Align Interactive Joins Artina Promotional Products
Columbus, Ohio-based distributor Align Interactive, formerly known as CTPro and Kingston, has joined Powell, Ohio-based distributor Artina Promotional Products LLC (UPIC: ARTINA).

Jeff Ivany, owner and president of Align, joins Artina as an independent consultant, along with two other members of Align Interactive. All three moved to Artina’s offices earlier this month and are fulfilling customer orders as Artina.

DataSource Buys FRS-Industries
Kansas City, Missouri-based distributor DataSource, Inc. (UPIC: DATA0008) has purchased St. Louis-based, Missouri-based distributor FRI-Resources (UPIC: 6132) for an undisclosed amount, according to a story last week in the Kansas City Business Journal. FRI is now operating under the DataSource name.

“We are very excited about this new deal,” says DataSource President David Holland. “Our combined capabilities will expand our market presence and take our industry-leading customer service to another level, while fulfilling our strategic objectives for growth.”

This Earth Day, Fill Backpacks
Instead Of Landfills
Kids In Need Foundation is calling on promotional products companies to celebrate Earth Day by donating surplus products to students who can benefit from school supplies and classroom incentives. More than 1,500 pallets of school and office products have been donated to Kids In Need this year—products that could have ended up in landfills.

Donors who submit product donation forms tomorrow, April 22, will receive special recognition as a 2009 Earth Day Donor. For more information, contact Jennifer Lehman at Kids In Need, at 937-296-1230 x 305 or jenl@kidsinneed.net.

McArthur Towel Partners With
Up North Trading, AGUA Promotions
Baraboo, Wisconsin-based supplier McArthur Towel And Sports has partnered with Burnsville, Minnesota-based supplier Up North Trading Co. (UPIC: UNSM) and Baldwin, New York-based supplier AGUA Promotions (UPIC: AGUA0001).

Up North Trading and AGUA Promotions will stock McArthur’s exclusive blank inventory and printing can be done on-site. Up North previously served as a dedicated contract print and embroidery facility for McArthur and is now expanding its own business model to become a promotional products supplier to the industry. AGUA, a long-time supplier for McArthur, will continue to bring blank and printed promotional products to the market.

New Century Direct Joins
Promotional Products Industry
Santa Fe Springs, California-based New Century Direct (NCD) has created New Century Direct Promotional Products (UPIC: NCDPROMO) to sell its archival-quality storage products within the industry exclusively through promotional products distributors. Industry veteran Dennis Sherman will serve as president of the promotional products arm.

“Other industry suppliers are shying away from expansion and product launches, but NCD created this new venture,” says Sherman. “Our sales and marketing team, along with the wide range of quality photo products and services, will make a major impact in the market.”

Bernard Findley, CEO of NCD, says in this challenging economy, companies need to find creative ways to expand marketshare. “We feel that there is a tremendous opportunity to leverage our diverse product lines and manufacturing skill set along with our talented staff in this very exciting and large market,” he says. “We will be focusing on custom offerings, and we look forward to becoming recognized as a leader in the industry.”

Staples Promotional Products Gains Anheuser-Busch Business
St. Louis, Missouri-based brewer Anheuser-Busch has decided to end in-house production of promotional items and outsource the work to Overland Park, Kansas-based distributor Staples Promotional Products (UPIC: AMER001). The move was reported in the St. Louis Business Journal last week.

In other news, the company marked the opening of its first store in Sedona, Arizona, with a $1,000 donation to Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Arizona. The donation, which supports academic and enrichment programs for area students, was covered in a recent issue of Sedona.biz.

Towel Specialties Adds
CMC Golf Products To Offerings
Baltimore, Maryland-based supplier Towel Specialties (UPIC: TOWLSPEC) has become the exclusive supplier of the CMC Golf line in the promotional products industry.

“This is a perfect fit for us,” says Shawn Kanak, Towel Specialties’ vice
president of sales. “Many of our customers buy these types of products for tournaments, so we can now be their one-stop shop for golf event needs.”

Involved In Apparel? Participate In Thursday's CPSIA Webinar.
Apparel manufacturers, suppliers and distributors are equally affected by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).

Join us for a 30-minute webinar Thursday, April 23, at 1 pm CDT, during which Susan DeRagon, associate director for toys and premiums with Specialized Technology Resources (STR), will address the law and its implications on apparel, including testing, tracking, reporting and compliance issues.

Time will be reserved at the end of the session to answer questions. Be sure to register early -- this is an important topic and could have a profound impact on your business and your bottom line. Register today.

For more information on CPSIA and other product safety legislation, visit the PPAI’s Product Safety page.

PPAI Offers Recession-Proofing Business Tools
In conjunction with its end-user campaign “Spend Less, Achieve More,” PPAI is offering members tools to help promote themselves and the industry. These downloadable resources include materials that address marketing and the use of promotional products during a recession, a series of 15-second video ads currently being broadcasted in Times Square and a promotional video that highlights relevant industry statistics

“Promotional products are a smart choice in any economy,” says Steve Slagle, CAE, PPAI president and CEO. “But today’s climate begs for advertising that is cost-effective and memorable. This outreach reinforces the fact that promotional products embody these qualities.”

Come Out Ahead With Skills From Women’s Leadership Conference
The Fifth Annual PPAI Women’s Leadership Conference, July 7-10 in Savannah, Georgia, is a proving ground for empowerment that will show any smart, savvy woman in the industry how to take the lead in today’s corporate climate. Register for conference today.

Featuring power-packed content and motivation, this four-day seminar will feature high-profile keynote speakers, thought-provoking discussions and invaluable opportunities for you to make the connections that count.

Additionally, the first-ever PPB Woman of Achievement Award will be given during the conference. Nominations are accepted through May 8, 2009.

Physician Payments Sunshine Act Remains On PPAI's Radar
The Association still wants you to share your opinion on the U.S. Senate bill that would effectively prohibit the distribution of promotional products to healthcare professionals.

Read more about S.301 and draft a letter to send to your legislators at the PPAI LAW website.

Association Notifies Members Of Legislation In Connecticut, Maine
PPAI continues to follow legislation introduced in Connecticut and Maine, which are among several states whose bills affect the distribution of promotional products.

Last month, state Sen. Edith G. Prague, a Democrat who represents Connecticut's District 19, introduced a bill that would prohibit pharmaceutical and medical device firms from offering tangible items of any value to healthcare providers. While there have been discussions on banning pharmaceutical gifts that are not relevant to patient treatment or office operations, this legislation calls for an outright ban of anything of any value.

Connecticut members who have not yet shared their thoughts with legislators are encouraged to do so. Access a list of the state’s lawmakers by visiting www.cga.ct.gov/maps/townlist.asp, and send this letter.

In Maine, state Rep. Sharon Treat, D-Hallowell, has introduced H. 881, which will require pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers to report all marketing costs for prescription drugs in the state.

This annual report must include all expenses associated with gifts and advertising received in a calendar year that are valued in the aggregate at more than $25. This bill is one of the first to note a low annual aggregate limit.

Members in Maine are urged to voice their opinions regarding this bill with their respective legislators. Access a list of lawmakers by visiting www.maine.gov/legis/house/
townlist.htm, and send this letter.

Subscribe To PPB Newslink

PPAI Website

PPB Online

PPB Advertising Info

PPB Subscription Info

Washington Report

PPAI Product Safety

Promotional Consultant Today

Subscribe To
Promotional Consultant

Advertise In Promotional Consultant

PPPC (Canada)

PPAI Membership Info

PPB Product Showcase

Lennarson Shares Power Of Promotional Products With AMA
Real life, real experience, real value. This is the heart of a presentation given by PPAI Chair Sherri Lennarson, MAS, for the American Marketing Association, and it will be played at noon CDT tomorrow, April 22.

You can listen to Lennarson discuss the power of promotional products by clicking here.

Ad-A-Day Co. Employees
Take On New Roles
Taunton, Massachusetts-based supplier Ad-A-Day® Co. Inc. (UPIC AD-A-DAY) has made several changes to personnel roles.

Merrill Cross, CEO, has assumed the role of president; Judy Hall, a five-year customer service team leader, has been promoted to assistant sales manager; and Ron Baron, industry executive, educator and marketing specialist has been retained as national marketing partner.

Indiana Metal Craft Hires Eppert
Bloomington, Indiana-based supplier Indiana Metal Craft (UPIC: imc) has hired Patrick Eppert as a multi-line rep in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.

Proforma Opened 14 New Offices
In March
Cleveland, Ohio-based distributor Proforma (UPIC: PROFORMA) welcomed 14 owner-affiliates to its network in March. See the full list at PPB online.

The Vernon Company
Adds Oberle To Sales Team
Newton, Iowa-based distributor The Vernon Company (UPIC: Vernon) has hired Rich Oberle as an account executive in the company’s eastern region. Oberle is a 20-year industry veteran who previously owned his own distributorship, Merion Advertising Associates.

Additionally, Vernon added 19 new account executives to its sales team in the first quarter of 2009.

Advance Corporation Earns Governor’s Safety Award
Cottage Grove, Minnesota-based supplier Advance Corporation (UPIC: ADVANCE) has received a 2009 Outstanding Achievement Award for excellence in workplace safety and health. Advance was honored for a continuing outstanding safety record and its past performance with ongoing safety programs and activities.

This award is part of the Governor’s Safety Awards program and is coordinated by the Minnesota Safety Council. Gov. Tim Pawlenty will recognize award recipients at the Minnesota Safety and Health Conference.

Branded Solutions By Edgar Martinez Honored By Seattle Mariners
Kirkland, Washington-based distributor Branded Solutions by Edgar Martinez (UPIC: Branded S) has been selected by the Seattle Mariners and Major League Baseball to receive the first Jackie Robinson “MVDBP” (Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner) Award.

Each major league baseball team selected one diverse business partner to honor with this first-ever award.

“Branded Solutions provides us with personalized attention and a ‘team approach’ to satisfying customer service requirements," says Sandy Fielder, Mariners director of procurement.

Continental Clothing Wins European Textile Awards
Los Angeles, California-based supplier Continental Clothing Company LLC (UPIC: CONTUSA) received an award in the Best Organic Textile Product category at the Natural & Organic Products Europe convention, held April 5 in London, England.

Continental Clothing Company also received an Excellence Award at England’s annual Printwear and Promotion Awards and Trade Fair and an Environmental Initiative Award during Company Clothing Industry Awards, both held in March.

WorkflowOne Nominated
For Supplier Of The Year
Dayton, Ohio-based distributor WorkflowOne (UPIC: SF00001) has been nominated for the Houston, Texas chapter of the National Association of Purchasing Management’s (NAPM) 2009 Supplier of the Year award. The nomination was made by purchasing executives at one of the nation’s largest international airlines, which WorkflowOne has served for 15 years.

The Houston chapter of the NAPM is the local affiliate for the largest supply management institute in the world, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

Getting An SBA Loan?
PPB is looking for any industry companies who are receiving loans backed by the Small Business Administration for an upcoming story. If you can help, please respond by Monday, April 27 to Tina Filipski.

Share Your Creative Campaigns
With PPAI
Have you just completed a campaign you feel is truly unique, or are you in the middle of wowing clients with a stellar program? Your clients may be big-box companies, prestigious universities, well-known local organizations or even convention and visitors’ bureaus. Send your best examples to Erica Edwards, PPAI communications coordinator, 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038.

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.

Close Up: Alan Vaught
Alan Vaught, chief executive officer of supplier Evans Manufacturing, Inc. (UPIC: EVANS), started working at the Garden Grove, California-based company with his good friend and company founder Bruce Tricinella in 1984. About five years later, Tricinella sold the company to Vaught. During the past 19 years, he has grown Evans Manufacturing into one of the industry’s largest suppliers with sales of more than $30 million last year.

Word On The Street
With his home life just a brief walk from the office and a Blackberry always within arm’s reach, Marc S. Simon, chief executive officer and director for top-earning distributorship Halo/Lee Wayne Corporation (UPIC: LEEWAYNE) based in Sterling, Illinois, works hard to know what’s going on in the industry and to stay on top of it all. So what does Simon see from his high vantage point? One word: opportunity.

What It’s Like In My World: Two Views
Last August, Congress signed into law the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA), which made significant changes to consumer product safety laws. This month, PPB invited principals from a distributor company and a supplier company to share their views and experience on the operational challenges of compliance, costs and how the law has affected their businesses so far.

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.