Jim Burrow Says Goodbye
To Senator Promotional Group
Dallas, Texas-based supplier Senator Promotional Group USA (UPIC: SENATOR) today announced the resignation of Jim Burrow, MAS, from the position of president and CEO.

"While I have loved the time I have spent with Dart and with Senator, I have accomplished everything I set out to do 13 years ago," says Burrow, a PPAI Board member, in a news release. In an exclusive interview with PPB this afternoon, Burrow added that he is particularly proud of the growth of Dart, both in size and profitability, that led to its eventual merger with Senator during his tenure.

The two companies merged in 2007 and Burrow, then president of Dart, came on board to lead both lines. Burrow believes the company and its employees are well positioned for future success.

"I have decided that I am ready for a new set of challenges and for some quality time with my family," he says. Burrow says while he has no firm plans for the future, "I truly, truly love the promotional products industry and have enjoyed the friendships and relationships I've made," and he hopes to continue creating and strengthening both in the coming years.

"Jim is one of the hardest working CEOs in this industry, and we are thankful for the time he has dedicated to Dart and to Senator. We could not have combined the companies and experienced such success without him," says Michael Nick, president of Senator Worldwide. "We are sad to see Jim move on, but we are optimistic about the future."

Gemline, Prime Resources Are Latest To Complete Audit For QCA
Lawrence, Massachusetts-based supplier Gemline (UPIC: GEMLINE) and Bridgeport, Connecticut-based supplier Prime Resources Corp. (UPIC: primeline) have successfully completed a third-party audit of their compliance programs and practices in order to earn accreditation with independent organization Quality Certification Alliance (QCA).

For the past year, the 14 founding members of QCA have been identifying and establishing certification standards, then defining and testing an accreditation program to be operated within a not-for-profit organizational framework.

To date, 11 of the 14 founding members have successfully completed the self-audit stage and are in the third-party audit verification process; six founding members have passed third-party audits of their headquarters' facilities--just as the organization is ready to share its accreditation program with the industry.

Regionals Roll Up Their Sleeves For Legislative Action
Ohio Promotional Professionals Association (OPPA) and Rocky Mountain Region Promotional Products Association (RMRPPA) have gotten to work making their voices heard on state legislation that would affect the use of promotional products in the healthcare industry.

In Ohio, PPAI and OPPA member Eric Ekstrand, MAS, and OPPA Executive Director LaDonna Belcher attended a hearing at the state's capitol to give testimony regarding House Bill 94. Ekstrand, who is also a PPAI board member, spoke before the Health Committee, asking for an amendment to section 3715.99 and for the committee to enact section 3715.93 of the revised code regarding prescription drug marketing disclosures.

Ekstrand says he first shared information about the promotional products industry with committee chairperson Rep. Barbara Boyd and other committee members, explaining that promotional products are provided to healthcare industry clients as a form of advertising. "I told them that there are approximately 867 promotional products companies in Ohio," says Ekstrand, "and they employ more than 13,000 constituents."

Visit PPB online to read more.

Touchstone Acquires Triko Marketing
Mason, Ohio-based distributor Touchstone Merchandise Group LLC (UPIC: touchstn) has acquired Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina-based distributor Triko Marketing. Peter Cromwell, Triko president and CEO, will join Touchstone as a senior vice president focusing on large account acquisition.

Voice Your Opinion On S. 301
Every Friday
PPAI members have stepped out in force to oppose the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, U.S. S. 301, a Senate bill that could effectively ban distribution of promotional products to healthcare professionals.

PPAI is encouraging all U.S. members to call, fax and e-mail their senators this Friday at 3:01 pm and to repeat the process at 3:01 pm every Friday, as well as to ask one or more industry colleagues to join in this effort. Get detailed information at PPAI LAW or visit www.house.gov or www.senate.gov.

S. 301 could have sweeping implications for the promotional products industry as it requires all manufacturers of covered drugs, devices or medical supplies disclose payments (or any other "transfer of value") made to a physician, a physician medical practice or a physician group practice--promotional products are included under this definition.

"We're grateful for the growing activity so far, but this bill requires that our members continue to call, fax and e-mail their senators and then ask co-workers and colleagues to call, fax and e-mail as well," says PPAI President and CEO Steve Slagle, CAE. "Once is not going to do it. We're at a critical point in our efforts so we need all hands on deck working to oppose the legislation in its current form."

California Considers Mandatory Withholding For Contractors
The state of California is considering a proposal to impose a mandatory three percent withholding on all payments made to independent contractors by businesses that hire them. The proposal is part of a package of revenue-raising initiatives that were put forth last week by a committee of the California legislature.

If approved, the proposal would require company principals--even those not located in California--to withhold three percent of earnings from independent contractors and remit it to the state. Within the promotional products industry, this could affect promotional consultants and multi-line reps and the distributors and suppliers who work with them.

PPAI is asking California-based promotional products professionals to write a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, with copies to all members of the state legislature, voicing their opinion on the independent contractor withholding proposal.

Suppliers and distributors who want to contact the state government can click here for a sample letter. Multi-line reps and independent contractors can use a similar letter. Members are asked to copy PPAI on any communication sent to the governor's office and state legislature.

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Pingline Hires Wright
For Sales Position
Chicago, Illinois-based supplier PINGLINE (UPIC: pingline) has hired Del Wright as an account manager for the western territory. Wright comes to Pingline from outside the industry.

Wine Country Promos
Adds Mink To Team
Santa Rosa, California-based supplier Wine Country Promos (UPIC: WINECP) has hired Christopher Mink to serve as a nationwide account executive.

Bodek And Rhodes' Steinberg Wins Customer Service Award
Mike Steinberg, a national account manager for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based supplier Bodek and Rhodes (UPIC: ULTRACLB) has won the Best Customer Service Representative award from The Premier Group, a national alliance of promotional products businesses.

Out of more than 800 representatives who serve The Premier Group, Steinberg was recognized for his friendly manner, quick response time and effort to ensure customers are satisfied.

"Supporting the Premier Group is a huge priority for me," says Steinberg. "I truly appreciate this award."

D&J Specialties Makes DiversityBusiness.com Lists
Honolulu, Hawaii-based distributor D&J Specialties, Inc. (UPIC: DJSPEC), run by husband-and-wife team Dan and Judy Goo, has been selected as one of the top 100 women-owned businesses in Hawaii and one of the top 100 privately held businesses by DiversityBusiness.com. Companies are awarded places on these lists based on gross annual revenues.

SnugZ/USA Leaders Named Finalists For Entrepreneur Award
Brandon Mackay, MAS, and Charley Johnson, CAS, president and vice president respectively of Salt Lake City, Utah-based supplier SnugZ/USA (UPIC: SNUGZ), were recently named 2009 Utah Region Finalists for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year award. Entrepreneurs are selected by an independent judging panel comprised of regional business and academic and community leaders.

The two came in second in the awards program, which recognizes entrepreneurs who demonstrate extraordinary success in the areas of innovation, financial performance and personal commitment to their businesses and communities.

This week's Industry Show features highlights from PROMOTIONS EAST and spotlights handy mechanical products.

Good Timing
The October issue of PPB features clocks and watches galore. From wall clocks and leather watches to desk clocks and metal watches, we want to see your newest timepieces. Send descriptions and high-resolution images to Audrey Sellers by July 17 for possible inclusion.

Best-Dressed Men
If you've got the apparel to keep guys looking sharp, we want to see it for the October issue of PPB. We're featuring a collection of the best garments specifically tailored for men including ties, wovens, board shorts, sweaters, jackets, performance apparel and everything in between. July 17 is the deadline to send apparel descriptions and high-resolution images to Audrey Sellers for consideration.

Share Your Sports Campaigns With PPAI
Do you work with a professional sports team? Be it baseball, basketball or badminton, PPAI's public relations team is putting together a collection of unique sports campaigns and would love to hear about yours. Send your best examples to Erica Edwards, PPAI communications coordinator, 3125 Skyway Circle North, Irving, Texas 75038.

A distributor asks: "For years I've been putting 50 percent down on an order and paying the balance when the products arrived. Now this supplier wants me to pay 100 percent up front. Should I just consider this a sign of the times and comply, or should I take my business elsewhere?"

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

Add Your Voice To Our Rising Tune
One of the first Chair's Letters from Sherri Lennarson, MAS, focused on government relations and legislative engagement, so the title for this column could have been "Same Song, Second Verse." It's not a glamorous message but it bears repeating: You should become actively engaged with your state and federal senators and representatives.

Wheels Of Fortune
Bob Black and his business partner, Rick Tabone, aren't your typical multi-line reps, and the two say there isn't such a thing as a typical day in their business. Each makes sales calls in a self-described luxurious mobile showroom, also known as an RV.

The Time Is Right For Promotional Products
The plunging U.S. economy has had a profoundly negative impact on media sales, and the promotional products industry is not exempt. Most forecasts for media spending this year are not particularly cheery, but what can distributors and suppliers do about it?