PPB September 2019

contents Promotional Products Business The Official Business Monthly of Promotional Products Association International SEPTEMBER 2019 4 Perspectives A Focus On The Future And Who’s Making It Happen 8 Feedback 11 INNOVATE 12 Question Making (And Keeping) The Team 14 Eye On Apparel Premium Apparel 39 GROW 40 Editor’s Picks Premium Products 54 Sales Five Ways to Sell More Apparel 58 Market To Market Insurance Industry 63 THINK 64 Profile The Allen Company 67 Fast Forward Instagram Moments Gone Too Far 74 Marketing Nine Proven Steps To A Successful Brand Launch Strategy 91 CONNECT 94 Day in the Life Michael La Plante 97 Inside PPAI 106 People News 110 Snapshots 113 PPPC Communiqué 115 New Members 119 Datebook 124 The Creative Calendar 20 PPB 2019 RISING STARS 14 Impressive And Inspiring Young Leaders 80 MAKING THE GRADE More than 150 students heading to college this fall can breathe a bit easier thanks to PPEF. 46 FRESH VOICES OF PROMO SPARK attendees share their thoughts about current issues facing the promotional products industry. Photographed at the Omni Mandalay in Irving, Texas, are (from left, first row): Tosha Everhart, Joe Douglas, Taylor Borst, (second row) Caitlin Downing, Amy Fields, Gaby Kaplan, (third row) Matthew Lamb, Sam Reed, Katrina Marshall, (fourth row) Brian Deissroth, Cola Svec, Trey Schaefer, CAS, (fifth row) JP Stratton. Inset: Kate Alavez ON THE COVER: Cover photo by Chris Fritchie | SEPTEMBER 2019 | 3