PPB January 2016

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StrombergBrand (UPIC:
1ASTRMBG)— Jim Curtis of JC
Corporate Sales, to represent the
company in New England
Towel Specialties (UPIC:
TOWLSPEC)— Eva Brannon, pro-
moted to western regional sales
director within the inside sales
department
IN MEMORIAM
Dianne Watson, MAS, for-
mer president of the Sunbelt
Promotional Products
Association and director of
Birmingham, Alabama-based
multi-line rep firm Turner and
Associates (UPIC: BRAD0004),
passed away November 22. She
is remembered by colleagues
and friends as a dedicated, hard-
working and knowledgeable pro-
motional professional who was
committed to serving and lead-
ing her regional association.
“I witnessed her tireless
efforts and cheerful disposition
transform SPPA into a stronger
and more organized association,”
says Mark Josey, a Birmingham
distributor and past president of
SPPA.
Watson and her late hus-
band, Brad, led Brad Watson &
Associates—later Turner and
Associates—for more than 30
years. They were considered by
many to be a dynamic team who
built a successful busi-
ness and forged many
lasting friendships.
“She had a relentless
desire to turn every-
one she met into a
friend,” says Charlie
Cochran, who served
with her on the SPPA
board.
Watson was a member of
SPPA longer than any current
members, and volunteered in
some capacity every year. She
served two terms on the board of
directors, including as vice presi-
dent and delegate to the
Regional Association Council,
and as president in 2011 and
2012. Her most current role with
SPPA was as public service chair-
person. The association honored
Dianne last year with the inaugu-
ral SPPA Volunteer of the Year
Award, which is now named in
her honor.
Cathy Miller, MAS, a past
SPPA president, remembers
Watson as a caring friend and
colleague who was loved
throughout the industry. “We can
all only hope to be as loved as
she was,” says Miller.
In addition to SPPA service,
Watson and her firm acted as
dedicated supporters and vocal
advocates for all the regional
associations of which they were
members. She served as presi-
dent of the Specialty Advertising
Association of Georgia (now
GAPPP) and was instrumental in
its highly successful ESP show.
“Dianne was the reason our ESP
show reached its huge success
and national acclaim in the
1990s,” says Mary Beth Pearson,
MAS, a friend and multi-line rep.
“‘Lady Di’ was one of my favorite
colleagues, and I have
been truly honored to
call her a friend.”
Watson encour-
aged countless industry
professionals to give
back to their industry
by becoming involved
in their respective
regional associations.
Loren Richardson with
alphabroder, who is current treas-
urer of SPPA, says, “She recruited
me to be on the board and I have
seen firsthand her give to the
industry and association. She has
personally encouraged me as a
professional and as a person. I
considered her a friend.”
Watson is survived by her
daughter and son-in-law, Jamie
Gilchrist and Bo Turner; stepchil-
dren, Jennifer Watson, Patricia
Martin and Stephen Watson;
grandchildren, Trey Turner,
Elizabeth Turner, Angela and her
husband Ronnie Sessamen,
Julianne Pierce, Madelyn Martin
and Mackenzie Martin; and great
grandchild, RJ Sessamen.
A celebration of Watson’s life
was held November 29 in
Homewood, Alabama. The family
requests that in lieu of flowers
donations be made to one of
Dianne’s favorite charities, the
Lorie Johnson Foundation, P.O.
Box 381284, Birmingham,
Alabama 35238.
Dianne Watson,
MAS
Cindy Roberson
Josie Prins
CONNECT 104 • PPB • JANUARY 2016
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