PPB April 2019

BillMcDonald President, McDonald Marketing Group, Athens, Georgia Nominators: Marcella Carrizosa, Terry Town; Tom Flippo, Dunbrooke; Steven Meyer, MAS, Riteline McDonald started his career in the promotional industry 39 years ago, when he sold college bumper stickers and t-shirts door-to-door to businesses in Georgia. In 1984 he joined Brown & Bigelow as Atlanta district sales manager. In 1988 he accepted a position as vice president of sales, mid-south region at Forrester-Smith, Inc., working with one of his industry mentors, Wing Hughes. He founded McDonald Marketing Group in 1989 and formed a multi-line rep partnership with Doug Terry of Terrytorry Marketing a few years ago. Secret to success. I’ve always loved this business so I guess that sort of gave me a head start, making it easy to develop relationships. And in our promotional products world, great relationships have always been extremely important to success. I’m lucky because I can call on my friends and succeed in business at the same time. How distributors can help. I can make distributors’ jobs easier if they will give me more information about their projects and clients. Biggest challenge. Distributors don’t realize the value multi-line reps can bring to their business. What he wants distributors to know. Multi-reps have so many new product ideas and can help create new opportunities for distributors to help them stand out to their clients. We can also help save distributors money, which can often result in a larger profit margin. Alternate career. I’mnot sure but musician in a band stands out—if I had just not sold my Gibson Chet Atkins Mosrite guitar in 1970. About Bill. “ The industry is still about relationships and Billy Mac is the king of relationships. He’s always cheerful and presents the product with energy. There isn’t anything Billy wouldn’t do to help a customer, a supplier or just anyone. There is a reason why he’s has been around for such a long time—he has good follow-up and is motivated to find new ways to promote his lines. He is successful and creates a situation where distributors want to buy from him.” – Tom Flippo I’ve always loved this business, so I guess that sort of gaveme a head start, making it easy to develop relationships. —BillMcDonald FEATURE | Best Multi-Line Reps 2019 54 | APRIL 2019 |