(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.)

April 26, 2023

Logomark Adopts Third Service Dog To Benefit Military Veterans

Logomark (PPAI 110898, S11) has adopted a third service dog through Shelter to Soldier®, a non-profit organization that trains service dogs for veterans in need.

  • Since his adoption, the eight-month-old male black lab mix named Trooper has been working with Shelter to Soldier’s training team in San Diego.
  • Shelter to Soldier is a California-based 501c3 nonprofit organization that adopts dogs from local shelters and trains them to become psychiatric service dogs for post-9/11 veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), and/or other psychological injuries associated with traumatic service experiences.
  • Logomark’s two previous service dogs, Lucky and Scout, are a testament to the lifesaving work of Shelter to Soldier. Lucky continues to work through the training program and Scout has been a valuable source of support to his new owner, a U.S. Navy veteran.
  • A portion of sales from Logomark’s iCool, Perka and Work lines goes directly to the Shelter to Soldier giveback program.


April 25, 2023

JustinCase Introduces New Partner, Products In Alcohol Safety Space

JustinCase (PPAI 263175, S1) announces an exclusive and strategic partnership with Alco Prevention, the North American authority in the prevention of drinking and driving, and unlawful beverage tampering.

  • In a first-of-its-kind partnership in the safety space, JustinCase has acquired the rights to distribute a variety of drinking and driving prevention products, including one-time breathalyzer tests and drink spiking test coasters and drink covers.
  • The new products are now available and viewable on JustinCase’s website.

Enhancements To Koozie Group Tracker Simplify The Order Process

Koozie Group (PPAI 114187, S13) has rolled out new enhancement to its Koozie Group Tracker, a distributor tool to streamline and simplify the ordering process.

  • The enhancements put all clarifications in one place and narrow down the way the questions can be answered, further reducing misunderstandings for both parties.
  • Encrypted short links in email communications add an extra layer of security.
  • The company launched the tracker in 2021 and has been adding to its functionality since then. Distributors can see the status of their orders, view and download invoices, upload and approve art and more. (Photo credit: Koozie Group)
     

Rand McNally’s 100th Anniversary Road Atlases Sold Exclusively By The Book Company

The Book Company (PPAI 218850, S5) is the promo industry’s exclusive source for Rand McNally’s collection of 100th Anniversary Special Collector’s Edition Road Atlases.

  • These anniversary editions provide a nostalgic look back at 100 years of roadside culture, cars and the highway system that shaped the open road, as well as showcasing Road Atlas covers throughout the years.
  • Three editions are available: saddle stitched, large-scale spiral-bound and mid-sized EasyFinder, spiral-bound.


“Even in the age of satellite navigation software on smartphones and computers, Rand McNally products have sold well in our industry, especially within the insurance sector,” says Roni Wright, MAS, vice president of The Book Company, adding that Rand McNally also has editions specifically for truckers and national parks.

Mark Cressman Promoted To President And CEO Of Brand Blvd

Brand Blvd (PPAI 395464, D2) announces the appointment of Mark Cressman as its new president and CEO, effective immediately.

  • Cressman joined the company in November 2022 as vice president of sales after a long and successful career in the media and digital marketing industries.
  • As part of this change, co-founders and executive chairs Chris Sinclair and Shaun Lichtenberger will retain their titles and remain active, but will step back and take on less prominent roles within the organization.
     

“Without a doubt, working closely with Mark to create a blueprint for the future of Brand Blvd has been a refreshing process and nothing short of exciting,” says Lichtenberger. “Under his guidance, we’ve rebuilt our marketing department and revitalized our sales process. This forward momentum has Brand Blvd in a constant state of creation and execution. Over the past six months, not only has his expertise and experience as a business leader shone through, but from a cultural and strategic standpoint, he’s seamlessly fit within the Brand Blvd community.”

The Image Group Hires Rick Low And Chuck Rounds

The Image Group (PPAI 103424, D10) has added Rick Low, CPIM, as division director, Richmond, and Chuck Rounds as vice president of business development. They will join the executive management team, contributing to the development and implementation of the company’s long-term growth strategies. 

  • Low brings decades of active involvement in the Richmond, Virginia, community to his new role. He will spearhead the Richmond office which currently serves more than 100 clients. Previously, he was national sales manager at Epic International and has extensive experience in the incentive and promo industries. He also is on the board of the Incentive Federation and previously served as president of the Incentive Marketing Association.
  • Rounds, a respected business leader in northwest Ohio, will lead customer acquisition and business development initiatives in Ohio and Michigan. He was previously president of MT Business Technologies, at that time the largest dealer of Ricoh products in the U.S.

Ennis, Inc.’s Quarterly Revenues Up By $3 Million

Ennis, Inc. reports financial results for the quarter and the fiscal year ended February 28, 2023. Ennis Advertising Concepts (PPAI 109056, D4) is a PPAI member.

Highlights of the report include:

  • Revenues were $102.7 million for the quarter, an increase of $3 million or three percent over last year’s fourth quarter and $431.8 million for the fiscal year, an increase of $31.8 million, or eight percent over the last fiscal year.
  • Earnings per diluted share for the current quarter were $0.47 compared to $0.26 for the same quarter last year.
  • Gross profit margin was 30.3% for the fiscal year compared to 28.7% for the prior fiscal year. Gross profit margin for the quarter increased from 27.5% last year to 27.6% this year.

Gildan Answers Call-To-Action For Greater Transparency In Supply Chain

For the sixth consecutive year, Gildan (PPAI 250187, S13) will participate in Fashion Revolution’s annual global movement to increase transparency in the clothing industry by showcasing the people behind the apparel.

  • Since 2013, Fashion Revolution, a nonprofit global movement, has called upon the public to demand greater transparency from brands by asking #WhoMadeMyClothes? This year, it also asks: #WhoMadeMyFabric? 
  • Gildan is among the few apparel companies to own and operate its own facilities, thanks to its unique vertical integration.
  • As part of this year’s campaign, Gildan will spotlight the people behind its yarn-spinning, textile and dyeing operations, as well as those who sew and distribute the final product, to showcase its production chain from start to finish. 

“Because we own our supply chain, this campaign is a great opportunity for us to highlight our respect for our people and transparency, which has always been a longstanding priority for us and core to our business,”  says Geneviève Gosselin, director of global communications and corporate marketing at Gildan.

American Solutions For Business Creates Online Merch Store For Local Golf Club  

American Solutions for Business (PPAI 101656, D12) has been selected to create an online merchandise store for local golf establishment, Minnewaska Golf Club, in celebration of its centennial anniversary. The venue is one of the oldest businesses in Glenwood, Minnesota, where the distributor is based.

  • The virtual store is hosted on ASB’s proprietary eCommerce platform, ACES, and will remain open until the live, public event on June 16.
  • Items purchased will be shipped directly to the customer.

ASB President Justin Zavadil says, “We are proud to have been part of their historical year.”