Category: Uncategorized

The “S” Word

Staff Writer

I recently had to apologize to a friend that lives, oh, some 80,000 miles away … in the West African country of Coté d’Ivoire, to be exact. He’d (I figured you’d want to know who it was) done something I thought was unjust … and well, I let him have it (via e-mail, of course). However, after having had a week or so to reflect on my response to my Ivorian friend’s unjust deed, I sent him yet another e-mail—this time, expressing my sorrow for the things I’d previously written. Thankfully, he accepted my apology, and in his best “Frenglish,” wrote back: “Today is

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Awards With Character

Staff Writer

I just had a nice conversation with Leo Kennedy from Awards With Character. I’m doing a product showcase for the magazine on sports teams and was looking for products a little more off-the-beaten-path than cups, seat cushions and caps (not that there is anything wrong with any of those items).
Leo’s company provides trophies and other products as incentives to schools for both sports teams and academic programs. The difference is, his trophies aren’t brassy figures or silver cups, they are small (adorable, some would say) bear figurines talking part in various sports. Girl soccer bear. Boy baseball bear. Hockey bear (there is a

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Selective Memory

Staff Writer

Well, I’m back from ASI Dallas. Let the existential crisis begin.

In the week immediately following a trade show, I begin the process of reaching out to those I met over the course of the two-day event. Truth be told, the task is often fruitless.
Right now, you might be saying to yourself, “Fruitless? Surely you jest.” But no, unfortunately, I’m not. The sad fact is that, out of the hundred or so cards I gave and received, I’ll only hear from a few people. Which leaves me wondering, am I just not memorable?
In PM’s January issue, the subtitle of

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Trade Show Hangover

Staff Writer

It’s not a literal hangover, but I have to say three trade shows in five weeks really takes a toll on one. The latest and greatest trip was to Dallas, where I did not get to visit Dealy Plaza, but where I did get to meet a ton of people and add to our growing product video library. Keep an eye on the Web site for new videos from companies like Pro Towels (who all call me Chaz) and Snugz (starring national sales manager Sydra Newell). By the end of the third day both the camera and myself had enough. Ugh.<br

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Stupid Groundhog

Staff Writer

Well, Punxsutawney Phil wasn’t lying a couple of weeks ago when he predicted six more weeks of winter. In Philadelphia, it is cold outside——probably the coldest it has been all winter. Regardless of negative-degree weather, today, my team and I began looking for sunnier skies in preparation of spring; looking at assignments, story angles, possible sources and great products to introduce to the market for the spring and summer seasons.
I know we are not the only crew beginning to look ahead, at least in terms of work projects. If you know of a product that is perfect for a spring / summer event

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Tell Me Something Good!

Staff Writer

Today, I am feeling appalled. Appalled that while our media dedicates massive resources to the coverage of the excesses of Britney Spears, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan, the people of Haiti have been reduced to eating “mud cookies,” literally made of dirt; appalled that the words “ethnic cleansing” are still uttered in the present tense; and appalled that hardworking people face losing their homes because of the subprime lending mess. Globally, wealthy governments and industry leaders have the power to make a difference, but unfortunately, it seems that unless there is something “in it for them,” they choose not to.
In an era where

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Sex vs. Environment

Staff Writer

What is the world coming to? Have we finally reached the point where sex doesn’t sell (or at least doesn’t sell as well as it used to)?
On the one hand, there’s a history of product lines that have found success by partaking in what some might call morally-questionable advertising. Using campaigns based on little more than young women in little more than underwear (where did the actually clothes being advertised go). Not caring in the end if their ads are disparaged a bit on modest blogs such as my own because in reality the mere mention probably drives people (men)

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HOW THE STARS ALIGN

Staff Writer

Electric communication will never be a substitute for the face of someone who with their soul encourages another person to be brave and true.
«CHARLES DICKENS, ENGLISH NOVELIST
A dear friend of mine is a student of astrology—yes, horoscopes, how the stars align and how these lineups impact our lives. While I do not have much knowledge of these things, she occasionally imparts information to me about astrological matters I should be aware of in my life.
Recently, she informed me Mercury had moved into retrograde and my reaction was a somewhat sarcastic, “So?” She explained this is a time when communications can

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Sister Speaks

Staff Writer

I’m going to be a Big Sister soon! Well, that’s not entirely true, as I’ve been ‘big sister’ to Noelina, Ephra and Andrew for the last three decades.

I’m in the process, however, of being matched with a “Little Sister” through the nation’s oldest youth mentorship program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS), headquartered in Philadelphia.

As I was walking the showroom floor at the PPAI Expo two weeks ago, I received a call from a BBBS representative informing me that she’d found a potential match for me. I paused and listened closely to the rundown of the young

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Fore!

Staff Writer

One of my favorite things about being an editor is that more often than not, real-life interests and passions actually intersect with what you are asked to write about. In this month’s magazine, I was happily immersed in the minutiae of political products and campaigns, which affords me the luxury to poke some fun at politics in the middle of my thousand or so words. I think, no matter who you are rooting for (or against), it’s good to try and see the lighter side of life. Next month I again get the chance to mix work and pleasure, namely, in

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