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INDUSTRY NEWS
Independent Contractors 'Safe Harbor' Continues Washington Scrutiny
President Obama has weighed in on endorsing Senate legislation to repeal the “safe harbor” practice that allows businesses to treat individuals as independent contractors instead of employees if it has been a long-standing industry practice.
In President Obama’s 2011 proposed budget, he included language that endorses the approach of legislation introduced in January by Senator John Kerry (D-MA) in the Taxpayer Responsibility, Accountability and Consistency Act. Similar legislation, H.R. 3408, was introduced by Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) in 2009.
Read more here.
HALO/Lee Wayne Acquires Relay Gear
Sterling, Illinois-based distributor HALO/Lee Wayne Corporation (UPIC: LEEWAYNE) acquired the business and operating assets of Relay Gear, Ltd. (UPIC: Relay009), a distributor based in Columbus, Ohio. Financial terms of the purchase were not disclosed.
Relay Gear’s sales team will join HALO/Lee Wayne, eventually selling under the HALO Branded Solutions brand.
Read more here.
Natural Trends Partners With WD-40 On No-Mess Pen
Provo, Utah-based supplier Natural Trends, LLC (UPIC: NTRENDS) has been named the exclusive promotional products channel partner for the WD-40 No-Mess Pen. A 57-year-old firm based in San Diego, California, WD-40 markets its products in more than 160 countries worldwide and recorded sales of $292 million in 2009. It has 97 percent brand recognition in the U.S.
“The pen-sized dispenser now gives the consumer the freedom to use WD-40 anywhere, anytime,” says Tim Lesmeister, vice president of marketing for WD-40. “The marker-like tip allows for easy, controlled application in thousands of places and uses.”
The WD-40 No-Mess Pen will be available with custom imprint for delivery from Natural Trends in mid-March.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Spector & Co. Donates Clothing And Linens To Haiti
Champlain, New York-based distributor Spector & Co. (UPIC: SPEC0038) sent 10 pallets of assorted clothing and linens donated by its customers to earthquake victims in Haiti on February 24.
The company ran a sales incentive program in 2009 with a Royal Caribbean cruise as the reward. One of the islands on the tour was Labadee, Haiti, so the company arranged with Royal Caribbean to drop off its donations while its customers and sales team were visiting.
ACCOLADES
Crystal D Honors Employees On WOW Day
St. Paul, Minnesota, supplier Crystal D (UPIC: CRYSTALD) honored 29 employees at its annual WOW Day meeting on January 21.
The Value Champion award winners were nominated by their peers throughout the year for exemplifying one of the five core values: Integrity, Quality, Respect, Commitment and Passion.
Read more here.
FRS Industries Celebrates 125 Years In Business
Fargo, North Dakota, supplier FRS Industries (UPIC: FRSIND) is celebrating its 125th anniversary this year. The company has an open house planned for March 18 with a ribbon cutting by the Fargo Moorhead Chamber of Commerce. The company also will offer more specials throughout the year, says Dale Larson, who owns the company with his wife, Sheri.
Nugent & Brown Book Binders, as it was known in 1885, was started by G.H. Brown and A.E. Nugent. Around 1913, the company changed names to Fargo Rubber Stamp Works when Iver Fossum took ownership. Fossum and his son, Cyrus, ran the company and in 1976 sold it to eight employees.
Read more here.
Finney Company Celebrates Golden Anniversary By Going Green
Donald Finney, MAS, was 14 when his father started the Finney Company (UPIC: FINNEY1), a distributor in Des Plaines, Illinois, in 1960. This year, the company is celebrating its 50th anniversary by promoting more green products, says Finney, president.
“As new green items come out, we’re going to get them,” he says. “Also, when we pass out promotional items at shows, they will all be green.”
The family-owned business will be run by a third generation, Finney’s son-in-law Brian Bitcon, in a few years, Finney says.
“I wish I could see this industry 50 years from now, but that is up to my grandchildren,” Finney says.
Proforma Sets Owner Record; Adds Members To Its Million Dollar Clubs
Cleveland, Ohio-based distributor Proforma (UPIC: PROFORMA) set a record of adding 150 new owners to its system in 2009. In addition, the company grew its Million Dollar Club to more than 100 owners, adding 11 new members this month. Proforma’s Multi-Million Dollar Club also grew to more than 25 members, adding four new members this month.
The new members are heading to the Atlantis Resort and Spa on Paradise Island as a reward for their 2009 sales achievements.
Read more here.
MAINSTREAM MEDIA
Stories on a recent two-part study designed by PPAI on the effectiveness of promotional products compared with other media have been published in PromoMagazine and Exhibitor Online.
Read the studies here.
CORRECTION
Premier Group was misidentified in last week’s PPB Newslink. It is a partner group of independent distributors and suppliers.
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PPAI NEWS
New Logo Download Says 'Promotional Products Work!'
A new logo developed by PPAI’s Suppliers Committee announcing “Promotional Products Work!” is available to the industry in a downloadable image.
“I’d like to see it go viral,” says Murray Siegel, chair of the PPAI Suppliers Committee and marketing director for supplier Towel Specialties (UPIC: TOWLSPEC) based in Baltimore, Maryland. “The more who use it, the better."
Read more here.
Discount Extended Until March 14 For Women’s Leadership Conference
“Any company that’s proud of its brand is going to take advantage of branding promotional items and FedEx is no exception. We’ve been using them for 35 years,” says Laurie Tucker, senior vice president of corporate marketing for FedEx Services, in a recent interview with PPB magazine. Hear more from Tucker during her keynote address at PPAI’s Women’s Leadership Conference, July 26-29, at the Omni Mandalay Hotel in Irving, Texas.
The early-bird registration discount of $75 has been extended until March 14. Second and subsequent registrants from the same PPAI member company are $475 during early-bird registration, as well. Register here.
Members Get Percent Discount On FedEx Freight
PPAI members will now receive a 70-percent discount on their FedEx freight, no minimum weight required. Members are encouraged to log in to the PPAI website at www.ppai.org to get the promotional code to enroll in the discount program, if not already enrolled. Membership also includes up to 45 percent off of FedEx Express services and 20 percent off FedEx Ground services.
Comstock Wins “Where’s Dusty Trax” Contest
Kelly Bert Comstock of Olympia, Washington-based distributor A Custom Thread (UPIC: ACT) won an iPod Touch for first place in the “Where’s Dusty Trax²” contest kicked off at the PPAI Expo. Her entry placed Dusty, the OrderTrax² icon character, at the Olympics in Vancouver.
“We received many great, creative entries,” says Tom Gindrup, general manager of PPAI OrderTrax². “The presentation put together by Kelly was just outstanding.”
Read more here.
PPAI To Offer Exclusive Sponsorship Programs
PPAI is now offering sponsorship of its professional development webinars and seminars. These targeted events deliver e-learning and in-person continuing education. From signage to verbal recognition to product donations these sponsorships get attention. For details on the webinar and education conference sponsorship, contact Sharon Miro at smiro@foxrep.com or Fox Associates at 800-440-0232.
To learn more about PPAI’s professional development premier event sponsorship opportunities, click here.
March Webinar On Product Safety Tracking Labels Still Open
A free webinar on product safety tracking labels on March 3 at 1 pm CST still has some openings. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) requires tracking labels for products intended for children ages 12 and younger. Susan DeRagon, associate director for toys and premiums with Specialized Technology Resources (STR), will offer guidance on best practices in tracking labels and how to stay in compliance with this requirement.
Register here.
PPAI Expo Call For Presentations
PPAI Professional Development invites you to submit ideas on topics that offer a rich diversity of learning experiences for the PPAI Expo 2011, January 10-14, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas.
Click here for more information.
Deadline Approaches for PPEF Scholarship Applications
The deadline is approaching for applying for the 68 scholarships worth $100,000 from the Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF). The scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are open to promotional products professionals and their children. Basic requirements are a 3.0 grade point average in high school or college. Deadline for applying for the scholarships is March 15.
To apply, go to www.ppef.us and look under the scholarship tab. For questions contact Sara Besly at SaraB@ppai.org.
PEOPLE NEWS
New Ulm, Minnesota-based supplier Canyon Outback Leather Goods (UPIC: canyon) added three new multi-line representatives to its sales staff. Diane Leslie's territory is Southern California, Nevada, Arizona and Hawaii. Shawna Tickle's territory is Colorado and Utah. Seth Porter's territory is Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.
Lorre Swanson recently joined the Austin, Texas-based distributor PrintGlobe (UPIC:PrintGlo) as an account manager. Swanson previously owned and operated Heartstring Studio for five years prior to joining PrintGlobe.
Toronto, Ontario-based supplier Superix (UPIC: SUPEREX) has hired Bennett Sales as its multi-line representatives for Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas. Dee Bennett's territory includes Houston, Austin, San Antonio, West Texas and Louisiana. Andy Bennett's territory includes Dallas/Ft. Worth, North Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
Jonathan Sweet has joined Bruce Fox, Inc. (UPIC: BRUC0003) and E.A. Dion, Inc. (UPIC: EADION) to further develop both firms’ distributor networks. He will operate out of Los Angeles, and focus on California distributors.
Marc Roy, president of Accolade Reaction Promotion Group (UPIC: REAC0002), has resigned after 25 years at the Canadian company. Roy sold Accolade to retail giant Golf Town Canada Inc. in 2008. Dan Craig has been hired as general manager for corporate sales at Golf Town and will oversee operations at Accolade and corporate sales at Golf Gown. Craig previously worked as a vice president at Cadbury.
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