(Editor’s Note: PromoWire by PPAI Media is a running digest of updates from organizations around the promotional products industry. PPAI Media will consider newsworthy entries submitted by any member organization.)

March 18

Gemline Adds Reusable Totes From Brand Partner KeepCool

Gemline (PPAI 113948, Platinum) has expanded its partnership with environmentally conscious retail brand, KEEPCOOL, with the addition of its KEEPME reusable totes.

  • The totes are made from jute, which is biodegradable and climate-friendly.
  • KEEPME is a sister brand of Out of the Woods and Out of the Ocean, which Gemline introduced to the promo industry in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Out of the Woods specializes in FSC-Certified reusable bags and insulated coolers made from Supernatural Paper, which use tree cellulose sourced from responsibly managed forests. Out of the Ocean produces reusable bags made from 100% ocean plastic.

Gemline President and CEO Frank Carpenito says, “This expanded partnership underscores Gemline’s unwavering dedication to responsible product innovation, which is reflected in our consistent use of lower impact materials.”

Hit Promotional Products Completes SOC 3 Compliance

Hit Promotional Products (PPAI 113910, Platinum) has concluded its System and Organization Controls (SOC) 3 compliance report which addresses controls relevant to security, availability, processing integrity, confidential and privacy.

“This has been a discovery path for the Hit tech and infrastructure team,” says CIO Raj Mukherjee. “A lot of very useful products were deployed to achieve this. I am thankful to my nimble but strong security team that helped close all the line items needed to achieve this. This has helped us get the security and satisfaction our customers want when it comes to their data. We will strive to grow from this achievement and take our security-led development to the next level.”

Tanner Pittman Joins Evans Manufacturing As Sales Account Exec

Evans Manufacturing (PPAI 110747, Platinum) has added Tanner Pittman as Midwest/Midsouth sales account executive. Pittman previously spent four years at Outdoor Cap.

“I’m excited to learn a new side of the industry, meet new customers, reconnect with existing customers and live out the Evans and HPG mission of providing quality product and service to their distributors,” says Pittman.

“We are delighted to welcome Tanner to the HPG and Evans Manufacturing family,” says Alex Symms, director of sales for West Coast operations. “His addition to our team reflects our ongoing commitment to providing the highest level of service and expertise to our clients.”

ASB Hires New Communications And Public Relations Specialist

American Solutions for Business (PPAI 101656, Platinum) welcomes Kate Murray as communications and public relations specialist. She is a recent graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College.

  • Murray will support strategic initiatives by creating and maintaining internal and external communication, including writing, reviewing and distributing public-facing communication. She will also work alongside the events and marketing teams to ensure seamless planning and execution, along with carrying out social media and content strategies.

“We’re so excited that Kate has joined the ASB family,” says Taylor Borst, senior director of marketing and vendor relations. “With her education, skillset and personality, I’m confident she’ll be an excellent addition to our team who can help share our company story, create meaningful connections and maximize impact.”

March 15

Crystal D Welcomes Four New Hires In Marketing And Sales

In its latest round of hires, Crystal D (PPAI 112326, Gold) has brought on a new vice president of sales and three marketing professionals.

  • Christian (CJ) Jewel, vice president of sales, is responsible for overseeing both inside and outside sales, as well as delivering a memorable experience for customers. He brings expertise from more than 20 years in sales management, with a significant portion of his career spent in leadership positions at Verizon and Apple.
  • Joshua Gerads, brand manager, is accountable for marketing strategy and activation across multiple brands. He spent more than a decade running digital marketing for a Fortune 100 B2C firm, and he is an expert at scaling strategies to work with small- and medium-sized businesses.
  • Natalie Albers, communications manager, will develop and execute Crystal D’s brand messaging and content strategy, build awareness about the company’s mission, vision and values, and share the latest trends with industry stakeholders and partners. She has more than two decades of experience supporting communications for major corporations and small businesses.
  • Danielle Dahlke, marketing coordinator, is responsible for trade show coordination, social media content strategy and email marketing campaigns. She brings five years of marketing experience, including a deep understanding of social media, as well as a strong background in graphic design and interactive media.

PCNA Introduces New Brands In Three Categories

This month, PCNA (PPAI 113079, Platinum) is launching three new brands within its bags, athletic apparel and golf apparel product categories.

  • Wolverine tool bags, backpacks and gear combine ultra-durable materials and hard-working designs that maximize storage, comfort and functionality. The nine products range from a 13-inch tool bag and a laptop backpack to a 12-can cooler.
  • Greatness Wins is a brand created by the e-commerce entrepreneur Derek Jeter, UNTUCKit founder Chris Riccobono and American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Misty Copeland to introduce athleticwear for the modern athlete. The line is designed for men and women and styles include quarter zips, polos, hoodies and tees. Inventory will be available by month's end.
  • STITCH Golf polos feature moisture-wicking performance fabric, signature under-buttons and hidden collar stays, designed in sophisticated and stylish fabrics. Look for the striped polo shirts in soft, breathable fabrics by month's end.

iPROMOTEu Readies For DunkFest 2024, An Industry Tradition

iPROMOTEu (PPAI 218870, Platinum) is once again hosting its annual NCAA men’s college basketball DunkFest tournament. The distributor started DunkFest in 2008 to foster enthusiasm, relationship building and friendly competition among those working in the promotional products industry.

  • Hundreds of people participate annually in the competition, with over 200 submitting brackets last year.
  • DunkFest is open to all those working in the industry as or for a distributor, supplier or service provider, including salespeople and multi-line reps. Participants with the highest scores at the end of the tournament challenge will receive awards, special recognition and the ultimate prize: bragging rights.
  • The deadline to enter is Thursday, March 21 at 12 .pm. Eastern. Click here for the details.

“DunkFest celebrates the entertaining and competitive spirit that makes the promotional products industry so unique,” says CEO Lori Bauer. “Our staff looks forward to DunkFest every year to engage with iPROMOTEu affiliates, vendors and their peers across the industry for a little friendly competition.”

City Apparel+Merch Achieves Certified B Corp Status

City Apparel+Merch (PPAI 242048, Silver) has been certified as a B Corporation, joining a global community of businesses committed to social and environmental excellence.

  • The process requires companies to meet the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. Businesses must undergo a rigorous assessment that evaluates their impact on their workers, customers, community, and environment. City Apparel+Merch excelled in these areas with a score of 123, demonstrating an exemplary commitment to creating a positive impact.
  • The company began the process in 2019, spearheaded by President Andrea Kramer.

“Our journey to B Corp certification was both challenging and deeply rewarding,” says Kramer. “Despite the setbacks caused by the pandemic and delay in changing our business structure to a Benefit Corporation in the state of Ohio, our team’s resilience and dedication to our core values of sustainability and social responsibility have been unwavering. This certification is a testament to our commitment to make a positive impact on the world.”

March 14

S&S Activewear Commemorates Flexfit’s 50th Anniversary

S&S Activewear (PPAI 256121, Platinum) is honoring its partnership with Flexfit, a headwear brand renowned for its technological innovations, as Flexfit celebrates its 50th year in business.

  • To mark the significant milestone, Flexfit is showcasing a selection of its best-selling caps including the iconic Flexfit Cotton Blend and the cutting-edge Flexfit Delta Seamless.
  • Since its inception in 1974, Flexfit has been at the forefront of revolutionizing headwear comfort and performance. Pioneering the use of stretchable fabric in headbands and crowns in 1994, Flexfit set a new standard for comfort in the industry.

“For half a century, Flexfit has been synonymous with premium headwear,” says Julie Marin, S&S Activewear vice president of product. “S&S Activewear is honored to be part of Flexfit’s journey and looks forward to many more years of collaboration, delivering top-of-the-line headwear to our customers.”

March 13

Atlantis Headwear’s Parent Company Attains Benefit Corp Status

Master Italia SpA, the Italian parent company of Atlantis Headwear (PPAI 753003, Standard-Base) has transitioned to a Benefit Corporation, effective January 11, 2024.

  • Under its new title, Master Italia SpA – Società Benefit a Socio Unico, the company underscores its unwavering commitment to prioritize both profit and the common good.
  • As a Benefit Corporation, Master Italia SpA is committed to operating with transparency and accountability, with a focus on governance, people, environment, community, product and supply chain. Each area is accompanied by specific micro-goals aimed at continuous improvement and progress. Moreover, the company pledges to publish an annual impact report, showcasing its commitment to social and environmental responsibility.
  • While distinct from B Corps, Benefit Corporations share a common goal of balancing profit with social and environmental impact. With this transition, Master Italia SpA aims to not only meet but exceed the rigorous standards set forth by B Lab, ultimately seeking certification as a B Corp in the future.