PPB June 2018

NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT How did your company get its start? It’s an interesting story. My partners, Joscha Franke and Antonia Haase, and I have been good friends since 2007 when we met in Hamburg, Germany, and in 2012 we worked together on an eco-friendly advertising startup in San Francisco. That project fizzled out but the core principles of substituting oil-based plastics in disposable giveaway items for more eco-friendly alternatives lived on, and Josanto was founded in Hamburg in 2013. Since our inception, we’ve seen an explosion in consciousness about the overuse of plastics and a huge push, driven both culturally and legislatively, to change that. Our eco-friendly, biodegradable and compostable rain ponchos fill that demand and have been really well received. Additionally, we offer cheaper, recyclable ponchos which make our products more accessible to the wider market but also offer eco benefits. We’re at a huge growth point for the company and will be launching new product lines in the near future to satisfy the demand that we’ve seen in the eco- friendly segment. Five years on, we’ve grown to become Europe’s number one supplier of bio-plastic ponchos. We’ve reached a point where the model has been proven, and international growth is the next step. Making our way to the U.S. is a big step for the company in itself, but made even sweeter considering the origins of our first startup in San Francisco. What led your company to enter the promotional products market? It was kind of a no-brainer. Advertising dollars subsidize the production of a massive amount of disposable goods, which creates an ideal opportunity for our mission of substituting the use of oil-based plastics with more environmentally friendly options. Sponsors are able to do an intrinsically good act while making their advertising spend and score some social responsibility points at the same time. This is still a niche market today, but there’s a wave coming, and our products are well positioned for huge growth. What’s your favorite thing about being in the promotional products industry? The people. It’s a fun market. People get excited for the events which they’re planning, and there are generally good vibes all around. It’s a competitive market, but one filled with a lot of good, friendly people. We have a great time attending trade shows and getting positive feedback for our products, and that carries through every day throughout the year with new customers showing us love. Why did you join PPAI? This was an easy decision. We’ve benefited greatly from our membership in the PSI association in Europe, and PPAI is already paying similar dividends here in the U.S. Firstly, credibility is huge in this market; we’re not new in the segment but we’re relatively unknown in the U.S., and being part of PPAI demonstrates that we’re a serious, committed organization. Secondly, getting listed in the directory and in SAGE is huge. Finally, the networking and advertising opportunities which PPAI offers will be invaluable for us. We’re excited to get more involved, and really looking forward to attending the PPAI Expo for the first time. — James Khattak Matthew Adams Managing Director Josanto, LLC Lincoln, Nebraska PPAI 720927 mindseyecre8tive PPAI 730391 Minuteman Press PPAI 714831 Msl Direct PPAI 406660 Nanu Marketing PPAI 218133 Newton Promotions, Inc. PPAI 728848 Nightmare Graphic, Inc. PPAI 283599 Northern Montana Textile Services PPAI 730278 Northwood Apparel Company PPAI 344689 O’Imagination PPAI 721353 Palmetto Blended PPAI 729833 Paniolo Printing PPAI 732054 Peerless Custom Embroidery PPAI 726370 Personalize & Monogramming PPAI 732993 Picasso Group Custom Products, LLC PPAI 730231 PJ’s Desert Trophies & Gifts PPAI 265348 Pocono Print & Design, Inc. PPAI 563750 Pollock Paper PPAI 730383 Postnet PPAI 729856 Premier Printing PPAI 729930 PrintPro PPAI 729705 PrintSushi PPAI 729980 Pro Motion Imaging PPAI 335135 Professional Marketing Services, Inc. PPAI 330706 Quality Shirts and More, LLC PPAI 730524 Red Calf Promo, LLC PPAI 730219 Reinecke Design PPAI 730039 Rellec Apparel & Graphics PPAI 729986 Resonance Printing Solutions PPAI 730174 Riggans Advertising Specialty Co. PPAI 108146 Robertson Print PPAI 217442 106 | JUNE 2018 | CONNECT