LeadingPRINT: The Podcast

Daniel Dejan has been an evangelist for the power of paper and print for the span of his career. With more than 40 years of design, production, print buying and on-press experience, Dejan is always ready to share his knowledge of the successful and effective marriage of print and paper. In this podcast he and Thayer talk about the history, current state and continued importance of print - everywhere! 

In this episode, Thayer talks with Andy and Julie Plata, Co-CEOs of American Printer, and the OutputLinks Communications Group. Andy and Julie have long served the industry, first as printers, service providers, analysts and now media providers. They share their insights into our changing industry and what it will take for businesses to thrive into the future. 

Rick Neumann is Vice President Operations at IWCO Direct and newly elected to the Association for PRINT Technologies board of directors. In this session he talks with Thayer Long about his company,  the viability of direct mail as a major marketing channel and his own journey in this industry. 

In the first podcast of 2021, Thayer chats with Peter Gunning, CEO of Nettl and Julie Shaffer, of APTech. We first heard from Peter during the April 2020 LeadingPRINT Summit and in this podcast, he discusses how the COVID crisis impacted business in the U.K. and his plans to expand the Nettl network into the U.S. 

In the final podcast of 2020, Thayer chats with Donna Covannon of Xeikon, a digital press manufacturer that rolled out its first color digital press in 1988. Xeikon serves the commercial print and label industries with dry toner and UV inkjet presses. They discuss the importance of manufacturers supporting their clients and look at trends for 2021 and beyond. 

In this episode, Thayer Long talks with Tanzima Habib, a PhD scholar at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) whose research is in the area of 2.5D printing and visual appearance workflow management. This is a fun and not-too-technical discussion and you'll learn about iccMAX and the future of color management.

Thayer talks with Kevin Abergel about the importance of creating a community in the print industry and how Kevin has built an active user group among the most creative MGI customers. 

Sarah Markfield talks with Tony Nuzio of ICC Logistics on how APTech members can save money on shipping through audit and negotiation. This is one of the best ways to manage spend in a time when we need it most. Listen to this discussion and then take advantage of this member benefit!

If you want the facts on mailing topics, talk to Angelo Anagnostopoulos, Vice President, Postal Affairs at GrayHair Software. Thayer Long did just that, and in this podcast, Angelo sets the record straight on a number of the postal topics you've been hearing about in the mainstream media. We know you'll enjoy this very timely discussion.

In this podcast, Thayer and Kurt Ruppel, Director Postal Policy and Marketing Communications at IWCO Direct, talk about some of the mailing and postal issues of greatest concern to print and mail service providers today. 

In this episode, Thayer chats with well-know industry consultant Howie Fenton. 

In this episode, Thayer catches up with Rob Burton, who's been CEO of industry giant Cenveo since September 2018. Rob shares how the business has fared through the 2020 COVID crisis and how adapting to change is essential to future success.

Thayer catches up with Brian Meek, President at Ohio Envelope Manufacturing Company. 

Thayer Long talks with Phillip Palicka, a national account executive for Victor Envelope. Phillip has been with Victor for five years, right out of university and is one of the young "next generation" professionals choosing a career in the printing industry.

Heather Poulin, Vice President Commercial & Industrial Printing Marketing at Ricoh USA, Inc. joins Thayer Long and talks about the trends she's seeing today what she sees driving innovation in the printing industry for the future. 

Thayer and Deborah talk about the importance of living in the moment and how to take advantage of the opportunities that the COVID-19 situation has introduced. Deborah offers some solid advice on how industry businesses can provide "crisis management" support to customers, especially in the retail sector. 

Ken Garner talks with Marc Lovci of Duggal Visual Solutions, a NYC-based visual communications company, about their efforts to provide support for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Thayer Long brings Linda Casey, editor-in-chief of BPX magazine, back for a third discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on brands. In this episode, they focus on how consumer behavior is evolving and will continue to change shape as we go forward. 

Ken Garner brings the group of printing company leaders back together to follow up on their initial discussion during March 2020 on the impact of the COVID-19 situation on business. Things have certainly changed in two months and the group look at where they are now and how then envision the future. With Jon Budington, CEO, More Vange, Gina Danner, CEO, NextPage, and Mike Graff, CEO, Sandy Alexander. 

Olympus Group is a leader in the custom printing and sewing industry, specializing in large format digital and dye-sublimation printing, creating some of the world's most iconic mascot costumes. Brian Adam, President, talks with Ken Garner about how the company is now helping their community, and keeping the plant running, printing safety gear for medical teams and first responders during the COVID crisis. 

Thayer Long catches up with Linda Casey, Editor-in-Chief of BXP magazine, two weeks after their initial discussion about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on brands. In this segment, they discuss retail sales, both brick-and-mortar and online as well as the importance of packaging, especially in the food sector.

This is the first episode in a series about print service providers that are stepping up to make a difference in these challenging times. APTech's Ken Garner talks with Bill Duerr, President of Hatteras, a company that's taken the initiative to produce and deliver thousands of face shields to front line medical professionals. Prepare to be inspired! 

In this podcast, Thayer talks with Erik Norman of Bolger, an innovative printing company located in Minneapolis, MN, about surviving and thriving during these trying times. 

This is the third of a series of discussions on how the COVID-19 situation is impacting business. In this podcast, APTech's Thayer Long talks with Linda Casey, Editor-In-Chief, BXP Magazine (an ST Media Group publication focused on brand experience.) This podcast was recorded March 27, 2020. 

This is the second of a series of discussions with print industry business leaders discussing how the COVID-19 situation is impacting their businesses. APTech's Ken Garner talks with Deirdre Ryder, CEO of VITS International, Nick Bruno, President Harris & Bruno International and Steve Mattingly, Sr. Vice President, Southern Lithoplate. This podcast was recorded March 18, 2020. 

Thayer Long talks with Rick Sands, president of Fenway Group. Rick outlines the progressive vision that led to forming this comprehensive communications company; and describes their multi-channel hub and spoke business model that results in print-centric marketing campaigns. Looking towards future business opportunity, Rick talks about a strategic view of print, staying ahead of the clients in terms of latest possibilities. He shares examples of working with and supporting millennials that are in the workforce now.  

This is the first of a series of discussions with print industry business leaders, who discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic is, and could continue to, impact their businesses. APTech's Ken Garner talks with Mike Graff, President and CEO of Sandy Alexander, Gina Danner, CEO of NextPage and Jon Budington, CEO of More Vang. This podcast was recorded on March 12, 2020. 

Thayer Long and Gina Danner, CEO of Nextpage, discuss how personal life decisions and goals transition to successful business growth. As an innovative marketing leader, Gina describes what it means to deliver more than print; how to uncover opportunities by engaging with customers; and how to approach a new generation of designers who have little experience with print.

Benjamin Greenzweig is co-founder and CEO of Momentum Group, producing conferences on a variety of business topics; legal, regulatory, enterprise technology and marketing for select industries. Last year, Momentum launched a conference called The Print Event and it was here he and Thayer Long first met. After some discussion about this event, Ben talks with Thayer about his mission to destigmatize mental health issues and his own struggles with depression. 

Thayer Long and Debbie Nicholson, wide-format consultant and owner of Think to INK!, talk about the many different elements of large format printing and the creative opportunities around key vertical markets. Debbie, passionate about helping companies add value through wide format printing, brings up important considerations for business owners entering or expanding within this highly versatile industry segment.

Thayer Long talks with Jeff White as he begins his new role, Director of Development, for the Print and Graphics Scholarship Foundation. Jeff shares his perspectives on attracting and retaining highly skilled, trained employees that are in demand by printers striving to expand their business around the increasing high-tech nature of the print industry today. Jeff talks about his renewed focus with the foundation on reaching and supporting new talent among high school and college students.

Thayer Long and Dan Muenzer, president of TLMI, talk about leadership; especially TLMI's leadership role for its members and within the tag and label industry. Dan clarifies how the association's name and tag line changes represent a revitalized association. He provides insight into mobilizing such a large, diverse group of companies for collaboration and mindshare in resolving comparable business challenges.

Thayer Long talks with Steven Schnoll, owner and managing partner of Schnoll Media, who interacts with all elements of the supply chain; manufacturers, printers and end users. In his current role as an omnichannel marketing technologist, Steven has unique insight; looking at the industry from the inside as well as from the outside. Their discussion considers the very strategic thought process that printers need to follow to become omnichannel providers, how print must connect with the end user, and be presented as an exciting, current industry to attract a new generation of leaders.

Frank Romano, is one of the most familiar names in the printing industry, renowned worldwide for his knowledge and insight. Listen to this entertaining and wide-ranging discussion between Frank and Thayer Long touching on the seismic changes that upended the industry in the mid 1990's but how businesses have and will continue to thrive! Frank also shares a few game-changing predictions for the future. 

Eric Vessels in one of the driving forces behind independent print and digital media platform WhatTheyThink. In this podcast, Eric and Thayer talk about entrepreneurship and the importance of trying new things in building and maintaining a successful business.