Editorial Type: Audio

Meridian’s Jake Chanson on Sustaining Double-Digit Sales Growth, Making Things Easy for Customers, BizTech and More

Meridian clocked in at No. 10 on our 2019 Fastest Growing Distributors list with 44 percent year-over-year promo sales growth (and five straight years of double-digit growth). We caught up with Jake Chanson, head of business development, to find out what’s behind that success. Plus, Sean and Brendan break down the Great Chicken Wars of 2019 as Popeye’s new sandwich becomes the viral marketing champ…

It’s the promo industry podcast crossover event of the century! Bill Petrie and Kirby Hasseman of PromoCorner’s UnScripted podcast joined the show to give a sneak peek at PromoMBA, the new education event designed specifically for the working distributor. Plus, we’re talking end-buyer takeaways from the Something Inked show in Las Vegas, ranking Heinz’ new unholy hybrid sauces and answering the important Van Halen questions…

Every promo distributor is bound to run into artwork issues at some point. What do you do when it happens? How do you make things right for your client but also salvage the relationship with your supplier? What can suppliers do to make the artwork process easier for distributors? We talked to the gang at Tricor Brand Communications to find out. Plus, we’re talking all things pizza! (Including a cool pizza-shop promo idea)…

After a brief summer hiatus, the PM Podcast returns with Tricia Lyster, marketing manager for alphabroder. The gang talked about digital marketing and creative, including alphabroder’s new resources for distributors and the industry’s shift toward more retail-style marketing and creative. Plus, Sean and Brendan discuss PromoMBA, the 2019 Top Distributors List, naming your kids after video game companies and more!…

The PM Podcast crew takes the show on the road in this special episode, heading to the Jersey Shore (no, not that one) to record live from PPAI Expo East 2019 in Atlantic City. Sean and Brendan set up shop on the show floor at the Promo Marketing booth (No. 810) for a chat about the notable promotional products trends on display at the show…

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…

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