PromoTalks: The Official PPAI Podcast

Welcome to PromoTalks, the official PPAI podcast. In this episode, PPAI Presents: “The Path To Simplifying Corporate Social Responsibility” with our guest Neil Ringel, CEO of Polyconcept. Today's moderator is Josh Ellis, director of publications and editor at PPAI. 

In this episode, PPB Presents: UnSales Sales - Debunking Top Sales Perceptions with our guest Suzanne F. Stevens, noted author, international speaker, social entrepreneur, moderator, host, adventure traveler and keynote speaker at The PPAI Expo in January. Today's moderator is Pamela Brown-Matthis, PPAI's professional development manager. 

Welcome to PromoTalks, the official PPAI podcast. In this episode, PPB Presents: The Shift In Breakthrough Thinking with our guest Simon T. Bailey, noted speaker, author, veteran hospitality executive and keynote speaker at The PPAI Expo in January. Today's moderator is Pamela Brown-Matthis, PPAI's professional development manager.

The PPAI Expo is returning to Las Vegas in January—and so is skucon, the one-day education-based experience produced by communsku that's taking place on Sunday, January 9, 2022. The big news is that the upcoming program is being offered both in-person in Las Vegas and also virtually, so those who haven't already registered (the conference recently sold out) can attend virtually.commonsku's Co-Founder Mark Graham and Chief Content Officer Bobby Lehew recently talked with PPAI about the events new hybrid design and what attendees can expect in PromoTalks' latest podcast. Listen to the free, 18-minute podcast here and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Find all PPAI PromoTalks podcasts here.This year's skucon features a roster of exciting speakers including Davis Smith, founder and CEO of outdoor and lifestyle brand Cotopaxi, and Aaron Draplin, founder of Draplin Design Company, whose clients include Nike, Wired, Patagonia and other high-profile brands.In the podcast, Graham and Lehew also discuss what goes into designing a program like skucon and share some of their personal favorites about this popular event that's been offered in conjunction with The PPAI Expo since 2015. For details and registration, visit www.skucon.com.

Listen in as Sy Ereren, president and founder of San Diego, California-based supplier Terry Town, talks about his dream for the company when it was formed in 1988 and his journey since then to become a major player in his product category. This 15-minute podcast is the final episode in PPAI PromoTalks' Entrepreneur Series. Listen here and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Find other episodes in this series and all PPAI PromoTalks podcasts here.

Yvonne Zeman, founder and president of distributor Monarch & Company, launched her company at age 25 as an outlet for her creativity. Now, 12 years later, she's taking a bold step toward continued growth. Hear her reasons for the move and more in the latest episode of PPAI PromoTalks' ongoing Entrepreneur Series.

In high school, Jae Rang, MAS, president and CEO of Oakville, Ontario, distributor JAE associates, Ltd., had a startlingly different career path in mind. In this new podcast, she reveals what it was, how she found her way into the promo industry and her best advice for other business owners who are just starting out. Listen to this new episode in PPAI PromoTalks' ongoing Entrepreneur Series here and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Find other episodes in this series and all PPAI PromoTalks podcasts here.

This week's episode in the continuing Entrepreneur Series features Chuck Hammond, CEO of supplier Raining Rose, Inc. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In this candid 24-minute conversation, he talks about his original dream for the company and how it's evolved, the obstacles he's faced and what inspires him.Listen to the free podcast here and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Find the full library of all PPAI PromoTalks podcasts here.

This month, PPAI welcomed new President and CEO Dale Denham, MAS+, who assumed the Association's top staff role after 30 years in the industry. But who is he really? Listen to the latest episode of PPAI PromoTalks as Denham talks with Tina Berres Filipski, director of publications and editor at PPAI, about his new role and priorities for the organization along with insights on his leadership style, what inspires him, why he was drawn to the position and more. This lively 15-minute podcast is sponsored by Kaeser & Blair. It's free to listen and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Access the full library of PPAI PromoTalks podcasts here.https://pubs.ppai.org/media/?tab=podcasts

The pandemic did more than lockdown businesses temporarily and the long-term effects are still being felt on a global scale. As a result, the promo industry has been grappling with an unprecedented situation in the supply chain that is causing significant material and inventory shortages and delays, and disruptions in shipping and fulfilling orders.In the latest episode, PPAI PromoTalks presents The Supply Chain Crisis: An Open Conversation With Suppliers featuring Howard Cubberly, general manager of Goldstar Global and David Berger, a partner with Global Promo. The discussion is moderated by Tina Berres Filipski, director of publications and editor at PPAI.During the 32-minute podcast, Cubberly and Berger share their insights as to what has caused the problem, how suppliers are handling the challenges, what distributors can do and why they think it will alter the industry long-term.This podcast is sponsored by Kaeser & Blair. It's free to listen here and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Access the full library of PPAI PromoTalks podcasts here.

This month, PPAI PromoTalks debuted a new Entrepreneur Series in which promotional products industry business owners share their individual stories, experience and advice to help listeners learn more about the entrepreneurial side of business leadership. In this second episode, Chuck Dahlgren, president and owner of supplier Crystal D in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is the featured guest. This podcast is sponsored by Kaeser & Blair.Listen to the free, 18-minute podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.This podcast earns listeners .5 CEU credits. Find the survey at this link and click Register in the top right-hand corner to begin: https://onlineeducation.ppai.org/products/ppai-promotalks-entrepreneur-series-with-guest-chuck-dahlgren-president-and-owner-crystal-d

This month, PPAI PromoTalks debuts a new Entrepreneur Series in which promotional products industry business owners share their individual stories, experience and advice to help listeners learn more about the entrepreneurial side of business leadership. In this first episode, Scott Dunstan, president of Charlotte, North Carolina, distributor, The Dunstan Group, is the featured guest. This podcast is sponsored by Kaeser & Blair.Listen to the free, 21-minute podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. This podcast earns listeners .5 CEU credits. Find the survey at this link and click Register in the top right-hand corner to begin: https://onlineeducation.ppai.org/products/ppai-promotalks-ppb-presents-its-entrepreneur-series-with-scott-dunstan-the-dunstan-group

Fifty-two industry companies earned a coveted spot on this year's list of PPB's Greatest Companies To Work For based on employee nominations and survey results.In this latest PPAI PromoTalks podcast, PPB Editor Tina Berres Filipski moderates a discussion with leaders from four of these companies to find out what they do to create a productive and satisfying workplace where employees are valued, engaged and happy. Tune in to hear what works from Nigel Harris, CEO/co-founder of supplier Powerstick.com; Laura Ward, CEO/president of distributor Ward Promotional Marketing Solutions, Inc.; Alan Vaught, president of supplier Evans Manufacturing Inc.; and Joshua White, SVP of strategic growth at distributor BAMKO. This podcast is sponsored by Kaeser and Blair. 

In this episode, PPB Presents: “Pandemic Logistics: Where We've Been and Where We're Going,” with special guest, Mike Schween, director of commercial marketing engagement at FedEx, one of PPAI's affinity partners. Tina Berres Filipski, director of publications and editor at PPAI, moderates this conversation. Listen in as Schween discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the shipping industry over the past year and what to expect in the months to come. In this helpful 29-minute episode, listeners will be updated on the status of FedEx shipping while also hearing about their special tools and offerings. Tune in to listen, available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. See below for links mentioned in episode: FedEx Advanced Tracking: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/tracking/advanced.htmlFedEx Compatible: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/compatible.html          FedEx Delivery Manager: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/delivery-manager/business-toolkit.htmlFedEx International Shipping Assist: https://internationalshippingassist.van.fedex.com/en-us  FedEx Ship Manager: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/ship-manager.htmlFedEx Small Business Grant Contest: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/small-business/grant-contest.html      MyQuote: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/freight-services/international-air-freight-quote.html         Regulatory News: https://pages.message.fedex.com/regnews_signup/

In this episode, PPB Presents: “Expert Advice For Secure Credit Practices” with our panel of credit experts: Mike Hopkins, Credit Manager at Paramount Apparel; Chris Birdwell, Credit Strategies Manager at Pioneer Balloon Company; Eric McMahon, Credit Manager at Leed's and Diane Crimmins, CBF, CGA, Group Manager for the Promotional Products Industry Credit Group and program administrator for PPAI Credit Services powered by Forius. Our panelists today are involved in the Industry Credit Group, are members of National Association of Credit Management (NACM) and are active users of the PPAI Credit Services platform.Our moderator is Tina Berres Filipski, director of publications and editor at PPAI. Listen to expert advice from our panelists as they discuss their best business practices and share their experiences. Tune in to listen, available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Learn more about PPAI Credit Services: http://www.ppai.org/affinity, http://ppai.org/PPAICreditServices

In this episode, PPB Presents: "Giving Back By Paying It Forward" with two recent recipients of PPAI’s H. Ted Olson Humanitarian Award: Rod Brown, CAS, founder and retired CFO of distributor MadeToOrder who won the award in 2020 and Bob Waldorf, CAS, founder of Idea Man, our 2021 recipient. Our moderator is Tina Berres Filipski, director of publications and editor at PPAI.In this inspiring 33-minute conversation, Rod and Bob talk about the organizations they support, how and why they got involved and how their lives have been given new meaning through their connections with those groups. Tune in to listen, available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. 

In this new episode, the PPAI PromoTalks podcast welcomes distinguished guests to discuss, "PPB Presents: The Exponential Effect Of Volunteerism.” Director of publications and editor at PPAI, Tina Berres Filipski, moderates this conversation with PPAI’s 2021 Distinguished Service Award recipient Mark Abels, MAS, CEO and owner of Selco; and the 2020 Distinguished Service Award recipients Kippie Helzel, MAS and Rick Brenner, MAS +, president of RFBrenner, LLC. In this encouraging 39-minute conversation, Mark, Kippie and Rick discuss how industry volunteerism helped them hone their leadership skills and expand their networks to be better leaders in their own businesses and, in turn, to share that expertise by mentoring others.This podcast is brought to you by Kaeser & Blair. Double your ad specialties income with higher margins, bonuses and an unbeatable referral program. Visit kaeser-blair.com/compare see how you can make more without working more. 

The PRO Act, H.R. 842, makes significant changes to current labor law that will harm the promotional products industry by banning the independent contractor model. The House is expected to consider H.R. 842 as early as March 9, with a possible vote happening this week. Join PPAI’s D.C.-based lobbyist Cliff Andrews and PPAI’s Public Affairs Manager Maurice Norris as they discuss the implications of this proposed legislation on industry companies and how listeners can help oppose it in this PPAI PromoTalks podcast, presented by PPB magazine. Kristina Valdez, associate editor, moderates this valuable discussion. This podcast is brought to you by Kaeser & Blair. The 16-minute podcast, PPB Presents: “Why The PRO Act Is Detrimental To the Promotional Products Industry,” is available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and at PromoTalks. Cliff Andrews is principal of CapCity Advocates, LLC, a federal government relations firm that he opened in 2004. He partners with associations to deliver a wide range of policy issues management, coalition management and association advisement services.Maurice Norris is PPAI’s public affairs manager where he monitors legislative and regulatory developments affecting the promotional products industry, assists Association members with compliance challenges and helps them advocate for their companies with various levels of government. He also serves on the board of the Graphic Communications Workforce Coalition.

In its first episode of the new year, the PPAI PromoTalks podcast presents: "What I Learned From The Pandemic And Other Business Insights” with guests Teresa Moisant, MAS, president of Moisant Promotional Products and the 2021 PPAI Hall of Fame inductee; Wayne Greenberg, MAS, president of Swag Krewe, a division of Geiger and a former PPAI board chair and Hall of Fame inductee; and Todd Pottebaum, MAS+, president of Quality Resource Group, Inc. and PPAI’s 2021 board chair. PPAI Director of Publications and Editor, Tina Berres Filipski, moderates the discussion.In this refreshing 46-minute conversation, Moisant, Greenberg and Pottebaum talk about how they navigated their business through the pandemic, what it took to lead, what they’ve learned about themselves, when they predict the industry will rebound and how it may be different. Tune in to listen, available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

In this week's episode of the PPAI PromoTalks podcast, "PPB Presents: “We’ve Sold PPE. What’s Next?," listeners will hear from three distributor owners who discuss how they were able to rethink what their customers need and find new avenues for sales. Director of publications and editor at PPAI, Tina Berres Filipski, moderates this conversation with special guests, Janie Gaunce, president and CEO at Grapevine Designs; Michael Emoff, chief vision officer at Shumsky and Hillary Feder, MAS, founder of Hillary’s LLC. In this reflective 50-minute conversation, distributors discuss how their businesses have evolved in this new environment, the biggest challenges they’ve faced and the strategies they’ve implemented to keep sales moving. They also share the new business opportunities they see for 2021 and beyond as well as how they’ve worked with clients to restart their businesses. Tune in to listen, available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. For more episodes of PromoTalks, click here.

In this week's episode of the PPAI PromoTalks podcast, "PPB Presents: Growing Your Company Through Acquisitions," experts discuss what makes an acquisition successful and how to know if it’s right for you. Director of publications and editor at PPAI Tina Berres Filipski moderates this conversation with special guests, Jamie Watson, MAS, CPA, financial analyst, at Certified Marketing Consultants, and Jeffry Meyer, MAS, president of Certified Marketing Consultants. In this sharp 19-minute chat, Watson and Meyer talk through what a good business climate looks like to acquire a company, how to know if your company is ready to acquire and how your company can benefit from the move. Hear what these experts predict will be the future of industry acquisitions and what most successful acquisitions have in common. Tune in to listen, available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

In this week's episode of the PPAI PromoTalks podcast, "PPB Presents Innovation: Why It’s Vital For A Thriving Business," special guests discuss the power innovation has to transform a business and disrupt an industry. Director of publications and editor at PPAI Tina Berres Filipski moderates this conversation with special guests, Vicki Ostrom, trend editor at SanMar Corporation and author of the new trends blog, Trendependent, and Jason Lucash, senior vice president marketing and innovation at HPG brands. In this forward-thinking 45-minute discussion, guests dive into how businesses can benefit from innovation, why innovation should be a priority and where inspiration can come from. Listeners will leave with actionable first steps to cultivate and encourage more innovation in their companies.

In this week's episode of the PPAI PromoTalks podcast, "PPB Presents: The Dynamics That Are Changing Buyers’ Businesses," listeners will hear firsthand from buyers about what’s impacting their business and how they’re adapting in the COVID-19 era. Director of publications and editor at PPAI Tina Berres Filipski moderates this conversation with special guests, Kelli Denes, MAS, director of business development and Nicole Van Vleck, MAS, account executive, both with The Vernon Company, and their clients Keith, who is marketing services manager and director of community relations at a construction material and contracting company in Northern California, and Jeff, president and chief operating officer for a family-owned sustainable winery with vineyards in several locations in Northern California.In this eye-opening 54-minute conversation, buyers explore how they’ve adapted to this new environment, the biggest challenges they’ve faced and the future of their marketing programs. Listeners will get an inside look into the reality’s buyers face and gain new ideas on how to help buyers boost business with promotional products.

In this episode, PPB Presents: Meet The PPAI Board Candidates with special guests, Alan Tabasky, vice president and general manager of BEL Promo; Noah Lapine, president and owner of Lapine Associates, Inc. with Ira Neaman, MAS, president of Vantage Apparel and PPAI Board Chair, and moderator Paul Bellantone, CAE, President and CEO of PPAI.In this insightful 46-minute episode, PromoTalks gives a firsthand look into what it takes to serve on the PPAI board as the 2020 candidates introduce themselves and answer questions and discuss key topics with PPAI leadership.

In this episode, PPB Presents: A Look At Race And Diversity In The Promo Industry with special guests, Esmeralda Anaya, marketing manager at Terry Town, and Bryan James, co-owner of distributor Corporate Specialty Insignia, along with moderator Kristina Valdez, associate editor of PPB. In this thoughtful 50-minute episode, PromoTalks dives into what race and diversity looks like in the promo industry. Listen as guests share their experiences with everyday discrimination and offer their insights into how the industry can become more diverse.

In this episode, PPB Presents: Women Of Achievement: A Conversation With Three Who’ve Inspired An Industry with special guests, Paula Shulman, CAS, president of PMS Consulting; Daryll Griffin, MAS, president and CEO of Accolades, Inc.; and Roni Wright, MAS, vice president of The Book Company, along with moderator Tina Berres Filipski, PPAI’s director of publications and editor.PromoTalks spoke with three trailblazing women in our industry who, through their successes, have paved the way for the next generation of industry women. Listen as these powerhouse leaders give advice, discuss navigating failures and hurdles, and share how they’ve seen the industry evolve.

In this week's episode of the PPAI PromoTalks podcast, "Company Rebranding – How To Get It Right," Tina Berres Filipski, editor of PPB magazine, moderates a conversation with Anna Branch, marketing and brand strategist, and Carson Roncketto, chief operating officer, both of Fayetteville, Arkansas, distributor Creative. The company won a 2020 PPAI Gold Pyramid Award for its rebranding program.The new podcast explores determining when it's time to rebrand, how to spot the indicators of a much-needed revamp, the steps it takes to reimagine a company's brand and how to know when you've got the right results. Tune in to listen to this insightful and helpful 36-minute discussion available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

In this episode, PPB Presents: Selling in a Post-Coronavirus World with special guests, Jeremy Lott, president of SanMar and Greg Muzzillo, founder of Proforma, along with moderator Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI.Listen as the conversation takes a deep dive into the challenges these owners and their businesses are facing, how the lockdown has affected their sales and teams, what their strategy has been over the past few months, their quick pivot to PPE, how sales practices have changed, the future for meetings between suppliers and distributors and where trade shows will fit into the mix, among other topics.

What does leadership look like in the midst of a global pandemic? As companies face social distancing and mandatory temporary business closures, leaders are dealing with plunging revenues and making grueling decisions to keep companies afloat. There is no playbook for these times. Listen in as three industry leaders candidly discuss the issues and challenges they are facing and what they've learned about themselves.PPAI's PromoTalks new episode, "PPB Presents: Leadership In A New Reality" features guests Jo-an Lantz, MAS, president and CEO of Geiger, and Norm Hullinger, CAS, CEO of alphabroder, and moderator Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO of PPAI.Jo-an Lantz, MAS, is president and CEO of distributor Geiger. She has spent her career at Geiger rising to executive vice president, and then being named president and CEO in 2019. She is a former PPAI board chair and was inducted into the PPAI Hall of Fame in 2009.Norm Hullinger, CAS, is CEO of supplier alphabroder. Since joining the company in 2003, Hullinger has led it through significant milestones, including the 2017 acquisition of supplier Prime Line. He currently serves on the PPAI board of directors.As president and CEO of PPAI, Paul Bellantone, CAE, heads up the world’s largest and oldest not-for-profit trade association serving the promotional products industry. He joined PPAI in 2001 and was promoted to his current position in 2011.

In this brand new episode, Generation SPARK presents "Lead, Don't Manage" with special guest Dr. Leah Gallant to discuss how to manage a remote team based on each individual’s strengths and weaknesses using Predictive Index to optimize solutions.Alicia Skipper, CPIM is the PromoGuru at PromoPros/IncentPros, Inc. Alicia enjoys finding new and exciting products to share with our clients to help promote their messages. She joined the work group for SPARK in 2019 and could not be more thrilled. She has earned the designation of Incentive Professional (IP), and Certified Professional of Incentive Marketing (CPIM) in the incentive industry, and aims to show that same level enthusiasm in everything she does. Alicia is the host of the Generation SPARK Podcast, which dives deeper into SPARK Conference topics, attendee perspectives, presenter insights, and more. Dr. Leah Flynn Gallant has worked in student affairs and leadership development for close to 20 years. She is the associate dean for the Student Organizations, Leadership and Engagement Office at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and provides oversight for a number of leadership initiatives on campus, such as LeaderShape and the Community Catalyst Leadership Program that matches alumni leadership coaches with sophomore student. In addition to her leadership work, Leah completed her PhD at Syracuse University in Cultural Foundations of Education. She also received her Masters in Higher Education Administration from Syracuse. In May, she will take on the position of Talent Development Consultant in the Alumni Association/Resource Development shared services area at MIT.Here is the link to the Predictive Index: https://www.predictiveindex.com

In this brand-new episode, PPB Presents: Why Video, Why Now? The Basics You Need To Get Started with our experts, Brady Peterson, owner of Scout Creative Media, a PPAI member company, and Josh Eaton, owner of Media Grabbers. Brady Peterson is a writer, producer and director with more than 4,000 credits to his name. Prior to founding Scout Creative Media in 2007, he was the creative director for one of the largest advertising agencies in the Western U.S. Josh Eaton founded Media Grabbers Inc, a leading production studio, in 2003. Media Grabber's eye-catching content can be seen on screens large and small, ranging from billboards in Times Square to a social media feeds.With nearly all non-essential workers under shelter-in-place mandates to prevent the spread of coronavirus, businesses are looking for ways to remain visible to their clients. Video remains one of the most engaging media for marketing because it creates deep connections and illicit strong emotional responses that make people want to share, like or comment. Video is memorable. It grabs people's attention, keeps your brand top of mind and increases your visibility. In this podcast, you’ll learn how to create great videos to market your company, products or services—even if you’ve never done it before.

PPAI’s Chair of the Board Ira Neaman, MAS; chair-elect of the board Todd Pottebaum, MAS+ and Paul Bellantone, CAE, president and CEO, talk about the effects of the coronavirus on the promotional products industry in the first PromoTalks, the official PPAI podcast. In this debut episode, presented by PPB magazine, these top leaders talk through the challenges facing industry businesses, the economic and personal impact of the pandemic and the threat of a recession along with advice and opportunities for suppliers and distributors. Tune in to listen to this thought-provoking and valuable 30-minute discussion available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

In this debut episode, you'll hear an explanation of what SPARK is, who attends and what we want to achieve with the Generation SPARK Podcast.Alicia Skipper, CPIM, is the promo guru at PromoPros. Alicia enjoys finding new and exciting products to share with clients to help promote their messages. She joined the work group for SPARK in 2019 and could not be more thrilled. She has earned the designation of Incentive Professional (IP) and Certified Professional of Incentive Marketing (CPIM) in the incentive industry, and aims to show that same level enthusiasm in everything she does. Alicia is the host of the Generation SPARK Podcast, which dives deeper into SPARK conference topics, attendee perspectives, presenter insights, and more.Stephen McFadden, CAS, is president of Perfect Promotions & More, Inc. Skilled in creative sales programs, current trend identification, and networking, Stephen is the 2020 SPARK Work Group Chair, and he thrives off the ability to lead a team and opportunities to help people succeed. Stephen enjoys connecting with other industry professionals, brainstorming business strategies and looking for ways to improve the industry. Stephen and his company believe in giving back through promo and have been able to give over $250,000 to a variety of charities in the last seven years.Jody M. Shaw, CMP, PMP, is the Professional Development Manager for PPAI. Jody Shaw is the co-founder of the SPARK program and serves as the staff liaison for the PPAI SPARK Work Group. In addition, Jody oversees speaker relations, event management and education sessions at the PPAI Expo and oversees the year-round SPARK program. She has over 16 years of experience in education, event, program and project management. She taught leadership development at MIT for four years and annually teaches the Certified Meeting Planner class in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.