Ad Ideas Merges With
Zebra Marketing
Kathy Coley-Adams, president of Montgomery, Alabama-based distributor Ad Ideas (UPIC: ADIDAL), has merged her operations with Memphis, Tennessee-based distributor Zebra Marketing Corporation (UPIC: ZEBRAMC), effective April 1. Ann Smith, an account executive in sales, will join Adams in the transition.

"I wanted to be a part of a larger group so that I could provide my clients with an even higher level of service and creativity, and Zebra was the right fit for me," says Adams.

Adams will continue to operate out of her Montgomery location under the Zebra name, keeping her current phone number.

"Kathy is going to be a great addition to our expanding presence in the Alabama market," says Zebra President Laura Forbes, MAS. "Her professionalism, enthusiasm and industry knowledge are just what we were looking for in a team member."

Beacon Promotions Acquires
Ready Reference Product Line
New Ulm, Minnesota-based supplier Beacon Promotions, Inc. (UPIC: BEACONP) has acquired the Ready Reference line of planners from the consumer and office products division of the MeadWestvaco Corporation. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

All customer service, order processing, sales and imprinting will take place at Beacon facilities effective immediately. Beacon will distribute a new calendar catalog with the Ready Reference line by April 10.

Boundless Network Acquires
Venture Marketing
Austin, Texas-based distributor Boundless Network (UPIC: Bound784) has acquired Richmond, Virginia-based distributor Venture Marketing. This is the company's third acquisition in the past six months.

TaylorMade-Adidas, River's End
Form Partnership
Carlsbad, California-based supplier TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Company (UPIC: GolfClub) and Hopkins, Minnesota-based supplier River's End Trading Company (UPIC: LALO0001) have partnered to bring the Ashworth Golf Apparel brand to the promotional products industry exclusively through River's End.

"Working with a quality organization such as River's End Trading Company will definitely enhance our efforts to build momentum for the Ashworth brand in the corporate channel quickly and efficiently," says John Kawaja, executive vice president of TaylorMade.

Small Business Administration Launches Online Community
The United States Small Business Administration's (SBA)
Business Gateway Program has launched the first government-sponsored online community built specifically for small businesses, according to a recent story.

The web initiative, www.community.business.gov, is intended to help small business owners and budding entrepreneurs discuss information and tips on successful business practices with the government.

The new community is an extension of Business.gov, a site managed by the SBA in a partnership with 21 federal agencies known as the Business Gateway. Community.business.gov also allows small business owners to suggest how the government and the online business community can better serve them.

PPAI Meets With CPSC, Attends Rally
Last week, PPAI staff and members traveled to Washington, D.C., to lobby on members' behalf regarding several key issues, most related to product safety legislation.

The week began with a meeting with members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and its general counsel, Cheryl Falvey. The CPSC is tasked with enforcing the Consumer Product Safety Information Act (CPSIA).

Attending the meeting were Steve Slagle, CAE, PPAI president and CEO; Paul Bellantone, CAE, PPAI executive vice president; Anne Lardner, PPAI senior manager of public affairs; John Satagaj, PPAI chief lobbyist and general counsel; Peter Healy, vice president of supply chain for Lewiston, Maine-based supplier Leed's (UPIC: leeds) and Rick Brenner, CEO of Bridgeport, Connecticut-based supplier Prime Resources Corp. (UPIC: PRIME).

"We had the opportunity to review the challenges the industry faces as a result of the CPSIA law," says Lardner. "The CPSC was very interested, engaged and responsive to our concerns. The tone of the meeting was positive, collaborative and concerned."

Visit PPB online for more about this trip.

Association Returns
To AMA Collegiate Conference
For the second consecutive year, PPAI served as a collegiate career partner at the annual American Marketing Association's Collegiate Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, last week.

This year's conference, titled "Capture Your Marketing Power," provided marketing students, faculty and practitioners an opportunity to network with more than 1,000 attendees, as well as participate in various education sessions.

PPAI board member Karie Cowden, MAS, president of Phoenix, Arizona-based distrbutor Connect the Dots Promotions (UPIC: ctdpromo) and Erica Edwards, PPAI communications coordinator, attended the conference as part of PPAI's collegiate outreach effort.

"What a fantastic opportunity to meet the marketing future of tomorrow," says Cowden. "I was surprised and impressed by their enthusiasm to learn more about promotional products and their eagerness to increase their knowledge of the industry as a whole."

PPAI Is Taking Over Times Square
As part of PPAI's ongoing efforts to raise the awareness and usage of promotional products in a down economy, the Association has acquired four 15-second video spots to be broadcast on a full-motion, full-color jumbotron in New York City on 42nd Sreet near Times Square.

Using the message, "Spend Less, Achieve More," the video spots will run now through June, promoting promotional products as the only sensible, memorable advertising medium that is especially viable in today's economy.

"This is a remarkable opportunity for the Association to employ creative and cutting-edge ways of reaching the end buyer on behalf of members," says Steve Slagle, CAE, PPAI president and CEO. "Promotional products are a smart choice in any economy, but today's climate begs for advertising that is cost-effective and memorable. This outreach reinforces the fact that promotional products embody these qualities."

To view the video, click here.

PPB Introduces
Woman Of Achievement Award
Once a man's world, today the promotional products industry is teeming with bright and active women who have a major role in the industry's success. In celebration of women's progress, PPB magazine is sponsoring a new award, the PPB Woman of Achievement Award.

The award will recognize an individual who has led the way in the advancement of women in the industry, exhibited outstanding leadership abilities and made significant contributions to the industry and her community.

To be eligible for nomination, candidates must meet the following qualifications:
· Be a woman currently employed or retired from a PPAI member company in good standing
· Have been employed for a minimum of five years (with one or more PPAI member firms)
· Have contributed time and talents to PPAI in at least three areas of involvement
· Current members of the PPAI Women's Leadership Advisory Committee are not eligible and cannot nominate candidates.

Any employee of a PPAI member company may nominate a candidate for this award. Click here for the nomination form and full details.

The winning candidate will be selected by the PPAI Women's Leadership Advisory Committee and recognized on July 8 at the fifth annual PPAI Women's Leadership Conference in Savannah, Georgia. She will also be featured in PPB's August 2009 issue. Nominate your candidate today--the deadline is May 8.

PPEF Sees Uptick In Scholarship Application Numbers
Whether due to the economy or the increasing number of students in the promotional products family who are being accepted to colleges and universities nationwide, in 2009 the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) has seen a marked increase in the number of applications for its college.

"For the three college scholarship programs, we received a combined total of 294 applications," says Sara Besly, PPEF manager. "Last year we received 199, so this is an increase of 48 percent."

PPEF provides college scholarships, professional development grants and special needs scholarships to the promotional products industry. To date, the foundation has awarded nearly $700,000 in scholarships. The recipients of the 2009 scholarships will be chosen in May. For more information, contact Besly at 972-258-3097 or SaraB@ppai.org, or visit www.ppef.us.

PPAI Business Partner
Lowers Rates For Members
Columbia, Maryland-based business services provider Artwork Services USA (UPIC: Artwo33), a PPAI Business Partner, is introducing lower rates for PPAI members. Beginning this month, PPAI Art Studio will feature lower rates on the following services: artwork conversion, simple artwork, medium artwork, complex artwork and design from brief.

Additionally, PPAI Art Studio is also launching its digitizing service with exclusive rates for members. For more information on this and other benefits, visit www.artworkservicesusa.com.

For a list of other business partners and to learn more about benefits and services under the Business Partner Program, visit www.ppai.org and click on Members, then Business Management.

House Committee Member Introduces Bill To Fix CPSIA
Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives to mitigate the impact of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) on businesses throughout the country.

Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Joe Barton, R-Texas, introduced H.R. 1815, the Consumer Product Safety Solutions Act of 2009, to fix flaws in the CPSIA that are blamed for imposing economic hardships on many small businesses and potentially forcing them into bankruptcy.

Congress signed the CPSIA into law last August. This act makes significant changes to consumer product safety laws and gives the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) significant new responsibilities for ensuring the safety of consumer products.

Members are encouraged to contact their U.S. representatives in support of the legislation. For more information on H.R. 1815 and to craft a letter, click here.

ADvocate Challenge Holds
Second Prize Drawing
Hillary Feder, president of Hopkins, Minnesota-based distributor Hillary’s (UPIC: HILLARYS) and a member of the Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Products (UMAPP), has taken home the second prize in the ADvocate Regional Challenge drawing, which recognizes members who share the power of promotional products through speaking engagements with local organizations and schools.

PPAI is drawing one name each month to receive a small gift for individual participation in the contest. The more reporting forms you turn in, the better the chance your name will be drawn.

UMAPP holds the lead in this leg of the competition, which asks members to give speeches and presentations on the power of promotional products for points. UMAPP currently has nine points while Specialty Advertising Counselors of the Delaware Valley (SACDV) and Houston Promotional Products Association (HPPA) are tied with two points each. If you are interested in participating in the challenge, there is still time.

The third leg of the competition will conclude June 16 just prior to the Leadership Development Workshop, June 17-19 in Grapevine, Texas. For more information on the ADvocate Regional Challenge or the monthly drawing, contact Erica Edwards, communications coordinator, at 972-258-3063 or EricaE@ppai.org.

Georgia Regional Member
To Host Supplier Factory Tour
Norcross, Georgia-based supplier Leprechaun Promotions LLC, a member of the Georgia Association of Promotional Products Professionals (GAPPP) will host a Leprechaun Factory Tour and Luncheon April 30.

The tour and seminar will cover screen printing and artwork demonstrations, product safety regulations, food safety issues and more. GAPPP members who would like to attend should contact Executive Director Doug Burns at infor@gappp.org.

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Durand Joins LarLu
And Display-Tec As Senior VP
Winona, Minnesota-based suppliers LarLu Manufacturing (UPIC: LARLU) and Display-Tec (UPIC: disp-tec), the promotional products division of WinCraft Incorporated, hired Joe Durand, MAS, to serve as senior vice president. Durand will start his new position April 13 with responsibility for all aspects of LarLu and Display-Tec.

"We are delighted to reunite with Durand, who worked with LarLu for 12 years and has a great reputation in the industry," says John Killen, WinCraft president and COO. "We are excited to have his experience back at our company and to continue our growth in the promotional products industry."

Durand, who currently serves as vice chair of the PPAI Board of Directors, previously worked with St. Augusta, Minnesota-based supplier Fields Manufacturing (UPIC: FIELDS).

Pieklo Rejoins Ash City USA
Scarborough, Ontario-based supplier Ash City USA (UPIC: ash0001) welcomes back Jack Pieklo as an independent sales rep. He will cover Eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and areas of New York City, including Long Island.

Pieklo previously worked for Ash City USA in sales management for five years before forming his own company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based distributor PromoMax LLC (UPIC: PromoMax).

Walker Joins Hit Promotional Products
David Walker has joined St. Petersburg, Florida-based supplier Hit Promotional Products (UPIC: HITP0001) as a regional sales manager for Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.

"The current economic climate has put a spotlight on ‘best pricing,'" says Walker. "Hit is clearly a value leader."

Barker Specialty Co. Hopes
To Share Its Fitness Challenge
The positive outcome that Cheshire, Connecticut-based distributor Barker Specialty Company (UPIC: BARKER) experienced after introducing its first "Get Fit Challenge" has encouraged the company to help others adopt similar fitness programs.

The challenge was a 12-week voluntary program urging employees to adapt a more active lifestyle. The response was overwhelming, with nearly every employee participating in the challenge. At the end, Barker employees had walked more than 875 miles, attended more than 150 gym classes and clocked in 300 hours at the gym. Eight challenge winners received prizes.

"Barker Specialty is very happy that the program was such a success and that our employees were excited to get fit," says Kelly D'Andrea, program coordinator. For more information on how to create your own fitness challenge, contact D'Andrea at 800-227-5372.

Bob Rutledge Gets Down
For A Good Cause
Bob Rutledge, MAS, president and owner of McKenzie, Tennessee-based distributor Bob Rutledge & Associates (UPIC: bobradv), put on his entertainer's hat and provided music for a fundraiser to help high school students interested in music, art and drama.

Rutledge, serving as MC and vocalist for the Mississippi swing group Those Guys In The Band, helped raise $1,000 for the Renaissance Arts Club of McKenzie High School.

Ennis, Fossil Make Forbes ‘Best Businesses' List
Promotional products companies in North Texas made an admirable showing on Forbes.com's 11th annual Best Places For Business And Careers list.

Dallas, Texas, made the list of Best Metros at No. 32, and among the region's movers and shakers, Midlothian, Texas-based supplier Ennis, Inc. (UPIC: ennis) made the list of Best Small Businesses, while Richardson, Texas-based Fossil (UPIC: FOSS0001) made the list of Best Big Businesses.

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.

Got News?
Want to share news of your company's latest moves, newest talent and greatest achievements in PPB Newslink? Submit your news to Jen Alexander for consideration. Items should be sent by noon Friday for publication the following week.

Made To Suit
You know the annoying gag where someone asks, "Hey, you want to play 52?" and once the unsuspecting victim agrees he or she must collect 52 cards from where they landed, scattered on the floor? This is likely the only downside to owning a deck of playing cards, and it only happens (hopefully) once in a lifetime. Playing cards have been popular since the 9th century and show little sign of losing their appeal.

Diagnosis: Potential
Promotional products have served as important tools within the medical community for several decades. Now that this practice has come into question and new guidelines have been issued, our industry must evolve and change. Now is time for a new approach.

Washington Report
Representatives John McHugh, R-New York, and Kurt Schrader,D-Oregon, have introduced H.R. 1509, the Home Office Deduction Simplification Act, to make life easier for home office users. The legislation would allow otherwise qualified taxpayers to use a standard home office deduction of $1,500 rather than go through the calculations.

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.