I'm back from Asia, slightly jet-lagged but no worse for wear. For those of you who follow me on Twitter (@ASI_MBell), you probably have a sense of my feelings on the shows I attended (read: Canton Fair = Awful; Hong Kong Gift Show = Awesome). But there are a few thoughts I'd like to convey, lest anyone accuse me of being vague.

First, the Canton Show. This event is held in Guangzhou, China, which is about 2.5 hours outside of Hong Kong. The show is divided into three phases and attracts well over 100,000 attendees from around the globe, with exhibitors showing items like electronics and household goods, hardware and tools, consumer goods, gifts and home decorations, textiles, office supplies and bags, among others. Many of the ad specialty suppliers here in North America attend the show to find new items for their lines; I attended in my capacity as editor of ASI's supplier magazine, Supplier Global Resource, looking for product trends for our upcoming show report.

And while I will concede that there were massive amounts of products on display, here are some other tidbits about the show: You know how in movies and literature, hell is portrayed as a sulfurous slog of mind-melting heat and unrelenting torture? That's the Canton Fair, only with a crappier floor plan and a nastier smell. If you've ever had a doubt that we (ASI, PPAI, etc.) do a stellar job at organizing trade shows, I defy you to visit this dystopian mess just once. With a staggering lack of show staff, directional signage, printed materials like booth listings or basic services (the "Press Room" was a metal chair and a Xerox machine),  I had a meltdown of epic proportions -- complete with Homeric yelling -- on Day Two, as I tried to find the area where the shuttle buses were parked. Literally no one could tell me. I finally found the buses on the last day of the show, parked somewhere near Beijing.

And while this may be a cultural thing, I take issue with exhibitors sitting and eating their lunch while attendees are in their booth. I don't know one supplier in North America who would be okay with their booth staff slurping down noodles in front of clients and prospects. There's right, there's wrong and there's just plain rude.

Now, my boss, Rich Fairfield, ASI's executive vice president and publisher who accompanied me to the show and became my de facto "handler," pointed out that many people love this show. Maybe, but I don't know any of them. The people from our North American industry in attendance were hardly avid fans. I think Rich is afraid the Canton show organizers will read this blog and ban me from future shows. I should be so lucky.

By contrast, the Shenzhen Gift Fair was a delight. Run by the fine folks at Reed Exhibitions (the same group who does the fabulous PSI Show in Dusseldorf), this event was cohesive, air-conditioned, easy to follow and had beautiful booths with higher-end products. Next year, when the Canton Fair shuns me, this is where I'll be.

Lastly, the Hong Kong Gifts & Premiums Show is really quite fabulous. It's at this event where I found a ton of cool, new products -- especially in its expansive Hall of Fine Designs -- that knocked my Manolos off. You'll be seeing many of them, I'm sure, coming to a supplier's line near you.

And now, without further ado, scores of fun and weird photos from the shows, starring my favorite industry celebs and new friends too!

More next week from the ASI New York Show, where the saltiness, sassiness and snarkiness I accumulated in China will have dissipated, and I'll be my usual perky, rah-rah, chipper self (she says sarcastically). ; )

Cheers!

-- M

At each entrance to the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, China, a very somber, perfectly postured Chinese soldier stood in full regalia. By the end of the first day of this hellish show, I was ready to throw myself at his feet and beg to be put out of my misery.	The main entrance to the Canton Show, which draws over 100,000 international attendees during its three phases at the end of each April.
Here's my boss, Rich Fairfield, ASI's publisher and executive vice president, with Rob Spector, owner of Spector & Co., one of the largest and most respected suppliers in Canada, at the Canton Show. Poor Rob... Every time he saw me on the show floor, I wailed at him like a crazy woman about how much I loathe that show. He exhibited the patience of Job with me.	The best, and prettiest, booth I saw at the Canton Show, for a supplier of housewares. By decorating their exhibit area with foliage and white lights, it looked like an enchanted forest.
Rich Fairfield, of whom I'm so fond, could eat Chinese noodles and dumplings (from questionable origins, mind you) every day of his life. Me, not so much.	Brace yourselves: While at the aforementioned Canton Show in Guangzhou, I, Rich and Alan Lee, our wonderful colleague based in Hong Kong, had lunch. I am not an adventurous eater at all, and shied away from anything but the basics while in Asia, sticking to white rice. Alan, however, embraces his culture and eats all sorts of exotic fare. When he cracked open this one-year-old (yep) egg, I happened to have a mouthful of rice -- which I then promptly spit all over Rich, gagging in the process. I don't know about your boss, but I thank God that mine is so laid back that he actually laughed til he cried, despite the fact that I hurled on him.
While in Guangzhou, I received a delightful e-mail from PCNA's enigmatic president, David Nicholson, asking me to join him and his team, who would be going out that evening to celebrate his birthday. Of course, I jumped at the chance. What I didn't know at the time was that a river of tequila and sombreros would be involved. Here's the whole group -- members of PCNA, PFConcept (the company's European arm) and its World Source sourcing team. They were such wonderful, fun people I even thought well of them the next morning, when -- in the cold, hard light of day -- my eyelashes were stuck together and I was begging for a quick and painless death.	Here's me with PCNA's president, David Nicholson. I have no idea what we're looking at off camera, but would hazard a guess that it's my dignity and restraint.
PCNA's David Nicholson (left) with Rodolph Garnier, director of sourcing for Polyconcept GBS, based in Shanghai.	(From left): Peter Healy, PCNA's vice president of product development and sourcing; AJ Dickson, category manager; Diane Gerken, assistant category manager; and Mindy Hoffman, category manager for PCNA. I had never met any of these people before that night, and they were just awesome. Special props to Diane, who was the youngest of the group yet acted infinitely more mature than those of us in an older demographic, and Peter, who had the singular distinction of making me laugh so hard that I snorted vodka through my nose. Good times.
A moment now, about Jeff Brown, PCNA's senior vice president of sales & marketing: Every time I get to spend time with Jeff, I enjoy him even more -- he's one of the most entertaining conversationalists I've come across in the industry. He's shown here with the lovely and talented Heather Smartt, product category manager for Bullet. While Heather's last name is perfect for her, Heather Sassy would be equally apropos. ; )	In addition to the multitude of talents David possesses in the business arena, he has one of the steadiest pours I've ever seen and kept the tequila flowing during his birthday celebration. That tequila looks innocent enough, doesn't it? The next morning, though... Hoo Boy. You just want to heave yourself into a coffin and shut the lid.
Here's the whole group, celebrating David Nicholson's 42nd birthday at a fun bar in Guangzhou, China. Truly, being with this amazing team was the highlight of this leg of the trip. (Where's my sombrero, you may ask? Stuffed under my chair, with my willpower...)	Here's one to make my Mom proud, with a sombrero around my neck, kissing a bottle of Jose Quervo.
Do you know my Joshy Goodelman (left)? Well, you should. He's the vice president of sales for the NY-based supplier Liqui-Mark Corp., and is the cat's meow. Here, he's with his BFF Taylor Tadmor, owner of Tekweld and one of my new favorites (I call him the "Crazy Israeli" -- he rocks) and Jacky Chan, who runs Taylor's China office. "Jacky has a team of four people that go out to the factories that we use to do quality control," Taylor says.	This is the view of the harbour in Hong Kong, from my room at the W Hotel. Once I got to Hong Kong, my mood improved dramatically.
The welcome display at the main entrance of the Hong Kong Gifts & Premiums Show.	When I asked Rich Fairfield to go stand next to this plush QR code mascot for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, he looked at me with such disdain it was as though I asked to drain his marrow. "I don't like fuzzy walking mascots... they freak me out." This from the man who'll eat skeezy dumplings from vendors in the streets of China.
My boys!!! [Insert teenybopper squeal here] Oh, let me count the ways that I adore Polyconcept's Yann Leca (left) and Michael Bernstein. A large part of the reason why I made the trek (a 16-hour flight each way) to Asia was to spend time with them. So gleefully giddy was I to be with them, that Rich is considering paying them just to travel with us to keep my bitchiness at bay.	I just love who you randomly run into when traveling overseas. While at an Italian restaurant with my Polyconcept pals, I spotted Bill and Sharon Miller, distributors from BCG Creations in Canada, who I had met at a dinner last year at the ASI Dallas Show. They are quite the fun characters...
Here's PCNA's Jeff Brown (left) and Rodolphe Normandin, director of marketing and product development for PFConcept, Polyconcept's European arm.	Meet Rob Brandegee (left) of too-cool-for-school company, Littlearth, and Patrick Tornqvist, president of OneSource IML (learn more about them here: www.osiml.com). These two are at the top of my "get to know better and party with more" list, as the look on Patrick's face leads me to believe he's got quite a few fabulous stories to tell.
Polyconcept CEO Michael Bernstein (left), Steve Kaufman, the president of Creative Design & Marketing Inc., (is it me, or does he look like a young Albert Brooks?) and Rob Brandegee, who's been friends with Michael for years. The CEO of Littlearth, Rob's company is a licensee for the NFL, NHL, MLB, NBA and collegiate teams (check out his site here: www.littlearth.com). Rob was rocking a hoop earring, lots of Keith Richards-esque bracelets and a Jim Morrison slithery-come-hithery vibe, so I anointed him with the nickname "The Sexy Pirate," which is how I shall refer to him henceforth.	Me, with my brother-from-another-mother, Michael Bernstein. One of the first people I met in the industry nearly 15 years ago, my affection for him knows no bounds. So comfortable am I with him, that he has the distinction of being one of three people in the industry who's seen me barefoot (no stilettos!) and without makeup. Eeesh.
Here's me and my beloved Yann Leca, or "Shakira," as I call him. Why? If you ever saw him dance, you'd know. His hips don't lie.	One of my favorite couples ever, Philippe and Martine Varnier. So gracious and charming are they, that they had me to their home in Paris for dinner a few months back, and it was one of the most enjoyable meals I've had in quite some time. Monsieur Varnier, who recently stepped down as Polyconcept's CEO, has a special place in my heart and is so charismatic, his aura has an aura.
Meet my friend Allon Todres (right), shown here with his business partner, Conor O' Donovan, who run a sourcing company and they are awesome! Click here for more information: www.theODMGroup.com.	One of my great regrets at this year's Hong Kong Show is that everyone's schedule was so busy, I didn't have a chance to cocktail with the fabulous and hilarious Bryan Peach (left) and Bert Prevoo, who run the Corporate Gifts Association of South Africa (www.cgasa.com). They are men after my own liver, and I look forward to hanging out with them and embracing our inner-libertines together the next time we're all in the same city. Cheers, Guys!
Michael Freter, managing director of the PSI Show, which is held every January in Düsseldorf, Germany.	If you've never met the Tangle Man (aka Richie Zawitz), you're really missing out. Here he is (right) with his son, Nick, in their fun and phantasmagorical booth at the Hong Kong Show. Richie is the creator of the famous Tangle toy (www.tangletoys.com) and is one of the most unique characters I've ever come across. A true San Francisco-based hippie, he also says "groovy" more than anyone I know.
A view of Hong Kong from the ferry to Kowloon.	Two of my favorites! Gene Geiger and Jo-an Lantz, who were in Hong Kong for their annual WAGE (World Advertising Gift Exchange) meeting, graciously made some time to have drinks with Rich and me. The WAGE group is really cool because there's one distributor who gets voted into the group from more than 15 countries across the globe. Geiger has been the designated US member for years, and this year, Jo-an is president of the group. You go, Girl!
Here's the always-awesome Steve Levschuk, president of Toronto-based Talbot Marketing and WAGE's Canadian member, and Tatiana Zaragoza, whose company is the WAGE member from Spain.	Oh my Lord, it's Randy Chen, who -- at 6'2", 220 lbs -- is the other Great Wall of China! The loquacious Mr. Chen, the straw that stirs the industry cocktail, acted as tour guide and translator for Brett Hersh, who visited the Asian shows for the first time. Truly, he couldn't have been in better hands and Randy knows everyone in China through his importing company, Impex, which does product sourcing, warehousing and safety testing for suppliers. Love, love, love these boys.
Liqui-Mark's Joshy Goodelman (left) and ASI's Rich Fairfield, relaxing at the Grand Hyatt after the Hong Kong Show.	Rich Fairfield and Brad Gnesin, who handles sourcing for Counselor Top 40 supplier Logomark, at dinner at Tango!, an Argentinean steakhouse in Hong Kong.
Here's Maggie Wheeler, vice president of new product development for Logomark, with the one and only Trevor Gnesin, owner/president of Logomark, and me. Never one to suppress his opinions, the only thing in rarer form than him that evening was my filet. If the industry were a movie and we were casting "crazy CEO with a big heart and bigger mouth," Trev-ah would get a callback.	And last but certainly not least is my girl Bonni Sandy, president of Dard Design. Bonni has been attending the Asian shows for years and knows her stuff down cold. She is simply one of the smartest -- and sweetest -- people I know. Great seeing you, Sista!

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Tuesday
April 17, 2012

Baby You Can Drive My Car (But Only If You Give Me a Pen First …)

Filed under: Fun, Personal

Hi Everyone!

Hope you’re all doing well and reveling in the fan-freakin-tastic summer-tease weather we’re having!

Me, I’m loving it for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is that I recently bought a new convertible that I adore. I waited way too long to get a new car because — like 99% of the population (I did a survey — really!) — I’d rather gargle with shards of glass than submit to the car-buying experience. Few things are as laborious or annoying. And silly me, I thought that since I knew the type of car I wanted, it would be an easy process. (Insert eye roll and pained sigh here.)

So, leave it to me to show up on a cold, rainy, dreary day in February to test-drive my beloved convertible. It was coup de foudre (“love at first sight,” as the French say), so I pulled out my checkbook and prepared to pay in full, in cash. I say that not to sound like a diva, but because — in this economy — wouldn’t you think the car dealership would show me a little appreciation and love by way of lavishing ad specialties on me?

Let me end the suspense. Not only did the (very nice) guy who sold me the car fail to offer me any promo items with the dealership’s (one of the largest in this area of PA) logo on them, but he astonishingly asked me if he could borrow a pen when we were signing the paperwork. Really??? I mean, at the bare minimum, pens with the dealership’s logo should have been ubiquitous. You know what else would have been nice? A tote bag filled with an ice scraper, a tire gauge, a blanket, an emergency kit and an autoshade. Just sayin’.

My friend Lisa Bennett, the multi-line goddess based in Chicago, had a fabulous suggestion: A company she reps, Toddy Gear (asi/91411; www.toddygear.com), carries these snazzy little antimicrobial, double-sided cloths that clean, buff and polish smooth surfaces — ideal for the screen on the built-in navigation system/satellite radio in the new car. I now have some of these, courtesy of Lisa — not the dim bulbs at the car dealership.

That’s my frustration: There are TONS of cool items like this one that would be perfect for the auto market available in our industry. Why doesn’t the dealership I dealt with know about them? Because, I think, they’re not being properly promotionally serviced. Consequently, I implore local distributorships to call on them now, with voluminous amounts of case histories and bags of samples in tow.

So, I ask you: Am I just spoiled and suffering from a sense of ad specialty entitlement because of the industry we’re in? Am I wrong to expect at least a logoed pen when buying a new car? Also, I’ve never been one of those people to name her car, but this blue/grey metallic convertible is so zazzy, I’m thinking about it. Any suggestions? The one who comes up with the winning name gets a $50 gift card and a ride in my car next time you’re in Philly. 

Cheers, and more next week, when I’ll be in Guangzhou, China, for the Canton Show (or, as I call it, “Dante’s Ninth Circle of Hell”) and Hong Kong for the Gifts & Premiums Show. Stay tuned for lots of commentary and photos of the coolest new products and nastiest seafood you could ever contemplate. ; )

– M

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Wednesday
March 28, 2012

Simple Tips for Successful E-Mail Marketing

Filed under: Editorial, Personal

(Hi Everyone! My colleague Caitlin is guest-blogging for me as I wrap up some magazine deadlines. Tune in next week, when I will be blogging — read: ranting — about buying a new car and the lack of ad specialties used by the car dealer. And now, without further ado, Caitlin’s blog…. Cheers!  Michele)

Greetings, Web Friends!

This is Caitlin, and I’m filling in for Michele’s “regularly scheduled” blog post. I work in the Production Department at ASI, so some of you may already know me. I coordinate your print ads AND your digital ads like EmailExpress, eNewsletters, Supplier Specials and Web ads. Since EmailExpress is what keeps me busy for most of the day, I thought I’d share some tips with you on how to get the most out of your e-advertising:

1)      Subject lines. Be sure to use an eye-catching subject line for your ad. This is the first thing distributors see in their inboxes, so you need to give them a reason to open the e-mail. Remember the adage “K.I.S.S.” – Keep It Simple, Silly! You want this e-mail to really stand out and too much text will only make it blend in with the rest. Use this space to advertise a special promotion that you’re running or a new product that you’re launching.

2)      Teasers. Platinum EmailExpress advertisers are included in a special section of the Promogram newsletter, on ASICentral.com and in our EmailExpress Weekly. You have 250 characters, so use this space to elaborate on your subject line. Remember that you’re trying to entice  distributors to click on the link to take them to your ad.

3)      Ad content. This is where you want to really showcase your products, but don’t feel the need to cram all of them into one e-mail. Choose a few products so there’s room for both your copy and your images.  Are you running a few promotions on a few different products? This would be the space to tell everyone about them! It could be as simple as including 10 extra items for every 100 ordered. Or maybe you want to show next- column pricing. Either way, you want to encourage viewers to click on your ad to get to your site.

4)      Graphics. Use the best images you have available and design a really creative ad. My favorite campaigns always lead with a catchy headline and a noticeable image. Do you sell reusable shopping bags? Why not run a grocery store-themed campaign with an over-stuffed shopping cart filled with flowers, baguettes and wine? The point is, creative imagery can intrigue viewers and make your ads that much more memorable.

5)      Linking. It should go without saying, but make sure your website is user-friendly, distributor-friendly and up-to-date at all times. Your ad will link to the main page of your site unless you’d prefer that it link to a specific page. Are you running an ad for lip balm and want it to link directly to the lip balm section of your site? We can do that! Do you want to link each product to the appropriate page on your site? We can do that too! Don’t forget that we can link your ad to your Facebook and Twitter profiles as well.

6)      Audience. Are you featuring an offer intended for distributors only? Be sure to let us know. If not, please be sure to either supply art for a client-safe ad or ask us to create one for you. Try to figure out the target audience for each product and how to best appeal to them.

I hope that helps you guys capitalize on your advertising! Happy blasting!

– Caitlin

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Friday
January 27, 2012

ASI Orlando: Big Crowds, Balmy Weather & Beaucoup Bon Temps!

Filed under: ASI Shows, Editorial, Fun, Travel

Hey Everybody!

Try not to drop your jaws like Nutcracker dolls, as I’m actually posting two blogs in one week! 

The last one regaled you with all the delicious details of the fabulous PSI Dusseldorf Show; this one is way closer to home — ASI’s Orlando Show, which was off-the-charts crazy busy and tons of fun, with the weather sunshine-filled and in the mid-70s (which those of us on the East Coast just covet at this time of year…).  My favorite part? The optimistic, forward-thinking, sunny mood everyone was in — drastically different (and much better) than shows three years ago.

So, without further delay, take a moment to scroll down and peruse my fairly extensive Rogues Gallery of industry raconteurs, luminaries, superstars and hurricane force hell-raisers (aka, All My Favorite People). Sometimes, as is the case here, the photos tell the story far better than I could. ; )

Cheers, and more soon from my upcoming trip to France on February 5th, for the CTCO promo products show (www.salon-ctco.com/en ) in Lyon.

Can. Not. Wait.

– M

A word about the BrandFuel boys: Robert Fiveash and Danny Rosin (shown here, doing their signature move, the “Tebow Plank”), co-owners of the NC- and VA-based distributorship, have been friends since they were kids — which makes them similar both in origin story and capacity for cocktail-fueled fun to The Stones’ own Glimmer Twins, Keith and Mick. As stunningly talented (I worship at the altar of their self-promo campaigns) as they are humble and gracious, I just think the world of them. Click here to see a mini-profile on Robert and his workspace from ASI’s supplier magazine that I edit, Supplier Global Resource.	(From left): I don’t use the word “beloved” often, but truly, that’s how her clients and industry friends feel about Kellie Claudio, vice president of sales for Counselor Top 40 supplier Sweda, shown here with Paige Millard (fact: if you’re really a show road warrior, who doesn’t know and love Paige???), Sweda’s trade show manager, and the lovely Lauren Anselmo, Sweda’s sales operations coordinator.
(From left): Here’s my colleague (hence, much-beleaguered) Joe Haley, managing editor of our magazines and star of ASI’s The Joe Show, with the always-delightful Kathleen Milbier, who heads up the sales efforts for the CA-based supplier Skinit (check out their awesome items here: www.promo.skinit.com) and one of my industry faves, Brad White, vice president of sales for Counselor Top 40 distributor Boundless Network. I’ve branded the extroverted Brad with the moniker “Captain Loudmouth,” which is ironic, of course, since the level of audio coming out of my trap at any given time is a fearsome thing that could make one’s ears bleed.	(From left): The vivacious Candace Hershey, shown here with my pal Vicky Tirpack, Midwest regional manager for Promo Marketing magazine, and her hilarious and awesome colleague, Meredith Edelman, Northeast regional manager for Promo Marketing. Is it me, or do they — a redhead, a blonde and a brunette — look like the industry’s own Charlie’s Angels?
I’d like to tell you that this photo of my editorial colleagues (from left) C.J. Mittica (Wearables‘ editor), Larry Basinait (ASI’s research director), Melinda Ligos (senior vice president/editor-in-chief) and Joe Haley was taken in this blurred fashion to be aesthetically edgy. In fact, I think I still had the shakes from all the Riesling I drank at the PSI Düsseldorf Show.	Why do I love this photo? Not only because it features one of the nicest guys in the industry — Mark Graham (center), owner of the Canada-based distributorship Right Sleeve Marketing (winner of last year’s Counselor Distributor Entrepreneur of the Year award!) — but it just cracks me up that Dana Zezzo (left), ProTowels’ marketing guru and industry gadabout, and ASI’s Joe Haley (right) were clearly Separated at Birth!
Here’s Scott Anderson (left), national sales manager for Counselor Top 40 supplier Polyconcept North America, with One of My Favorite People Ever, PCNA’s Steve Gelernter, known the world over as “Stevie G.”	PromoKitchen, a group of whip-smart and very marketing/social media-savvy suppliers and distributors (the “Chefs”), held a slammin’ soiree at a Greek restaurant in Orlando called “Taverna Opa,” which was fabulous! This is one of the sultry sirens who greeted guests at the door. Learn more about PromoKitchen at www.promokitchen.com.
PCNA’s celebutante, Stevie G, with one of the hostesses at Taverna Opa.	A crowd shot from the rollicking PromoKitchen party at Taverna Opa in Orlando.
So at one point at Taverna Opa, the exotic Greek hostesses roused the crowd at the PromoKitchen party to join them for some on-the-bar dancing. The first two to leap at the offer? ProTowel’s gregarious Dana Zezzo (right) and ASI’s Jake Krolick. Hands up: Is anyone shocked by that? Anyone? (Crickets… Crickets…). And that’s why I love them!
Two words that describe the looks on the faces of BrandFuel’s Robert Fiveash (left) and ASI’s creative director of our marketing department, Jake (or “Jakey,” as we call him back at the home office) Krolick: Mayhem. Imminent.	Two of my favorite ASI colleagues, Jakey Krolick (left) and Colin Graf, marketing director of supplier services. Love, love, love them!
Meet Alex McKenzie (left), a distributor salesperson with Masterwork Custom Wholesale Signs — who used to play for the Seattle Seahawks and the Atlanta Falcons — here with The Funniest Person in the Industry, Glen Colton, owner of the GA-based distributorship Seville Marketing. Glen and I have known each other for 14 years, and he has the distinction of making me laugh so hard that I cry every time I talk with him. He is a HOWL…	Aakron Rule owner Devin Piscitelli, who was also at the PSI Show in Düsseldorf I attended earlier this month, is someone I’ve only recently gotten to know — we always moved in different circles throughout the industry, though I’d always heard how great he is. And truly, he lives up to the hype. Smart, inquisitive, engaging and slyly sardonic, I enjoy him more every time I see him and look forward to getting to know him better.
Here’s my colleague (and designated “handler”) Joe Haley, modeling two creepy masks: one of Spiderman’s nemesis, the Green Goblin (shout-out to Nerdville!) and one of Gary Busey (see photo to the right), as he poses with ASI’s IT saviors, Jason Cissorsky (left) and Jim Talone. We all agreed, hands down, that Busey is way more shudderingly frightening.
Holla! to Mary Ellen Nichols, one of the most effervescent and bubbly personalities in the industry, shown here with ASI chairman Matthew Cohn (center) and the salesperson everyone loves to love, Bodek and Rhodes’ Marc Held.	Counselor Top 40 supplier SanMar won the Best Booth award for an apparel company, and here’s my friend John Lindgren, marketing manager for SanMar, who was integral in the booth’s snazzy, retail-inspired design.
For the first time, ASI presented Best Booth awards to exhibitors, based on attendee text voting. Spirit Awards’ self-created, stadium-style booth took the prize for Best Booth over 10′ x 10′. A fairly new supplier, Babble Text, won among the booths that were 10′ x 10′.
Hollywood may have Brangelina, but in our industry, we have “Mardine,” the impossibly-attractive industry celebs that are Pacific Coast Golf’s Mark Hobbs and PromoBiz’s Nadine Panetti, two of my favorite pals.	Having dinner with Jamie Raynor, my dear friend from JournalBooks, is like being able to relax with someone you can feel supremely comfortable with — she is the definition of grace and equanimity.
My pal Jason Emery, vice president of sales at Counselor Top 40 supplier Logomark and someone who was on Wearables magazine’s “Best Dressed” list in 2011 — a title he lives up to in spades every time I see him.	I just had to snap this photo of CJ Schmidt, someone I adore, right before his company Hit Promotional Products won the Distributor Choice award for Best Keytags & Luggage Tags.
Rarely do I take a photo of someone that captures their personality as much as this one does, of my BFF Tim O’Boyle (“Ringo,” to his nearest and dearest…) from JournalBooks. Something about the glint in his eye and smirk on his face just makes me giggle.	Ah, my dear friends Pete Gleason (left) and Christopher Duffy, with Counselor Top 40 supplier BagMakers, who won a Distributor Choice award for Best Shopping Bags. I’ve known these gentlemen since my wild heyday in the industry (Yep… I used to be worse. Swear. To. God.), and remember with perfect clarity how Christopher, at a party during the PPAI Show in Dallas one year, carried me around on his back — like an organ grinder with his yappy little pet monkey. Good stuff.
Do you know the awesome folks at Counselor Top 40 supplier, Broder? You really should, and I’d recommend starting with Ken Seidl (left) and the ever-charming Chris Blakeslee, who are as super-nice as they are whip-smart about industry apparel. Here they are with my editorial colleague C.J. Mittica, editor of Wearables magazine.	Every year at the Orlando Show, two colleagues of mine at ASI on the Supplier Sales team — the very gracious Phyllis Mutnick and Suzanne Rozick — hold a celebratory dinner-to-die-for at The Palm, for their clients who’ve won and were finalists in the Counselor Distributor Choice Awards. They’re kind enough to invite me along to host a table of guests, and each year, I’m lucky enough to have David Byrne (left) and Jason Grindall from Graphco Line sit with me. The antics ensue soon after… ; )
You know you’ve “arrived” when your visage has been drawn on the famed walls of The Palm, alongside legends and luminaries. Here’s ASI’s president/CEO signing his image at The Palm in Orlando.
Love, love, love these two: Vantage’s Ira Neaman and Bodek and Rhodes’ Mary Ellen Nichols.	Back story: At the aforementioned annual dinner at the Palm, I met Michael Moore, whose family owns Bay State Specialties, last year for the first time. Thirty minutes and four martinis between the two of us later, I was in shock and awe. Oh, Holy Hell: He’s the male me. I only get to hang with him once a year, at this dinner in Florida, and when we do, our cocktailing and subsequent antics have been described as “When Godzilla Parties With Mothra.”
Take a good look at this photo: This is your face on Patron shots. Michael Moore and I, cavorting at The Palm (after which, we may or may not have jumped in a hypothetical fountain and then taken a theoretical golf cart for a joyride…).	Here’s the fabulous Dan Jellinek, vice president of Counselor Top 40 supplier (and 2012 Distributor Choice award-winner!) Magnet LLC, with the most fun couple in the industry, this side of Dan & Natalie Townes: Janet & Bill Korowitz, who run Magnet. So awesome are they, that I actually flew to a show once just to hang out with them. They’re like F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald, without the darkness. “Hilarity was right up their alley, with pandemonium just around the bend…”
ASI’s creative marketing director, Jake Krolick, posing with the models he hired to tout ASI’s new SmartSales service.	How fitting to end this blog with a photo of my illustrious “work husband,” Ron Ball. Our boss, Rich Fairfield, claims that though he loves us, we are his “two most unmanageable employees.” Really? I just don’t get why… ; )

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Tuesday
January 24, 2012

PSI Dusseldorf: A Divine Time (With Lots of Wine) on the Rhine

Filed under: Editorial, PSI Shows, Travel

Well, hello and welcome to a new year, my little revelers and libertines!

I just returned from two back-to-back shows — PSI Dusseldorf and ASI Orlando — each of which was off-the-charts awesome in its own right. First up, PSI Dusseldorf:

Europe’s largest ad specialty trade show, PSI Dusseldorf welcomed 993 exhibitors — a record number for the show and a 16% increase from last year — and 16,167 visitors to the three-day event.

PSI, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, is kind of like the ASI/PPAI of Europe, producing the trade show, publications and analysis of the European marketplace.
 
“According to the recent forecast by Zenth-Optimedia, one of the world’s largest media agencies, the worldwideadvertising market presents itself in a very robust condition in 2012, in spite of the crisis of the euro and stock exchange slumps, with a predicted 1.8% increase for Western Europe and 2% growth for Germany,” said PSI Managing Director Michael Freter, during the show’s kickoff press conference.

ASI’s president and CEO, Tim Andrews — invited by PSI to speak on behalf of the U.S. market — told the international group of VIPs in attendance at the opening event that ASI’s quarterly surveys of its supplier and distributor members have shown eight consecutive quarters for growth. ”We expect 2011 will show an overall increase for the industry in the 5%-7% range – for an expected total of about $18.4 billion – about a billion dollars more than in 2010,” Andrews said.

Also announced at the opening press conference was the first Europe-widestudy on the advertising efficiency of promotional products, conducted by the Association of the German Advertising Industry (GWW). “With total sales of approximately 3.5 billion euro, the promotional products industry in 2011 succeeded once again in increasing from the previous year, when sales of approximately 3.4 billion euro had been generated,” said Patrick Politze, GWW chairman. “Over a period of two years, the promotional products industry recorded an increase of almost 16% compared to the 2009 crisis year.”

In addition to having to-die-for booths and the delicious tradition of serving cocktails and food in each booth, the PSI Dusseldorf Show has become a hallmark for showcasing new design, packaging and color trends, all of which tend to get exfoliated to the North American ad specialty marketplace.

ASI also held a panel discussion on the topic of how European companies can penetrate the U.S. market and vice versa. Tim Andrews asked questions of panelists Michael Bernstein, CEO of Polyconcept’sEuropean supplier group (PFConcept), Michael Nick, CEO of Senator, and Maurizio Castelli, CEO of Lediberg.    

Nick pointed out that, having attended trade shows in the U.S. and Europe, one notable difference is the amount of time distributor attendees spend in exhibitors’ booths. “Here at PSI, visitors to the Senator booth spend approximately 45 minutes discussing business; in the U.S., distributors just wish to be scanned and maybe will spend a minute or two in the booths. It’s a completely different way of doing business.” Bernstein noted that for European companies interested in doing business in the U.S., the two keys are speed of product delivery and avoiding the tendency to “over-promise and under-deliver.” “In Europe, five-day turnaround is considered fast; in the U.S., many of our orders at Polyconcept North America are produced and shipped in a day.” Rod Brown, president of US distributor Made To Order, who was in attendance at the event, said that while the Polyconcept companies in the U.S. — Leed’s, Bullet Line and JournalBooks — have exceptional products, it’s the company’s superior, streamlined operations that he and his company really depend on. “The fact that they do what they say they’re going to makes all the difference,” he said, echoing Bernstein’s point about the advantages of having such streamlined business operations.
Maurizio Castelli, whose leather journals and day planners are sold in the U.S., noted the importance of being true to one’s brand and focusing on the company’s core business. “To concentrate on being a market leader in your niche category is so important,” he said.

The other major news from the show is that for the week of January 9, Germany ran out of Riesling. Why? ‘Cause I drank it all. ; )

Next year’s PSI Dusseldorf Show will be held from January 9-11, 2013. Go to www.reedexpo.de for more information. Will I be there? Check out the photos below and you’ll know the answer. A resounding “Hell to the YEAH!”

Cheers and more on Monday with photos from the ASI Orlando Show (and oh my, were the PromoKitchen peeps in rare form at their party … Love them!).

– M

Did you ever play that game, “If you could pick three people from the industry to be trapped on a desert island with, who would they be?” Well, meet #1 on my list: Michael Bernstein, PFConcept’s CEO. Michael and I have been friends for 15 years, and he’s like my brother (some people actually see a resemblance). I once flew across four states just to have pizza with Michael; to revel in his sardonic wit and whip-smart banter, I’d fly a lot farther for a lot less.	Here’s the uber-bright and super-talented Jo-an Lantz, executive vice president of Counselor Top 40 distributor Geiger. Did you know that she’s been at Geiger since she was 19 years old? She started as a bookkeeper and worked her way up through the ranks. When I first started in the industry 15 years ago, Jo-an was kind enough to mentor me; I’m proud to say over the years that she’s become one of my dearest friends in the industry.
Here’s Michael Woody (left), president of International Marketing Advantages and a past Counselor International Person of the Year, and Bjorn Harenstam, his partner who handles the European market, at the PSI Show, accepting their Oscar for Most Charming Guys Ever! Quite a few people at the PSI Show commented on how much Michael resembles Richard Gere …	Rich Fairfield, ASI’s executive vice president and publisher (and, most challenging of his job descriptions, my boss), gamely poses with two gigantic Teddys at the airport in Nuremberg. I like how the bear on the right looks perpetually stunned — similar, ironically, to Rich’s expression when traveling with me.
Hans Jakop Burkens, head of PFConcept’s sales in the Netherlands (left) and Michael Bernstein, CEO of PFConcept, the European arm of Polyconcept. Michael, whose family founded Leed’s and who was, for years, its CEO, recently reentered the industry and moved his family from Pittsburgh to the Netherlands to helm PFConcept. One of the most brilliant, talented and capable people I know, the company could not be in better hands.	Please — for the love of God — if you’re ever in Sweden, look up Christian Nystrom, who runs the Swedish office of PFConcept, shown here with Michael Bernstein. In equal measures hilarious, dynamic and super knowledgeable on the European marketplace, he was one of my favorite people to spend time with on this trip to PSI. Also, an as aside, his ability to consume cocktails rivals my own and has earned him this nickname from me: The Swedish Fish. Love him!
(From left): Miranda Rodenberg, one of PFConcept’stop salespeople and a woman with so much personality that her aura has an aura, here with Christian Nystrom and Michael Bernstein. If I lived in Europe and bought ad specialties, I’d want Miranda as my rep, as she is known for her rabid devotion to her clients.	ASI’s president and CEO, Tim Andrews, was invited by the management of the PSI Show to address the international press and VIPs at the event’s opening ceremonies. During his speech, Tim discussed the similarities and differences between the U.S. ad specialty market and that of Europe. Similarities? An emphasis on product sustainability; differences? Europe is much more focused on the design elements of a product, while the U.S. concentrates on speed-of-light turnaround time.
This year is the 50th anniversary of PSI, so it was a great honor to have the show’sfounder and industry legend, Walter Jung (left) in attendance with the ever-awesome Hans-Joachim (Hi-Jo) Erbel, who oversees the PSI Show currently. What a fantastic legacy Walter Jung started and nurtured, and what a fabulous caretaker for that vision Hi-Jo is.	Walter Jung (left) and ASI’s Tim Andrews, at the opening press conference kicking off the 50th anniversary of PSI and the start to its 2012 show.
Matthew Cohn, ASI’s vice chairman, jumped behind the podium after the press conference, showing that he’s never met a mic he didn’t like. ; )	ASI’s Tim Andrews and Matthew Cohn, overlooking PSI’s trade show floor.
As I was snapping this photo, I remember thinking, “Oh, Holy Hell: Three of my favorites all in one place — how lucky am I???” From left: Sweda president Jim Hagan, PFConcept CEO Michael Bernstein and Sweda’s vice president of merchandising and marketing, Scott Pearson. Did I giggle like a schoolgirl with these three around me? Yep, so much so I should have my own Disney show…	The PSI Show doesn’t have education events like our U.S. shows do. However, in conjunction with PSI’s 50th anniversary, ASI put together a panel discussion on how to sell into the U.S. marketplace. Here’s Tim Andrews, moderating that discussion, with panelists Maurizio Castelli, CEO of Lediberg (which sells into the U.S. as Castelli); Michael Nick, CEO of Senator and PFConcept’s Michael Bernstein.
(From left): Michael Nick, CEO of Senator (love, love, love him!); ASI’s Tim Andrews; Lediberg CEO Maurizio Castelli (I could listen to him say my name with his Italian accent for days …) and PFConcept’s Michael Bernstein.	Here are two people I’m always happy to see, regardless of the country I’m in — the very charming and fun Paul Bellantone (left), PPAI’s president, and David Natinsky, CEO of SAGE. Two of the smartest cookies in the industry, I always enjoy chatting with both Paul and David. (Note: I think Paul’s eyes were closed in this photo because he was thinking, “Oh God, no… I’m on Michele’s blog again…” LOL!)
Maurizio Castelli, CEO of Lediberg, and the one and only Missy Kilpatrick, quite the industry celeb in her own right. Missy handles all the sales and operations of Castelli in the NorthAmerican marketplace, and they’re very lucky to have her with them indeed. She is such a luminary in the U.S. marketplace, she practically hauls the sun around with her.	At dinner one night aboard the PFConcept ship they bring in for staffers, execs, top clients and friends to stay on at the show each year (seriously, they dock it right on the Rhine, across from the convention center in Düsseldorf), I got to bask in the fabulousness of The Most Suave Man Ever, Philippe Varnier (right), Polyconcept’s chairman of the board, shown here with Polyconcept North America’s Jeff Brown (left) and Rodolphe Normandin (center), PFConcept’s very sweet marketing and product development director. Fact: Sometimes, when Philippe is talking to me with that mesmerizing French accent of his, I have to mentally snap back to attention and focus on what the hell he’s actually saying.
Here’s my pal Missy Kilpatrick– so cute, SO fun — who partied with me one night on the PFConcept boat, with my friend Frank Driessens from the tres cool Netherlands-based supplier company Big Bang International. Truly, the next morning at an 8:00 a.m. breakfast — having just gone to bed at 4:30 a.m. — I was mentally begging for a quick death. Then I remembered something Oscar Wilde was fond of saying: “Only dull people are brilliant at breakfast.” And with that, my friends, I have my new mantra.	Missy, surrounded by the European cuties from the supplier company Big Bang. Hand to God: That really is the name of their company (www.bigbanginternational.com), and they really are as awesome and fun as they look.
Why did I have a hangover that burned with the intensity of 10,000 suns one morning? Meet Francois Vehoeven (left), who runs Big Bang Int’l., shown here with Serge de Warrimont, who really does look like that (no Photoshop needed for him!). I only see Francois once a year, at the PSI Show aboard the PFConcept boat, but that’s enough for me, because his ability to entice one to excess is downright Dionysian, I tell ya! He should walk around with his own theme music, like the opening chords for “Sympathy for the Devil.” ; )	Meeting Yngve Blomstrom (left) and Michael Englund, from the phenomenal company Sporrong, left me impressed and dying to know more. Their company was founded in — wait for it — 1666 (not a typo!), and it’s been in continual operation since then, crafting custom-made metal products. Click here to learn more about them: www.sporrong.com.
Me, with the stunning Cecile Tall, PFConcept’sgeneral counsel, who’s as smart as she is fascinating. I was fortunate enough to have Cecile seated next to me at dinner one evening, and had a delightful conversation with her.	Here’s Jeff Brown, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Polyconcept North America, someone whom I profoundly enjoy because he gets my humor and I get his. Sometimes, when we’re in a group, I look at Jeff and know exactly what he’s thinking …
A new friend, Chris McKee, who heads Geiger’s corporate sales division. A completely engaging conversationalist, Chris is one of those people who makes you feel instantly at ease.
Michael Bernstein and Tim Andrews, at dinner on the PFConcept boat. The PFConcept folks were fabulously gracious hosts to the ASI and Geiger teams.	ASI’s Rich Fairfield, Geiger’s executive vice president Jo-an Lantz and ASI’s Tim Andrews relaxing on the PFConcept boat after a memorable and fantastically fun dinner on the PFConcept boat in Düsseldorf.
Tim Andrews, ASI’s president/CEO, isn’t exactly Michael Phelps in the swimming arena and not so fond of being on water. Consequently, dining on the PFConcept boat, though fabulous, made him a tad twitchy. Cut to the ever-ready Monsieur Varnier, who grabbed one of the ship’s life preservers for Tim to use as an “accessory.” It was, as you can see, the hit of the night.
Geiger’s Jo-an Lantz and Polyconcept’s Philippe Varnier, two of the most fascinating and charismatic people I know in the industry, combining at the PFConcept dinner for some mega-watt star power.	Meet my friend John Lynch, an American who owns Lynka, the largest ad specialty company in Poland, where he lives. John is on the editorial advisory board for Supplier Global Resource, ASI’s magazine for industry suppliers that I edit, and is one sharp guy. Love him to death, and not just because he brings me a bottle of Polish vodka every year at the PSI Show. ; )
And winning the prize as my Favorite New Friends are Alistair Mylchreest and Liz Young from the U.K.-based company Sourcing City, with whom ASI just announced a strategic alliance. (Learn more about them here: <a href=”http://www.sourcin

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Wednesday
December 28, 2011

In With the Old …

Filed under: Editorial, Fun

Happy Holidays, Everyone!

Hope you’re all still basking in the warm glow of being with friends and family, eating your weight in butter cookies and consuming festive cocktails at swanky soirees like it’s your job. Me? I’m on self-imposed detox for the next 10 days, until I retox my way through the PSI Show in Dusseldorf (I’m looking at you, Michael Bernstein. Can. Not. Wait.) and ASI’s Orlando Show.

However, certain factors this holiday season got me thinking, and I’m going to take a stand that will surely have some of you (my gimlet eye is on you, Brad White), shaking your heads and saying, “God, she’s so antiquated.” You know what? Meh. I don’t care.

Now, while I appreciate all the holiday e-cards and social media festive “e-greetings” that have been sent my way in the last month, nothing — and I mean nothing — takes the place of a handwritten holiday card or a self-promo holiday mailer.

Case in point: My OCD is never worse than at the holidays when I send out 500+ (Kid You Not … This year the grand total was 511) cards, each with a handwritten personalized note. Even more obsessive, everyone gets a card chosen especially for them. No mass sentiment for me, thank you very much. Which means, for example, that Danny Rosin from BrandFuel got a card chosen specifically for him and different than the one I sent his business partner, Robert Fiveash, also chosen just with him in mind.

I know it sounds crazy, and trust me, my right hand looks like a swollen claw after writing out 500+ cards, but you wouldn’t believe the response I get. Industry salespeople are always asking how they can set themselves apart from their competition, how they can build their own brand and stay top-of-mind with clients. Take my word for it: It’s as simple as sending a handwritten note. Why? Because no one does it anymore.

So, I implore you: power down from your e-communications and go old-school, just for two weeks. You’ll be pleasantly surprised, I believe, by the feedback you get. Don’t believe me?

Witness the entrance to my office at ASI: Filled with cards from industry friends, colleagues and acquaintances, most of whom received my card and were so giddy over the tactile experience of getting actual mail, that they responded in kind. The byproduct? Increased communication and stronger relationships.

Two whip-smart distributors we all know took it one step further by sending out holiday promos — Counselor Top 40 distributor Proforma and one of the hottest shops out there, Bluegrass Promotions (see photos and descriptions below). I spoke to reps at both companies, and return they’ve already seen from a comparatively small investment in the products, packaging and mailing has been off-the-charts. Seriously, what a way to start the new year. (Side note: Right up there with how Kim Kardashian graduated high school and whether Nancy Grace truly is the Antichrist, I’m continually baffled by why my beloved suppliers — who know more about the effectiveness of their products than anyone — don’t employ their own marketing medium and do self-promos.)

I love how Proforma “themed” its holiday promo around coffee: a substantial travel mug, festive cookies and a Starbucks gift card. The personalized Leed’s pen? A classy touch …

Who DOESN’T love baked treats at the holidays? What makes this mailer, from the smart cookies at Bluegrass Promotions, so unique is the customized packaging and tie-in promo copy: “This holiday season, we’ve cooked up something special for you.” Billy Booe, vice president of business development at Bluegrass and a multimillion-dollar sales producer, sent an e-greeting in advance of the cookies being mailed, letting recipients know they’d be getting something special (a Photoshopped Booe as an animated elf was a howl). The response? “People go wild for these mailers and remember us for their promotional needs because of it,” Booe told me.

So, here’s my challenge to you: Create a self-promo campaign within the first quarter of 2012 for 20 clients or prospects. Putting my money where my (really expansive) mouth is, I’m willing to pony up $250 for both the supplier and distributor company with the best campaign. Send me samples of your mailer and the facts behind it (products used, message conveyed, audience targeted and the ROI/ROO – Return on Objective — metrics) by April 1st to be considered.

You know, when I moderate education panel discussions at ASI shows on the topic of “The Power of Self-Promotion Campaigns,” one of the main obstacles people seem to have is that they’re overwhelmed and don’t know how to get started. Well, as the folks at Nike would say, Just Do It. Do something. Pretty much every supplier I know is happy to offer discounts for distributors doing self-promos, and and I’m willing to help brainstorm ideas with you. Just send me an e-mail: mbell@asicentral.com.

Cheers and more soon from the PSI Show in Europe (my favorite show ever!) and ASI’s Orlando Show!

– M

PS: If you’re a supplier who’s going to be at ASI’s Orlando Show, please take a well-deserved break from booth set-up on Monday, January 16th to be my guest at a free, suppliers-only luncheon and education session that I’ll be moderating from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in room W202A. In the “What Distributors Want” panel discussion, four top distributors will take your questions and discuss how you can become a valued promotional partner and integral member of their creative marketing team.

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Friday
November 11, 2011

ASI’s 5th Annual Power Summit: After Hours!

Filed under: Travel

Well, hi there Everyone!

Am I the only one who is freaked out and flummoxed that it’s mid-November already? The good news? For the last five years, the beginning of November has signaled ASI’s Power Summit, a three-day meeting of some of the best and brightest minds in the industry. One of ASI’s most popular events (second only, I think, to the annual Counselor banquet or the raucous Counselor Hot Party) it has become a must-attend event for many in the industry, who carve time out of their busy schedules to take part in informative panel discussions and massive amounts of networking with colleagues. Having attended every Power Summit, I’ve seen first-hand how important it is for suppliers and distributors, competitors and colleagues, to honestly communicate about our collective issues — only by doing that will we start to caulk some of the industry’s cracks.   

My favorite parts of this year’s Power Summit? Seeing my pals Terry McGuire (HALO), Jilly Albers (Shumsky), Josh Ebrahemi (Jack Nadel Int’l.) and Stephanie Leader (Leader Promos) square off in a Marketing Smackdown panel, led by ASI’s senior vice president and editor-in-chief, Melinda Ligos. Briefed with a very abstract promotional concept only two hours before taking the stage, these marketing geniuses had to face off against each other and vie for the winning promotion to help an anonymous women-owned sneaker company with its wellness program. Though their promotional concepts were all completely different (which was interesting), their presentations were nothing short of brilliant. The winner (the always-hilarious Terry McGuire) was chosen from text messages sent in real-time from the audience — too cool.

Also, a shout-out to Magnet’s Bill Korowitz (love, love, love him!) and Teresa Moisant of Moisant Promotional Products, two of the liveliest — and funniest — people you’d ever want on a panel, and they were phenomenal, along with Jason Robbins of ePromos Promotional Products Inc., in the Great Industry Debate, moderated by my colleague Dave Vagnoni, senior writer for Counselor magazine.

Lastly, a big thanks to my friend Dov Charney — CEO of American Apparel — who blew into the event on the last day like a little, wiry bat out of hell, all jacked up on caffeine — to join the last panel discussion of the event, “Meet the Counselor Power 50,” moderated by ASI’s vice chairman, Matthew Cohn. Dov and I have been friends for over 10 years and trust me, few people in the industry know how chronically eccentric and bat-crap crazy he can be more than I do. On the flip side, he’s also one of the most brilliant marketers and innovators I’ve ever come across, and a true entrepreneur and visionary. He’s like the industry’s own Lord Byron: wickedly talented, but mad, bad and dangerous to know. What can I say? I’ve always had a soft spot for the weapons-grade weirdos. ; )

On that note, and without further adieu, enjoy this collection of photos of some of your favorite industry luminaries, drinking in the fun, sun (and Grey Goose). Hope to see you at next year’s Power Summit, from November 11-13 in Naples, FL. (www.asicentral.com/powersummit)

Cheers!

– M

These are the jaw-dropping views from the deck bar at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, CA. Overlooking the Dana Point surf break — one of the best in the country — there were a minimum of 50 surfers (my favorites, second only to drummers!) on the water every day. I’ve spent worse days than basking in the glow of this Elysian panorama.	Another view from the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel, CA
This is Barbara Ambrose, executive assistant to Rich Fairfield, ASI’s executive vice president and publisher. We LOVE her at ASI, as she is nothing short of amazing.	Did you love ASI’s Power Summit? Here’s a big reason why it’s such a success: Meet Sat Mamuels (as we call him), ASI’s event planner extraordinaire. It is a Herculean task to handle the voluminous amount of details involved with an event like the Power Summit, and Sat does it all with professionalism, triple-snapping style and a wit that takes my breath away, he makes me laugh so hard.
ASI president/CEO Tim Andrews, Rich Fairfield, ASI’s Editorial team and other key members flew into Cali early and enjoyed a fabulous dinner at Watermarc, one of best restaurants in Laguna Niguel. The food, company and Blackberry-infused cocktails were to die for. On the left: Executive Director of Operations for the ASI Show, Cheryl Childers; Rich Fairfield, Barbara Ambrose, Sat Mamuels, Stitches’Editor and ASI’s executive director of professional development, Nicole Rollender and ASI Education Manager, Kerry Boderman. On the right: Tim Andrews, ASI’s vice president of digital experience, Rob Watson and ASI Senior Vice President of Professional Development & Editor-in-Chief, Melinda Ligos.	The night before ASI’s Fifth Annual Power Summit kicked off, company president/CEO Tim Andrews hosted a dinner at the Ritz Carlton for ASI’s staff in attendance. Here are some of my favorite colleagues (from left): Vice President of Distributor Services, Dan Dienna (I dare you to make him laugh — he’s got the funniest girly giggle ever); Barbara Ambrose; Manager of Digital Advertising, Suzanne Izzo; and Supplier Sales Marketing Manager, Colin Graf, who took all the amazing event photos you see on ASICentral.
(From left): The lovely Krista Taylor, one of ASI’s clients’ favorite supplier sales reps; Rob Watson (love, love, love him!) and Melinda Ligos, who oversees the cuckoo’s nest that is ASI’s editorial department.	(From left): Melinda Ligos, Tim Andrews and Nicole Rollender enjoy some pre-dinner cocktails.
(From left): Counselor senior writer Dave Vagnoni, who MC’d the Power Summit event and did a damn fine job doing so; Kerry Boderman; ASI’s executive director of research, Larry Basinait and Counselor editor Andy Cohen.	Trade Show Manager for the ASI Show, Amber May (left), who celebrated her birthday just as the Power Summit was kicking off, got some help celebrating from her girlfriend, Lindsay Troncelliti.
(From left): ASI’s Marketing Communications Manager, Kate Malone; Amber May; ASI Marketing Director of Membership Services, Jack Flohr; and Cheryl Childers.	Tim Andrews and Barbara Ambrose, enjoying some downtime before the Power Summit officially opened.
The always-gregarious Dana Zezzo, shown here with the plush towel with the Power Summit logo that his company, Pro Towels Etc., supplied to event attendees, who coveted them.	Dana Zezzo and Dan Weisberg of the distributor Branded Solutions in Pittsburgh.
(From left): Texas-based (hil-arious!) distributor Sean Roark of Promopros Inc.; whip-smart Ottawa-based distributor Raman Agarwal of Akran Marketing; ASI’s executive vice president of distributor services, Dan O’Halloran and Jim Thompson, owner of Graphco Line. Super, super nice guys!	The very enigmatic Joanna Grant from Affinity Express, one of ASI’s best affiliates.
(From left): Kevin Nord, owner of Pro Towels Etc.; Dana Zezzo; and my girl Jilly Albers, from the Ohio-based distributor Shumsky. A word now about Jilly: At events like this and trade shows we both attend, Jilly shares my room … and the rock star, libertine antics follow henceforth. As I’m fond of saying, I don’t have any sisters, but if I did, they’d be Jilly and our pal Sharon Biernat (missed you, Shar!), of Creative Promos in Chicago!	David Woods (left) president of Counselor Top 40 distributor AIA and CONRAD FRANEY, president of Counselor Top 40 distributor Gateway/CDI. Why did I put his name in all capital letters? BECAUSE EVERYTHING HE SAYS IS VERY LOUD AND IT JUST CRACKS ME UP!!! His business partner, Chuck Fandos (missed you, Chuckles!) calls him “Foghorn Leghorn” and if you know CONRAD, it is apropos.
(From left): Vice President of Sales for Counselor Top 40 supplier Sweda and a dear friend of mine, Kellie Claudio, CONRAD FRANEY, and one of my all-time favorites, Sweda president Jim Hagan.	At my table for the Power 50 dinner during the Summit, I was lucky enough to have quite the cast of industry characters, including Galaxy Balloons’ Terry Brizz and Shepenco’s Dan Townes. Needless to say, there was tons of hooting and hollering at my table.
One of PPAI’s newest board members (she’ll do an excellent job!), the luminous Natalie Townes (left) from Shepenco and Jilly Albers.	One of my oldest — and closest — friends in the industry, Craig Nadel, president of Counselor Top 40 distributor Jack Nadel Int’l. (left), shown here with my pal Jason Grindall from the Arizona-based supplier, Graphco Line. Jason was present during my one and only appearance on an Advantages’ road show tour (there were cocktails…and there were fireworks in a field… Oy.) and we lived to tell the tale.
Here’s my girl Jilly with Josh Ebrahemi, the top sales rep for Jack Nadel Int’l. Both Josh & Jill (who did not, incidentally, go up a hill…) graciously allowed me to put them on our “Marketing Smackdown” panel at the Power Summit and they — along with their fellow panelists Terry McGuire from HALO and Stephanie Leader from Leader Promos — KILLED it!!! At the ages of 28 and 31 respectively, Jilly and Josh are the future of the industry.	Jilly with one who could be accurately described as the industry’s mayor, the Honorable Fran Ford. I think it’s fair to say that a high number of people in the industry have been mentored by and taken under Fran’s wing — and they’re all the better for it. Fran’s company, J. Charles Crystal, supplied the Power 50 and golf awards and they were stunning.
Vice president of business development for Counselor Top 40 supplier Norwood & BIC Graphic North America, Dave Saracino (left) with Memo Kahan, president of Counselor Top 40 distributor PromoShop. Fun fact about Mr. Saracino: In quite a few bars in certain cities across the U.S. the bartenders actually know — from memory — how to make a “Saracino,” a drink named after our industry friend. LOVE that! If this industry had a Rat Pack, he’d be the Chairman of the Board. Like Sinatra, Dave’s the straw that stirs the cocktail.	Memo Kahan with the always-charming Paul Lage, president of Counselor Top 40 supplier Gill Studios. Want to know the epitome of California Cool? Spend some time with Memo… He has such an effortless joie de vivre and chill insouciance, your blood pressure will drop 10 points just by standing next to him.
Terry Brizz and Dan Townes with BrandFuel’s co-owner, Robert Fiveash. In a recent profileI wrote about him, I compared him and his longtime business partner and childhood friend to Keith and Mick. I stand by that statement, on a multitude of levels. Truly, it’s no surprise that BrandFuel is consistently named to Counselor’s Best Places to Work list, based on their employees’ feedback — that’s how much they rock.	After the Power 50dinner, everyone gravitated to the bar for some after-hours high-level discourse. And that’s the story I’m sticking to. Here, we see Pro Towels’ Dana Zezzo with Glen, one of The Fabulous Hersh Boys.
Shumsky’s Jilly Albers with BamBam’s Dan Taylor, one of our favorites in the industry. If we gave out Mr. Congeniality Awards, Dan would get one.	Industry celeb Brett Hersh and a member of this year’s Counselor Hot List, the always-dazzling Anita Emoff from Shumsky/Boost Rewards.
CJ Schmidt, vice president of sales for CounselorTop 40 supplier Hit Promotional Products, shown here with Sandy Gonzalez, president of the distributorship Made to Order. Much like Shumsky’s Jill Albers and Jack Nadel’s Josh Ebrahemi, CJ represents the next generation of our industry — a very good thing.	My BFF Craig Nadel with Aakron Rule’s owner/president, Devin Piscitelli, someone I’d always heard of but never met. Having finally gotten to spend time with him at the Power Summit, I can say that he’s just as delightful as I’ve been told.
Shumsky/Boost Rewards’ Jilly Albers and Anita Emoff, shown here with a very happy Dana Zezzo.	(From left): Craig Nadel, Tim Andrews and Josh Ebrahemi.
Here we have Paul Bellantone, an industry veteran and PPAI’s newly-installed president/CEO, and Tim Andrews, ASI’s president/CEO. My opinion? The industry couldn’t be in better hands with these two at the helm. I was thrilled to have Paul attend this year’s Power Summit, as I’ve known him for years and have always found him to be beyond gracious.	Two of apparel’s best — Ira Neaman, owner of CounselorTop 40 supplier Vantage and Glenn Oyoung, COO of CounselorTop 40 supplier Tri-Mountain/Mountain Gear, such a classy guy!
Two of my favorite people in the industry, David Nicholson — president of CounselorTop 40 supplier Polyconcept North America and the person (along with his colleagues Philippe Varnier and Yann Leca) named #1 on this year’s CounselorPower 50 list — and Ira “the Yoda of Wearables” Neaman. Too Kooky To Be Believed Fact: The heads and/or founders of FOUR Counselor Top 40 suppliers are from Pittsburgh and went to the same high school: Jeff Kramer, who founded Bullet Line; Tommy Bernstein, who founded Leed’s; Bill Korowitz, the owner/president of Magnet LLC and Ira, who owns Vantage. What are the chances of THAT??? Throw Pro Towels’ owner Kevin Nord and Branded Solutions’ Dan Weisberg (both from Pittsburgh) into the mix and you’ve got what has to be the breeding ground for industry success stories!	And last but not least, we have Jetline’s vice president of business development, Joe Hoffman — always one with miles of smile and ready to have some fun. I’m always telling Joe that when I’m in a certain mood, I can be like a lawn dart at a bar — I plant roots and never move. I don’t think he believed me until after the Power 50 dinner, but he sure as hell does now! ; )

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Thursday
October 6, 2011

The Best Steve Jobs Quote Ever…

Filed under: Personal

Hi Everyone!

Like so many other people, I was saddened to hear about the death of Apple’s Steve Jobs. You know, the phrase “technology visionary” gets thrown around a lot to describe lesser mortals who really aren’t worthy of that weighty moniker. Steve Jobs, however, deserved it in spades. And while I don’t have an iPhone (I still love you, BlackBerry!) or an iPad, I covet my iPod and stand in awe of the voluminous, astonishingly groundbreaking products and innovations Jobs gave us.

For the this year’s Design & Innovation issue of Supplier Global Resource, ASI’s magazine for industry suppliers that I edit, it was a no-brainer to pick an image of Jobs for our cover.  

So, in honor of him, I present one of my favorite quotes ever, which just happens to be from Mr. Jobs himself. I love it because it perfectly embodies his iconoclastic, maverick, and deliciously insolent attitude:

“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”

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