PPAI

The Quikoin coin holder from Quikey Manufacturing, Akron, Ohio, recently received national air time on the popular television talent show, American Idol.  American Idol ordered Quikoins and apparently handed them out to contestants. One contestant, Phil Stacy, was filmed holding his daughter, who was waving a Quikoin with the American Idol imprint visibly displayed. Quikey Manufacturing’s president Mike Burns, remarked: “This is not the first time the Quikoin has received awareness in the entertainment and film industry. Back in the 60’s, the coin purses were the promotional item of choice. Frank Sinatra was known to use one to keep his coins from jingling in

The Quikoin coin holder from Quikey Manufacturing, Akron, Ohio, recently received national air time on the popular television talent show, American Idol.  American Idol ordered Quikoins and apparently handed them out to contestants. One contestant, Phil Stacy, was filmed holding his daughter, who was waving a Quikoin with the American Idol imprint visibly displayed. Quikey Manufacturing’s president Mike Burns, remarked: “This is not the first time the Quikoin has received awareness in the entertainment and film industry. Back in the 60’s, the coin purses were the promotional item of choice. Frank Sinatra was known to use one to keep his coins from jingling in

Should there be any reservations about the topic, the promotional products business is a thriving one. This assertion would be hard to dispute, given the impressive numbers the industry reported for 2006. According to an annual survey conducted for Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), total promotional product sales revenue in 2006 amounted to $18.8 billion, up 4.25 percent from 2005. This figure translates to an increase of $766 million in sales from the previous year. That’s a lot of promotional products! To put $18.8 billion into perspective, Promotional Marketing’s Top 50 Distributors brought in a total of $2.35 billion in promotional product sales

Webb Company, Rosemount, Minn., recently announced the appointment of industry veteran Keith H. Olivit as the company’s president. Of the appointment, Alan Webb, founder/CEO, stated: “Keith’s extensive knowledge of the industry and his expertise in developing and managing leading industry supplier companies makes him an exceptional candidate to lead our company.” “We are committed to focusing on the needs and wants of distributors,” Webb continued. “Keith’s experience will assist us with managing our overall product selection, shortening our production time and expanding our growth categories of candy and mint products, as well as health and beauty products.” Olivit’s career in the

iPROMOTEu, Wayland, Mass., and Ted Davies, “The Promotion Coach,” have entered into an agreement pursuant to which Davies will provide personal coaching and training to all iPROMOTEu distributor affiliates. Davies, who has worked in promotional product sales for 26 years, has been a regular speaker at industry events, including the PPAI Expo and ASI Shows. His coaching and training entity, The Promotion Coach, is PPAI-approved for CAS/MAS CEU credits. As stated in his company’s literature, Davies provides “a comprehensive [marketing, prospecting, and sales training] program offering easy-to-use, can’t-afford-to-skip materials for helping you tap your full earning potential.” iPROMOTEu, with a network of more

To commemorate its 30th anniversary this year, Vantage Apparel, Avenel, N.J., transformed its booth at January’s PPAI Expo in Las Vegas into an art gallery showcasing 30 years of decorated apparel. A special on-site presentation took place to highlight the company’s 300,000th embroidery design. The milestone was reached in early January when CorpLogoWare submitted NASCAR artwork for a pending jacket order. Vantage digitizes an average of 10,000 logos per year, or more than 40 new logos per day. The company operates nearly 1,500 embroidery heads, producing more than 5 million embroidered garments annually in its facilities across the United States. Vantage

Promotions East 2007 is expected to host a record number of exhibitors this June, with more than 620 companies already having contracted to exhibit at the show, scheduled for June 4-6, at the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey. This number is well ahead of exhibitor contracts at this time last year. “We fully expect Promotions East 2007 to be bigger and better than ever,” said Mike Schenker, national accounts manager and sales administrator for Hilton Apparel Group and president of SAAGNY, the show’s producer. “This show is the premier networking venue for distributors and suppliers in this region, as well as an

Anthony Stover, senior distributor account manager for Promotional Marketing Publishing Group, Philadelphia, passed the certification examination administered by PPAI to receive the Master Advertising Specialist (MAS) industry certification. According to PPAI literature, “MAS/CAS certification is the only recognized credential in the promotional products industry and signifies that an individual has reached and continues to meet a higher standard of professionalism, knowledge and experience within the industry.” “I am proud of this accomplishment and honored to be recognized,” noted Stover. “The MAS certification enhances my ability to partner with distributors and assist them in meeting their sales and marketing objectives.” Stover has been in the

To commemorate its 30th anniversary this year, Vantage Apparel, Avenel, N.J., transformed its booth at January’s PPAI Expo in Las Vegas into an art gallery showcasing 30 years of decorated apparel. In addition, a special on-site presentation took place to highlight the company’s 300,000th embroidery design. The milestone was reached in early January when CorpLogoWare submitted NASCAR artwork for a pending jacket order. Vantage digitizes an average of 10,000 logos per year, or more than 40 new logos per day. The company operates nearly 1,500 embroidery heads, producing more than 5 million embroidered garments annually in its facilities across

Bodek and Rhodes, Philadelphia, received PPAI’s Supplier Golden Achievement Award for Self Promotion. This year marks the eighth consecutive year Bodek and Rhodes has been given the honor. The PPAI Supplier Achievement Awards program recognizes suppliers for craftsmanship, creativity and graphic arts. Bodek and Rhodes’ “BAM!” campaign targeted Adventures in Advertising franchise owners and aimed to encourage stronger relationships, boost traffic at Bodek and Rhodes’ exhibit at the AIA convention and to build buzz around Bodek and Rhodes’ service and selection. The campaign itself included promotional mailings of a barbeque mitt prior to Memorial Day, a pair of hot sauces 10 days prior