GQ released pictures of the Louis Vuitton World Cup collection, which includes a swanky travel case for the trophy to make its way to Russia, a trunk for the balls, backpacks and luggage tags. Such a swanky, over-the-top collection is fitting for a supervillain organization like FIFA…
Read MoreAuthor: Brendan Menapace
Wireless Smartphone Chargers Recalled by Promo Supplier, CPSC
Bluefin International, Cumming, Ga., which does promotional products business as Logo Included, is recalling a model of wireless smartphone chargers after receiving reports of them overheating, posing a burn hazard. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the recall involves wireless smartphone chargers with the model number AC16B printed on the bottom. They are circular…
Read MoreWith Peace Talks Called Off, White House Gift Shop Site Crashes Over Demand for North Korea Coin
With talks called off, one might assume the North Korea coin would never see the light of day. But that isn’t the case, entirely. While the status of the official, limited edition coin is uncertain, the White House Gift Shop said it would still offer similar replica coins for sale (at a discount) and that all preorders would be processed…
Read MoreWith Latest Tariff Developments, More Confusion (Mixed With Optimism)
There have been two more recent moves in the ongoing game of tariff chess between the U.S. and China. President Trump announced on Monday that the U.S. would put a hold on $150 billion in Chinese imports after China promised to increase its imports of agriculture and energy products, per Business Insider. https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/998553122179084290 China, on…
Read MoreIMAGEN Brands Hires Paul Lage as President
IMAGEN Brands, parent company of Crown Products and Vitronic, announced that it has hired Paul Lage as its new president, replacing former president Lori Kates. Lage was previously at Gill-Line, where he was CEO since 2010. Gill replaced Lage with Jamie Fain last week. “We are excited to have Paul join our team at IMAGEN…
Read MoreWhy Promo Distributors Should Consider Selling Print (If They Aren’t Already)
You’ve probably heard someone spout on about how print is dying, right? That selling print is impossible? That news might have come from some nay-saying colleague, a morbid news article, or maybe even your academic advisers when you told them you were going to major in journalism. (That last one might have just been us.)…
Read MoreNike, Adidas Starting to Move Away From China, and That Says A Lot
Nike and Adidas are shifting more of their Asian manufacturing business from China to Vietnam, continuing a recent trend of companies choosing to leave China due to higher costs. According to GQ, Adidas reported that 44 percent of its shoes were made in Vietnam in 2017, up 13 percent from the previous year. During that…
Read MoreCIC CEO Bob Herzog Talks eCompanyStore Purchase, Future Plans and Promo Industry Acquisitions
Promo Marketing spoke with CIC CEO Bob Herzog, former CEO of Bullet Line, about how the eCompanyStore acquisition came to be, the future of the two companies, and how distributors can remain competitive amid all the recent mergers and acquisitions…
Read MorePrivate Equity Firm TPG Growth to Acquire HALO Branded Solutions
TPG Growth, the middle market and growth equity platform of San Francisco-based investment firm TPG, has acquired HALO Branded Solutions, Sterling, Ill., from Audax Private Equity. “At HALO, we strive to provide our clients with innovative, customized solutions that showcase their brand and values,” Marc Simon, CEO of HALO, said in a press release. “TPG…
Read MorePPAI Kicks Off Promotional Products Work! Week
Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), Irving, Texas, and Promotional Products Association Of The Mid-South (PPAMS), Nashville, kicked off Promotional Products Work! Week on Friday, May 11, 2018 in Shelbyville, Tenn., also known as “The Pencil City.” Billed as the official kickoff for the national awareness event, happening this week, the event is organized by PPAMS, PPAI…
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