SanMar, Seattle, recently announced the hiring of three new outside sales representatives for its Midwest territories. Industry veteran Seth Porter will represent Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri and western Iowa. Prior to joining SanMar, Porter was a multi-line supplier representative for Hess and Associates, where he distinguished himself as the 2005 Salesperson of the Year for Canyon Outback Leather Goods. Kristen Sedlar will represent SanMar in Michigan, northeast Wisconsin and northwest Ohio. She comes from a background in high-level customer service at Caremark, Inc., where she was awarded for Outstanding Achievement; Heartland Information Services, where she worked as the client relationship manager; and most recently, at
Read MoreRiver’s End Trading Adds Nike Brand to 2007 Catalog
River’s End, Minneapolis, enters a new era in apparel distribution by focusing its 2007 product line and catalog on distinctive brands and new collections. Featured on the cover, and only available at River’s End, is Nike Performance Activewear. The Nike brand gives customers an authentic, innovative sportswear line consisting of performance features, ladies’ styles and a wide selection of apparel combinations. The 2007 catalog, which is currently available, also features other retail brands including Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger and NYNE. The catalog kicks off a celebration of 25 years in the apparel industry. In addition to adding well-known brands, River’s End has vastly improved
Read MorePromotional Products Around the Globe: Promotions from “Down Under”
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.
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