PPB August 2020

Industry Leaders, Experts Discuss Timely Issues In PPAI’s PromoTalks Podcast PPAI’s PromoTalks podcast, launched inMarch, continues to offer insightful, engaging conversations that are relevant and important to promotional products professionals, with a distinguished guest list that includes industry thought leaders, business executives and subject matter experts. In June, PromoTalks hosted several engaging discussions germane to the promo pros and their businesses. Anna Branch, marketing and brand strategist, and Carson Roncketto, chief operating officer, both of Fayetteville, Arkansas, distributor Creative, joined the podcast to share their thoughts on the ins-and-outs of company rebranding, including determining when to undergo a rebranding. PromoTalks also invited Paula Shulman, CAS, president of PMS Consulting; Daryll Griffin, MAS, president and CEO of Accolades, Inc.; and Roni Wright, MAS, vice president of The Book Company, three trailblazing women in the industry and PPAI Woman of Achievement recipients, as guests on the podcast in June. Through their successes, they have paved the way for the next generation of women working in the promotional products field. During the engaging conversation, moderated by Tina Berres Filipski, PPAI’s director of publications and editor of PPB magazine, the three shared advice, discussed navigating failures and hurdles, and spoke on how they’ve seen the industry evolve. Tune in to listen to these insightful and helpful discussions, available free on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, at promotalks. buzzsprout.com. PromoPolls Collects And Shares Industry Pros’ Opinions On Top Issues PPAI’s PromoPolls, a quick, informal, twice-weekly poll published in every issue of PPB Newslink, captures a snapshot of opinions on a wide range of current topics. Many of the recent polls have quizzed readers on questions related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Among its insights are these: • Most respondents expect sales to return to pre- lockdown levels in the second or third quarters of 2021 (57 percent) • Fifty-nine percent of respondents have taken advantage of government support programs offered during the pandemic • Among companies with employees currently working from home, almost three-quarters plan on allowing at least certain positions to continue to do so on a semi- permanent basis • For about half of respondents, personal protective equipment, such as face masks, medical gowns and face shields, make up between 10 and 50 percent of their current sales. To learnmore about the polls’ findings, participate in the latest polls and see how industry peers have responded to other topical questions, visit pubs.ppai.org/polls. 92 | AUGUST 2020 | CONNECT