Tim Brown, executive director for Quality Certification Alliance, joined the show to tell us why brand safety matters to modern promo buyers (and why it’s a big opportunity for business), and give us more details on QCA’s new participation model and recent rebrand. Plus, Sean and Brendan discuss how Disney’s latest Star Wars theme parks merchandise might lead to a cup-holder crisis!…
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Bart Simpson, vice president of client development for Flywheel Brands, joined the show to talk podcasting for promo businesses, leadership, managing teams and a whole lot more. Plus, just in time for baseball season, Sean and Brendan discuss ballpark giveaways. Who decided all T-shirt promos should be size XL?!…
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The $22 billion cannabis industry is expected to reach more than $46 billion in value by 2027. Eric Rubin, president of Blue Generation, joined the show to talk about the huge promotional products sales opportunities the market presents, especially in branded apparel. Plus, Sean and Brendan are talking Blockbuster Video! Get your JNCO jeans ready, because only ’90s kids will remember this episode…
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Barefoot Swag Powered by Proforma is a three-person operation that’s topped $1 million in sales, almost entirely online. How has the small distributor found so much success competing with the big online mega-players? Owners Britni Levitt and Rhonda Reedy joined the show to share their story. Plus, customer reviews, work-life balance, women-owned businesses and legislating Pop Tarts…
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Phil Koosed, president of BAMKO, joined the show to take us inside its immensely popular and successful branded merch campaigns for Taco Bell, including how the distributor created “Instagrammable” promotional products designed to reach younger demographics online. We also talked about promo’s powerful ROI, corporate social responsibility, private equity. Plus, Sean and Brendan finally discuss Weezer, and ask Phil for help getting Elon Musk on the show…
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Bill Mahre, president of ADG Promotional Products, joined the show to recap PPAI Expo 2019 and discuss his vision for the promo industry as his PPAI board term begins. (The key? Making promo quicker, easier and better for the end-buyer.) He also told us about his brush with Hollywood stardom as part of the Minnesota Twins organization in the ’90s…
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Soon, pretty much the entire promo industry will converge on Las Vegas for PPAI Expo. To get you ready for the trip, Kellyann Messick, road warrior for Hit Promotional Products, dropped by the studio, live and in-person, to give her best advice on Expo prep, business travel, industry events, what to do in Vegas and…
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It’s clear the tariffs are going to impact the promo industry in the new year. We asked Brian Porter, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Starline Inc., about what we can expect for 2019, how promo suppliers are handling pricing and much more. Plus, Sean and Brendan discuss a totally crazy insane morning hack from Jeff Bezos, and Sean asks the tough questions everyone’s afraid to ask about Pantone’s Color of the Year…
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Joe Fleming, Trina Bicknell, Mike Fleming and special guest Alex Morin joined the show to talk about HUB Promotional Group’s recent acquisitions, how HUB selects suppliers to buy, what distributors can expect from HUB Promotional Group moving forward, and more. Plus, Sean and Brendan dig into that Fast Company article that called for the entire promo industry to shut down…
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In the spirit of everyone’s favorite haunted holiday, Jay Busselle joined the show to discuss branding nightmares, his favorite Halloween promotions and scary marketing in general. Is your promo business making any of the branding mistakes Jay mentioned? Listen and find out! Plus, Sean and Brendan discuss Burger King’s gross new nightmare sandwich, terrifying VCRs and much more. Don’t listen alone!…
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