Advertising Specialty Institute

ASI’s editorial team steps into the time machine to discuss the growing demand for ‘90s fashion, ‘80s movies and other products from yesteryear in this groovy edition of the Promo Insiders podcast.

BAMKO (asi/131431) executives Phil Koosed and Joshua White deliver powerful insights about coronavirus’ current and future impacts on the promotional products industry in the first ever Promo Insiders podcast.

It’s been nearly two years since Wayfair v. South Dakota, a landmark case that completely changed the rules of sales tax for online companies. The decision has created a major administrative challenge within the promotional products industry. Companies potentially have to know the sales tax laws of every state, file sales tax forms for every state and be registered to do business in every state. Bradley Scott, whose wife is the president of their family-owned wholesale jewelry company Halstead Beads in Prescott, AZ, will be speaking at a Congressional hearing regarding the Wayfair case on March 3. In this podcast, Scott explains the issues his company has faced by collecting online sales tax, his recommendations to the government on fixing the process and how other business owners can get involved.

ASI's Vinnie Driscoll interviews Javier Melendez of All Star Incentive Marketing about his use of the social media platform TikTok, the effects it's had on his business, and whether those in the promo industry should be using it.

Vinnie Driscoll is joined by Abby Koss, ASI’s director of marketing on the distributor side, to talk about the best time to post on social media.

Vinnie Driscoll is joined by Theresa Hegel, executive editor of digital content, to discuss some of the changes they'd love to see on social media platforms. Tired of not being able to edit tweets? You're not alone!

HALO Branded Solutions (asi/356000) rocked the promo industry again with its latest Top 40 acquisition: Axis Promotions (asi/128263). The move potentially makes HALO the second largest distributor in the industry, with combined revenue of nearly $660 million. In this exclusive podcast, HALO CEO Marc Simon and Axis President Larry Cohen reveal how the deal came together and what’s next for both companies.

What impact is the 2019 Novel Coronavirus in China having on the North American promo products industry? How will it affect the supply chain, shipment timing and costs, planning, business travel overseas, and even human health? Larry Whitney, Top 40 supplier Polyconcept North America’s (PCNA, asi/78897) director of global compliance, is an expert on overseas sourcing and manufacturing. In this exclusive podcast, he offers insights into those pressing questions.

Seemingly every week another city passes legislation banning single-use plastic bags. Ken Trottere, vice president of Poly-Pak Industries, Inc. (asi/81350), breaks down what some of these bans entail, reveals the impact they’ve had on his business and clears up misconceptions regarding eco-friendly alternatives.

In this exclusive podcast, Stran Promotional Solutions’ Nick Mirabile—the 2020 Advantages Distributor Salesperson of the Year—speaks with Advantages’ Sara Lavenduski about his experience in the industry, the power of visualization and how he went from zero to eight figures in sales in just a year and a half.

The nascent legal cannabis industry is a wellspring of opportunity for promotional products distributors. In this exclusive podcast, marijuana market expert Ryan Tickle, vice president of sales at promo supplier Cannabis Promotions (asi/42996), shares insights on buyers to target, products to sell, selling strategies, legal issues to be aware of, and why now is the prime time to push into the cannabis niche in a major way.

Vinnie Driscoll is joined by Chris Ruvo, executive editor of Counselor magazine, to discuss how distributors and suppliers should be using social media at trade shows, why ‘Die Hard’ is a Christmas movie, and much more!

Vinnie Driscoll interviews Counselor Executive Editor Chris Ruvo on what he thinks will be some of the biggest trends for the promotional products industry in 2020.

Vinnie Driscoll talks with Liz Chrostowski, assistant marketing manager at ASI, about how suppliers should be using social media, the best platforms for generating leads, and much more. If you’re a promo supplier this is one podcast you don’t wanna miss!

ASI's Vinnie Driscoll and Patrick Kennedy discuss the basics of social media strategy plans, why you should have one for your business and how to build one from scratch in this info-packed episode!

Richard Montañez went from janitor to vice president of sales and community activation for PepsiCo North America, thanks a willingness to take big risks and the determination to pull them off.

Chris Lee, Counselor’s 2013 International Person of the Year, is CEO of Brand Addition (asi/202515) -- the second largest promo distributorship in the United Kingdom, with a vast European reach and operations in North America and Asia. Those are integral reasons why Lee rose in the rankings on Counselor’s recently released 2019 Power 50, a definitive list of the most influential people in the promotional products industry. In this exclusive podcast complementing the Power 50, Lee offers insights on everything from Brand Addition’s growth in North America to the challenges and opportunities that come with being a truly global promo products company.

Tracey Barton rose three places, to 38th, on the 2019 Power 50, a definitive ranking of the most influential people in the promotional products industry. In this exclusive podcast, the director of promotional products at Top 40 distributor Safeguard/Deluxe (asi/316203/178720) offers insights on everything from leadership and Safeguard’s success, to challenges and opportunities for the promo industry.

Mark Freed is the CEO and president of Genumark (asi/204588), the largest Canadian-owned distributorship. That’s a big reason why he’s on Counselor’s 2019 Power 50, a definitive ranking of the most influential people in the promotional products industry. In this exclusive podcast released as a complement to the Power 50, Freed offers insights on everything from major opportunities for promo distributors in 2020 to the challenges the U.S./China trade war is presenting to Canadian ad specialty firms.

ASI's Vinnie Driscoll and Patrick Kennedy peer into their crystal ball to bring you the social media business trends you should be mindful of in 2020. What network has the most potential for promotional products professionals, and which has the least? Listen now to find out!