In an effort to give promotional products salespeople a voice and to fill an important void within the industry, the Organization of Promotional Products Salespeople (OOPPS) and its associated Web site, www.oopps.net, has been established.
Based in Orlando, Fla., the mission of the newly established OOPPS is to “inform and empower promotional products salespeople who work for distributors so that they can make decisions that will enhance their careers and their earning potential.”
The OOPPS concept originated with Ross Silverstein, founder and president of iPROMOTEu. “I’ve long thought the industry as a whole could benefit from this sort of organization,” he said. “I am enthusiastic about this initiative, and hope OOPPS will be well received and that it will become a valuable industry resource. Only time will tell.”
To date, nearly 600 promotional products salespeople have registered with OOPPS. The organization will be run by Samantha Weiss, executive director and 10-year industry veteran.
“There are estimates of more than 100,000 promotional products salespeople in the industry today,” said Weiss. “As the largest constituency, by far, among all industry players, including distributors and suppliers, industry salespeople need, and should have, an organization that is devoted solely to their interests. At OOPPS, we intend to give industry salespeople the information they need, the voice they want and the influence they should have.”
Through registration on its Web site, OOPPS will offer industry salespeople the following products and services:
*OOPPSreports: Monthly in-depth articles or reports on industry topics that are important to promotional products salespeople. The inaugural OOPPSreport is entitled: “Career Options for Salespeople in the Promotional Products Industry.”
*OOPPSflashes: Periodic news bulletins announcing timely and relevant information of interest to promotional products salespeople.
askOOPPS: Informed and authoritative answers to industry-related questions directly from OOPPS personnel.
*OOPPSforums: The place where salespeople can communicate with each other about important industry topics affecting promotional products salespeople, such as compensation, non-compete provisions and career options.
*Marketplace: A classified advertising venue listing various advertisements by category.
*Calendar: A listing of events within the promotional products industry that may be relevant and of interest to industry salespeople.
“We at OOPPS are strong believers in a free market economy and are avid proponents for the free flow of information,” added Weiss. “OOPPS welcomes and encourages all distributor companies to utilize us as a means to disseminate their message.”
For more information, call (321) 541-1268 or visit www.oopps.net.
