PPAI Expands, Updates Industry’s Premier Professional Certification Program

PPAI Professional Development has announced at The PPAI Expo a revolutionary update and expansion of its Professional Development Certification Program. Building on the existing Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS) and Master Advertising Specialist (MAS) programs, PPAI Professional Development is introducing two new designations: the introductory Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) certificate program, designed for those early in their careers, and the advanced Master Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+) certification program, for experienced industry veterans.

The Association has chosen the program’s 50th anniversary to introduce enhancements that allow industry professionals to achieve certifications as they evolve throughout their career, as well as offering new tools and methodologies to earn points and track participants’ efforts toward industry certification.

“As companies in our industry must evolve to respond to changes to the economy, market and business conditions, so too must our PPAI certification program,” says Melissa Hendrick, PPAI’s director of professional development and integrated media. “That is why we are thrilled to announce many new certification program changes and enhancements that will allow you to evolve in your promotional products career, whether you have just entered the industry or are a long-time veteran.”

The TAS educational program is targeted toward promotional products professionals who have less than three years of industry experience. The designation can be achieved with 25 earned education points from either MAS- or CAS-approved courses. TAS designation is the first step on the professional development path for industry professionals, and it leads them next into the established CAS program. The MAS+ industry certification program is targeted toward seasoned promotional product veterans with seven or more years of experience in the industry. MAS+ certification is an advanced, project-based program demonstrating extensive promotional products industry knowledge in lieu of a comprehensive examination.

“We are excited to present promotional products professionals with new opportunities to differentiate themselves in the competitive marketplace,” says John Campbell, PPAI’s manager of certification and instructional technology. “Whether you are an industry novice or have an established reputation, PPAI’s Professional Development Certification Program raises the bar on what it means to be a professional and validate to your clients your expertise as a promotional consultant.”

PPAI Professional Development is also introducing an accelerated program to earn a CAS for veterans of the industry—the Certification Fast-Track (CFT). The initiative, aimed at promotional products professionals with a minimum of five years of verifiable industry experience, is an avenue to waive one or more CAS certification requirements in consideration of industry experience, education and achievements. Candidates are still required to sit for and pass their CAS examination.

Eligibility for the CFT program requires participants to meet one or more of the following criteria: possess a bachelor’s degree or higher in a related promotional products field—marketing, business, advertising, etc.; possess 10 years or more of promotional products industry experience; possess a comparable certification from another agency or organization; and currently serve in a senior management capacity for a promotional products company.

Learn more about PPAI’s exciting new professional development opportunities by visiting the Professional Development & Certification Info Center at The PPAI Expo on Lobby Level 2 and by clicking www.ppai.org/certification.