Midlothian, Texas-based Ennis Inc., recently announced Block Graphics – Denver and Skyline Business Forms will now operate under the Ennis brand name. Ennis, Inc. acquired Skyline Business Forms, one of the largest manufacturers of business forms in the Rocky Mountain market, October. The acquisition of Block Graphics – Denver, a manufacturer of short-run print products and envelopes, was completed last August 2006. Block Graphics – Denver and Skyline Business Forms combined their manufacturing operations on December 4, 2007. The name change became effective February 5, 2008. Dale Donati, vice president-business unit director over the combined Denver facility, said “The name change builds on
Read MoreLeed’s Hires Regional Sales Managers and Realigns Customer Service Model
Pittsburgh-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America, hired a regional sales manager for the Wisconsin territory and a regional sales manager to represent Leed’s in the Wash., Ore., and Idaho regions. The company also adjusted the sales structure by reassigning roles within the customer service model. Luke Hensler began representing Leed’s as the regional sales manager in Wis. in February. Hensler is an 11-year veteran to the promotional product industry, having joined Leed’s from Hartwell Apparel, Hartwell, Ga. In 2008, Hensler was elected as the president of the Promotional Product Association of Wisconsin. Shelley Stewart will join the Leed’s team on March
Read MoreBic Graphic USA Announces Atchison Products Reorganization
Last August, Clearwater, Florida-based, BIC Graphic USA acquired Atchison Products, a supplier of promotional totes, bags, coolers and backpacks. After 13 months of discussion, due diligence, the completion of the acquisition and BIC/Atchison integration, principals Dan Fangman and Dolly Duffy have elected to exercise their option and leave the company, effective March 1, 2008. “On behalf of BIC, we would like to congratulate Dan and Dolly on their success in building a small family-owned business over 18 years into a recognized industry leader,” said Jack Teague, president – BIC Group Graphic. “We would also like to thank them for their hard work and dedication
Read MoreAlpha Shirt and Broder Bros. Announce Open House Series
Alpha Shirt Company and Broder Bros., both based in Trevose, Pa. announced their 2008 Open House Event Series, which will be held at their dual branded distribution centers throughout the country in 2008. The current schedule includes the following cities and dates: • Orlando, FL – March 13th • Philadelphia, PA – April 17th • Chicago, IL – September 25th • Dallas, TX – October 23rd Open House Events invite customers into their local distribution centers for a full day filled with brand presentations, seminars and tours of the distribution center, in addition to free product giveaways,
Read MoreCrystal D Donates to Freedom Calls Foundation
Based in St. Paul, Minn., Crystal D, a leading supplier of crystal awards, plaques, trophies and corporate gifts, donated to Freedom Calls Foundation to help support the foundation’s effort to provide communication services to military families. The Freedom Calls Foundation is a public charity that provides state-of-the-art communication services free of charge to military families. This foundation provides more than 2,000 video conferences and more than 1.5 million minutes of free telephone calls every month. “Crystal D donated to this foundation because it provides such an important service to the people serving the United States, as well as their families,” said Cathy
Read MoreCorporate Logo Magazine Acquired By Arlington Capital
Phoenix-based Virgo Publishing, publisher of Corporate Logo Magazine, announced it has been acquired by Arlington Capital Partners, a Washington based private-equity fund with more than $1 billion of committed capital under management. Arlington Capital Partners is a middle market private equity firm focused on buyouts and recapitalizations in targeted growth industries in partnership with management. The firm leverages a combination of private equity and operating experience, as well as an extensive network of strategic contacts. Founded in 1986 and based in Phoenix, Virgo publishes 17 national trade magazines and produces 10 trade shows and conferences across several industry groups. Virgo president and CEO
Read MoreAmerican Artisan Announces New Marketing Alliance
Dallas-based American Artisan announced a strategic marketing alliance with industry veteran Vicki Lake Naranjo. The unique partnership will focus on Texas, Okla, La. and Ark. markets. Said President Bob Buddenbohn, “With each company’s growing reputation for innovation, quality and service, and Vicki’s depth of marketing experience, the aim is to deliver truly imaginative, powerful, profitable and enduring solutions that distributors will be able to easily use to attract and build loyal/repeat clients.” For more information on American Artisan, visit www.amer-artisan.com or call (214) 906-7016.
Read MoreSkyDancers Featured in Plant/Krauss Video
Northridge, California-based SkyDancers International Inc., a technology leader in active motion promotional inflatables, announced that DNA Studio, based in Hollywood, Calif. selected SkyDancers for the special effects set design for the music video entitled, “Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On),” starring artists Robert Plant and Alison Krauss. The writer and director of the “Gone” music video, Rocky Scheneck, and producer, David Robertson went to SkyDancers in search of fulfilling a set design idea that was “an eye-catching special effect” for the video. The result included Plant and Krauss singing their new crossover country rock song amongst a variety of SkyDancers with
Read MoreGo On, Admit It
If you don’t know what the CYA acronym means, or if you’ve never had to do it, this post is not for you.
Recently, I went to a screening of Jack Black’s new movie: Be Kind Rewind. If you’ve seen the previews, you’ll know it’s about two video-store workers (aw, how cute, videos!) who accidentally erase all the tapes and begin recreating such classics as “Ghostbusters” on their own. If you haven’t seen the previews, then I just ruined it. You’re welcome.
Between all the on-screen shenanigans, I started thinking about the crazy things people do to avoid accepting blame. When we
The “S” Word
I recently had to apologize to a friend that lives, oh, some 80,000 miles away … in the West African country of Coté d’Ivoire, to be exact. He’d (I figured you’d want to know who it was) done something I thought was unjust … and well, I let him have it (via e-mail, of course). However, after having had a week or so to reflect on my response to my Ivorian friend’s unjust deed, I sent him yet another e-mail—this time, expressing my sorrow for the things I’d previously written. Thankfully, he accepted my apology, and in his best “Frenglish,” wrote back: “Today is
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