(Editor’s Note: PromoWire by PPAI Media is a running digest of news releases and updates submitted from organizations around the promotional products industry. PPAI Media edits these only slightly, including for length, and will consider newsworthy entries from any member organization.)

January 16, 2023

QRG Acquires Ascentives

Quality Resource Group (PPAI 159353, D10) announces that Ascentives of Madison, Wisconsin has joined the QRG family of companies.

  • QRG President Todd Pottebaum says, “Rick Karls has built a remarkable company that’s deeply rooted in core values and the desire to exceed client expectations. We look forward to offering scale and resources to Ascentives’ esteemed client base. Our vision for continued growth and created value means the best people on our team offering innovative services and support for our clients. We’re excited to have Ascentives become part of the growing QRG brand.”
  • Ascentives President Rick Karls adds, “Our partnership with QRG fuels our ability to drive value while maintaining our client-focused culture. We are excited about the enhanced services we will now be able to provide our clients and team.”
  • Ascentives' sales office and manufacturing facility will be consolidated into QRG’s Madison Wisconsin, and Karls will stay on with QRG.

Gemline Announces Partnership with Sustainable Retail Brand

Gemline (PPAI 113948, S11) announced a new partnership with innovative retail brand Out of the Ocean.

  • Out of the Ocean produces sustainable bags made from 100% Ocean Plastic. The addition of this new brand partner further supports the Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) mission, which is focused on making a positive impact on society, the environment, and all Company stakeholders.
  • Each bag Out of the Ocean makes removes the minimum of three plastic bottles from our oceans and waterways.
  • Out of the Ocean products were introduced as part of Gemline’s new Spring 2023 Collection. Click here to view the product offering.

OMG Adds Tanya Ignacek-Sutton To Leadership Team


OrderMyGear (PPAI 704581), announced Tanya Ignacek-Sutton as senior vice president, joining the company as the newest member of the executive team. Ignacek-Sutton will focus on creating a seamless client experience and driving more online store growth in the industry.  

  • As the former vice president of BrightStores, recently acquired by OMG, Ignacek-Sutton will play a pivotal role in deepening OMG’s relationships and roots within the promotional products industry while bringing new online growth opportunities to team dealers and apparel decorators.
  • Ignacek-Sutton brings more than 20 years of experience and has held multiple leadership positions during her tenure at BrightStores, where she was focused on driving innovation that makes it easier to sell branded merchandise and apparel to groups.
  • “We are thrilled to have Tanya join OMG as an integral part of our leadership team,” says Leonid Rozkin, CEO of OMG. “Tanya brings an incredible amount of experience in the promotional products space and has spent her career working in lockstep with distributors to address the unique challenges they face. She knows the industry better than anyone and is one of the most knowledgeable, passionate, and client-focused individuals we have ever come across.”

Towel Specialties Hires MW Reps In Midwest

Towel Specialties (113150, S7) announced the addition of MW Reps to the company’s multi-line sales representatives. MW Reps is a supplier rep agency in the promotional products industry that will serve Towel Specialties in Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas.

  • MW Reps consists of Bryan Mercer and Jennifer Kruger, who together have over 50 years of sales experience.
  • Together with their business development manager Katie Hopkins, the MW Reps team strives to present top-notch customer service and promotional products solutions to each customer.
  • Shawn Kanak, president and CSO at Towel Specialties, states, “We are thrilled to add Bryan, Jen and Katie to our award-winning field rep team. MW Reps has swiftly gained a reputation in the Midwest for only partnering with the top suppliers in the industry and delivering top-notch consultation services that are unmatched. We look forward to the opportunities that will arise from this partnership.”


January 13, 2023

Fully Promoted Makes Entrepreneur’s 2023 Franchise 500

For the 20th consecutive year, Fully Promoted (PPAI 240143, D7) has made Entrepreneur magazine's 2023 Franchise 500 ranking for its outstanding performance in several key indicators of brand quality. 

  • Fully Promoted ranked No. 1 in the Embroidery & Screen Printing category and No. 429 overall in one of the most competitive rankings in the list’s 44-year history. A total of 1,321 brands applied for the 2023 list, comprising a worldwide total of 646,484 units that were open and operating as of July 31, 2022. Of those, less than 38% made it into Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500. The 500 honorees represented 590,971 units, or 91% of all units globally. 
  • Published annually, the Franchise 500 list is a highly sought honor that has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for prospective franchise owners.
  • “The past year underscores the extraordinary opportunities that the franchise industry presents for entrepreneurs of all levels,” said Jason Feifer, Entrepreneur editor-in-chief. “The companies named to our 44th annual Franchise 500 list represent some of the most innovative, creative and trusted brands across many industries and highlight what it takes to build the kind of momentum that drives long-lasting success.”