Pittsburgh-based Leed’s, a member of Polyconcept North America, the second largest supplier within the promotional products industry, announced a multi-year extension to its 2005 agreement with High Sierra, based in Vernon Hills, Ill. Jeff Brown, vice president of marketing and product development at Leed’s, explained that, “High Sierra has been an extremely successful brand for us. The product line is in high demand because it supports American’s active lifestyle. The functionality and durability of the products appeal to a wide range of corporations.” Starting in 2005, Leed’s carried 29 High Sierra products and since has almost tripled its offering. “Our partnership with Leed’s has
Read MoreNew Video From Carrigar and Humphery Line
After spending many hours filming at the recent Orlando, Las Vegas and Dallas trade shows, the first two new Promo Marketing videos are up and ready for viewing. Take a minute to hear sales director Gary Garrison talk about the new line of environmental bags at Carrigar and then click on the Humphery Line video to hear owner and president Mel Ellis talk about the new bio-degradable plastics line. For information on Carrigar, visit www.carrigar.com and for information on Humphery Line, visit www.humpheryline.com
Read MorePrime Honored For Excellence
Prime Line, in Bridgeport, Conn., announced it was honored with two Silver Awards at the 52nd annual PPAI Suppliers Achievement Awards competition sponsored by Promotional Products Association International (PPAI). The event recognized Prime’s 2007 award-winning promotional campaigns, products and services. “Winning suppliers are honored for their superiority in craftsmanship, graphic arts, creativity, innovation and service to distributors,” said Steve Slagle, CAE, PPAI president and CEO. “The winners worked very hard to earn this special recognition and their commitment to excellence is a tribute to this industry.” “We are very pleased to be recognized as an industry leader for our innovative products and services,”
Read MoreR.S. Owens Hires Regional Sales Manager
David Graham, national sales director for Chicago-based awards and gift manufacturer R.S. Owens, announced the hiring of Mitch Shreder as regional sales manager for the Eastern United States. Shreder’s strong background in distributor sales and marketing will complement and strengthen R.S. Owens’ current team of regional sales managers. “This is an integral position for R.S. Owens to fill with a professional of Mitch’s skill and background,” said Graham. “Mitch brings over eighteen years of experience to Owens in a territory that will truly benefit from his knowledge of the promotional products industry. His years as a regional sales manager in the wearables industry
Read MoreSanMar Launches2008 Spring/Summer Arrivals Catalog
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
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