PPB Newslink 1.26.10

January 26, 2010

Editors: Jen Alexander McCall
Teresa McUsic

THIS WEEK'S HEADLINES

Consumers Choose Promotional Products Over Other Advertising DIGISPEC, Visstun Combine Sales Forces Kids In Need Product Harvest Garners Record Support At Expo PPAI Asks Members To Increase Political Information CAAMP Names 2010 Board Of Directors; Bibb Joins Association

Efforts To Get Promotional Products to Haiti Continue
As the recovery effort in Haiti moves forward, two companies in the promotional products industry have set up ways in which the industry can donate their products to those in need.

Mary James at Centreville, Maryland-based distributor Quester II, Inc. (UPIC: QUES0001) is coordinating with the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo to collect and ship to Haiti water/sport bottle containers, blankets, towels, t-shirts, shirts for children and adults, flashlights with batteries, first-aid kits (especially ones with hand sanitizers, shampoo, lip balm), tote bags, nylon backpacks, plastic utensils, children's toys including crayons, coloring books and stuffed animals. Contact James at questerii@verison.net or by phone, 410-758-4333 to coordinate your donation.

Also, Jonathan Irvin, co-founder of Fort Collins, Colorado-based distributor Bartell-Irvin Creative (UPIC: ALLYOU) created PromoForHaiti.org, with Gifts In Kind, International, a leading American charity that places urgently needed new product donations.

A list of needed items will be posted on the site soon, Irvin says. Donors are asked to provide shipping and Gifts in Kind will oversee movement of the products to Haiti. Suppliers and distributors can notify Irvin of their ability to donate at PromoForHaiti@gmail.com.

DIGISPEC, Visstun Combine Sales Forces
Two Las Vegas, Nevada-based suppliers, DIGISPEC (UPIC: DIGISPEC) and Visstun (UPIC: VISSTUN), have combined their sales forces. Both are divisions in the Time's Up family of companies.

"We found that many of our customers purchased from both brands and we wanted to make our sales and customer service process as easy as possible," says Ed Hamilton, president of DIGISPEC and Visstun. "Combining the sales forces so each customer has one dedicated sales counselor was the most effective way of making this happen."

River's End Finalizes PremiumWear Acquisition
Hopkins, Minnesota, supplier River's End Trading Company (UPIC: LAL00001) has completed its acquisition of several brands of Minnetonka, Minnesota-based supplier PremiumWear, Inc. (UPIC: MUNS0001). River's End acquired the rights to Page & Tuttle and the license for Forsyth. In addition, River's End will take over the sales and distribution for Munsingwear and Jockey.

Distribution and decoration will continue to be at the PremiumWear facility in Clarksville, Tennessee.� PremiumWear employees from customer sales and service, marketing, purchasing, accounting, design and decoration will join River's End. No changes will be made with the existing River's End and PremiumWear sales reps. PremiumWear's phone numbers, fax numbers and the website will also remain the same.

OPPA Affiliates With SAGE
The Ohio Promotional Professionals Association (OPPA) has affiliated with Carrollton, Texas-based business services provider SAGE|Quick Technologies, Inc. (UPIC: SAGE). OPPA joins fellow regional association Promotional Products Association of the Mid-South (PPAMS), which became a SAGE affiliate last October.

SAGE will also provide OPPA members with a variety of services as part of the relationship, including an association website and access to SAGE's marketing resources. "We are excited about the opportunity to add OPPA to our growing list of regional associations that are part of our SAGE Affiliate Program," says David Natinsky, SAGE president. "More importantly, we're thrilled that OPPA's members will continue to realize the benefits of their OPPA membership by now receiving discounts on SAGE services."

LaDonna Belcher, Executive Director of OPPA, says, "We're excited to be working with SAGE and to be able to offer our members another benefit from which they can truly benefit. We look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationship with SAGE."

Plan B Introduces Customer Service Training Tool
Plan B Associates has launched an online option for training supplier customer service reps. Developed exclusively for promotional products suppliers, it is a comprehensive, information-packed curriculum that starts with the ABCs (and PQRs) of the industry, delivered via live-hosted and interactive webinars.

"Suppliers now have the ability to train their people at their own desks, with this one-hour webinar on five consecutive days," says Jon Dubbs, MAS. "In this week-long program, Plan B Associates will develop a well-trained and motivated CSR who understands the industry and its many important nuances. Based on my experience as a distributor, this is something most suppliers need--perhaps more than they realize."

Click here to read more.

Quint Co. Opens New Division
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based Quint Co. (UPIC: QUINT) has opened a new division called Rich Imprints. The new division distributes and decorates a variety of advertising specialties, premiums and other image merchandise, used by businesses and organizations to establish and retain their identities. It features a variety of customer advertising specialties and will be housed in the Quint corporate headquarters. Quint's vice president, Mary Davis, will head Rich Imprints.�

Sweda Launches Online Search Tool
City of Industry, California-based supplier Sweda (UPIC: SWEDA) has launched a new web enhancement tool, SMARTSearch^�, which filters by product category, color and price range.

SMARTSearch^� reflects Sweda's focus on infusing more colors into its product designs and providing essential solutions for distributors to match color with their clients' brand identity. For example, SMARTSearch^� may display Sweda's full lineup of green bags, presenting search results in the specified color within the selected price range. Once displayed, users can simply cut and paste the results into an e-mail or client presentation.

Sweda plans to refine SMARTSearch^� further by allowing users to filter by multiple product categories and colors, and also by adding an instant e-mailing feature of the results.

Consumers Choose Promotional Products Over Other Advertising
Every advertiser's mantra is recall. What do people remember about your ad? Part two of a PPAI study of American consumers surveyed in late 2009 revealed that 82 percent of consumers exposed to promotional products advertising within a one-year period recalled the company or brand advertised, while 75 percent could remember the advertising message.

Promotional products had a far greater recall rate for these consumers when compared to ads they saw or read on television, print media and online advertising in the immediate past two-week period. What's more, 83 percent of consumers reported that they liked to receive promotional products.

Click here to read more.

PPAI To Offer Social Media Certificate Program To Industry
Don't know your Twitter from your Flickr? For those in the industry who want to understand and use social media in their marketing efforts, PPAI will offer the first certified webinar series on the topic beginning in the second quarter. The series, called PPAI Social Media LaunchPad, starts this week as a pilot project.

"If you want to know what the hype is about social media and include it in your marketing strategy this will get you started," says Melissa Hendrick, PPAI director of professional development and business media. "Social media is a powerful, low-cost marketing medium that, if used correctly, has the potential to increase a company's top of mind awareness with current and prospective customers."

The five-week series will be led by Carrie Kerpen with theKbuzz, a leading word of mouth social media marketing firm based in Glendale, New York. Class size will be limited. One-hour, bi-weekly webinar sessions will include a workbook and homework. A certificate in social media and credits under the MAS/CAS program will be awarded upon completion of the program. Cost for the webinar will include a discounted price for the complete series, or an a la carte option.

"We are the only industry-related group offering a comprehensive, hands-on social network webinar that uses practical application exercises," Hendrick adds.

McKain Keeps PowerPoint And Book Available To Members
Dynamic business speaker Scott McKain, who impressed a packed auditorium at The PPAI Expo on January 12, is offering PPAI members online access to video clips of his presentation's best stories, "Customer Service Lessons from Taxi Terry" and "Wrecked Rental Cars and Customer Service."

From McKain's straight-forward and well-articulated messages, members learned how to create distinction in their business.

Click here to read more.

Kids In Need Product Harvest Garners Record Support At Expo
Supplier donations went above and beyond during the Kids In Need Foundation product harvest at The PPAI Expo 2010.

Last year's event at The PPAI Expo 2009 was the first of its kind, resulting in donations from 33 companies valued at more than $18,000. The on-site harvest this year garnered products worth more than $68,000 from 67 companies, all of which will benefit students in Las Vegas' Clark County School District.

Click here to read more.

Mary Harris-Dieter To Become New PPAI Manager Of Certification And Curriculum Development
Mary Harris-Dieter has been named PPAI's new manager of certification and curriculum development. Harris-Dieter has been with PPAI for more than a year as manager of professional development for e-learning. She holds a degree in organizational leadership and supervision from Purdue University.

PPAI Asks Members To Increase Political Participation
While healthcare legislation, including the Physician Payments Sunshine Act, is now on a precarious path, the promotional products industry still has many national and state issues this year with which it should stay involved.

Key to that involvement is a relationship with members' local representatives in Congress and state legislators, says Anne Lardner, PPAI senior manager of public affairs.

"Going forward, we have to do more," says Lardner. "Now more than ever the industry is being scrutinized in ways we haven't before. We're asking everybody to step it up a notch."

Click here to read more.

New York Governor Lobbies
To Ban Drug Gifts
New York Governor David Paterson is proposing the state restrict pharmaceutical companies from giving gifts to physicians while promoting specific drugs. Paterson and his supporters say the proposed law would reassure patients that drugs were being prescribed without undue influence from drug companies, and that it could reduce costs to the Medicare system.

Representatives of Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) are speaking out against the proposal, saying it goes beyond the group's voluntary code by interfering with the relationships between pharmaceutical company consultants and physicians. Additionally, the proposal overreaches because the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already regulates drug-marketing practices, says PhRMA.

Read more about this proposal here.

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CAAMP Names 2010 Board Of Directors; Bibb Joins Association
The Carolinas Association of Advertising and Marketing Professionals (CAAMP) announces its 2010 Board of Directors.

The new officers are:
Chairperson of the Board: Joy Jacobs
Chair Elect: Mark Seay, MAS
Chief Administration Officer: Jim Hayes, MAS
Chief Financial Officer: Bob Abeel
Past Chairman of the Board: Dwayne Long

The new directors are:
Hope Binegar
Amanda Corey, CAS
David Gephart, CAS
Chuck Holland
Ezell Willard, CAS
Mark Thieleke

Additionally, Lisa Bibb, MAS, was hired as the new executive director for CAAMP in December. Bibb's contact information can be found at www.caampers.org.

ADvocate Regional Challenge Winner Announced
The winners of the fourth leg of the ADvocate Regional Challenge were announced at The PPAI Expo 2010 during the Regional Association Council's Delegate Assembly.

Houston Promotional Products Association (HPPA) and Upper Midwest Association of Promotional Professionals (UMAPP) tied for winner of the association prize with 26 points each, and Bill Turney, MAS, of HPPA captured the individual prize with 16 points.

The fifth leg of the competition began January 18 and will conclude just prior to the 2010 Leadership Development Workshop. For more information or to participate in the ADvocate Regional Challenge, contact Erica Edwards at EricaE@ppai.org.

Towel Specialties Hires Georgia Rep
Baltimore, Maryland-based supplier Towel Specialties (UPIC: TOWLSPEC) has hired Matt Carter of Flanagan & Associates to represent the line in Georgia. Carter comes to the company with 14 years of experience as the co-owner of Carter Promotions.

Vantage Expands Into Canada With New Account Manager
Avenel, New Jersey-based supplier Vantage Apparel (UPIC: vantage) has established a local presence in the Canadian market with the addition of Matt Clark as Canadian national accounts manager. Clark has 13 years of promotional products industry experience and a strong knowledge of the Canadian market.

Vernon Company Adds Account Executives
James McLoone has joined Newton, Iowa-based distributor The Vernon Company (UPIC: Vernon) as an account executive in its eastern region. McCloone is a ten-year veteran of the promotional products industry.�Prior to joining Vernon he was with Monroe, Washington-based distributor Cyrk, Inc. (UPIC: CYRK).

In addition to McLoone, 18 other account executives joined Vernon's sales team during the last quarter of 2009.

Joining Vernon in the eastern region are Shalise DeMott, Alberto Julia, Mark Mazer, Don Sprankle, Robyn Stetler and Walt Yost.�Representing the central region are Gilbert Edge, Michael Fitzpatrick, Allison Grubbs, Tony Kern, David Quinn, Mickey Robbins, Randy Rumney and Jack Shook.�Bernie Brown, Mike Harris, Bob Kritkausky and Haley Major will represent Vernon in its western region.

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ActNow Announces Expo Drawing Winners
Alpharetta, Georgia-based supplier ActNow Media, Inc. (UPIC: ACTNOW) has selected the winners of its random drawing at The PPAI Expo 2010 in Las Vegas. The total value of the giveaway exceeds $12,000, says Fred Leamer, president and CEO.

Adam Batz of Proforma Identity Marketing Group and Marie C. Lalo of T-shirt Depot each won 1,000 DuraTrac^� Hard Top Mouse Pads. Jennifer Wilborn of SDB Creative Group won 500 Standard Matte Plus^� Hard Top Counter Mats.

Leamer says the giveaway was held for two reasons. "ActNow has not exhibited at PPAI since 1999 and we wanted to create additional interest in our products," he says. "Also, 2009 was another great year with a sales increase of 40 percent, and I wanted to reward distributors for their continued support."

Ash City USA Names Sales Rep Of Year
Richmond Hill, Ontario-based supplier Ash City USA (UPIC: ash0001) presented Tobin James of TJ Coyote Inc. with the 2009 Sales Representative of the Year Award at a recent sales conference in Las Vegas.

"James had a great year, even in a down economy and a down industry, and he never let anything negative influence him," says Chris Clark, Ash City vice president of sales.�"His positive attitude was very evident to us throughout the year."

Newton Manufacturing Recognizes Top Suppliers
Newton, Iowa-based distributor Newton Manufacturing Co. (UPIC: NEWTON) named 12 industry companies as its top suppliers for 2009:
Beacon Promotions, Inc. (UPIC: BEACONP); BIC Graphic USA (UPIC: BIC); Gold Bond, Inc. (UPIC: GOLD0008); Hit Promotional Products (UPIC: HITP0001); Hub Pen Company (UPIC: HUBPEN); Leed's (UPIC: LEEDS); Noteworthy Company (UPIC: NWORTHY); Norwood Promotional Products (UPIC: NORWOOD); Sanford Business-to-Business Division (UPIC: SANFORD); SanMar (UPIC: SNMR); Vitronic Promotional Group (UPIC: ACHIEVER); and Warwick Publishing Company (UPIC: WARWICK).

"This year has been particularly challenging, but these suppliers have delivered with products and services to help our representatives and their customers succeed with promotional products," says Molly Beavers, Newton Manufacturing senior manager of marketing. "We look forward to meeting the challenges of 2010 with these suppliers, especially in the area of product safety."

Newton Manufacturing chooses its top suppliers based on their product quality, timely response to service needs, sales volume and ability to provide Newton Manufacturing with unique sales advantages. The suppliers were presented with awards in Las Vegas, in conjunction with The PPAI Expo 2010.

Crystal D Adopts Families Through The Salvation Army
St. Paul, Minnesota-based supplier Crystal D (UPIC: CRYSTALD) adopted four families during the month of December through The Salvation Army's Adopt-a-Family program. Crystal D employees donated $600 to the program, which the company matched dollar for dollar. Once the donation was submitted, a group of employees personally shopped for each member of the families.

"Now more than ever, this program has allowed us to help families in need during the holidays," says Cathy Klein, human resources and accounting manager. "The donations allowed us to purchase necessities for each family, as well as fun extras, to make their holiday brighter."

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Darel Cook, PPAI director of expositions, makes an appearance on The Industry Show this week to talk about brand.

Do Nice Guys Finish First?
We're told to "be nice" as children, and even as adults we may be told to "smile." But does being nice work in the real world? Does it get you ahead in business? Is being nice related to success? Where do we draw the line between being nice and being realistic? If you have any thoughts on this subject, we'd love to hear them. Please e-mail Brittany Glenn at brittanyglenn11@gmail.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming story.

Kick Off A Culinary Promotion
The April issue of PPB is stuffed with kitchen products including cooking utensils, jar openers, food storage containers, measuring cups and spoons, bottle openers, wine openers, wine glasses, serving trays and oven mitts. Get your kitchen items on the menu by sending descriptions and high-resolution images to Audrey Sellers by February 5 for possible inclusion.�

April PPB Has Tees For All
From tanks and long-sleeve to short-sleeve and V-neck, turn to the April issue of PPB for t-shirts of all varieties. We're looking for men's, ladies' and youth tees, so submit yours to Audrey Sellers for consideration. February 5 is the deadline to send apparel descriptions and high-resolution images.�

A distributor asks: "Is it a good idea to send out a company report card to clients and ask for their feedback? I'd like to know if they're satisfied with our services and what we could do to serve them better, but I don''t want to open a whole can of worms about pricing or services we're not equipped to offer right now."

What's your answer? E-mail answers along with your name, title and company name to Question@ppai.org by February 15 for possible inclusion in the April issue of PPB magazine.

Answers to this month's question are in. Click here to read advice on how to deal with a competitor who is calling on your clients.

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Together We're Making An Impact On Washington
"It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." A year has passed and it is still appropriate to quote Charles Dickens. It would be unfair to say we have come full circle, but we are experiencing positive signs of economic improvement. We still face tighter budgets, increased government regulation and legislative scrutiny, but we are far more familiar with these waters than we were 12 months ago.

A Reason For Optimism
The U.S. economy is finally showing improvement as measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and U.S. Industrial Production. The news is both encouraging and consistent with a forecast made last summer at PPAI's North American Leadership Conference.

Have Products, Will Travel
Though it may seem that fewer travelers are boarding planes and hitting the highways, the $770 billion travel industry is booming--and is projected to grow even larger in 2010, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

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