The Message, Not The Medium Following a September PPB column by PPAI President and CEO Dale Denham, MAS+, responding to a Fast Company article targeting “cheap, disposable conference swag,” Greg Emmer, chief marketing officer of distributer Kaeser & Blair, shared his perspective on the importance of putting the emphasis on the work industry professionals do rather than the tools they use to do it. Reflecting on Greg Emmer’s letter, I will add my firm voice – I will even stomp my foot for emphasis! – to his comments. I, too, am a product of SAAI (Specialty Advertising Association International). My good friend Carl Rosenfeld, board chair, who supervised the merger with the Advertising Specialty Guild, would have been quick to agree, that we have allowed people within the industry, and occasionally our customers, to refer to the products we sell in that manner. It is demeaning to our industry, our customer and ourselves! We don’t see network television touting the benefits of TV advertising as hitting the “boob tube.” Nor newspapers being referred to by their staffers as “wrapping for yesterday’s fish!” Why then should we demean our medium? Margaret Custer Ford, MAS Founder MARCO-Ideas Unlimited Portland, Oregon PPAI 106680, D5 Send feedback on articles in PPAI or opinions on industry issues to JamesK@ppai.org. Feedback PromoTech In the article “All Systems Go: The Distributor Tech Arms Race,” the November issue of PPB magazine shared insight on the technology arms race among the industry’s largest distributors, as well as the tools and resources available for smaller and midsized companies to compete. This is a great article and a great reminder of the opportunities and upsides that technology transformations deliver. JP Hunt Co-founder and President InkSoft and GraphicsFlow Tempe, Arizona Adjusting For Inflation In November, the PPAI Newslink article “Promo Leaders Weigh In On Possible Inflation Relief” featured industry executives’ perspectives on what inflation means for the promotional products industry. I love the optimism! This is so important. My advice: Folks, stay the course, stay focused and ride it out. And look at ways to differentiate. Cliff Quicksell, MAS+ President Cliff Quicksell Associates Walkersville, Maryland Deni studio / Shutterstock.com 01.23 8 • JANUARY 2023 • PPAI
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