PPB April 2020

KurtMcGovern President McGovern Marketing Group Cleveland, Ohio Thirty-three years ago, Kurt McGovern answered a newspaper ad for a factory rep at an industry supplier. In 2013, he opened the doors on McGovern Marketing Group and today he puts about 40,000 miles on his car annually to serve distributors across Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky from his home base in Cleveland. Nominator: Sophia Weidner, CE Competitive Edge LLC What makes him the best: “Kurt is always helping us think outside the box. If I contact him about polos for an upcoming golf event, he always suggests additional items such as caps or golf towels that I wasn’t even considering including in my proposal. He helps us stand out from the competition,” says nominator Sophia Weidner. His secret to success: Follow up and do what you say you will do. Help others be successful. How distributors can help reps do a better job: I’d like them to remember, we are true partners. We are in this together to help their clients with the best items to promote their business. The biggest issue facing reps today: Supplier acquisitions and mergers. Reps face the issue of losing a line through this process. One remedy is making sure you have strong relationships with your distribution network. Suppliers will keep a rep who is front and center with their distributors, keeping business after a merger. Suppliers and their reps are in this together as true partners with the same focus on growing their respective businesses. What he wants distributors to know: I’d like them to know about our creativity and idea-selling. Some of the most creative people I know are multi-line representatives. These are people on straight commission and want nothing more than to earn your business. Alternate career choice: I would learn how to play a guitar, go to Key West and be the next Jimmy Buffet. “Kurt is always helping us think outside the box.” —SophiaWeidner Wear It Proudly Each of the PPB Best Multi-Line Reps will receive a silver-plated lapel pin designed especially for this recognition program and donated by Harvey Mackler, MAS, president of PPAI supplier member Gempire/gwi (PPAI 113471, S6). FEATURE | Best Multi-Line Reps 56 | APRIL 2020 |