PPB May 2020

Looking Back On Lighter Industry Moments The April 7 issue of PPB Newslink shared the responses to a question Justin Brubaker, account executive at distributor Apex Advertising Inc. in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, posted online in which he asked his peers about the strangest products and requests they’d received from customers. In this time of unprecedented change and uncertainty, positive, humorous stories are of considerable value. This was what the doctor ordered. Too funny! As soon as I read this, I remembered when a client called me with an unusual request: they wanted a large Rockfish mounted on a plaque that was laser-marked with an inscription. I got the call at 7:30 am and the client needed me to meet them at the airport at 3 pm the same day so he could take it to a meeting. We pulled it off. I only wish I had a video of me handing that off to the client at the gate. Funny, but great profit! Great article, thank you, and everyone, stay focused and stay healthy! CLIFF QUICKSELL, MAS+ President and CEO Cliff Quicksell Associates, An iPROMOTEu Affiliate Walkersville, Maryland PPAI 140922 Stronger Together Promo companies stepped up in a big way to produce personal protective equipment and other goods the medical community needs to operate while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The March 24 issue of PPB Newslink highlighted what some companies have done to supply important medical supplies. Our industry has long had shared respect among “competitors,” and this is the epitome of us banding together for the common good, stronger together. #allhandsondeck JOE FAVRE Sales Manager, Promotional Division Vanguard Direct New York, New York PPAI 223977, D1 Promo’s Coronavirus Preparations In its March 12 issue, before the stay-at-home orders and social distancing directives became commonplace, PPB Newslink shared industry companies’ responses and preparations as the fact that COVID-19 would significantly impact operations became more apparent. Disruptions are underway. Let’s all take a deep breath and breathe in faith and breathe out fear. Coast to coast, events are going to be cancelled and we will be in for a bumpy ride for a couple months, minimum. What are we doing to keep clients engaged besides selling sanitizer? JIM FRANKLYN Vice President Of Business Development Swag Promo, LLC Alpharetta, Georgia PPAI 562712, D5 feedback Send feedback on articles in PPB or opinions on industry issues to JamesK@ppai.org. 8 | MAY 2020 |