(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.)

June 1, 2022

Superior Group Of Companies Announces Michael Koempel As New Chief Financial Officer
Andrew D. Demott, Jr. to Remain as Chief Operating Officer and Director; Announces Retirement as an Employee Effective in 2023

SEMINOLE, Fla., May 31, 2022 — Superior Group of Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGC), is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors of the Company has appointed Michael Koempel to the role of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Company, effective May 31, 2022.

Koempel, with more than 30 years of broad financial experience, has an impressive record of building and scaling high growth apparel and retail brands. Most recently, Koempel was chief operating officer of IT’SUGAR®, one of the largest specialty candy retailers in the U.S. Prior to that, Koempel served as chief operating officer of Victoria’s Secret Lingerie, a multi-billion dollar e-commerce and store-based retailer specializing in lingerie and apparel, from April 2017 to August 2020, and chief financial officer of Mast Global, which is the supply chain division of L Brands Inc. (now named Bath & Body Works®) from 2007 to 2017, among other positions. Koempel holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Dayton and is a Certified Public Accountant (currently inactive).

Koempel will report directly to SGC’s Chief Executive Officer, Michael Benstock.

“We are very excited to welcome Mike to SGC,” said Benstock. “Mike brings with him excellent leadership and team building skills, honed in companies that experienced substantial success while he was part of their senior management. His broad experience both overlaps with and is complementary to our current business. We look forward to leveraging Mike’s knowledge and passion to grow SGC.”

Koempel said, “I am acutely aware of the responsibility that SGC has entrusted me with as the financial steward of such a storied yet still evolving company. SGC is primed to convert on its strategic initiatives, and I look forward to helping drive that growth. It never is easy taking over from a long tenured and successful executive, but knowing that Andy selected me as his successor and having him remain with the Company for the near term will help to ease the transition.”

Alongside the hiring of Koempel comes the announcement that Andrew D. Demott, Jr. will resign as Chief Financial Officer, effective May 31, 2022, but will remain with the Company as its Chief Operating Officer and as a Director. Demott intends to retire as an employee in 2023.

SGC CEO Michael Benstock said, “Andy has been a very important piece of SGC’s success over the last 24 years. While I am professionally, and personally, saddened that Andy will retire as an employee in 2023, I am pleased to know that Andy will remain with the Company as our chief operating officer for a while, and that his hand-selected replacement is primed to hit the ground running.”

Demott went on to add that, “I have had no greater professional love than being an employee of SGC. It truly has been a privilege working alongside Michael, our Board and the rest of the SGC team for decades. I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished and the many employees, shareholders, customers, and other constituents’ lives we have positively impacted. A decision to retire is never made easily. It is made easier though knowing that the Company’s financial leadership is in good hands; I am excited to see where Mike’s vision, energy, preparedness, and passion takes SGC in the years ahead.”

Gemline Announces Expanded Corkcicle & Osprey Brand Partnerships in Canada

Lawrence, MA (June 1, 2022) – Gemline, a leading promotional products supplier, announced an important strategic expansion of its brand partnership reach in Canada. Effective today, Gemline will become the exclusive supplier of CORKCICLE® and Osprey® branded products to the Canadian market, which further supports the company’s commitment to becoming a leading promotional products supplier across Canada.

Gemline began a US‐only partnership with Osprey in November 2020, adding to its growing product portfolio of premium retail brand partners. Colorado‐based, Osprey is world‐renowned for its functional, high‐performance gear that reflects a love of adventure and devotion to the outdoors, as well as stylish, sustainable, everyday solutions that stand as an extension of self‐expression. Osprey
stands by their products in a very impressive fashion, and will repair any damage or defect for any reason free of charge as part of their All Mighty Guarantee. Since the commencement of this partnership, Gemline has experienced significant growth in its outdoor and lifestyle categories.

Gemline entered into a strategic partnership with Orlando, FL‐based innovative barware, drinkware and cooler brand CORKCICLE in January 2020. CORKCICLE designs and manufactures award‐winning products that are made to enhance the drinking experience with personal style and a reduced personal impact on the planet. As CORKCICLE grows and evolves, they remain true to their core mission – to elevate the moments that matter. Since the start of their partnership, Gemline has seen tremendous growth in the drinkware category, and in CORKCICLE demand and sales.

“We are very excited to be expanding our retail brand partnership reach in Canada,” said Frank Carpenito, President of Gemline. “Our Canadian distributor partners are always looking for high quality, on‐trend retail brands to offer their end customers. We are thrilled to be a leading source for retail brands in the hard goods segment across Canada, a distinction we have held in the U.S. over the last few years.”

Facilisgroup Opens New Ecommerce Solution, Commercio, to a Wider Audience
Online store platform marks tech provider’s first industry-wide solution in its 16-year history

SAINT LOUIS, MISSOURI, June 1, 2022— Facilisgroup, a leading software-as-a-service company and partnering community within the promotional products industry, has introduced Commercio, a new online store solution for promo distributors.

“We’re excited about how Commercio solves the ecommerce challenges in our industry,” said Facilisgroup President Ashley McCune. “With user-friendly stores, distributors of any size can take advantage of opportunities that they normally wouldn’t have the staff or budget to handle.”

Commercio has two store options: Pop-Up Stores and Company Stores. Pop-Up Stores let distributors quickly create a storefront for temporary needs, like order collections, redemption sites, or fundraising. Distributors needing a full-service ecommerce site can start a Company Store for their clients.

With the option to use professional templates or customize their store, distributors can create a site that works best for their clients. On the backend, they save time through a user-friendly setup, regardless of previous experience with web stores. Both have flat fees with no hidden charges: $200 monthly for up to 10 live Pop-Up Stores, and $99 monthly per Company Store.

“With our experience building tech for the promo world, Commercio is going to transform distributors’ approach to ecommerce,” said Vice President of Commercio, Tanner Hobin. “There’s so much potential for growth in this space, and we’re here to make the process easy with Commercio.”

See how Commercio helps distributors grow: www.commercio.com.

May 31, 2022

Universal Unilink partners with IBSA

Greenville, SC. May 30th, 2022 - Universal Unilink Purchasing Association is pleased to announce that it has partnered with International Business Solutions Alliance.

Vice President of Universal Unilink, Sherryl Stoner said, “We welcome the IBSA members with open arms, we are constantly looking to grow our business and we will be adding 100 members that are currently selling promotional products. IBSA has a great reputation; our partnership will allow us to provide education, research and marketing tools that will help grow their business with our top industry suppliers”.

IMAGEN Brands Promotes Jackie Walker To National Sales Manager

Doniphan, MO -- IMAGEN Brands is pleased to announce the promotion of Jackie Walker to the position of National Sales Manager.

Most recently as Strategic Account Manager, Walker managed and grew both National and Field accounts, which included Geiger/Crestline, Taylor Group, Fully Promoted, 4 All Promos, and Bel USA. In her new role, Walker will manage the Field Sales team of Regional and Strategic Sales Managers and will be responsible for the execution of the sales strategy, marketplace analysis, recruitment, development, and coaching of the Sales team. In addition, she will be tasked with maximizing all sales opportunities within key accounts nationally.

“We are delighted to welcome Jackie to the IMAGEN Brands Sales Leadership Team,” said Lisa LeMond, Vice President of Sales and Customer Service at IMAGEN Brands. “Jackie brings 13 years of Promotional Products Industry experience, holding key roles in sales, marketing, customer service, and manufacturing. Jackie has a history of developing successful, progressive business relationships and has been key to the growth and market share in the territory she previously served. This, combined with her enthusiasm, experience, and professionalism, will allow Jackie to continue on her successful career path and expand upon the development of our Field Sales Team for future growth.”

Walker holds an MBA from Saint Leo University. Outside of work, she enjoys boating, golfing, and spending time with her son, Bradley, and her husband, Pat.