ISERVCORP Welcomes R.S. Owens
To OrderTrax²
Irving, Texas-based business services provider ISERVCORP, Inc., (UPIC: IServCo) welcomes Chicago, Illinois-based supplier R.S. Owens & Co., Inc. (UPIC: OWENS), which has joined the OrderTrax² network to enable its order processing system.

"It is a great honor for ISERVCORP to be able to work with a company of R.S. Owens' caliber and reputation," says Jessica Obermayer, ISERVCORP president and CEO.

OrderTrax² is software that streamlines order processing and maximizes results by putting suppliers and distributors on the same page.

"This is going to open a whole new world of customer communications for us," says Mark Psaros, R.S. Owens' vice president of operations. "It will enable our customer service reps to operate more efficiently and create greater revenue potential with our customers by being more responsive to their needs."

R.S. Owens Acquires PictureFrames.Net
Chicago, Illinois-based supplier R.S. Owens & Co., Inc. (UPIC: RSOWENS) has acquired Warren, Rhode Island-based supplier PictureFrames.Net (UPIC: frames). All PictureFrames.Net operations will relocate to Chicago.

"This is an excellent fit for Owens and for Picture Frames.Net, as well as an acquisition that our customers and existing Picture Frames customers will benefit from," says Scott Siegel, MAS, R.S. Owens president and chair-elect of the PPAI Board of Directors.

"We think that Andy 'The Frame Man' Arruda, MAS, who has more than 20 years of success in the promotional products industry, will bring strong sales management talent to Owens," he adds. "In addition to helping us grow our entire frame business, he will be managing our accounts in the Southeast as well as growing specific key accounts."

Arruda says the acquisition furthers his company's commitment to continuing to be the leading picture frame supplier in the industry. "Joining a strong R.S. Owens team will allow us to expand our product offering in addition to educating customers on the strength of frames as recognition products," he says.

Stay Up To Date On COBRA Changes
Among the provisions of the stimulus bill that was signed by President Obama and made law on February 17 is a change to regulations regarding the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA).

COBRA allows workers and their families to continue the group health coverage that was provided by their employer's group healthcare plan for a limited period of time. The coverage extends to workers who have been involuntarily terminated, taken a cut in hours, are between jobs, or experienced life events such as death and divorce.

Under the new law, employees who have been involuntarily terminated between September 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009, will only pay 35 percent of the premium for up to nine months.

The employer must cover the remaining amount, then take a payroll tax credit for that amount. The same health coverage that was available at the time of employment must be offered, but the employer may also offer less expensive options.

Employers must provide notices on the updated COBRA election information by April 18. Click here for links to these notices.

Performance Design Group Relocates
Sebastopol, California-based distributor Performance Design Group, Inc. (UPIC: Perfo090) has moved to new offices. The new address is 130 South Main Street, Suite 114, Sebastopol, California, 95472. Phone and fax numbers remain the same.

Members Beware: Part-Time Job Offers Are Often Scams
The credit crunch and slow sales can make part-time work seem appealing and even necessary, but it's important to be mindful of scams that target individuals who are looking for a little extra money. These scams often are sent by e-mail, as was one recently sent to a member who notified PPAI.

This particular scam offers part-time packing and shipping work. It is often signed by the same individual but the reply-to e-mail addresses as well as the originating addresses will change. Several websites allow you to verify whether an e-mail job offer is valid. If you receive a suspicious e-mail, please notify the Association so that we can, in turn, make all members aware.

Nominate Your Peers For PPAI's Hall Of Fame, Distinguished Service Awards
Who among the industry's movers and shakers has impressed you with their expertise and professionalism, or made a lasting impact upon your life and career? Nominate them for the 2010 PPAI Hall of Fame and the 2010 PPAI Distinguished Service Award.

Candidates for the Hall of Fame must have made significant contributions to the promotional products industry and their communities. To be eligible for the Distinguished Service Award, candidates must have worked in the industry for at least five years, be employed by a PPAI member company and have contributed their time and talents to the Association.

Deadline for nominations is June 1. For more information, contact Melissa Bontrager at 972-258-3042.

PPAI And MANAfest Providing Value, Services To Multi-Line Reps
Multi-line reps are a vital part of the promotional products industry, and to help meet their business needs PPAI is offering its multi-line rep members an opportunity to participate in MANAfest 2009, May 31-June 3 in Henderson, Nevada, at a reduced cost.

The event is produced by Manufacturers' Agents National Association (MANA) and is designed exclusively for multi-line reps.

Bryan Shirley, CPMR, president and CEO of MANA, says the organization is emphasizing the importance of pursuing professional development as a means of staying competitive.

"Supplier reps' principals and their customers spend money on professional development, so why shouldn't reps?" he asks.

Shirley adds that many of the conference's speakers will focus on helping reps hone their skills and work toward diversification and differentiation, two traits multi-line reps need to succeed in the current climate.

PPAI members will receive a $200 discount on registration for the conference. For more information on MANAfest 2009, click here.

Last Chance To Sign Up For PPAI's Customer Service 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.

U.S. House Passes Sweeping Tobacco Marketing Legislation
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed H.R. 1256, which provides for comprehensive regulation of tobacco products, by a 298-112 vote. The Senate must now consider passage of the House bill or develop a bill of its own.

The significant issue for the promotional products industry is that the bill gives the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sweeping authority to regulate the advertising and promotion of tobacco products. In 1996, the FDA put forth regulations regarding tobacco products, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2000 that the FDA did not have the authority to do so unless specifically directed by law.

While H.R. 1256 does not include the specific language of the 1996 regulations, it is widely anticipated that if it were passed by Congress and signed into law by the President, most of the 1996 regulations would be proposed again by the FDA.

Read more about H.R. 1256 and the 1996 tobacco regulations at PPB online.

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Evans Hires Green For Sales Post
Garden Grove, California-based supplier Evans Manufacturing, Inc. (UPIC: EVANS) has hired Dave Green as national sales director. Green is responsible for leading the factory-direct sales team and for representing Evans in Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

Green has more than 10 years in the promotional products industry, and most recently worked for Janesville, Wisconsin-bsaed supplier Sanford Business-to-Business Division (UPIC: SANFORD).

iPROMOTEu Welcomes New Affiliates
Several new affiliates joined Wayland, Massachusetts-based distributor iPROMOTEu (UPIC: IPRO9320) in March. The full list can be seen at PPB online.

Millenium Leather/Andrew Philips Hires Gingerich
Teaneck, New Jersey-based supplier Millennium Leather, LLC/The Andrew Philips Collection (UPIC: MILL-LEA) has hired Roger Gingerich and Danielle Gulic as sales reps in Central Ontario, Canada, including the Toronto area.

Shinn, Spangler To Represent
Natural Trends
Provo, Utah-based supplier Natural Trends LLC (UPIC: NTRENDS) has hired Mark Shinn and Jodi Spangler of Newcastle, Washington-based supplier rep Incentives West (UPIC: IDEAWEST) to represent the company in the western U.S. Incentives West will cover Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Touchstone Merchandise Group Hires Baxter, Notaro
Mason, Ohio-based distributor Touchstone Merchandise Group LLC (UPIC: touchstn) has hired Meegan Baxter as an account executive and Joe Notaro as senior account executive.

Baxter, who has more than 10 years of industry experience, is based in Touchstone's Mason, Ohio, office. Notaro is based in Touchstone's new Irvine, California, office. Most recently he was an account executive with Los Angeles, California-based distributor PromoShop, Inc. (UPIC: pro).

iPROMOTEu Announces
Winners Of DunkFest Contest
Wayland, Massachusetts-based distributor iPROMOTEu (UPIC: IPRO9320) has announced the winners of its second annual March Madness-inspired college basketball contest, DunkFest 2009.

The overall winner of DunkFest 2009 was recruiting coordinator Kam Moriarty. Moriarty correctly chose North Carolina and Michigan State to play in the championship game. She ended the tournament with 1,490 points.

Rachel Silverstein, daughter of iPROMOTEu president and CEO Ross Silverstein, came in second place just 20 points behind the overall winner. Aaron Bradley with Chicago, Illinois-based supplier American Greenwood (UPIC: AMERGRWD) came in third, just 70 points behind the winner.

"This year's tournament was a lot of fun and generated spirited conversation and competition among the 163 industry participants," says Silverstein, who organized the contest.

The three winners will each receive trophies courtesy of Indianapolis, Indiana-based supplier Norwood Promotional Products (UPIC: NORWOOD), and the top 50 scorers will each receive a commemorative DunkFest 2009 t-shirt courtesy of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based supplier Bodek and Rhodes (UPIC: ULTRACLB).

The Vernon Company Honors Galaxy Award Winners
Newton, Iowa-based distributor The Vernon Company (UPIC: Vernon) recognized 15 account executives and their clients with the 2008 Galaxy Awards. The national awards program recognizes excellence in promotional products program planning and execution.

Winners are recognized for their creativity, effectiveness of program, appropriateness of product and program results. Awards are given at Gold, Silver and Bronze levels. Visit PPB online to see the full list of winners.

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.

PPAI's Voice In Washington
Whether the news is about phthalates in children's toys or pharmaceutical industry codes of ethics, business owners are looking to PPAI for answers. Recently, PPB talked with John Satagaj, PPAI's general counsel and principal public policy representative at his office in Washington, D.C., about his work and involvement with PPAI's efforts in Washington.

Point Forward
Maybe you've noticed the economy isn't in the best shape. Your employees certainly have. The bad news—job losses, home foreclosures, bankruptcies and a tanking stock market—has come, in the words of Shakespeare, not in single file but in battalions.

Take A Stand
In January, a guest panelist at general session of The PPAI Expo said, "Give me a break. Your industry is responsible for putting more useless stuff into our lives and now you are going to tell us it is green?" Like it or not, he has a point. To look at our role in this ominous global crisis, we have to examine what we sell and ask if we have the conviction not to sell an unfriendly product.

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.