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Thursday
January 7, 2010

ASI Names Members of Advisory Boards

Filed under: Community, Industry Initiatives, Members, News About ASI

 A new era of industry leadership is upon us, thanks to the men and women who stepped-up and accepted a position on ASI’s latest advisory boards. I applaud all of you!

Click here for the complete list of all new members.  Hundreds of ASI member companies did their part by voting during the online balloting period to help choose leaders of the boards.  Here is a sampling of the new members:

The ASI Advisory Board —

  • Fay Best – owner, Best Specialty Advertising Inc. (asi/138569)
  • Jo-an Lantz, MAS – executive vice president and member of the board of directors, Geiger (asi/202900)
  • Greg Muzzillo – co-founder and co-CEO, Proforma (asi/300094)

Marketing, Public Relations & Industry Research Advisory Board —

  • Terry Brizz, PhD, EDM, MAS – president, Galaxy Balloons Inc. (asi/55675)
  • Bree Kasper – marketing manager, Action Embroidery & Design Inc. (asi/104645)
  • Jeff Lederer – executive vice president, Prime Line (asi/79530)

The Safety & Legislative Advisory Board —

  • Bill Bradbury – director of social responsibility, Cintas Corp. (asi/162167)
  • Kim Newell – president, World Wide Lines Inc. (asi/98290)
  • Terry McGuire- senior vice president of marketing and vendor relations, HALO/Lee Wayne (asi/356000)

Technology & Operations Advisory Board —

  • Sandy Gonzalez – vice president, Made to Order (asi/259540)
  • Sam Hornstein – COO, Avaline LLC (asi/37590)
  • Niko Pamboukas – director of sales, iClick (asi/62124)

The effort doesn’t stop here. I encourage everyone to share their thoughts and ideas with ASI, and especially with these new board members, as we move forward into a new year and confront and conquer fresh challenges.

Tell me what you would do to improve the industry by posting a comment or emailing me here.  I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Monday
January 4, 2010

Counselor Distributor Choice Award Winners and “Tim’s Take” Video

Filed under: ASI Shows, Industry Initiatives, Members, News About ASI

We’re having a terrific time at the first show of the year in Orlando, despite getting caught in the same cold snap hitting the rest of the nation. Last night, we warmed things up by honoring the industry’s best at the 2010 Counselor Distributor Choice Awards and presenting the Supplier of the Year award to Gold Bond (asi/57653).

The awards recognize the most-valued ASI suppliers in 50 product categories, as determined by ASI Supplier Performance Ratings and votes cast by over 2,500 distributors (a record for the competition).  Nearly 150 finalists were recognized and 51 suppliers were named winners at a really fun ceremony.

For the list of winners and finalists, and to view some awesome photos, visit asicentral.com/dcawards. 

Also take a look at a new video we just posted called “Tim’s Take,” which offers my insight into the industry and the new year, based on an interview I did for ASI TV with Editor-in-Chief Melinda Ligos.

As I say in the video, as we greet 2010 and the first trade show of the year – which is shaping up as a success – I’m bullish as ever.

Please let me know your outlook for 2010 by posting a comment or emailing me here.  I’m also on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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Tuesday
November 3, 2009

2009 Power 50 Announced

Filed under: Community, Members, News About ASI

It’s almost too easy to use superlatives when describing a company’s top players.  After all, they reached the apex because they’re the best at what they do.  The men and women on this year’s Counselor Power 50 list – announced last night at the ASI Power Summit – truly deserve every accolade.  Each one is an industry ace.

This year, in recognition of the biggest industry news story of the year – BIC’s acquisition of Norwood – the No. 1 spot honors both Nicolas Paillot, general manager of BIC Group (asi/40480), and Paul Lage, president of Norwood Promotional Products.

The other top-ranked executives in the 2009 Counselor Power 50 ranking include:

  • Marty Lott, president of SanMar (asi/84863)
  • Greg Muzzillo and Vera Muzzillo, co-CEOs of Proforma (asi/300094)
  • Marc Simon, CEO of Halo/Lee Wayne (asi/356000)
  • Gene Geiger and Jo-an Lantz, CEO and executive vice president, respectively, of Geiger (asi/202900)

I’m also happy to say that there are 14 newcomers, including Derek Block, CEO of Touchstone (asi/345631); Maribeth Sandford, CEO of Bag Makers (asi/37940); and Anthony Corsano, CEO of Anvil (asi/36350).  

What I like best is the democracy of the voting system.  While the exact ranking is determined by Counselor editorial experts, they rely heavily on the survey sent to all of you, asking which names go on or off and which names move up or down. They also carefully consider each nominees’ achievements and the state of their business.

For the complete Counselor Power 50 ranking, visit asicentral.com/power50.  To view photos from the 2009 ASI Power Summit, click here. 

What did you think of this year’s list? Post a comment or email me here.  I’m also on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Tuesday
November 3, 2009

Power Summit Video About Economy

Filed under: Community, Education, Industry Initiatives, Members, Research

Everyone gathered at the 2009 Power Summit in California has seen, heard and learned a lot already at numerous sessions, speeches and networking opportunities.

Click here for a video outlining these key insights from our sessions:

  • Exclusive session with economics expert Roger Farmer. This last year was really about a lack of confidence, which means companies lacked any real decision-making about purchases. Going forward, inflation is possible, which would affect prices of raw goods from China.  But, as jobs start to recover, wages will go higher. He predicts it’ll take about five years for unemployment to drop back down from 10% to about 5-6%.
  • What’s working and what’s not.  Executives in this session said communication was most important right now, with clients and employees alike. Have a baseline plan that outlines how to get more revenue and how to cut costs appropriately.  And just because the economy is down doesn’t mean you shouldn’t recognize and reward your staff. 
  • U.S.-made products versus importing. Know where your products come from.  If clients ask you where the product was made, you need to know, and you need to know if it’s safe. Interestingly, price is not the sole factor in a purchase.  Safety and the manufacturing source are very important.

Click here for the video. 

What are your thoughts? Post a comment or email me here.  I’m also on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Wednesday
September 9, 2009

Jay Ostrow Named Executive Director, Distributor Services

Filed under: Community, Members, News About ASI

Today we’re pleased to announce that Jay Ostrow has been named executive director of distributor services.

Jay will continue to be responsible for managing the distributor business for ASI Canada and will now also be responsible for new business development in ASI’s major account division.

He has over 10 years of marketing and sales experience and joined ASI five years ago as an account manager.  He’ll report to Heather DiPrato, vice president of distributor services, whom many of you know. 

He’s really done an impressive job expanding our relationships in the Canadian market and I look forward to having him join the major account division. 

Learn more about Jay in the press release:  click here.

Also serving clients in Canada are Fred and Leslie Oesen, vice presidents of ASI Canada, who are based in Toronto.

Please join me in congratulating Jay and post a comment now.

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Monday
August 31, 2009

ASI Promotes Industry on MSNBC

Filed under: Community, Industry Initiatives, Media Coverage, Members, News About ASI

ASI publisher Rich Fairfield made like a TV star last week during a lively appearance on MSNBC’s “Your Business.”  The hot topic was the proven value of using ad specialties to market your business at trade shows.

As Rich and host J.J. Ramberg told their TV audience of 200,000, trade shows are a great way to get the word out about your business and premium giveaways that “go beyond the pen” are a sure bet for maximum marketing exposure.

Click here to watch the video.

They also advised companies to decide what they want to spend and to choose an item that truly reflects their business.

Here are the products in the segment:

  • Talking T-shirt – heads will turn when this shirt whistles, and emits 19 other stock sounds.  It can also play MP3s.  From Think Geek (asi/91123).
  • Light saber sword – tech and electronics companies will love a light saber sword stamped with their corporate logo.  From AlightPromos.com (asi/34194).
  • Light-up stress balls – a flashy new look to a standard seller ensures this product will be used and discussed.  From Litewaves (asi/67730).
  • Jute bag – stylish, roomy and eco-friendly, this bag can also be used at the beach after the show and is made from jute plant fibers.  From Prime Line (asi/79530).
  • Non-woven bag – eco-friendly, inexpensive and reusable, this bag is ideal for replacing paper and plastic shopping bags.  From Jetline (asi/63344).
  • Slinky notepad – this variation on a business staple adds a touch of fun to any desktop.  From TradeNet Publishing (asi/91760).
  • Hand sanitizer – a smart and appreciated giveaway in light of recent events with the H1N1 flu virus.  From Humphrey Line (asi/62050).
  • Personal sunscreen – a trade show located in a warmer climate is an event that demands a personal sunscreen stick.  From Leashables by Oralabs (asi/66715).

If you’re a distributor, I urge you to email the video link to your clients, so they can get more ideas for products that can help their marketing campaigns.

I’d love to know what must-see products made a difference in your marketing at your last trade show so post a comment now or email me here. 

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Tuesday
August 25, 2009

Favor – ESP Feedback

Filed under: Members, News About ASI

We are working on the next version of ESP Online, and I’d like to ask your help. 

Post a comment or email me here and tell me, as briefly as possible since I’m reading all replies, what 3-4 things you’d like to make ESP Online better.

If you happen to use another research tool, or have in the past, reply and tell me what you use and what annoys you most about that tool or what you like most.

As thanks for your input, you can choose (a) $100 hotel reimbursement and a free ticket to the Lion King show at ASI Show Las Vegas 2009 or (b) guaranteed seat to see General Colin Powell (Ret.) at ASI Show Orlando 2010.

If you choose the Lion King tickets, you must reply by this Friday, August 28.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

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