Midlothian, Texas-based Ennis Inc announced the promotion of Irshad Ahmad to the executive management team as vice president and chief technology officer. Keith S. Walters, Ennis chairman, chief executive officer and president, said, “Irshad has been key in aligning our IT resources to meet our expanding technology needs. His new position will give him the support, staffing and flexibility to drive the technology requirements for both our print and apparel segments.” Ahmad served as vice president of technology for Ennis since 2007. Previously, he served as vice president IT since 2001 for Alstyle Apparel (Ennis’ apparel segment). In 2005, he assumed the additional role
Read MoreSouvenir Writing Instruments Announces 84 Items Back in Production
Due to severe flooding in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Souvenir Writing Instruments has not been able to operate out of its facility since June 11. The company temporarily transferred production to its Red Wing, Minn facility as it worked to repair flood-caused damage to the facility and equipment. As of Monday, July 14, the company was excited to announce it is able to take orders on 84 writing instruments—asking customers to allow 15 days for production on all of these products. The company thanks all its customers for their patience and continued support as they work hard to make repairs and meet customer
Read MoreDrug Industry Bans Most Promotional Products
On July 10, the Washington-based Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) announced it will implement a revised PhRMA Code on Interactions with health-care professionals on Jan. 1, 2009. The updated code, which includes tightened regulations on consulting fees, complimentary meals and assurances of adequate representative training, also mandates a change that will have major ramifications on the promotional product industry. Item 10 in the revised report entitled, “Prohibition of Non-Educational and Practice Related Items,” explicitly states that it is prohibited to provide, “items for healthcare professional’s use that do not advance the disease or treatment education…” This provision would eliminate the dissemination
Read MoreRothman Joins Avaline as VP of Business Development
Parsippany, New Jersey-based Avaline announced David Rothman brings his 30 years of broad experience in the promotional products industry to the company as its new vice president of development. Starting in an entry-level position at Bic Graphic, Rothman rose through the ranks in a 20 year career, ultimately rising to the position of national sales manager, where he directed a staff of more than 40 people. Rothman left Bic to start his own writing instrument company, Pro Colors, in 1998, ultimately selling it to Sanford in 2005. The company feels Rothman returns to the industry with a new vigor and mission to help guide
Read MoreSAAC Records, Second Locations and New Lapel Pins
SAAC Long Beach Show Reports Record Pre-Registration
The SAAC Show, August 6-7, 2008, in Long Beach, Calif., reported a record number of distributor pre-registration—many attributed to response to the shows offer of a free $50 gas card given to distributors attending the show for both days. The SAAC Board of Directors realize high gas prices are affecting distributors, and want to help them out by subsidizing their fuel bill for the ride to Long Beach.
This year, The SAAC Show introduces an incentive pavilion on the show floor, where a group of leading incentive suppliers will teach distributors how to sell customer loyalty,
Good Cheer
For those who have met me, this might be a surprising confession, but here goes.
I was a high-school cheerleader.
No, not a recreational-type pom-pom waver. I was entrenched in the highly athletic world of competitive cheerleading, death-defying stunts and all. In fact, my sister is now varsity coach at my old high school—a place where there are more championship trophies for cheerleading in the lobby display cases than there are for any other sport. By far. I know, it sounds weird. But believe me: As members of the only team that consistently won stuff, my teammates and I would become absolutely
Bag Makers Offers New Online Virtual Spec Sampling Tool
Union, Illinois-based Bag Makers Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of its new online virtual spec sampling tool available at www.bagmakersinc.com. Partnering with The Logo Network, the new service is available on Bag Makers’ entire line of bags. With just one click, distributors can access the tool from any product page on the Bag Makers’ Web site. Distributors can typeset text, upload logos and resize imprints—all in the exact product size and color they want. “Our customers are the ones who really asked for this tool,” explained Christopher Duffy, senior vice president of marketing. “They wanted an easy-to-use instrument that would let them
Read MoreNorwood Launches Searchable Safety Report Library
Indianapolis-based Norwood Promotional Products announces the launch of Safety Search, Norwood’s exclusive online repository of product safety test reports for more than 2,000 Norwood products. These reports are available for download on the distributor portion of its Web site, www.norwood.com. “Product safety is the biggest issue we face as an industry,” said Paul M. Lage, MAS, CEO and president of Norwood. “At Norwood, we have made product safety our number-one priority and are in the process of testing every imprint ink and product we sell. These reports provide promotional products distributors with the information and peace of mind they need to sell our products
Read MoreNewton Peripherals Partners with Logomark to Expand Distribution to the $30 Billion Corporate Gifts Market
Natick, Massachusetts-based Newton Peripherals, the developer of the revolutionary MoGo family of Bluetooth-enabled products, today announced it has entered into an agreement with Logomark, Tustin, Calif., the premier supplier of personalized gifts, accessories, pens, tools and timepieces, for the company to be the authorized reseller of customized MoGo products for the corporate promotional products industry. For this market, Logomark and Newton Peripherals will offer a special combination package that includes one of the following MoGo Mouse Models—the MoGo Mouse BT, a business-card-sized mouse that stores and charges inside your laptop computer’s PC card slot; the MoGo Presenter Mouse X54TM, a combination Bluetooth-enabled wireless presenter
Read MoreA Sneak Peek Into What’s New at BroderBros. For 2009
Trevose, Pennsylvania-based BroderBros. Co. is kicking it into high gear for 2009, adding four additional brands, over 150 new styles, as well as new brand and category catalogs. “We are building up our assortment and keeping up with retail trends to become even more of a one-stop shop,” says Girisha Chandraraj, vice president, marketing, BroderBros. Co. “In 2008, we’ve maintained our competitive pricing and have substantially increased our inventory levels, setting the stage for continued growth and success in 2009.” Among the featured new brands is PlayBack, which has yet to be seen in the imprintables industry. It is a sister brand
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