The Promotional Products Association of the Midwest (PPAM) announced its 2009 officers and board of directors. They include: Officers: President: Ted Fuehr, MAS, of distributor Incentives International, Overland Park, Kan. Vice President: Cheryl Becker, MAS, of supplier Gill Studios, Lenexa, Kan. Secretary: Jacque McHugh of supplier Magnet LLC, Washington, Mo. Treasurer: Tina VanHoogstraat of supplier Quick Point, Fenton, Mo. Past President: Joe Keely, MAS, of supplier Quick Point, Fenton, Mo. Directors: • Bill Wilder, CAS, of distributor Clayman Promotional Group, Kansas City, Kan. • George Smajda of distributor Lee Wayne, Sterling, Ill. • John Short of supplier Ariel Premium Supply, St. Louis For
Read MoreIndustry Alert: New Postal Service Regulations In Effect
In an effort to save labor and revenue, the United States Postal Service (USPS) implemented new regulations on how companies manage mailing lists and bulk mailings. As of November 23, 2008, all companies will have to wash lists through the National Change of Address database more than twice as frequently in the past. To inform companies and business owners, the USPS provides the new guidelines and a series of articles on the change: From the USPS: Effective Nov. 23, the Postal Service is increasing its effort to improve the percentage of deliverable mail by revising the Move Update standards. The Move Update standards provide
Read MoreLewis Named CFO of MWV Community Development and Land Management Group
Richmond, Virginia-based MeadWestvaco Corp. announced Mark Lewis has joined the MWV Community Development and Land Management Group as the new chief financial officer, effective November 10. In this role, Lewis will focus on enhanced strategic planning, as well as overseeing financial analysis, reporting, and operations and information systems support. “The Community Development and Land Management Group is growing a sustainable real-estate business and providing sustainable cash flow and earnings to support growth in the packaging platform,” said Ken Seeger, president, Community Development and Land Management Group. “Mark’s real-estate finance knowledge and leadership will add strength to our team of talented leaders.” Mr. Lewis joins
Read MoreDespite Economic Outlook, Leed’s Team Grows
New Kensington, Pennsylvania-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America, the second largest supplier within the promotional products industry, has welcomed two new business development representatives to its sales team. Jennifer Titus joins the sales force after a year and a half in Leed’s customer service department. Titus will serve Leed’s customers in Ohio and West Virginia. Sam Hallstrom comes to Leed’s with several years of inside sales experience, following a career in the military. Hallstrom will work with Leed’s distributors in Louisiana and Southern Texas. “We’re excited to have both Sam and Jennifer on our team,” explains Chuck Helden, inside
Read More8 Legged Media Welcomes Two Industry Veterans
Chicago-based 8 Legged Media announced the addition of two promotional product industry veterans to its team. Amanda Strever joined the company in the role of sales manager and will be handling supplier accounts in the A to J range. Strever is a five-year industry veteran most recently with Chicago-based supplier PromoCertificates. The company has also added Whitney Moore in the position of sales manager. Moore brings with her six years sales experience the last three of which at Dallas-based SAGE-Quick Technologies. For more information on 8 Legged Media, visit www.8lmedia.com
Read MoreHALO/Lee Wayne Acquires Promotional Division of ESCKO
Sterling, Illinois-based promotional distributor HALO/Lee Wayne announced the asset purchase of the promotional products distributor business of ESKCO Inc., a promotional products manufacturer and distributor based in Dayton, Ohio, in an all-cash transaction. ESKCO will retain its vinyl manufacturing business and become a supplier to the industry. ESKCO’s 13-member sales team will join HALO/Lee Wayne, selling under the Lee Wayne brand. According to Marc Simon, HALO/Lee Wayne CEO, “The ESKCO transaction provides a unique opportunity to partner with an experienced, high-performing group of account executives while creating a strategic supply relationship in a key product category.” According to Jay Schindler, ESKCO CEO, “HALO/Lee Wayne’s
Read MoreThree Cheers for Roy
Remember when you were a kid in elementary school and you learned about colors? I always loved the “Roy G. Biv” acronym, because it made me think of a gentleman wearing a rainbow suit. Then again, maybe he was someone who just hung out under a rainbow or in the general vicinity of one. Actually, I can’t exactly recall what I thought, but I was clearly preoccupied with rainbows.
In honor of my old friend Mr. Biv, I was really psyched to write December’s color trend preview. This is the second year in a row that I snagged the assignment, and it’s kinda
Big 5-0 Coming For Bursel
Bursel Promotional Products Manufacturer, a Montreal Quebec based firm, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2009. Bursel, under the leadership of its president Raymond Brodeur, has grown from a one-man operation into a large, viable entity employing close to 100 people. To celebrate its anniversary, Bursel is launching its new Web site in the first quarter of 2009.
McIntosh Promoted at Many Mini Toys
Many Mini Toys, based in Jericho, N.Y., announced the promotion of Lauren McIntosh to customer service supervisor. McIntosh joined The WOW Line in January 2006 as a customer service representative and her contributions have been a key component
American Apparel Issues Statement in Response to Lawsuit
Los Angeles-based American Apparel Inc. issued the following statement in response to news reports of a lawsuit filed by a former employee:
“American Apparel denies all of the allegations in Mr. Hernandez’s lawsuit and will vigorously defend itself and its shareholders in this contemptible action. Mr. Hernandez was a non-accounting employee in the information technology department who was terminated for legitimate reasons. The allegations in this lawsuit are fictional, which the company believes represents a cynical attempt to extract phony leverage by Mr. Hernandez’s counsel, Keith Fink, who has been engaged with the company in other litigation for over three years. The facts are
Major Management Changes At Acosta
Jacksonville, Florida-based Acosta Sales and Marketing Company announced Gary R. Chartrand was named executive chairman, and Robert Hill Jr. was promoted to president and CEO effective January 1, 2009. Hill also was named to the company’s board of directors. Chartrand, who has led the Jacksonville-based company as CEO since 1996, and became its chairman in 1998, will continue as chairman of the board of directors. “Robert’s tremendous leadership, dedication and deep passion for Acosta make this decision the right one for the company,” said Chartrand. “I look forward to working with Robert as we write Acosta’s next successful chapter.” Hill will now be responsible
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