The North Face has reportedly denied a Houston oil company’s order for branded jackets, saying it does not “support the oil and gas industry” in the same way it “would reject the porn or tobacco industry.” Innovex Downhole Solutions CEO Adam Anderson said the jackets were going to be used as holiday gifts for employees…
Read More2020 Wrap-Up: All Our PM Longform Stories From This Year
This year, we’ve gone deep on a variety of topics related to the promotional products industry. Some of them have been heavy, some have been more optimistic, and some have been attempts at the predicting the future based on what we know about the present. Here are all the PM Longform stories we ran in 2020…
Read MoreNew Amazon Platform Allows Users to Order Custom-Fitted T-shirts With Personalized Tags
Amazon is moving further into custom apparel and personalization in some subtle but interesting ways. The company’s “Made For You” platform allows users to create a custom-fitted shirt (using a “virtual body double”) with the option to personalize the tag…
Read MoreAIM Smarter LLC Announces Formation of Diversity Council, Inaugural Diversity Forum
AIM Smarter LLC (AIM), Philadelphia, announced the formation of the AIM Diversity Council and its commitment to embrace and drive programs that promote the mission of the council within the organization, the promotional products industry and the AIM community. The newly formed council consists of distributors and suppliers…
Read MoreGemline Announces Acquisition of RuMe Brand
Gemline, Lawrence, Mass., announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire the RuMe brand and related intellectual property. RuMe, short for ReUseMe, originated in the retail marketplace, where the brand first appeared in gift shops and boutiques, and then quickly expanded into leading retailers such as The Container Store, Whole Foods and Target.…
Read MoreHow the Promo Industry is Finding Growth Opportunities in the Current Environment, Promotional Products Business Indicators Research: Volume 1, Number 3 is Out Now!
To help promotional products companies navigate the crisis to the recovery on the other side, NAPCO Research has launched the COVID-19 Promotional Products Business Indicators Research program. According to the research, more companies indicate that activity is picking up compared to the first two reports, and like before, many businesses have been taking aggressive action to protect themselves, their employees, and the future of their personal and professional lives.
Read MoreYou’re Invited to Submit an RFP—Now What?
As a salesperson or distributor owner, you have a choice. Do you make a run at filling out the RFP when it could take weeks to complete, but at least have a chance at new business? Or do you walk away from the RFP in the hope that you will continue to obtain maverick spend from your core buyers?…
Read MoreThe White House Is Getting Creative With Its Stockpile of Leftover ‘Be Best’ Promotional Items
The White House used a State Department party as an opportunity to give away leftover merchandise from First Lady Melania Trump’s chosen cause over the last four years. At an event for about 200 guests, officials gave out “Be Best” branded items like frisbees and backpacks. So, why exactly did attendees at a holiday party get Be Best promotional items?…
Read More2020 Wrap-Up: Our Most-Shared Promotional Products Stories of the Year
Social media and digital publishing go hand-in-hand these days, as social channels are the primary means of getting the word out to people who don’t subscribe. We’re grateful for all of the shares we’ve gotten this year, so we wanted to round up our most-shared stories…
Read MoreQpromo Hires Matt Staff as Director of Sales
Qpromo, Buffalo Grove, Ill., has announced the addition of Matt Staff as the company’s new director of sales. Staff is an industry veteran who brings more than 14 years of accomplished sales experience as both a supplier and distributor. He most recently served as national sales manager and previously…
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