A.T. Cross

Leed's, the New Kensington, Pennsylvania-based supplier and a member of Polyconcept North America, today announced the addition of Cross to its expanding line of retail brands.

Pens, pencils, markers and highlighters will soon have a higher value than the gross domestic product of nearly half the countries in the world, a new study shows. A report from research firm Global Industry Analysts shows that the global market for writing instruments is set to reach $21.6 billion by 2017.

A.T. Cross Company announced a licensing agreement with Solar Time Ltd., a long-established multi-national watch manufacturer and distributor, for the right to co-develop, market and distribute fine timepieces under the Cross brand name.

Western Associates, Marion, Kan., has announced the dates for its annual "Christmas in October" events featuring top manufacturers of corporate apparel and promotional items.

Each event will feature the nation's top promotional manufacturers including Swiss Army Brands, Cutter & Buck, Cross, Callaway, Leed's and more. Attendees must register but the trade show formatted event is free to qualified buyers of promotional material.

"We appreciate the opportunity our clients get to 'touch and feel' products as well as interact directly with and learn from our factory reps," said Dave Crofoot, president of Western Associates.

Sandwiched between the infinitely more fun winter holidays and the edgy bad-boy that is Halloween, Thanksgiving sometimes seems like that quiet kid at the winter social, awkwardly dancing by himself and mumbling apologies like, "Hey we have pumpkins too, plus other squashes …" to anyone who will listen.

Glenwood, Minnesota-based American Solutions for Business (ASB), announced the launch of IXCMA, an integrated cross-channel marketing platform designed to help clients improve the results of their most important marketing initiatives. IXCMA will be sold to customers via the company’s more than 600 member U.S. sales force.

Jacquie Herz, president of Jornik Manufacturing, Stamford, Conn., a family-owned and operated supplier, announced it hired Dana Serra as production manager, Shane Cross as warehouse manager and Rota “Nicky” Enkelejdi for the silk-screening department.

Dan Jellinek, vice president of talent acquisition for Touchstone, Mason, Ohio, announced the acquisition of C3 Marketing, Atlanta, and the addition of Becky Cross to the company's leadership.

Lincoln, Rhode Island-based A.T. Cross Company announced a licensing agreement with FranklinCovey Products, the official consumer products licensee of the Salt Lake City-based FranklinCovey Co. brand and manufacturer of binders, laptop bags, and other productivity and organizational tools and accessories.

The Irving, Texas, Promotional Products Education Foundation (PPEF) announced the recipients of $100,000 awarded in college scholarships for 2009.