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
Read MoreWarwick Publishing Acquires Winthrop-Atkins
Warwick Publishing, based in St. Charles, Ill. announced the acquisition of the Middleboro, Massachusetts-based Winthrop-Atkins Company. This purchase brings together two of the industry’s most venerable calendar manufacturers to provide a comprehensive product line that showcases the full breadth of calendar marketing. Further, the family businesses have worked to create a wide-range of U.S.-made paper specialty products including presentation folders, photo frames and accessories, greeting cards, and other custom promotional paper specialties. “What a perfect fit,” explained Jim Paschal, president of Warwick Publishing. “While we’ve been friendly competitors in the desk calendar field for four generations, both of our companies have grown in new
Read MoreGAPPP Announces Dates for 2009 Expo
The Atlanta-based Georgia Association of Promotional Products Professionals (GAPPP) announced its 2009 Educational Seminars for Profit (ESP) and the Expo trade show will be held March 4 to 5 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Marietta, Ga. Seating is limited for distributors wanting to attend the ESP portion and early reservations are highly suggested. Members of other regional associations are able to attend all GAPPP events at member rates. GAPPP’s mission is to lead the vital and growing promotional products industry by assisting its members in education, professionalism, supplier/distributor relations and to provide a sense of community. In addition to the trade-show announcement, GAPPP
Read MoreHigh 5 Sportswear Names New President and GM
Bill Swint has been appointed president and general manager of Seattle-based High 5 Sportswear. Swint comes to High 5 with a wealth of knowledge in the sports apparel industry. He recently served as COO and vice president of operations for Cutter & Buck and has also held executive level positions within Columbia Sportswear, ERB Industries and Glen Oak Industries. The company believes his experience is sure to strengthen the position of High 5 by keeping the focus on excellent customer service at every level and continuing to push the brand forward from product development to market penetration and growth. For more information on
Read MorePostal Service Announces Early Registration to 2009 National Postal Forum
The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced early bird registration for the Washington-based 2009 National Postal Forum held May 17 to 20, 2009 is now open. The 2009 National Postal Forum is the mailing industry’s premier trade show and event. More than 6,000 industry professionals are expected to attend this year’s forum and discover how new technologies are leading the way into the future and delivering better ways to serve customers. The forum offers: • More than 140 workshops on issues facing the mailing industry • Three symposiums on Intelligent Mail, shipping solutions and global marketplace opportunities for small businesses • 16 business tracks
Read MoreLocal Sports Could Lead to Business Edge
Small-town sports and promotional products go together like peas and carrots. Country-wise metaphors aside, there is truth to the fact local pride often materializes in the form of promotional products. From sweatshirts to bleacher seats, the high school football team or Class A ball club can mean big business dollars—even in a slow economy. From AdAge.com: “BATAVIA, Ohio (AdAge.com) — Marketers have it wrong, according to Richard Luker: In a time when consumers are hunkering down in a bad economy, they yearn for the community of local events rather than the big national ones advertisers gravitate toward. And at a time when people are
Read MoreFrom Trash to Treasure
THEY’RE COMPLETE RUBBISH. Well, that’s the rumor, anyway. Yet, for the latest in alternative fabrics, the distinction is not necessarily a bad thing. The items formerly known as garbage—cork, plastic bottles, seaweed, the list goes on—are having a bit of an identity crisis, and the fashion world is primed to reap the benefits. “Not everything that every clothing company wants is necessarily [a] natural fabric,” said Summer Rayne Oakes, an independent sustainability strategist with an emphasis in eco-fashion and the spokesperson for Planet Green, the Discovery Network’s new enviro-centric channel. In particular, she noted, performance-based companies such as Nike and Patagonia look
Read MoreShades of Meaning
WHAT’S MEXICAN FOOD got to do with it? Or, for that matter, Japanese animation or Apple computers? Turns out, a lot. Together, they’re three indispensable ingredients for a total nerd-fest. But, taken on their own merits, the seemingly incomparable trio comprises just a few tools of the color analyst’s trade. “I think a lot of people think forecasters sit in an ivory tower and dream up these things and hoist them on the public,” said Leatrice Eiseman, author of Color: Messages & Meanings and director of the Pantone Color Institute, the Carlstadt, New Jersey-based color research and information center. In fact, the “it”
Read MoreMcDonald Retires from Edwards Garment
Edwards Garment, based in Kalamazoo, Mich., announced Larry McDonald is retiring after 34 years of working for the company. During his tenure McDonald opened new sales territories, expanded customer service and was a member of the marketing team. McDonald was instrumental in developing uniform programs for Edwards Garment’s distributors and worked tirelessly to assist in growing their business. Edwards Garment has been manufacturing and supplying corporate, casual and uniform apparel for 140 years. For more about Edwards Garment, visit www.edwardsgarment.com
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