Shelley Sake, MAS, has been promoted to the position of vice president of marketing for Evans Manufacturing. She has worked at Evans for over seven years, most recently as its director of sales and marketing. Shelley started in the industry with Pillowline (Advertising Unlimited/Norwood) in 1991 and has held such positions as account executive, sales service manager and marketing manager. Derek Sweem, president of Evans, stated, “Shelley has done an extraordinary job of helping Evans grow the business through the development of new products and by implementing successful sales and marketing strategies. Her focus on the customer, insights to current market trends, and
Read MoreGo The Distance
REMEMBER THE DAYS when workout clothes were workout clothes only? Everyone had a drawer-full: apparel that worked, literally and figuratively, only in the gym. Clothes that made one feel, frankly, a little out of place anywhere else.
Read MoreA Spoonful of Sugar
MARY POPPINS HERSELF would happily confess the number of times her umbrella was a lifesaver—helping her blow town right before being asked troubling questions like, “Why is the banister so well-dusted?” or “Why are my children spending time with vagrant chimney sweeps?”
Read MoreThe Right Instrument
WHEN AMAZON RELEASED Kindle, its wireless reading device, bibliophiles everywhere shuddered. It was just another instance of a new technology running up against a treasured pastime. As any book lover will attest, there’s just something irreplaceable about the look, feel, and yes, even smell of a bound volume.
Read MoreRed Alert
FIRES, FLOODS, HURRICANES—for more than a century, nothing has stopped the American Red Cross from assisting those in need around the country and the world. But, when an organization that prides itself on helping others needs a little help of its own, where does it turn? Luckily for the Red Cross of Gloucester County, N.J., Susan Freiberg, president of Turnersville, New Jersey-based Proforma ABF Direct, was on the case. With an army of tote bags from Mason, Ohio-based Vitronic Promotional Group, and some savvy fundraising skills, Freiberg not only raised awareness of the chapter’s financial situation but she helped them collect enough money to thwart impending closure. Here, she shares with Promo Marketing just how a well-placed promotional product saved the day.
Read MoreCleared for Takeoff
FLYING THE FRIENDLY skies can be downright unpleasant these days. And lately, there isn’t even a lousy mini-size bag of pretzels or peanuts for the trouble. But—hold onto those quart-size zip-lock bags—the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has recently taken measures to alleviate some airport aggravations.
Read MoreObama Picks Mills to Lead SBA
Red state, blue state or purple state, come January 20, a new administration will be taking office with a list of new political appointees in every single government agency. For businesses, this could mean changes in everything from minimum wage and tax rates to OSHA standards and trade agreements. One of the latest appointments is the head of the Small Business Association. From Change.gov: Karen G. Mills, Administrator of the Small Business Administration Karen G. Mills has been a principal in the private equity and venture capital industry since 1983 and has taken a leadership role in the growth of more than 20
Read MorePETCO Introduces Paw It Forward Promotion
San Diego-based PETCO announced will join the Pismo Beach, California-based Pay It Forward Foundation with its twist on the Pay It Forward inspirational bracelet, as it introduces the PAW It Forward bracelet in January 2009. The first wave of PAW it Forward bracelets will be sold for $1.00 each with proceeds going to the PETCO Foundation. The Foundation gives assistance to animal welfare groups across the country. Following the success of the first wave of PAW it Forward bracelets PETCO hopes to launch a nation-wide campaign later in 2009. The PAW It Forward campaign is intended to encourage pet adoption and pet rescue.
Read MoreFASTSIGNS Names Monson CEO
Carrollton, Texas-based FASTSIGNS International Inc., the franchisor and operator of FASTSIGNS sign and graphics centers worldwide, announced Catherine Monson will assume the position of CEO beginning January 2, 2009. FASTSIGNS founder and current CEO, Gary Salomon, takes over as chairman of the board and will continue working with Roark Capital, the private equity firm that owns FASTSIGNS, and the FASTSIGNS executive team on strategic direction. Monson comes to FASTSIGNS with a strong background in franchising and digital printing, having worked for over 28 years with Franchise Services Inc., which owns Sir Speedy, PIP Printing, Signal Graphics, MultiCopy Europe and TeamLogicIT. As president of PIP
Read MoreAmerican Apparel Names Kowalewski Chief Financial Officer
Los Angeles-based American Apparel Inc. announced Adrian Kowalewski has been appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer effective immediately. Kowalewski joined American Apparel in 2006 and has served as the company’s director of corporate finance and development for the past two years, where his responsibilities have included finance, corporate strategy and investor relations. Kowalewski has been a member of American Apparel’s board of directors since the completion of the merger with Endeavor Acquisition Corp. in December 2007. In his new role, Kowalewski will also have oversight over financial management, accounting and financial reporting, including Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Dov Charney, chairman and CEO of American
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