Seattle-based SanMar Corporation, a leading supplier of imprintable apparel and accessories, is introducing its 2008 Spring/Summer Arrivals catalog. The 76-page catalog features more than 70 new products, including 26 earth-friendly choices. “Just in time for warmer weather, we’re giving customers the opportunity to shop the newest seasonally-appropriate arrivals with our indispensable supplement to the 2008 Apparel & Accessories catalog,” explained Lee Strom, senior marketing manager. “Now our customers have the entire regular price offering from SanMar.” The 26 sustainable styles are being added throughout the SanMar brands and include organic cotton, recycled polyester, modal and bamboo and bamboo-charcoal fabrics. Particularly notable
Read MoreA Trend Indeed Making Retail Relevant
FOR A BUSINESS that has traditionally been ever-so-slightly behind what’s happening in retail, using market trends to guide promotional product development and sales might seem futile. However, according to Britt Bivens, director of international trend consultancy PromoStyl, elements of the fashion world do have a place in this industry. Salespeople, “don’t have to know everything, they don’t have to be experts,” she noted. But if, for argument’s sake, all the stores have red, they should know that red is important, Bivens added. Read on for three areas that, moving forward, will have an impact on both the fashion and promotional products sectors. JACKETS Men’s wear has been
Read MoreThe Lighter Side of Business
NO MATTER WHAT tantrums Old Man Winter appears to be throwing outside, spring is right around the corner. And with spring comes change—particularly, a change in apparel. The time has come to ditch the tweed jackets and wool slacks for a lighter (and brighter) style of dressing. In the business-casual sector, this means a re-embracing of popular styles that not only help end-users bring a little leisure to the office, but also make for an easy sell for distributors. WHY BUSINESS CASUAL? Arthur Weiss, corporate sales account executive at Miami-based Perry Ellis International, praised the business-casual category as one that can foster employee productivity. “Years
Read MoreBlues Traveler
ANY SELF-RESPECTING SHOPPER has come to terms with the fact that denim is a bit of a fair-weather friend. At first, it seems the world of jeans is a consumer’s oyster—endless washes, sizes and weights just begging to be tried on. But in the light of the dressing room, it rebuffs its would-be owner in a tug-of-war that inevitably leads to a pile on the floor and the buyer in a red-faced huff. Most of the industry’s suppliers have chosen to avoid this scene altogether, offering denim by way of button-down shirts, hats, aprons and the like. However, with the current move toward more fashion-forward
Read MoreCrystal D Awards Three Trips To Maui
St. Paul, Minnesota-based Crystal D, a leading supplier of crystal awards, plaques, trophies and corporate gifts, awarded three trips to Maui, Hawaii at Promotional Products Association International Expo (PPAI) in Las Vegas on January 17th and January 18th. The three winners included Julie Pankow-Helland of Creative Marketing Specialists, Inc. in Brooklyn, Wis. and Judy Susich and Shellie Davis from Premier Promotional Solutions, Inc. in Manor, Pa. Crystal D awarded these trips along with other prizes during a self-promotion at The PPAI Expo. “Crystal D wanted to provide our customers with ‘The WOW Effect’ using this promotion,” said Lorraine Rosecrans, marketing manager. “We strive
Read MoreLeed’s Garners Industry Accolades
This January, New Kensington, Pennsylvania-based Leed’s received recognition from the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), Promotional Product Professionals of Canada (PPPC) and the Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), along with acknowledgement from distributors. The company not only received recognition from the associations, Leed’s accepted close to 15 awards from distributor customers, including Supplier of the Year from eCompany Store, Brandvia and Promo Depot. Geiger handed Leed’s the title of Star Supplier and PeerNet Group listed Leed’s as a Premiere Partner. Leed’s also received the Merit Award from Corporate Express, is considered a Top Supplier by IpromoteU, and received the Long Board Award from
Read MoreBoundless Network Acquires Street Smart Promotions
Boundless Network, based in Austin, Texas, a leader in professionalizing the promotional products industry, announced the acquisition of San Diego-based Street Smart Promotions. The deal, part of Boundless Network’s nationwide acquisition strategy, includes offices in California, Florida and Texas. “Boundless Network’s acquisition of Street Smart Promotions represents a great win for both companies,” said Boundless Network CEO Jason Black. “Jill Sands built a great business. Yet, she saw that joining Boundless Network would provide her employees with the opportunity and tools to achieve even greater success.” Street Smart Promotions, founded in 1997, over the years has grown steadily as key employees left San Diego
Read MoreWorkflowOne Names Rizzi VP of Strategic Sales
WorkflowOne, based in Dayton, Ohio, one of North America’s leading providers of print, promotional products and supply chain services, has named Thomas Rizzi has been named vice president of strategic sales. He will report to Scott Berry, senior vice president of sales. In this newly created position, Rizzi will lead a sales channel focused on targeted vertical markets and large account opportunities. “We created the new function of strategic sales to leverage the burgeoning relationships that WorkflowOne is forming with technology leaders like SAP, Four51 and others that can help us deliver leading-edge solutions to our best customers,” Berry said. WorkflowOne launched its
Read MoreMegaman Daryn Ross Wins Superconference Award
Daryn Ross, also known as Megaman, the super hero of marketing for Excelsior Springs, Missouri-based industry supplier, Megafast, recently won the title of extraordinary marketer of the year at the annual Marketing and Moneymaking Superconference held in Chicago. Nearly 1,000 marketing professionals and business owners from 13 countries were present. Of the 75 people who submitted their companies’ marketing materials, six were chosen to present, with Ross receiving the award. Ross develops and implements all the marketing campaigns at Megafast, and created the ‘Super Hero’ character called Megaman. Ross attends six national trade shows a year dressed as Megaman and his marketing strategies have
Read MoreBodek and Rhodes Introduces Industry’s First Private-Label Organic Cotton Line
Philadelphia-based Bodek and Rhodes, one of the leading wholesalers of imprintable activewear, announced the introduction of the promotional products industry’s first private-label organic cotton apparel, UltraClub Organic. UltraClub Organic is now available in long- and short-sleeve ring-spun tees and coordinating men’s and ladies’ polo shirts. “This is the first step into organic apparel, a whole new niche that’s only going to explode from here,” said Mike Rhodes, president. “A lot of people are talking about organic food, but not many of them understand organic cotton.” To illustrate the importance of organic cotton, Rhodes described how nearly one-quarter of the world’s pesticides are used on
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