The mention of Australia does not necessarily conjure up images of high-end leather jackets, fancy writing instruments or ornate desk accessories. However, unbeknownst to many, the continent and the surrounding region is home to a robust ad specialty market. In PMNow!’s continuing coverage of the global promotional products industry, this week we sat down with William Kestin, CEO of the Australasian Promotional Products Association (APPA), representing Australia, New Zealand and the surrounding region. In addition to his appointment at APPA, Kestin, a native son of the United States who has been living in Australia for the past nine years, also serves as vice president
Read MoreAITG Launches New Interactive Web site
American Intercontinental Trade Group (AITG), Chatsworth, Calif., recently launched an interactive Web site offering distributors instant access to current pricing and product information, as well as online renderings and ordering capabilities. The Web site, www.aitginc.com, is a one-stop, customer service portal designed to provide comprehensive resources for both Internet-savvy customers and those who prefer traditional purchasing methods. The interactive features eliminate the need for phone calls and e-mail by providing simple-to-use order and request forms. It is also an outlet for AITG’s corporate information. The new site also provides access to the company’s core promotional product line, as well as its latest Crystal
Read MoreEnnis Announces “Brands for a Grand” Winners
Ennis, Midlothian, Texas, recently awarded two winners $1,000 as part of its “Brands for a Grand” promotion at the 2006 DMIA Print Solutions Expo. Gary Birrell of Troub’s Printing & Services, Fruit Heights, Utah, and Kevin Humphrey of RBO, Inc., St. Louis, were awarded a check for $1,000 for attending the show and completing the “Brands for a Grand” game card. “Brands for a Grand” required participants to visit each section of the booth to attain a signature and the completed game cards were entered into the drawing. Ennis’ booth featured representatives from each of the company’s product lines, including envelopes, financial printing,
Read MoreTips of the Trade: “Jumpstart Your Creativity”
By Rosalie Marcus, The Promo Biz Coach As a small business coach, I specialize in helping people in the promotional products industry shorten the learning curve and boost their sales quickly. One of the frequent challenges I hear from my coaching clients is “I need some new ideas; I’m stuck and I’m not very creative.” If that sounds like you, read on… This is a unique industry in which creativity is a valued part of our everyday existence. Yet, all of us, myself included, sometimes experience those mental blocks where, no matter how hard we try, we can’t generate a new or creative solution. Whether you’re working on
Read MoreRiver’s End Trading Introduces New Women’s Collection for 2007
River’s End Trading, Minneapolis, has introduced a line of ladies apparel, “Her Perspective Collection”, which includes six new styles in five vibrant colors that is suitable for mixing and matching. According to Lori Anderson, marketing manager, the styles were created based on feedback from the company’s customers. “Both our men and women customers began telling us that more ladies clothing was needed,” she said. “There are a lot more women in business, and they need something that fits them and their lifestyle. In the past, women have been able to get by with buying a men’s small, but women don’t want to wear
Read MorePromotional Products Around the Globe: A Two-Part Series
What do the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and Europe all have in common? Try combined global assets of approximately $32 billion in promotional product sales and a fierce commitment to raising the bar in the promotional products industry across the globe. It began approximately five years ago when, after having met informally for a number of years, six not-for-profit promotional products associations joined forces and formally established the International Federation of Promotional Products Associations (IFPPA). However, while IFPPA has been in existence for years, the organization has remained largely obscure. As the world’s residents continue to fuse at lightning speeds
Read MoreR.S. Owens To Be Profiled on the Travel Channel’s “Made in America”
John Ratzenberger will visit the R.S. Owens facility, Chicago, on Fri., Oct. 27 to tape an episode for his fourth season of “John Ratzenberger’s Made in America”. The show airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. (CST) on the cable network, The Travel Channel. Ratzenberger chose R.S. Owens based on the company’s economic impact in the community, its unique nature of business and its contribution to the culture as a domestic manufacturer. Each year, the program visits roughly 40 manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. “We are very excited to have Mr. Ratzenberger profile R.S. Owens for his show,” said Scott Siegel, president. “The show
Read MorePine Island Adds Distribution
Pine Island Sportswear, Monroe, N.C., recently announced that it has added distributors to help with its distribution across the country. TSF Sportswear, Heritage Sportswear, Atlantic Coast Cottons and Hymans are now offering an assortment of the company’s products in their catalogs or on their Web sites. With the added distribution channels, Pine Island now has the capability of shipping product to 30 states in one day. For more information, call (800) 545-7548.
Read MoreLogomark Opens Design Center in Dallas
Logomark, Irvine, Calif., will host the grand opening of its newest Design Center on Tues., Oct. 24 from 4 to 8 p.m., at the JP Morgan International Plaza, Building 3, Suite 560, 14241 North Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX 75254. Logomark’s first Design Center was opened in Chicago last year, giving clients the opportunity to view all of the company’s 4,000 products at one time. Design centers offer drastically reduced product research time, on-the-spot ordering of samples and tailored presentations by Design Center managers. To date, there are five Design Centers in select cities across the United States, which are open only to members of the trade.
Read MoreSonoma Pins Changes Name
Sonoma Pins Etc., Sonoma, Calif., recently announced the change of its operational name to Sonoma Promotional Solutions. According to company officials, the new name more clearly defines the company’s growing product diversity. Founded in Jan. 1990, Sonoma initially directed its product line toward lapel pins. However, in early 1995, additional products, such as medallions, keychains, dog tags, zipper pulls and magnets were added and its advertising was refocused. In Aug. 2004, production capabilities were added for the manufacturing of silicone bracelets, plastic goods and precious jewelry. And, last October, a new division, SOS Alert Products (sosalertproducts.com) was formed to introduce customizable
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