National Premium Inc., a Top 50 promotional products distributor located in Pewaukee, Wis., was the distinguished recipient of a Technology Award from the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), the not-for-profit association of the $17 billion promotional products industry.
The company was awarded the Silver Medal in the Social Media category at the 2013 PPAI Technology Awards. National Premium received the honor during an awards presentation and reception on January 16, 2013 at the PPAI Expo in Las Vegas, the industry’s largest trade show. The PPAI Technology Awards recognize companies for outstanding use of new mediums in a variety of applications.
“The 2013 group of entries was impressive, but our judges have identified an exceptional group of finalists who represent the best of technology in their categories,” said Carol Gauger, PPAI director of member engagement and regional relations, in a statement. “What a great indicator of how technology innovation is being applied effectively in the promotional products industry.”
National Premium was selected for its active and engaging use of social media to better connect with clients and increase its presence in the industry. Scott Schmidt, president of National Premium, was on hand to accept the award for the company. “We strive to honor the motto that my dad set out when he founded this company: to make integrity our mantra, honesty our trademark, hard work our lifestyle, and friendship our legacy,” he said.
Schmidt explained that National Premium’s presence on sites like LinkedIn and Facebook helps the company to level the playing field by allowing daily conversations to happen with customers in the same county or in another country. “Social media offers us one more way to reach out to our customers and maintain a genuine connection, bringing them into our company’s culture and community,” Schmidt said.
“National Premium is a thought-leading organization that embodies the initiative, vision and innovation defining the promotional products industry,” said Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI. “We are pleased the Technology Awards competition is encouraging excellence and delivering exposure for these deserving award winners. It is through these achievements that promotional products continue to play an essential role in successful marketing and branding strategies.”
In 2011, National Premium set out to increase its online reach and further engage its customers. Across sites like Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube, employees posted photos, comments and stories to show the human side of the company. “People want to do business with people … and social media affords us the ability to give our customers, suppliers, employees and other distributors a glimpse into our work lives everyday,” said Kimberly Busboom, executive vice president, sales and marketing for National Premium.”
“Thank you to everyone that continues to send in photos, comment and like what we do on Facebook and our other social media venues each day,” Schmidt added.
To see National Premium’s award-winning social media efforts, visit the company’s pages on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube.
Fore more information, visit www.nationalpremium.com.
