T’S NOT THAT easy being green. When Icelandic musician, Bragi Thor Valsson penned this lyric decades ago—which later became famous in the 1970’s by everybody’s favorite frog, Kermit—he couldn’t have known how prophetic the words would one day prove to be. Aside from providing a lovable children’s puppet with a cathartic means by which to come to terms with his self image, the lyric has, for this writer, come to epitomize the largely unspoken sentiment felt by much of the industry—What exactly does it mean to “go green?” For many suppliers, such as Fenton, Missouri-based QuickPoint, going green has to do with the incorporation,
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DISTRIBUTORS WOULD DO well to check out the latest health and wellness products. From items comprised of amped-up oxygen to those that undergo rigorous testing to ensure efficacy and even those that help ease neck pain, this year’s health and wellness products have come to the aid of ailing bodies and bottom lines. A REFRESHER COURSE Ballanda Corporation, Santa Fe Springs, Calif., brings something breathtaking to the industry this year—oxygen. The company is the exclusive supplier of O+ (Oxygen Plus), a portable oxygen product that “boosts energy, increases alertness and alleviates the effects of jet lag, altitude and [hangovers],” according to
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I’m going to be a Big Sister soon! Well, that’s not entirely true, as I’ve been ‘big sister’ to Noelina, Ephra and Andrew for the last three decades.
I’m in the process, however, of being matched with a “Little Sister” through the nation’s oldest youth mentorship program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (BBBS), headquartered in Philadelphia.
As I was walking the showroom floor at the PPAI Expo two weeks ago, I received a call from a BBBS representative informing me that she’d found a potential match for me. I paused and listened closely to the rundown of the young
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One of my favorite things about being an editor is that more often than not, real-life interests and passions actually intersect with what you are asked to write about. In this month’s magazine, I was happily immersed in the minutiae of political products and campaigns, which affords me the luxury to poke some fun at politics in the middle of my thousand or so words. I think, no matter who you are rooting for (or against), it’s good to try and see the lighter side of life. Next month I again get the chance to mix work and pleasure, namely, in
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St. Louis-based TRG Group, an international leader in the travel gear industry, participated in its second annual adoption of families from St. Louis’ 100 Neediest Cases last month. With the help of the United Way and the “St. Louis Post-Dispatch,” the St. Louis 100 Neediest Cases is a tradition, that each year publishes local personal stories of hardship and tragedy, in hopes of generating a spirit of giving to those less fortunate. The organization accepts group and individual donations by soliciting the help of friends or colleagues to adopt a family, or multiple families. This year, TRG Group was able to provide five
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Chestnut Ridge, New York-based supplier New Products International Inc. has hired Andrew Goranson, MAS, as assistant chief operating officer. He has over 16 years of industry experience and previously worked at Jetline and Timecal International Corp. “I am thrilled to be part of the New Products team,“ said Goranson. “I look forward to contributing to their tradition as a leader in innovation and excellence.” For more information on New Products, visit www.npionline.com
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Las Vegas-based Visstun announced the launch of its new line of paper cups for hot beverages with a low minimum of 250 pieces and the 11-day turnaround on a four-color process. Currently, the line consists of a 12-oz. cup and a white, cappuccino-style lid with other sizes becoming available in the future. Visstun feels the product is appropriate for business meetings and provides a more economical alternative to our plastic cups for those promotions that do not require the cup to be reusable. In addition, Visstun announced their reusable plastic cups, launched in June of 2007, have passed the lead and
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Alpharetta, Georgia-based Peleman Industries Inc., manufacturer of the award-winning Unibind PhotoBook Creator and a line of high-quality binding and lamination products, announced its environmentally friendly Unibind Green PhotoBooks, which are made from natural and recycled materials. The Unibind Green PhotoBooks will be debuted at the 2008 Photo Marketing Association (PMA) Convention, held January 31 to February 2, 2008 in Las Vegas. The Green PhotoBooks are manufactured with a natural cover comprised of 100 percent cotton-flax, made from natural and recycled materials. Additionally, 35 percent of Unibind’s products are made with recycled materials. The environmentally friendly PhotoBook is one of
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The Promotional Specialists (TPS) of Ontario, Canada, proudly accepted the award for Distributor of the Year 2007, Central Region at the Promotional Products Professionals of Canada annual expo trade show and awards ceremony in Toronto yesterday. TPS also received two other prestigious Image Awards for outstanding creativity, strategy, execution and results in the categories of: Best Catalogue Program: Silver – For the Royal LePage “Red Market” Best Self Promotion: Silver – for “Promotions That Pop” “We are honoured and humbled to be recognized by our peers. Each of these awards is a testament to the quality of our people, the relationships we
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Fulfillment leader Archway Marketing Services Inc., based in Rogers, Minn., has expanded its management team with the promotions of Megan Nelson to director of marketing and Rob Walters to director of operations of the Midwest Trade Division. The management team expansion reflects Archway’s commitment to meet and exceed client expectations from client service to operational excellence. “Archway’s recent growth is directly attributed to our employees, each of whom is committed to delivering exceptional service and continual process refinements,” said Mike Moroz, president of Archway. “Since joining Archway, Megan and Rob have [made] a significant contribution to Archway’s success. With these promotions, they will be
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