Loading ...Winner’s Circle
PPAI’s annual awards program, culminating at the Awards Presentation & Reception at The PPAI Expo this past January, is the industry’s most prestigious and rigorous competition of its kind recognizing excellence in promotional campaigns, product design and decorating, use of technology, self promotion and branding, and supplier customer service. New this year was an expanded program to celebrate technology through blogs, apps, social media and other outlets, and the introduction of a new competition, The Image Award, recognizing the best in branding prowess and self promotion.
Pyramid trophies were created by Visions/Awardcraft (UPIC: VISIONS) and AITG (UPIC: AITG).
PPAI Pyramid Awards
The Pyramid Awards celebrate effective, results-oriented business and institutional marketing programs built around the creative use of one or more promotional products.
Business-To-Business Programs
Gold: Josh Ebrahemi, Jack Nadel International
Silver: Laurel Grey, ID, Inc.
Consumer Programs
Gold: Dina Barker, Southwick Specialty Advertising, Inc.
Silver: Nicole Melberg, Nvision of North American Corporation
Silver: Anna Cheney and Lindsay Pecchi, Summit Group, LLC
Bronze: Jason Wallace, EPromos Promotional Products
Educational Programs
Bronze: Bruce Reissaus, MAS, Advertising Specialties Alliance
Bronze: David G. Gephart, MAS, Gephart Marketing Solutions, LLC
Employee Incentive Programs
Gold: Heather Jae Skelton, Image Marketing and Promotions
Silver: Regina Munroe, MAS, Inproma
Bronze: Tia Walker, MAS, Bluegrass Promotional Marketing
Goodwill Programs
Silver: Kendra Kirks McDougal, MAS, HALO Branded Solutions
Silver: Melissa Anderson, NewClients Promotional Marketing
Silver: William Clay, Walker-Clay, Inc.
Health/Wellness Programs
Gold: Tia Walker, MAS, Bluegrass Promotional Marketing
Silver: Cameron Monaco, Kaspo, Inc.
Silver: John Oda and Matt David, Onyx
Internal Communication Programs
Silver: Scott Petersen, Jacksonville Specialty Advertising, Inc.
Not-For-Profit Programs
Gold: Julie Isenhour, MAS, Geiger
Political/Legislative Programs
Gold: Seth Weiner, MAS, and Debbie Bostin, Sonic Enterprises, LLC
Regional Creative Achievement
Silver: Patti Ward, TRASA – Three Rivers Advertising Specialty Association
Sales Incentive Programs
Gold: Linda Turlington, Pura Vida Promotions
Silver: Laird Eickmeyer, Jack Nadel International
Silver: Melissa Anderson, NewClients Promotional Marketing
Social Responsibility Programs
Silver: Dan Livengood, Newton Manufacturing Co.
Tradeshow/Exhibit Traffic Programs
Silver: Stacey McConnell, CAS, AIA Corporation
Silver: Susan Arenson, Brown & Bigelow, Inc.
Bronze: Mikhael Reed, ESKIMO JOE’S Promotional Products Group
Tradeshow Promos: Five Questions To Ask Clients
PPB talked with Stacey McConnell, CAS, marketing services manager for AIA Corporation and a silver Pyramid winner in the category of Tradeshow/Exhibit Traffic Programs. She says the most important questions to ask your client when designing a tradeshow promotion are these:
1. What goals are we trying to achieve with the promotion? What is the purpose?
2. How will the goals be measured?
3. How will the promotion be executed? Who should be involved to make things happen and what will we do to keep us on track?
4. How will we know if the promotion was a success?
5. Will this promotion meet our budget?
6. Was the time worth the investment? If so, what changes could be made to make it better and more cost efficient?
Gold: Employee Incentive Programs
Distributor: Image Marketing
Client type: Hospital
Target audience: More than 4,000 hospital employees (from the janitor to medical staff and doctors) connected to a three-hospital system
Objectives: To generate 72 percent participation in an Employee Opinion Survey, acknowledge employees in a fun way and make participation pleasant—not just another hospital requirement
Strategy And Execution: An internal communications plan, called “Hu Hu” (Help Us Help U), was developed by the FirstHealth Corporate Communications Department. A distinctly noticeable item, the Goofy pen from Points of Light, was selected because it’s functional yet fun. It couldn’t be dropped into a bag or pocket, so it would be visible at work stations and desks. FirstHealth employees would serve as survey “ambassadors” to communicate the survey process to their co-workers using their HuHu pens. Employees started snapping photos of HuHu around the community and a second strategy was born. The employee intranet launched “Photos with HuHu.” HuHu was X-rayed, received “counseling” and treatment from various departments, relaxed on an island and more. The photos were posted on the intranet with reminders to complete the employee survey. Within a four-week period, photos with HuHu received more than 3,800 views.
Results: The program generated 3,640 responses and a 91-percent participation rate plus an unexpected boost in employee moral.
Gold: Health/Wellness Programs
Distributor: Bluegrass Promotional Marketing
Client Type: Mortgage Services Call Center
Target Audience: 1,800 employees
Objective: To get 15 percent of the total employee base to successfully complete two key wellness activities within the first year
Strategy And Execution: Variables and criteria were set as were two key components of the program to measure success: 1. Employee completion of a 20-minute online wellness assessment, and 2. Employee completion of a 30-day wellness challenge. Collateral was developed for the launch of the program as well as to promote a wellness fair and announce six monthly challenges. Posters and flyers incorporating the company logo and slogan, “It’s all about you!” were posted in break rooms and throughout the facilities to keep employees engaged.
On the day an online wellness tool went live, a clear acrylic double-wall construction travel tumbler with a matching threaded lid and straw was placed on each employee’s desk. Grocery tote bags and neon pens were handed out during the Wellness Fair. Men’s and women’s textured polo shirts were given to wellness coordinators in appreciation and to give exposure to the program. Incentives for participants at various stages of the challenge included hats and mouse pads.
Results: The company hit its wellness goal just three months after the campaign was launched. And six months after it was launched, 70 percent of the corporate population was participating with more than 40 percent having met the wellness criteria.
Gold: Not-For-Profit Programs
Distributor: Geiger
Client Type: Not-for-profit organization that supports independent college journalism
Target audience: 70 college student newspaper editors at an annual conference
Objective: To direct the editors to a new social networking site to open a new member account. The goal was to attain a 40- to 50-percent participation rate at an annual conference.
Strategy And Execution: The client’s logo and slogan, “Get plugged in.” FuseBOX, had already been set. The logo had the word “BOX” set up in a way that fit perfectly with the idea of inserting a QR (quick response) code inside the “O.” Posters were strategically placed throughout the conference floor featuring a list of the top QR code reader apps so that the editors could immediately download one. The posters also had an enlarged QR code ready for scanning so editors could access the new site on the spot.
Products selected were age appropriate (a drawstring backpack, reporter’s notebook and t-shirt) and, most importantly, the QR code imprint on the products had to work flawlessly.
Results: During the conference, 90 percent of attendees signed up for a membership with all 70 eventually becoming members. Memberships continue to grow with 160 members to date.
Gold: Political/Legislative Programs
Distributor: Sonic Promos
Client Type: Publisher of congressional handbooks
Target Audience: 75 lobbying firms, associations involved in lobbying or political action committees
Objective: To get a copy of the book into potential buyer’s hands, land meetings and close potential clients, renew existing clients and differentiate from the competition. Not all prospects/repeats received gifts (past gifts had failed, so this was a test), so from the gift receiving group, the distributor was looking for a two-thirds renewal and 15 prospective/new clients.
Strategy And Execution: The product presentation package focused on the handbook (with the word “Original” as part of the logo) tucked inside red, white and blue shred, which was accompanied by a note personalized to the recipient’s field or position (how to use the handbook for their specific purpose), a ceramic “Not A Paper Cup” and a double-walled ice coffee/varsity tumbler for both office and car as the targeted audience spent extensive time in one place or the other.
Results: The program generated leads that closed 28 new clients, 13 more than the goal, plus an 80-percent renewal (24 repeats instead of anticipated 20).
Image Award trophies were created by J Charles Crystalworks (UPIC: JCCW).
PPAI Image Awards
PPAI’s newest accolade recognizes members’ creativity and branding prowess in self promotion and activities to promote information about a company’s products and services to customers and prospects.
Branding
Gold: PROMOPET
Silver: Geiger
Bronze: Jack Nadel International
Electronic Supplier Catalog
Gold: Pro Towels Etc.
Silver: BIC Graphic USA
Printed Distributor Catalog (25+ Pages)
Gold: The Image Group
Silver: Newton Manufacturing Co.
Bronze: Inkhead
Printed Supplier Catalogs (1-25 Pages)
Gold: The Book Company
Silver: Visstun
Printed Supplier Catalogs (26-150 Pages)
Gold: Shepenco
Silver: Punch Products USA, Inc.
Bronze: ShedRain Corp.
Printed Supplier Catalogs (150+ Pages)
Gold: Dard Products, Inc. (Tag-Master Line)
Silver: Crown Products, Inc.
Silver: Sanford Business-to-Business
Self-Promotion Campaigns
Gold: Axis Promotions
Silver: Paperclip Promotions
Bronze: Cliff Quicksell Associates
Suppliers Achievement trophies were created by R.S. Owens & Co., Inc. (UPIC: RSOWENS)
PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award
It takes unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, creativity and overall decorating excellence to land a PPAI Suppliers Achievement Award. Here’s who took home the prize in 29 categories.
Casting
Gold: Indiana Metal Craft
Silver: Indiana Metal Craft
Client Sales & Marketing Aids
Gold: Bruce Fox, Inc.
Silver: Journalbooks/Timeplanner Calendars
Combination Of Processes
Gold: SELCO
Silver: Gill Studios, Inc.
Customized Non-Catalog Product $25 & Up
Gold: R.S. Owens & Co., Inc.
Silver: Advance Corporation
Customized Non-Catalog Product Under $25
Gold: Visstun
Silver: Hirsch Gift, Inc.
Digital Print On Hard Surfaces NEW
Gold: World Wide Lines, Inc.
Mascot/Character Or Persona Product NEW
Gold: Stoneycreek Marble Products
Silver: R.S. Owens & Co., Inc.
Metal Striking NEW
Silver: SELCO
Silver: Indiana Metal Craft
Most Creative New Entry Designed For Business Gift Use
Gold: KTI Networks/KTI Promos
Silver: Gemline
Most Creative New Entry For Promotional Event Use
Gold: Punch Products USA, Inc.
Silver: Prime Resources Corp.
Silver: R.S. Owens & Co., Inc.
Silver: Visstun
Most Creative Promotional Product Developed As A Result Of A Supplier/Distributor Collaboration
Gold: R.S. Owens & Co., Inc.
Silver: Bruce Fox, Inc.
Offset Process
Gold: Gill Studios, Inc.
Silver: Visstun
Pad Printing
Gold: SELCO
Gold: Norwood Promotional Products
Silver: Norwood Promotional Products
Digital Print On Textiles NEW
Gold: Buffalo Bay
Silver: Haas-Jordan By Westcott
Distributor Sales & Marketing Aids
Gold: Bristol ID Technologies
Silver: Dard Products, Inc.
Silver: Spector & Co.
Dome NEW
Silver: Stouse, Inc.
Embroidery I
Gold: Vantage Apparel
Silver: Vantage Apparel
Embroidery II
Gold: Vantage Apparel
Etching/Engraving/Laser
Gold: Hirsch Gift, Inc.
Silver: Advance Corporation
Foil Stamping
Gold: Promotional PSI
Silver: Gill Studios, Inc.
Large Format Printing NEW
Gold: Stouse, Inc.
PVC NEW
Gold: KTI Networks/KTI Promos
Screen Print On Hard Surfaces NEW
Gold: Punch Products USA, Inc.
Silver: Advance Corporation
Screen Printing On Textiles
Gold: In Your Face Apparel
Silver: Towel Specialties
Special Application
Silver: Visstun
Silver: Visstun
Special Effects Or Multi-Media Decoration On Textiles NEW
Gold: Prime Resources Corp.
Silver: In Your Face Apparel
Special Processes
Gold: Optigraphics
Silver: Bruce Fox, Inc.
Sublimation NEW
Gold: CounterPoint
Gold: BAG MAKERS, Inc.
Gold: SAVI, Inc.
Variable Data Print NEW
Silver: All In One
Silver: Bristol ID Technologies
Supplier Star Award
It’s the most sought-after award for suppliers because winners are determined by distributors who score them in the areas of communication, service and quality. New this year was the addition of a category for new PPAI supplier members and the requirement that suppliers who are not new have at least a C rating in the industry’s online rating system to be eligible to win.
Supplier Star trophies were created by Visions/Awardcraft (UPIC: VISIONS) and AITG Business Gifts (UPIC: AITG).
New PPAI Supplier Members
Star: 99centpromos.com
Merit: BEST Promotions USA, LLC
S01 ($50,000 – $100,000)
Star: Leanin’ Tree
S02 ($100,001 – $250,000)
Star: Royal Industries
Merit: YAFA, Inc.
S03 ($250,001 – $500,000)
Star: Zoogee World, Inc.
Merit: Dixieland Emblematics
S04 ($500,001 – $1,000,000)
Star: Cooler Graphics
Merit: EMT
S05 ($1,000,001 – $2,500,000)
Star: Megafast
Merit: The Platform Group Gallery
S06 ($2,500,001 – $5,000,000)
Star: Admints & Zagabor
Merit: Shepenco
S07 ($5,000,001 – $10,000,000)
Star: World Wide Lines, Inc.
Merit: Goldstar
S08 ($10,000,001 – $15,000,000)
Star: KTI Networks/KTI Promos
Merit: Maple Ridge Farms, Inc.
S09 ($15,000,001 – $20,000,000)
Star: Crown Products, Inc.
Merit: American Ad Bag Co.
S10 ($20,000,001 – $50,000,000)
Star: Hub Pen Company
Merit: Gold Bond, Inc.
S11+ ($50,000,001+)
Star: SanMar
Merit: Leed’s
Technology Awards
This new award expands on the former PPAI Web Award to recognize the development and effective use of technology in a wide variety of applications, and to spotlight companies that are breaking new ground in blogs, e-commerce, mobile apps, social media, special interest websites, video content and web content and functionality.
Technology Award trophies were created by R.S. Owens & Co., Inc. (UPIC: RSOWENS), Visions/Awardcraft (UPIC: VISIONS) and AITG Business Gifts (UPIC: AITG).
Blogs
Gold: Pinnacle Promotions, Inc.
Bronze: Gossett Marketing Communications, Inc.
Bronze: Motivators, Inc.
e-Commerce Website
Gold: Crown Products, Inc.
Silver: InkHead, Inc.
Bronze: Geiger
Bronze: Staples Promotional Products
Mobile Applications
Gold: Bay State Specialty Co.
Bronze: Punch Products USA, Inc.
Social Media
Gold: The P.O.P. Shop
Gold: The P.O.P. Shop
Silver: All In One
Silver: Green Banana Promotions
Bronze: SnugZ/USA
Special Interest Websites
Gold: Geiger
Silver: PromoCorner.com
Video Content
Gold: The IceBox, LLC
Bronze: Branders.Com
Web Content/Functionality (Business Services)
Gold: Facilis Group
Web Content/Functionality (Distributor)
Gold: EPromos Promotional Products
Gold: InkHead, Inc.
Silver: Newton Manufacturing Co.
Bronze: Boundless Network
Web Content/Functionality (Multi-Line Rep)
Silver: The Identity Group, Inc.
Web Content/Functionality (Supplier)
Gold: Crown Products, Inc.
Silver: ETS Express
Bronze: Bright Stores, Inc.
Web Content/Functionality (Trade Association)
Silver: Rocky Mountain Region Promotional Products Association (RMR/PPA)
2013 Awards Deadlines
Note these deadlines and find details at www.ppai.org.
Pyramid Award Competition
Opens: August 1, 2012
Closes: September 14, 2012
Image Award Competition
Opens: June 4, 2012
Closes: July 27, 2012
Suppliers Achievement Award Competition
Opens: July 16, 2012
Closes: August 31, 2012
Supplier Star Award Balloting
Opens: August 13, 2012
Closes: September 28, 2012
Technology Award Competition
Opens: March 5, 2012
Closes: April 6, 2012
Marking Member Milestones
At last year’s PPAI Expo, the Association launched an endearing tradition by honoring 22 companies for their 50-, 75- and 100-year memberships in PPAI. Congratulations to the following member companies who were acknowledged at The PPAI Expo 2012 for their memberships of 50 and 75 years respectively. Each honoree was presented with a distinctive art glass sculpture crafted by supplier Crystal D.
50-Year Members
Arrow Advertising
Jo-Rae Sales
Custom Holographic Specialties
Shumsky
75-Year Member
Pioneer Balloon Co.
