Promo Insiders
If it impacts the promotional products industry, then the editorial team for Counselor, ASI’s flagship publication, is on top of it. Join these industry insiders as they delve into the issues, challenges and opportunities that matter most to promo.
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7/29/2022
A Deep Dive Into the 2022 State of the Industry Report
The ASI Media team unpacks the most interesting findings and trends from our annual survey.
7/28/2022
Counselor's 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award: Fred Oesen
From building Canada’s nascent promo industry to mentoring countless professionals, Oesen leaves a staggering legacy.
7/27/2022
Counselor’s 2022 Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year: Lisa Smith
Lisa Smith established her Texas company with a mission: to provide the best customer service and a flexible work environment.
7/26/2022
Counselor’s 2022 Supplier Family Business of the Year: Shelbyville Pencil Company/Shepenco
Owner Dan Townes shares stories and wisdom from decades of working in promo.
7/25/2022
Counselor’s 2022 Woman of Distinction: Debbie Abergel
The chief strategy officer at Nadel reflects on her early days at the Top 40 distributor and her career trajectory that’s led her to become a beloved peer mentor.
7/20/2022
#PromoSpace: Overcoming Price Objections to Sustainable, Ethical Merch
Daniel Cardozo of Ethix Merch and Lauren Piller of Eco Marketing Solutions talk about strategies they use to convince clients to purchase sustainable products.
7/15/2022
NC Custom’s Remarkable 11th Hour Acquisition of Fresh Beginnings
David Miller of NC Custom tells the story of how the Top 40 supplier acquired Fresh Beginnings just as it was about to close for good.
7/14/2022
Trends & Sales Opportunities With Branded Displays, Banners and Exhibits
Bill Roman, strategic sales manager at Orbus Exhibit & Display (asi/75209), offers can’t-miss tips for capitalizing with these product categories.
7/6/2022
News Roundup With ASI Media’s Writers
Theresa Hegel, Sara Lavenduski and Chris Ruvo give synopses of recent stories involving the supply chain, product trends, sustainability, apparel and more.
6/29/2022
Which States Are Driving Growth in the Promo Industry?
The ASI Media editors dive into the telling data from the just-released State & Regional Sales Report.
6/23/2022
Serving Up Summertime Promo Ideas
ASI Media staffers discuss all things summer in this lively chat.
6/14/2022
How to Survive – and Thrive – In a Recession
Three successful industry executives deliver powerful strategies distributors can use to overcome the challenges of an economic downturn.
6/8/2022
Sustainability and Self-Care: The Story Behind Baloo Living
Sisters Elizabeth and Jennifer Grojean discuss the sustainability and giveback aspects of their company, Baloo Living (asi/38053), which sells weighted blankets for alleviating anxiety and insomnia.
6/3/2022
From the Farms to Your Arms: Why Traceability Is Key for Sustainability
Vik Giri of Terra Thread, Lori Wyman of GOTS and Meg Buckley of Fairtrade America discuss the importance of supply chain transparency to help avoid falling into the trap of greenwashing.
6/1/2022
#PromoSpace: Canada Faces New Challenges as Restrictions Lift
Two leaders in Canadian promo joined us on Twitter Spaces for a frank discussion on the state of promo, economic challenges and predictions for the months ahead.
5/25/2022
The Surprising Benefits of Workplace Conflict
Author Bonnie Artman Fox explains how properly resolved conflict can solve problems and push projects forward.
5/20/2022
Promo Europe Races Ahead in Sustainability Movement
Europe-based promo firms are making a strong push toward greater sustainability in product materials and operations. What can North America learn? A sales leader at Netherlands-based supplier Clipper shares insights.
5/18/2022
Sell Value Rather Than Price
Sales strategist and leadership expert Meridith Elliott Powell discusses the importance of reframing the sales conversation around value rather than dollar signs.
5/4/2022
Proof of the Longevity of Promotional Products
Why do people keep promos for 10, 20, even 30 years? The ASI Media editors explain using their own beloved possessions.
4/29/2022
Spotlight on Stran & Company
The Top 40 distributor’s profile in promo has been on the rise. CEO Andy Shape discusses becoming a publicly traded company, acquisitions, the future of the industry and more.
4/21/2022
Neil Ringel Discusses PCNA’s Sustainability Initiative
The Top 40 supplier launched ProudPath this week, which it is hoping will be a comprehensive, turnkey platform that will help promo distributors communicate their environmental and social efforts with confidence.
4/13/2022
First-Class Client Care With the Supplier CSR of the Year
Kate Foley joined Top 40 firm S&S Activewear a little over a year and a half ago, but she’s already making a name for herself in the promo industry as an ace CSR.
4/7/2022
A Conversation With the 2022 Distributor Salesperson of the Year
Peter McCutcheon is the highest-performing sales rep in Harper + Scott’s history, increasing his sales by more than 250% and hitting an impressive eight figures between 2020 and 2021.
4/6/2022
Promo’s Big 2021 Rebound and Outlook for 2022
ASI’s research guru Nate Kucsma and news director Christopher Ruvo delve into the numbers and narratives behind promo’s remarkable return to growth in 2021.
3/30/2022
Reinventing a Legacy Business
Steven Farag, co-owner of Campus Ink, talks about evolving and expanding the decorated apparel firm, and the details of a recent investment by billionaire Mark Cuban.