All-In-One Lets Distributors Turn Their Cell Phones into ‘Sell Phones’

All-In-One, San Diego, has introduced an industry-first mobile Internet presence with its www.aio2go.com Mobile Web site. The company invites promotional products distributors to give the new technology a try by using a Web-enabled cell phone or PDA to access aio2go.com. The site is optimized for small screens and fast load times, and provides easy access to product information, product photos with zoom, current pricing, detailed order status and tracking for shipments. According to company personnell, the sales tool enables distributors to have all the information at their fingertips while working outside the office. “With aio2go.com, anyone can turn their cell phone into a

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Polyconcept North America Acquires Journalbooks

Polyconcept North America, a wholly owned subsidiary of promotional products supplier, Polyconcept, and owner of Leed’s, Pittsburgh and Bullet Line, Miami, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Journalbooks, Charlotte, N.C. The transaction, for which terms have not been disclosed, closed on July 2. Polyconcept North America’s combination of Leed’s, Bullet Line and Journalbooks will represent the largest US supplier of non-wearable promotional products with more than 1,600 associates throughout the country. “We are thrilled to add Journalbooks to the Polyconcept family,” said Michael Bernstein, CEO of Polyconcept North America. “Journalbooks has similar operating philosophies as Leed’s and Bullet Line with an emphasis on

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SanMar to Build New Distribution Center

SanMar, Seattle, has announced plans to build a 580,000 sq. ft. distribution center in Irving, Texas. The warehouse will support continual enhancements in the company’s one-day delivery service across 11 central states. Groundbreaking for the facility is scheduled for Fall 2007. “SanMar promises the deepest on-hand inventory in the industry,” noted Jordan Lott, vice president. “Our national distribution network and advanced delivery service are designed to earn our customers’ confidence. This move into a larger, company-owned space is a recognition of our growth, but also our customers’ needs for more product that is readily available.” Construction plans for the new southwest distribution center were

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IMC Under New Ownership

The ownership of Agoura Hills, California-based supplier International Merchandise Concepts/IMC has been acquired by its Asia operations partner, the Kao family. The Kao family has overseen IMC’s Asia operations since the company’s inception 26 years ago, and has been responsible for the sourcing, development and manufacturing of all IMC merchandise through its offices in China, Hong Kong and Taipei. The purchase of ownership from the Fishman family will not interrupt service, and the company will continue to operate under its current name. Jeffrey Kao, who has been part of IMC’s corporate team for more than 23 years, will assume the role of CEO. He

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FOR THE HOME TEAM

BRANDING’S OMNIPRESENCE IS a sign of modern times. Advertising itself has been around for many thousands of years. From Roman coins featuring the faces of emperors and generals to waterfalls and colonies named for the British monarchy, branding has played an influential role throughout history. Still, no era has rivaled the extent and scope of the power marketing has on current society. Today, all of the catchy slogans and flashy logos can sometimes run together in the mind of the consumer. But everyone recognizes sports team logos and sports brands. Sports have the ability to thrill a consumer like no other line of brands. Nobody

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OFFICE SPACE

FOR MANY AMERICANS, work and personal life have become indistinguishable. Living according to the business motto, “it’s who you know,” has blended friends and colleagues together. Perhaps the biggest changes are the result of technology. Wireless communications enable people to work on the road or in a café just as easily as if they were in the office. All the needed resources and capabilities of modern working society now fit into a briefcase. Working from home is increasingly popular for employees of major corporations as well as for small business owners and the self-employed. Office and desk items are changing to keep up with the times.

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Stamp of Approval

ONE CAN NEVER know too much about apparel printing. Consider this: Two stacks of T-shirts folded side by side on the shelves of a trendy retailer. Pricing is similar. One stack is comprised of non-descript, white tees, while the other features shirts with members of a popular band, a funny saying or an intricate design splashed across their surface. Unless the consumer is in the market for a non-descript, white tee, he or she would likely purchase one from the neighboring stack. These days, consumers are looking for garments that pop—that say something. Apparel printing plays as important a role in customer satisfaction as

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2007 Supplier Excellence Awards

LOYALTY HOLDS POWERFUL sway over many people’s actions. It is difficult to settle for good when the best is just a little further. Loyalty will see the extra mile traveled, the extra call made and the extra cost paid. Often, it is a result of superior quality or superior service, while other times familiarity can be held accountable, and yet other people will have a simple affection toward a brand. This is the dream of any corporation: To be known of not as a source, but as the definitive source for a commodity. Promotional Marketing’s 2007 Supplier Excellence Awards recognize the best in more

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