Editorial Type: Audio

Hotcards’ Greg Schwartz on Working With an NFL Team, What Pro Sports Clients Want, Landing These Accounts

Greg Schwartz, vice president of sales for Hot Cards, a promo and print distributor based in Cleveland, joined the show to tell us what it’s like working with the Cleveland Browns, how he landed the account, what kinds of products high-profile professional sports teams are looking for and how other distributors can get into the market. Plus, Taco Bell has a new hotel, and “Stranger Things” is reviving New Coke…

Branded footwear is having a moment. Everywhere you look, big names are collaborating with shoe brands, bringing the promo and retail worlds together. We talked to noted sneakerhead Bill Feldberg, of promo company Something Inked, who gave us the details on the footwear phenomenon. Bill told us about Nike’s 420 releases, Vans’ licensing brilliance, Crocs’ unlikely ascent to “cool,” promo sales opportunities with footwear brands and much more…

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!…

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?!…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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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