPPA)

Florida Regional To Host
Product Safety Presentation
Promotional Products Association Of Florida (PPAF) will host a presentation and roundtable discussions on the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and its implications for the industry on Tuesday, April 21, in Tampa, Florida.

Featured speaker Susan DeRagon, associate director of toys and premiums for Specialized Technology Resources, Inc., and product safety consultant for PPAI, will teach attendees how to handle client concerns and what actions to take to avoid potential safety issues when selling products that may be covered under CPSIA rules.

The event is $25 for association members and $35 for nonmembers. For more information, contact Deb Spears at info@ppaf.com.

Crystal D Adds Warkel
To Business Development Team
St. Paul, Minnesota-based supplier Crystal D (UPIC: CRYSTALD) has hired Tom Warkel to work in business development. Warkel has 25 years of sales and managerial experience. He is responsible for establishing professional customer relationships, training customers to sell Crystal D awards and presenting solutions for all project and product requests.

Hirsch Gift Hires New Sales Reps
Houston, Texas-based supplier Hirsch Gift, Inc. (UPIC: HIRGIFT) has hired supplier sales reps Wayne Taziri of Denver, Colorado-based Tazmark, Inc. and Dan Moses, Pete Rosica and Mary Sargent of New Canaan, Connecticut-based Dan Moses and Associates.

Taziri will cover Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming; Moses will cover Connecticut, northern New Jersey and New York; Rosica will cover the Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Washington, D.C., and Sargent will cover Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Journalbooks Adds
Leed's, Bullet Line Reps
Charlotte, North Carolina-based supplier Journalbooks (UPIC: journalbooks) will now be represented by sales teams from New Kensington, Pennsylvania-based supplier Leed's (UPIC: leeds) and Miami, Florida-based supplier Bullet Line LLC (UPIC: BULLET).

The reps are:
Mark Charbonneau (New Jersey)
Nina Davi (Northern California, Nevada and Utah)
Mike Dunsworth (Southeast U.S.)
Steve Kaplan (Metropolitan New York)
Anna Lindquist (Arizona, Southern California and Colorado)
Mike Merkin (New England and Upstate New York)
Heather Nigh (South Texas)
Kristen O'Leary (Southern California)
Jeff Pickens (Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and Maryland)

Adventures In Advertising Receives Franchisee Award
Neenah, Wisconsin-based distributor Adventures in Advertising (UPIC: ADVINADV) has received the Franchisee Satisfaction Award from Franchise Business Review for the third consecutive year.

The fourth annual survey measured satisfaction in a number of areas, including training and support, franchise system, relationship, financial opportunity and general satisfaction.

"This award is very important, as it reflects the dedication and achievement of our corporate staff and the entire community of professionals we serve," says David Woods, MAS, CEO and president of AIA.

"We are relatively small by franchise standards, and we choose to focus on quality, not quantity. Our award reflects well on our industry, drawing positive attention to the promotional marketing segment of the greater advertising and marketing world."

Boundless Recognized
By Texas PR Group
Austin, Texas-based distributor Boundless Network (UPIC: Bound784) was awarded a 2009 Silver Spur from the Texas Public Relations Association (TPRA) for its digital corporate identity campaign. Diverge Communications, a digital public relations firm, worked with Boundless to achieve the company's business objectives using a mix of traditional and digital public relations.

"Innovation and technology are the core of Boundless Network. We felt it was vital to carry those values through to our public relations and marketing outreach," says Jason Black, Boundless Network CEO.

Chicago Button Company
Preserving History
Chicago, Illinois-based supplier Busy Beaver Buttons (UPIC: BUTTONS) is busy preparing for a relocation, but not too busy to save memories from times gone by.

According to a story in the Chicago Sun-Times, Busy Beaver employees have gathered discarded buttons and other materials from the former workspace of the Parisian Novelty Co., which was founded in 1898 and was once the world's largest manufacturer of blank lapel buttons, until it recently became a victim of the faltering economy. The materials will be used in Busy Beaver's new space.

Busy Beaver owner Christen Carter says she plans to create a small museum in her company's new space, where the Parisian items will be displayed. "I want to carry on the torch," says Carter.

Newton Manufacturing Employees Pitch In For Public Television
Nearly 20 employees of Newton, Iowa-based distributor Newton Manufacturing Co. (UPIC: newton) volunteered their time during the Friends of Iowa Public Television's fund-raising campaign.

The group answered phones to take pledges, and their efforts helped IPTV raise more than $1.4 million this year.

"It's fun chatting with the people who call in and listening to their stories," says employee Paula Moore, who has volunteered each of the four years that Newton Manufacturing has sent a group. "It's a good time and a great cause.

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.

What's Your Favorite Game?
PPB wants to know. Is it charades? A serious game of chess? Or, perhaps you enjoy throwing horseshoes? Tell us about your all-time favorite game by e-mailing Audrey Sellers by April 3. Be sure to include your name, title and company name for possible inclusion in the June issue of PPB magazine.

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.

Does Your Business Measure Up?
How good were the "good times" for industry distributors before the economy made a U-turn late last year? The PPAI 2008 Distributor Business Survey, conducted last fall, gives some clues to benchmark business profitability and to guide companies' aspirations once economic recovery is under way.

Why Volunteer?
When Dave Regan thinks back to some of his first sales experiences, he recalls taking Dale Carnegie courses in New York. A lot of the focus was placed on relating features and benefits of the products or services that you were selling. In other words, if you are trying to promote anything you must tell people what is in it for them. When it comes to volunteering, Regan says we all need to keep this in mind.

Credit Crunch
Your business was running pretty smoothly. Sales were growing, profits too. And then the credit crunch hit, someone said the "R" word and everything started slowing down almost overnight. Most troubling of all, your customers have been paying later and later, as if they are using your money to build up their own personal recession-proof cache.

A distributor asks: I love the work we do at my small distributorship, but money worries have me thinking about selling the business. However if I did this, I would want to stay on. Should I sell, or is the expectation that I could continue working there and still be happy unrealistic?

What's your answer? E-mail answers along with your name, title and company name to Question@ppai.org by April 30 for possible inclusion in the July 2009 issue of PPB magazine.