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

April 25, 2022

iPROMOTEu Announces New Vice President of Marketing

iPROMOTEu, one of the largest and fastest-growing distributor organizations in the promotional products industry, has hired Laura High as Vice President of Marketing.

High will be responsible for leading iPROMOTEu’s marketing team, and overall marketing strategy, to enhance the Affiliate experience with a robust plan to drive sales, including multi-touch digital campaigns and related tools. She will also provide oversight and guide the execution of a consistent brand strategy that communicates iPROMOTEu’s value proposition for internal and external stakeholders.

“I have had the pleasure of working directly with Laura for many years and can attest to her seasoned business acumen, innovative approach to marketing and branding, and her ability to produce results,” said Lori Bauer, iPROMOTEu Senior Vice President of Affiliate Sales and Support. “I am confident she will bring tremendous value to our iPROMOTEu Affiliates as we continue to focus on expanding our marketing tools and resources.”

High brings to iPROMOTEu more than 20 years of marketing experience in the promotional products industry including Koozie Group, formerly BIC Graphic, a Top 40 industry supplier. She has an extensive background in digital and print marketing campaigns, website and ecommerce implementations, public relations, and communications. High has also led the creation of multiple award-winning marketing promotions and advertisements.

“While working on the supplier side of the industry, I have had the opportunity to collaborate with iPROMOTEu for many years. I have always admired their leadership team and their thoughtful approach to ensuring the success of each Affiliate in their network,” said High. “I am in the fortunate position of leading their already-strong team of marketing professionals and am excited to introduce new solutions to support every iPROMOTEu Affiliate.”

American Solutions for Business Raises $3000 for Fishing with Vets Non-Profit

Glenwood, MN – April 25, 2022 – American Solutions for Business raised $3000 through their virtual fundraiser for the Fishing for Vets program. This virtual fundraiser was held through their proprietary eCommerce platform, called ACES, April 19-21, and results were announced live on April 21st. Those participating in the fundraiser went online and traded dollars for votes for either Director of Technology, Nate Disrud, to shave his beard, or VP of Technology, Mike Pfeiffer, to shave his head.

The purpose of the fundraiser was to raise money for charity, Fishing for Vets, a non-profit organization with a mission to provide veterans, both active and retired, with an opportunity to fish some of the Midwest’s premier fishing destinations. This was the favorite charity of late ASB employee, George Nerby.

“George was a great employee and valued member of the team,” shared Pfeiffer. “He and I shared interests in fishing and rock concerts, such as the one that I attend each year called ww.shiprocked.com cruise. When we talked, we had planned to try to hit a concert in Fargo. The pandemic has proven to hit everyone differently. George will be missed.”

“The decision to shave my beard was a simple one,” expressed Disrud. “With George, our work relationship was exceptional, and we bounced questions and ideas off each other daily. I miss this daily interaction.”

The live results were revealed at Lakeside restaurant in Glenwood, MN where the votes revealed that Mike Pfeiffer had won. ASB Founder & CEO, Larry Zavadil, was unable to attend in person, but shared a video message after Mike was shaved that he was matching the donations to create a tie. Nate Disrud then had his beard shaved as well. The event was also live streamed for those far and near to watch.

Two Inducted into Regional Hall Of Fame At CAAMP's Annual Happy CAAMPers Awards

The Carolinas Association of Advertising and marketing Professionals (CAAMP) honored those who have distinguished themselves in their profession while making an impact on the promotional product industry at its annual Happy CAAMPers Awards Ceremony, sponsored by Apogee Commemoratives, Alphabroder/Prime&Showdown Displays at Great Wolf Lodge, Concord, NC on March 30, 2022.

In addition to the annual performance awards, at this year's ceremony, hosted by emcee Daniel Jenne of Tekweld, the regional association inducted Bucky Holcomb, MA Swith Pine State Marketing Inducted into CAAMP 2021 Hall of Fame as well as Crystal & Bob Burlow with Burlow Promotions. The honor recognizes individuals who make an outstanding and lasting contribution to the regional association as well as to the promotional products industry.

This year's honorees include:
Distributor of the year- Specialties Plus of NC, LLC
Distributor Sales Representative of the year -EricRhew - Promo Logic Get Branded, Inc. Supplier of the year - Goldstar Pens
Supplier Sales Representative of the year-Rob Baumgardner- Goldstar Pens
MultiLine Sales Representative of the year -Rich Conroy -Flanagan and Associates Industry Influencer of the year - Brett Schaffer, MAS
CAAMP Volunteer of the year-Keisha Crainand Keith Harris,TAS

April 22, 2022

Showdown Displays Announces Promotion

Showdown Displays, a global manufacturer and supplier of visual communication, event and display products, announces the recent promotion of Chad Rizzo to Strategic Account Manager.

“Chad has been a key part of our success, and we were excited to promote him into this position,” said Pete Langdon, Vice President Sales – National Accounts.

Chad Rizzo joined Showdown in 2017 as a Territory Sales Manager based in Texas. Chad quickly began developing strong relationships with our distributor partners throughout the southwest,growing his business consistently year over year.

In his new role, Chad joins our Strategic Account Manager team. This team is responsible for the top‐level relationships with a group of the industry’s largest distributors. His success while managing a territory and his prior experience prepare him well for this new responsibility.

ORBUS RECYCLES OVER 80% OF ITS TOTAL WASTE IN 2021

Woodridge, IL – April 19, 2022: To commemorate Earth Month and Earth Day, Orbus Exhibit & Display Group®, North America’s largest wholesale supplier and manufacturer of visual communications solutions, is proud to share that it recycled 80.4% of its total waste in 2021.

Orbus recognizes that the world’s natural resources are limited and fragile and the company considers environmental protection to be at the core of what it does. For over 12 years, Orbus has been committed to ISO: 14001 for environmental management and green efforts.

Orbus increased the amount of waste it recycled and diverted from landfill 2.7% from 2020 and surpassed its goal as well. The company recycles aluminum, plastic, fabric, steel and cardboard, cores, and paper; in total, it recycled 869,351 total pounds of materials in 2021 and is on track to exceed this percentage in 2022.

“We are proud of the recycling efforts and programs we have in place,” says Jim Concannon, Operations Manager & ISO Representative for Orbus. “They are part of our core values and we continue to ingrain into our company culture.”